Camping on a Budget

Summer is here, and so is the time of vacations. With gas prices on the rise (and no sign of stopping) some people may be a bit sheepish about taking a vacation. Well, instead of staying in, why not try camping? Most campgrounds are cheap, and with the below tips, you just might cut the costs more than you had expected.

First and foremost, sit down and figure out who you want to bring on your vacation. Remember that later on, those invited will help you fund your trip, by either bringing items or contributing to what is bought for the trip. Make a list of the potential invites. Make sure you get along with everyone well, as you will be spending several days with them. If you think problems will arise with one or more people on the list, scratch them and think of another.

Once that is decided, make a list of the items you'll need. Think long and hard. You'll need food, blankets, a tent, and other items to make your trip as comfortable as possible. If you can't come up with the entire list right away, that's ok. Take as much time as you need to make sure you have everything. Once your list is complete, talk to those whom you want to invite, decide who will bring what. Write down the names beside each item. I bet once you begin doing this, you'll realize you have more of these than you expected! Don't worry if you don't however, with a bit of shopping around, you'll be able to find cheap items easily.

Now comes time when you want to find a campground and reserve a site. Search the internet, check your phone book, or ask around. You'll probably find several places nearby if you don't want to travel far, of if you'd like to, you can probably find one or two in the areas you'd like to go. Most campground fees are not too expensive. Usually they run around $15 a night for a primitive site (no water or electric). You can split the fees between you and the other people you invited on the trip. When it comes time for your trip, double check your list and figure out what you need to buy and what you need to pack. Looking for a cheap grill? Why not stop by your local Dollar General. You can buy a small 12 inch portable grill for $3. Make sure you buy a bag of charcoal as well. Buying a bag of instant light will save you the trouble of having to buy fire starter as well.

Looking for a camping lantern? Look around Dollar General again. They have several different designs to choose from. All of them well within any price range. Don't forget the batteries! Buy a bigger pack for longer trips, and I'm sure you'll find they are also well within any price range.

Other items that may be more inclined for camping such as firewood and ice, and some food items can usually be purchased at the camp store usually for pretty good prices. If you want to check ahead, call the campground and inquire about their prices if you're curious. They will be happy to help you. Usually, all campgrounds have firewood to buy, and if you need extra, try walking around the woods and picking up fallen branches and sticks. They won't keep your fire going all night, but they certainly will help keep it going for awhile. If it is allowed, burning some trash items will also contribute to your fire without you having to buy more wood right away. Just remember to check the rules before you begin.

If you're looking for things to do while camping, don't forget to check around. Ask the owners of the campground. Look for hiking opportunities. A lot of areas have hiking within a few miles of the grounds. If you're camping near a river, you can always take a swim suit and an extra towel and take a dip. If you like to fish, why not take a fishing rod and make a day of it (just make sure you check the rules of that as well). Take some board games or other things you like to do with you and make a group thing out of it. Don't forget the campfire at night. You can sit around roasting marshmallows and telling stories. There are no limits to what you can do.

With these tips, I'm sure you can make your camping vacation a big success!