Camping on a budget

Here are some handy tips on how you can make your money stretch a little further, including cheap campsites, cooking and cleaning tips and creating more room in your tent without up-sizing.

Cheap Campsites

The first way you can save money when going camping is by finding a cheap campsite. One way to do this is to go camping out of season as prices are often a lot lower.

Another way to cut costs when choosing a camp site is to go camping as close to your house as possible. This may not sound ideal as you want to ‘get away’, however it is amazing what hidden treasures you can find around your local area. This way you’ll save money on petrol/travel costs and time travelling.

Also look out for special offers on pitches and book savvy, look out for sites with cheaper rates and either book far in advance or grab a last minute deal.

Protect your tent

Extending the life of your tent will also help cut camping costs in the future. One of the easiest ways to do this is by keeping it out of strong sunlight. You can buy a Nixwax solar proof spray that prevents fabrics from degrading in the sunlight to help you do this.

Make sure you have a bucket and sponge for cleaning your tent after use, you’ll need to thoroughly dry it afterwards however, so take a dry cloth for drying zips etc.

Make sure the tent is completely aired and dried before packing away otherwise mould will form and certain components may rot or rust. Do not use heat to dry your tent, you may melt or damage the fabric.

Always store your tent in a cool, dry place.

Maximizing space in your current tent

By buying a canopy, shelter, tarp or windshield you can extend your tent and create more space this will save you having to pay out for a larger one if you require more space.

Cooking on camp

Cooking meals from scratch whilst camping can be another great way to save some extra money. It can also be a fun way for the family to do something together. Planning your meals before you go and using ingredients that can be used for a number of dishes is the best way to do this. Also, cooking on fire to save money on gas can cut costs even further. Camping doesn’t need to be costly to be fun, follow these tips and you can easily do it on a budget.