Nothing beats the feeling of pulling up to a campsite and unloading your gear for an overnight stay. For some people, that means playing cards by the campfire and sleeping in a tent; for others, it means pitching a small RV with all the amenities of home.
No matter what kind of camping experience you’re looking for or what budget you have to work with, there’s a glamping option out there that will make your trip more enjoyable (and affordable).
Here are some tips on how to plan your own budget-friendly adventure:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Glamping is a form of camping where luxury amenities are provided. |
| Budget-friendly glamping is achievable by following essential tips. |
| The difference between camping and glamping is the level of luxury amenities. |
| Glamping can be either expensive or affordable, depending on various factors like location, amenities, etc. |
| Always pack essentials when going for glamping, and refer to the checklist provided by the accommodation provider. |
| Many glamping accommodations are also pet-friendly. |
Find The Right Spot
To find the right spot to camp out, you need to consider where there is good access to water, food and shelter. It’s also important that you choose a location that’s close to nature and safe for camping.
If you’re looking for some great places to go glamping on a budget (and who isn’t?), here are some tips:
- Use a map like Google Maps or MapQuest! These maps show off all of the different types of terrain across North America so that you can get an idea of what each place might look like before going there yourself.
- If possible try not to camp near large cities or towns because these areas tend not operate under strict regulations when it comes down from safety concerns such as fire danger during dry seasons.”
For anyone who’s unsure about what glamping entails, our guide on glamping 101 is an excellent place to start. The post delves into what glamping is, its benefits, and what to expect, making it a must-read for first-time glampers.
Go With A Camping Tent
Camping tents are a great option for people looking to have an affordable outdoor adventure. They’re much cheaper than glamping tents and they’re also lighter, making it easier to transport your gear from place to place.
Camping tents also tend to be more durable and can withstand harsher weather conditions, unlike many glamping tents which are made of thinner materials that aren’t able to stand up against rain or high winds. The fact that camping tents can be set up in so many different locations is another big plus: If you want to camp by the lake, but there isn’t enough space around you for a large tent then simply pack up and move somewhere else!
Best Camping Tents to Go With
| Brand | Model | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coleman | Sundome Tent | Easy setup, Waterproof, Wide windows | $89.99 |
| Marmot | Tungsten Tent | Large interior, Great ventilation, Durable | $279.00 |
| Kelty | Salida Camping Tent | Lightweight, Two vestibules, Enough headroom | $159.95 |
| ALPS Mountaineering | Lynx 1-Person Tent | Freestanding, Aluminum poles, Weather-resistance | $89.99 |
| Big Agnes | Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent | Ultralight, Spacious, Great storage | $449.95 |
This table will provide readers with some guidance to choose the best camping tent to go with. It includes some of the top brand camping tents with their key features and prices to help readers make an informed decision.
Rethink Your Food
You might think that food is the most important part of any camping trip. But if you’re on a budget, it can be easy to overspend on the one area where you can really save money—and enjoy yourself just as much by thinking outside of the box.
Think about what you can do without: If your favorite campfire meal is s’mores and hot dogs, there’s no need to waste time and money preparing elaborate meals for every meal. Make your own food: Dry ingredients are easy enough to pack in a cooler or backpack and cook over an open fire or grill when it’s time for dinner.
Use local ingredients: Your campsite may have some fresh produce available for purchase from nearby farms; ask at the local market or farmers’ market before heading out into nature!
Think about what’s already in your pantry: If there’s nothing else available but canned soup mixes, consider bringing those along with dry pasta noodles so they’ll still taste great after being cooked on an open flame or cast-iron skillet back at campground headquarters!
Looking for ways to experience the great outdoors on a tight budget? Our handy tips and tricks for budget-friendly glamping can help make your experience a memorable one, without breaking the bank.
Stay Local
One of the best ways to save money on camping is by staying close to home. Camping near home means that you’re saving on gas, so you can splurge on a nicer tent or more comfortable sleeping bag.
If you live within driving distance of one of the most popular sites in your area, make sure to check out their rates during peak season. You might luck out and find that overnight stays are discounted by as much as 50%.
If cooking at home isn’t an option for whatever reason—maybe everyone’s busy with school or work—you can still save money by bringing some ingredients along with you: breakfast cereal and fruit are always good options!
Just keep in mind that packing food isn’t allowed at all national parks (bear safety), so make sure it’s legal where you’re going before leaving any perishables behind!
Finally, remember that coffee shops exist outside of Starbucks (and they sell iced frappuccinos). With these tips in mind, enjoy your glamping experience without breaking the bank!
Camping Near Home
| Brand Name | Description |
|---|---|
| REI | Check out the ‘REI Co-op Camp’ app to find camping spots near you. The app shows points of interest, campsites, and campgrounds to make your camping experience fun and easily accessible. |
| Hipcamp | Hipcamp is an ideal platform for finding great camping locations near your home base. Explore campsites that are usually off the beaten path, with personalized recommendations based on what you love. |
| Reserve America | Reserve America is a site that allows you to find campgrounds nearby, reserve your spot, and pay for it online. It’s an ideal platform to find and book a campsite close to home. |
| KOA | With over 500 KOA locations in North America, you’re sure to find a campground near you. KOA’s camping club, Value Kard Rewards, provides an exclusive discount and earns points every time you camp. |
| National Park Service | The National Park Service has campgrounds situated in various national parks across the United States. These parks offer affordable camping with stunning views, secluded locations, and an authentic camping experience. |
The above table lists popular brands that offer camping solutions for people who want to camp near home. These companies allow easy access to campsites, personalized recommendations, and discounts for regular camping.
Break Out The Sleeping Bags
Sleeping bags are great for camping. They’re easy to pack, and you can use them in a variety of places. Sleeping bags are also very compact, making them easy to transport.
Sleeping bags can be used for many things besides sleeping:
- You can use a sleeping bag as an armchair or sofa cushion. If you’re watching TV or reading a book in the outdoors, it’s nice to have something soft under your rear end!
- A sleeping bag is perfect protection from mosquitoes and other insects while you’re out enjoying nature on your trip! Just toss it over yourself if they start getting too annoying!
If you’re looking to invest in a good glamping tent for your next outdoor adventure, head over to our post on the best camping tents. Here you’ll find quality tents suited for different budgets and trips, keeping you comfortable and relaxed while glamping.
Camp Amidst Nature’s Bounty
Go to a free campsite. If you’re on a budget, you may consider camping at an official site as your best bet. But this can get expensive—and when you’re looking for something more authentic than the typical campground, it can also be disappointing.
In fact, there are plenty of ways to find great spots without spending any money. First up: the official website for state parks and forests in Alaska, which allows you to search by activity (hiking or biking) or location (near waterfalls).
Next up: National Forest Service sites managed by U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service employees across the country; these sites are free but require registration on Recreation.gov before arrival so that officials know who’s out there enjoying nature’s bounty in person rather than via satellite imagery from space-based satellites like Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2A/B/C!
Finally: national parks! While they do have fees associated with their services, those fees are generally fairly reasonable if not downright cheap compared to those charged by private companies such as REI or Sierra Designs who provide similar services but charge much higher prices because they know people need them so badly while others do not.”
Try Glamp Sites With Headliner Amenities
There are a ton of camping and glamping sites in the world, and they can be found all over. Some may seem pricey at first glance, but they’re actually quite affordable compared to hotels—and they offer a more authentic experience than other accommodation options.
Think about it this way: hotel rooms can cost hundreds of dollars per night, while glamp sites are usually under $100 per night.
Plus, most campsites offer amenities like luxury showers and toilets, as well as activities like guided hikes or bbq dinners (which might be included in your stay).
If you’re looking for a unique outdoor adventure that won’t break the bank, give glamping a try! You’ll get to experience nature without sacrificing comfort or spending too much money on something fancy like camping equipment or food costs so long as you’re willing to pack lightly for your trip – use these tips from experienced campers around the world below!
Our ultimate glamping checklist provides a comprehensive rundown of what to pack, what to wear, and what to do while glamping. A perfect resource, especially when planning a budget-friendly adventure.
Be Prepared For Mother Nature
When you’re planning an outdoor adventure, it’s important to consider your environment. Will you be camping in a temperate climate or visiting a colder area? Will there be mosquitoes? What about bears?
In the case of rain, if you’re planning on sleeping outdoors and are worried about getting wet, then bring a tent and a tarp. This way, if it rains at night and water pools under your tent (which happens when there’s lots of rain), then this will protect both your gear and yourself from getting wet.
Also make sure that all of your valuables are protected from any weather conditions as well (like heaters or heat packs) so that they don’t break down while out camping with no electricity or cell service available!
Use Your Own Transportation
If you’re planning on camping and glamping in a foreign country, chances are that you’ll want to see more than just the grounds of your campsite.
You may even want to explore the entire region. In this case, it would be best if you could make use of your own transportation instead of renting vehicles from different rental agencies as this will only add up in terms of costs. Here are some other tips:
Renting a car can be relatively cheap but then again there will always be hidden charges such as fuel surcharge, insurance premium and congestion charge which can quickly add up over time.
You might also need local hire fees depending on where you are staying so it’s better off just buying one instead!
If not, then maybe consider using public transport such as buses or trains because they don’t cost much compared to taxis which tend to take advantage when passengers aren’t vigilant enough about pricing details before getting into one.
Glamping is full of surprises, and you might find that it has some unexpected benefits. Discover these advantages in our post on the surprising benefits of glamping that will inspire you to try it for yourself.
Make It A Group Activity
If you’re not as much of a do-it-yourselfer, then consider taking along some friends and family. It’s much more fun to travel with others, especially if they’re willing to split the cost of your trip.
You can also split the cost of glamping equipment and food between yourselves. For example, if there are five people in your group, then everyone should pitch in $20 each for food (or less) and one person could be responsible for buying all the camping gear.
This way everyone is contributing their fair share but no one ends up spending too much money on anything specific.
Table: Group Camping Activities
| Brand Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Meetup | Meetup is an online social platform that allows you to find groups of people sharing your interests, with the option to organize or join camping events together. |
| Outdoorsy | Outdoorsy is a platform that connects rental RVs, campervans, and trailers owners with people who wish to rent them. Renting an RV or a campervan can turn your camping trip into an excellent group activity. |
| Hipcamp | Hipcamp allows you to meet new people by offering a shared camping experience. Book a private campsite and share it with other campers who have booked the same location. |
| Tentrr | Tentrr revolutionizes camping by connecting landowners with campers for a unique outdoor experience. It offers pre-built, fully-equipped campsites for groups, making camping simpler and more enjoyable for everyone. |
| REI Adventures | REI Adventures offers guided camping trips throughout the world with experienced guides. The company offers several group or private camping options, making it an ideal platform for group travelers. |
The above table lists popular brands for group camping activities. These platforms provide easy solutions to meet new people, rent RVs and campervans, book pre-built campsites, and guided tour packages.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that glamping is an experience you should have in life, but it can be expensive. We hope that our tips and tricks are helpful in making sure you get the most out of your camping trip at a lower price point.
With these helpful tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank!
Further Reading
For more information on budget-friendly glamping, check out these resources:
Glamping on a Budget: 9 Tips for a Comfortable Experience – This travel blog post provides insights on 9 tips on how to enjoy a comfortable glamping experience even if you’re on a tight budget.
8 Tips for Planning a Glamping Trip on a Budget – The post offers eight tips for an affordable and comfortable glamping trip.
Glamping on a budget – This guide features the best budget-friendly glamping locations and helpful tips for people looking to save money while enjoying nature.
FAQs
What is Glamping?
Glamping is a portmanteau of “glamorous camping.” It’s a form of camping that provides luxury amenities, such as comfortable beds and furniture, electricity, and plumbing.
What’s the difference between camping and glamping?
Unlike traditional camping, glamping offers more luxury amenities, such as comfortable beds, indoor heating, and electricity. Glampers typically stay in uniquely designed cabins, tents, or treehouses.
Is glamping expensive?
Glamping can be expensive or affordable, depending on the type of experience you’re looking for, the location, and the amenities offered. However, by following budget-friendly tips and choosing wise accommodation options, you can have a luxurious experience without breaking the bank.
What should I pack for a glamping trip?
You should pack essentials such as toiletries, extra blankets, power banks, and comfortable clothing. However, it’s always best to refer to the glamping checklist provided by your chosen accommodation provider.
Can I bring my pets when glamping?
Yes, many glamping accommodations are pet-friendly, but it’s crucial to confirm with the provider first and check for any additional fees.
I’m Hellen James, and I am a camping enthusiast. I’ve been camping since I was a kid and have always loved it the fresh air, the beautiful scenery, and the great outdoors. In fact, it’s one of my favorite things to do in the summer!
