When my parents first started camping, they had to have a rough idea of what it was going to cost them so they could have the cash ready. Those were the days before credit cards and EZ Pass (that is one of the best inventions ever!!). Some places took personal checks and some didn’t, so having cash to cover everything was the best plan. They used AAA tour books and campground guides (Trailer Life or Woodalls) to help them determine how much they would need. The cost of camping has gone up since my parents started camping in 1979. Then they could get a primitive campsite just over the dunes from the ocean for $2.50/night. That same site costs at least $20/night now.
Obviously the most expensive part is actually buying a camper. One of the reasons we went with a pop-up was that it wasn’t nearly as expensive as say a fifth wheel or a class A (you could easily spend $1 million on one and it’s more like a second home than a camper). Of course there’s a lot less space too, but for us, we just needed a place to sleep, prepare meals, and stay dry when it’s raining. We already had a tow vehicle so that wasn’t an issue. I’m sure that it does a number on the gas mileage, but I haven’t figured that out yet (note to self – figure out gas mileage while towing this summer).
Campsite prices vary, but we’ve been able to keep most of our nights at around $50/night. Much like other things, location plays a role in how much a site will cost. Also name brand campgrounds (KOA, Good Sam, Jellystone) will cost more than other campgrounds. Since we don’t have facilities in our pop up, we want places that have decent showers and bathrooms (ever try to convince a kid to go in a spidery stall? OK, even I have issues with sharing stalls with spiders!).
One of the biggest savings with camping is food. Staying in a hotel means eating out a lot! Even with the mini fridge in our pop up we can keep enough food for a long weekend. Having a small stove means I can cook meals as long as I plan carefully so I don’t need more than two burners. Of course cooking over the campfire is a possibility too.
Camping may or may not be cheaper than staying in a hotel or renting a house, but it’s definitely a worthwhile expense! Hearing my kids ask when we’re going camping again makes it all worth it. Spending time with family is what it’s about.
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