This post may contain affiliate links where we earn from qualifying purchases. As an amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Find out more in our disclosure.
How much do your memories cost?
Alright, when you think of vacations, what typically comes to mind? Is it a tropical beach, a cruise, or visiting family? We enjoy those, but within the last month we’ve taken two vacations that throw our thoughts into huge comparisons when we look at time/cost and complexity.
One trip was a great trip to Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah. The other was a family vacation to Chicago and Wisconsin to see the sights and visit family.
Planning for the camping trip was much simpler, partly because we’ve camped so much and have a system down that we didn’t have to spend a ton of time on that. You may have to.
The big contrast is the cost. Let’s show you some specific examples from each 4 night 5 day trip:
Flying Trip |
Camping Trip |
|
Lodging | $120 – 1 night hotel, 3 nights w/ family | $36 – 4 nights at campgrounds |
Entertainment | $150 – Museum and Aquarium | $20 Park entrance feeFree – lizards, rocks, and cousins |
Food | $350 – eating out, food for cooking and snacks | $150 – eating out, shared cooking meals, snacks |
Travel | $1500 – airfare, car rental, gas | $200 – Gas |
Miscellaneous | $15 – Souvenirs | Free – souvenirs – sand, rocks, pictures |
TOTAL $2085 $406
We can do 5 epic camping trips for the cost of one other vacation (where we mostly stayed with family and bummed a lot of food off of them).
Basically, as you can see, we can take about 5 camping trips for the same price that we can take one flying trip of the same length. As the times get longer, a week, two or more, you start to get more and more disparity between the two and camping day by day is less and less. That’s one of the reasons that we get out so much, is that we don’t have a lot of money and we don’t have to spend a lot of money to make these trips happen. We don’t spend any more on food when we camp then we would had we been at home. We eat regular food and it is great.
This whole post is about the affordability of camping. Even if some of these aspects aren’t simple on their own, when compared to a regular vacation, the one time cost that can be spread over years of use is actually very reasonable. Then you get to enjoy many more adventures because the per adventure cost really isn’t much more than gas and food.
Here are a few other aspects of camping to really put it into perspective:
Lodging – One comment I hear a lot is when looking at buying a tent, especially a family tent, people are hesitant to spend very much money. Let’s compare…One night in a hotel, typically you’re in a dump or found a steal if you can get something for $59/night. Typically you are looking at the $100 to $150/night range. For the same price as a night or two at a hotel, you can get a pretty sweet tent. For the price of three nights at a hotel, you can get an awesome tent!
Then throw on a few more things. Let’s say you want to go backpacking. You can simplify even more. One of our favorite options is a hammock. Grand Trunk makes a double hammock. Instead of taking the whole tent you can either bring a tarp, or have the whole system incorporated with a fly and cover for your hammock. This is a simple way to save both on space and weight and the kids love it! It’s also a great way to hang out in the backyard on a warm afternoon with your hot spouse! Who wouldn’t love it – it’s relaxing!
Cooking – We usually use a 1 burner butane stove when we camp. It cost about $20 and has been going strong for 7 years. As a bonus, we pull it out during every power outage to cook dinner on. Although you can invest a lot of money in fancy camp cookware, most of ours is old pots from thrift stores that work just great (and we don’t have to feel bad about banging them up).
Sleeping – Keep it light and warm. Sleeping bags can be pricey, but a good nights sleep will make you want to keep going! Whether you are backpacking or just car camping, a good sleeping bag is important. Especially when it comes to your kids. All of our bags are rated 20 degrees or colder for the kids and the great thing is that we have never had a kid wake up in the middle of the night or even in the morning saying they were cold. Yes, we buy kid specific bags since they keep them so much warmer (not a lot of extra space to try to warm up with their little bodies). We plan on spending about $60 on a good kids sleeping bag, and $80-100 for adults. Don’t skimp on this one – get good sleeping bags, especially for your kids!
After you take care of these 3 basic needs, food shelter, and warmth, you can make camping as simple or complex as you want it to be. It’s not unrealistic to think that a family of 4 could get all of their basic camping gear for under $600 (and that’s for really good gear – go to a discount store and get in for under $400). Consider that you can use a lot of this gear for 10-20 years, and it’s a major steal. Compare that cost and the benifits to one other vacation. It’s a no brainer – I know which one I’m choosing!
Here’s to saving money, making memories and having a blast doing it!
Recommended Product
Grand Trunk Double Hammock – Do you need a hammock to go camping? Well it’s debatable. Should you want one? YES! Taking a hammock on your camping trip allows you to do the one thing that camping is best known for…relaxing! The hammocks from Grand Trunk Goods are amazing. Made of parachute nylon, they’re super packable and weight just over a pound. As we already mentioned, these are great for the backyard and the backcountry and everything in between. These hammocks go up nice and easy with caribeaners attached to the ends. I
Inside there is room for 3 hooligans to come and romp around next(though it’s a tight fit with 4) to you while you’re trying to relax. They are a perfect size for cuddling up with your favorite person! One piece of advice: Kids can’t get enough of these hammocks, so if you don’t want to share, put it up nice and high so they can’t reach it! Luckily, if they do manage to get in, Grand Trunk hammocks are really tough and take the abuse without any problem (trust us, a pack from our neighborhood put it to the test). Cost – $65
Giveaway
One lucky winner will score a Grand Trunk double hammock.
Thanks to Grand Trunk for supplying the hammock for this review.
Geocaching interests me.
What kind of meals do you make while camping??
And do you share your camping gear list?
We camped and hiked in Yellowstone and Glacier last summer with the kids and another family, but the meal preparation is definitely an area where I’d appreciate someone else’s input.
I’d like to hear more about canoe camping with kids – esp. safety!
Geochaching
kayaking and hiking
We are definitely a camping family! We’re always looking for ideas for keeping our son entertained while in the kayak or canoe. We’re hoping to do a backcountry canoe trip this summer and will need more ideas.
Hiking with kids always interesting. Definitely a money saver.
I would love to know of some good easy hikes with young kids.
Four Wheeling with kids.
Partying with my family
People have already mentioned it, but geocaching. We have ran across several just by chance while hiking. The kids LOVE trading something of theirs for something in the box. I need to get a cheapie GPS. I know there are a ton of geocaching spots around us.
I’d also like to try orienteering.
Camping is one of our faves!
I would love some great camping food recipes! Stuff that is easy and yummy!
Camping – the logistics of food always seem complicated to me.
I’d like some good water safety tips and I’d like to know more about geocaching!
It’s amazing how vacation costs add up! Great point about camping trips costing waaaaaay less.
(Also, my daughter was looking at your pictures and told me you have a “two-headed stroller” haha 🙂 )
We love to know more about how to camp our way through CO and Utah next summer – and – I think my middle kids would love to try geocaching. (For keeping kids happy in the kayaks – try a SMALL fish net 🙂
I’d like to learn a bit more about getting kids started mountain biking.
Of course once you start taking your kids not only camping but backpacking, canoeing, kayaking and climbing – the cost will start to increase. That said, it is still less expensive and more enlightening to spend some time in the woods.
I’d be interested in hearing about infant-friendly camping activities.
We would like to know more about tubing in local rivers. I see tubing as a mid way point between swimming and rafting/kayaking. What rivers have you tubed? Does it work as well as rafting when taking children along? Are there places to rent tubes and life jackets or do you need to invest in them?
I’d like to know more about geocaching as well!
I stumbled across this post from Pinterest – I have to tell you I am super excited to see hammocks becoming more mainstream! Camping and backpacking – especially with a hammock – are great activities for kids. My husband and I had great outdoor experiences when we were kids and are looking forward to allowing our own children to explore the great outdoors, too.
What a great bunch of ideas. I love hammocks and taking a nap in them is so peaceful. Thanks
Fishing, paragliding
We love cycling! Tell us more about cycling!
camping and hiking
What summer outdoor activity I would like to do wth my kid birdwatching!
I would love to know more about canyoning. We have a great playground in Southern Utah just waiting for exploration!
Fort building. I’d love to have some ideas on materials I could have in the garage that the kids could take and standup a fort in the backyard that could stand up to some rough use. Either pre-cut shapes that work or a material that is light weight and connectable.
hiking
Camping and hiking so so much fun and inexpensive!
More on backpacking!
Backpacking with kids
I can’t for the snow to go away so we can go on more camping trips! There’s so much to explore!!
summer activity? Spelunking. But we want to go with you when you write about it. 🙂
Geochaching. We got to try it out at a school sports night last year and my kids loved it (the scavenger hunt lead them across school grounds looking for clues).
Geocaching. It really sounds like a lot of fun. I have done a bit of reading on it, but haven’t really done it yet. It is something that I’m interested in though…and think everyone would enjoy it!
Thanks,
Hiking…or even biking!
I want to learn about biking with the kids
Mountain biking with kids! Just kidding! We would love to go on a canoe camping trip!
Hiking
Would love to figure out geocaching. Also how to safely fish with teenage boys!
Fishing of course!!
hiking!!
camping with a toddler.
I’d like to know more about geocaching as well!
Nature walks or picnics! 🙂
I love kayaking and really want to know more about getting my son started paddling as well as SUP
Geochaching! We have 5 boys and I think they’d love it!
We’d love to go ziplining!
I like hiking.
We started camping and fishing this past summer, but we are beginners, so learning about either of those would be awesome!
geocaching and kayaking sound awesome 🙂
Fishing!
Hiking & Fishing.
I’d like to know more about mining jewels in streams. Thanks for the giveaway.
hiking with young kids
Geocatching and fishing!
Kayaking! 😀
Geocaching
we love hiking and camping. i’d like to Geocaching! i think crystal mining would be fun too, we recently went to a place were we could sluice and dig for gems. Lots of fun!
Camping: things to do once it gets dark, games, foods…
[email protected]
Hiking with toddlers
fishing, hiking, camping, geocaching, what to pack/meals to make. All the above that everyone else mentioned…not very unique, sorry.
Mountain biking
Camping, it was too hot this summer and horseback riding and fishing.
kayaking.
I just love camping and hiking! Our hammock actually tore on our last trip so we need one:)
We love to go camping and hiking, but unfortunately did not get the chance to go this past summer, so I am really looking forward to it next year
Fishing.
I’ve been thinking of getting 1 of these for awhile now.
Hiking
Hiking
going to the zoo
Definitely advice on camp cooking, it’s hard to haul in enough food.
Cheap or free staycations
Camping with infants has been tough! I’d like to learn more about gear that may help!
We love to go hiking
Hiking and the trails in the area.
We are trying camping next summer…so this is great! We love hiking too.
I grew up camping with my family and I feel like it was the number one factor in my love of the outdoors as a teenager and and adult. so much fun and so important!
We camp as much as possible but its always local type stuff, I would LOVE to learn more about camping in general so I can ad all the kiddo friendly places to my list! That & rafting! I think it would be fun to go rafting where you pull off & camp for a few nights then get back on the river & go :C) Great giveaway!! thanks!
Anything that involves swimming.
affordable summer activities for kids under 5 yrs
The BEACH! Thats what I want to do more! And camping at the beach!
challenging but safe hiking for kids
I would love to here more about cycling at the beach with kids.
hiking and climbing
hiking with toddlers that you can’t carry but don’t want to walk long distances
Rafting!
Backpacking!
Day and overnight canoeing trips always wanted to do a week long camping and canoe trip with my girls!
Camping!
-Ashley Marie Morrissey
ashummz05(at)yahoo(dot)com
Canoeing and Kayaking
great places to hike with kids
Geochaching
Geocaching for sure!
I’d like tips on camping with toddlers.
Camping, hiking and snowshoeing
Geocacheing
surfing
What/how to eat with a very picky child (and adult)!
Awesome
this geocaching is new to me and sounds really fun from the comments so far. i think that would be a good option to learn about! someone mentioned stay cations too and devising a unique staycation could be a fun challenge too
water craft activities
Camping in the mountains!
Very cool! That grand trunk double hammock looks super cool too!
geocaching definitely sounds like something new
i tweeted, but i think the tweet is wrong. i clicked the tweet link, but it’s for the snowshoe giveaway..not this one.
Camping and hiking
kayaking would be a cool alternative
Always looking for more camping tips. We just purchased an old travel trailer and can’t wait to explore more of AK.
I would love to learn more about camping with toddlers.
We love to camp but I would like to add more hiking on our camping trips.
Hiking with preschoolers safely. Those that want to explore and not be in a pack anymore
kayaking!
Camping! 🙂
Geochaching !
Camping out on the beach and fishing.
We have been geocaching a few times and would love to go more!
how to find kid friendly things to do
I would love to know about some great hikes!
[email protected]
Oddly enough, camping
I would like to learn more about hiking in the smokies.
diane(dot)wortman(at)gmail(dot)com
I would like more information about in depth camping. About weather issues, recipes, bugs plants, ect.
fly fishing
I’ve always wanted to take up skating with my kids!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Whitewater rafting!
I wish I knew about fishing
biking
I really like the idea of going horse back riding, but we’ve never been!
hiking would be fun
White river rafting.
oh my, how about zip lines
Canoe trips!
I would love to know more about camping!
geocaching sounds like a lot of fun
kayaking and paddleboarding would be fun!
I would love to know more about geocaching at the many local state parks.
I would like to go white water rafting or tubing with the kids this summer.
I don’t have kids but my niece loves to fish 🙂
Kayaking and white water rafting.
mmmm…hammocks
Zip line adventures
camping with lil kids! My husband and I love camping but just afraid of doing it with 3 kids 4 and under!
I would love to learn to river kayak with my kids… or without my kids!
Rafting.
I’d like to know more about geocaching, too. I was fascinated by your post about it.
We would like to get into biking, but we only currently own 1 bike 🙂
I can’t really think of one thing but we are all about outdoor activities. We play at the park, we ride our bikes and go for walks. We take the boat to the lake, go rafting or canoeing or kayaking down the river, and we go camping and more!
Hiking
hiking
geocaching
I would actually like to hear more about camping my husband works all the time and is usually not into this but I am with you last summer instead of going on a week long vacation and flying we went and spent the day at a water park but is the same reason I would love to go camping.
I would love to know more about Geocaching with our boys!
i want to go canoeing so bad 🙂
I would love to know more about rock climbing with my boys.
I would love to take a family white water rafting trip. However, I need to know a bit more about the minimum age that most rafting guides recommend. Our youngest son might now be old enough yet.
A longer backpacking trip.
louis vuitton プラダ