Camping is a great activity that allows us to get outdoors, take a break from the predictable happenings of everyday life, and have enjoyable experiences. As a child, camping allowed for outdoor exploration and endless fun. Delightful childhood camping memories can turn into exciting experiences as young adults. As a college student living from paycheck to paycheck, it can be hard to spend lots of money on travel. In addition, it can be tough to get away from class and work to take a vacation. However, camping can be a convenient way to travel without spending too much money as well as a quick and local option to make travel easier. Camping as an adult can be just as wonder-filled as it was as a child. Here are six useful camping tips that will save you time and money on your next trip!
1. Cheap Camping Gear
If you are interested in purchasing your own gear for future camping trips, you can find super affordable equipment online. Amazon has good quality two-person tents for $24, sleeping bags for $23, and hammocks for just $20. Another great option is simply borrowing some gear from a friend or family member for the night!
For an effortless glamping option, book your stay at Wander Camp. Don’t worry about packing gear and enjoy luxury 200+ square feet tents with comfortable king-sized beds in a variety of remote locations.
2. Carpool
Traveling to a destination can sometimes be the most difficult part of a trip. Choose a camping location close to home or carpool with friends to save money on gas. Find free campsites near you or check out the many locations Wander Camp offers.
3. Prep Meals
A great way to save time is to pack meals before you go. Easy breakfast items include boxed muffins, bagels with cream cheese, and yogurt in a cooler. For lunch and dinner, you can make hot dogs over the fire or bring taco ingredients like beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa to mix in a bag of Fritos for a tasty taco pile-up.
Wander Camp offers campfire dining right at the campsite! Don’t worry about bringing a large dutch oven or other food prep. Buy your traditional camping meals, such as fire-cooked pancakes and gourmet burgers, during your stay. You may choose to do a mix of both prepping and purchasing to save money and time.
4. Best Camping Months
Camping during the warmer months will save you lots of the prep and resources you would need for the colder months. Generally, the best months to camp are between June and October. Save money on sleeping bags and enjoy sleeping under the stars in a hammock. Hammocks are a great option when camping in warmer locations in the prime summer months: July and August.
5. Inexpensive Activities
Free activities are quite easy to come by while camping. Enjoy the outdoors while hiking and taking pictures of the scenery. Bring small easy games like a deck of cards, Uno, or Phase Ten. There are also great group games to play around the fire such as the Name Game, the Couch Game, and telling scary stories. Maybe even bring a guitar or ukulele and jam out together!
All of Wander Camp’s sites are located near a national park or landmark. Staying at one of these campgrounds is a great way to guarantee there will be great hikes and activities nearby. Check out our other blog posts for the best hikes in each of our locations.
6. Cheap & Tasty Snacks
There are some great options for inexpensive snacks that can add so much to your camping experience. For example, purchase hot cocoa packets and boil some water over the fire to make hot chocolate. This will keep you warm on cold nights too! Another easy idea is to bring starbursts so you can roast them over the fire (it’s surprisingly delicious!) S’mores are a must-have for camping trips and a very inexpensive option. Grab $1 skewers from Target as well as marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. A few more snack ideas include cheese and crackers, pretzels and Nutella, and your favorite bag of chips.
Finding ways to relax and enjoy nature as a busy college student can be tricky, but using your time and money wisely can make it just the vacation you are looking for!
Post written by Katie Johnson