Get Outside on a Budget: Start Camping Without Breaking the Bank

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Are you eager to explore the great outdoors but worried about your wallet? Good news! You can get outside on a budget and start camping without breaking the bank. With some planning and creativity, you can enjoy nature’s beauty without overspending. From choosing the right gear to finding affordable campsites, there are plenty of ways to make your tent camping dreams a reality. Let’s dive into budget-friendly tips and our essential camping gear must-haves to help you reconnect with nature while keeping your finances in check!

We’ve heard the story a hundred times- I want to start car camping but I’m broke and have zero camping gear!  I hear ya! What if I told you that you could get your startup camping gear based on a family of four, for just $350 and start camping without much money!? WHAT!?  Did the people in the back hear me!? THATS correct.  The most affordable vacation is to get outdoors. Honestly, where else can you spend a couple of days eating hot dogs over an open flame and bonding with a family member, AND have a great time!?

​With Our Get Outside on a Budget: Start Camping Without Breaking the Bank Guide…

You’ll have everything you need for an unforgettable outdoor adventure with a budget-friendly tent, air mattress, a portable stove, camp chairs, lights, basic cookware, and a first aid kit. PLUS, many state parks offer family-friendly sites at low costs.

The ultimate goal is to get you outside without spending tons of money and enjoying Mother Nature and a GREAT campfire. So, by investing in some basic outdoor gear, you’ll create lasting memories without the hefty price tag of traditional vacations. So grab the kids, pack the car, and let nature become your playground!

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Essential Budget Camping Gear: Adventure Awaits Without the Price Tag!

It’s easy to go bonkers ordering camping gear. I mean, at this point, everyone is pretty much glamping-including us! The problem is, that not everyone can bankroll all the latest and greatest gear. What about the average family who JUST needs a weekend away!? But, with all the crazy inflation plaguing us right now, THAT getaway is just a distant dream.

Sitting around during the last hurricane, we began to ponder this thought:

• HOW MUCH would it take to get the average family of four out camping!?
• WHAT would the “basic” camping gear look like!?
• COULD they purchase EVERYTHING from Amazon!?

So, we thought we’d give it a shot. We knew we needed to cover the basics: shelter, cookware, bedding, light, cooler, seating, and a first aid kit. EVERYTHING to make your next camping trip comfy and fun! With travel costs for lodging skyrocketing and more families heading out on road trips, we want outdoor recreation to be your go-to!

HEADS UP- As a seasoned camper, we’ve curated this start-up camping essential gear list as the perfect way to get you camping with less money out of pocket. This is a BASIC camping list. Everything listed was sourced on Amazon. In the long run, as you gain more camping experience, you’ll want to upgrade as your camping budget allows.

Get Outside on a Budget: Start Camping Without Breaking the Bank Your Wallet-Friendly Home in the Wild.

With a minimal budget of $350, we wanted to delegate the highest amount to the shelter with a good tent. A great budget-friendly tent will protect you from the elements and provide a cozy night’s sleep. We’re not looking for four-star resort accommodation…just a basic place to keep your gear dry and lay your head at night. This budget camping start-up is based on a family of four so we went with a 6-8 person tent. This allows plenty of room to sleep.

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The CAMPROS CP FAMILY CAMPING TENT  checked everything off the list. The CAMPROS is a waterproof and windproof family dome tent. A perfect retreat for rainy days, it also has large mesh windows, a wider door, and a carrying bag.

This awesome tent has great features like a gear loft with a lantern hook, and mesh storage pockets that keep small items well organized. With easy setup and well-made tent stakes, this makes the perfect four-person tent. 

Ready to upgrade!? We think you’ll enjoy OUR TOP PICK 6- PERSON INSTANT TENT!  It’s the PERFECT tent for any time of the year. 

Cozy on a Budget: Affordable Camping Bedding for Restful Nights.

Next up is bedding. And, let’s be honest – unless you have unlimited funds to fork out to a chiropractor, no one has time to sleep on the ground! NO ONE! Just don’t do it, Friends! The BEST way to accomplish this task is to choose a budget-friendly air mattress and bring the rest of your bedding from home. When you are ready to upgrade, grab OUR BEST OUTDOOR CAMPING COT FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE and pair it with THE BEST COT PAD TO GET YOUR SLEEP ON! 

The INTEX Dura-Beam Standard Queen Size Prestige Air Mattress is our top pick. This little gem comes with a hand-held battery-operated pump making inflation a snap! A perfect choice for couples. But, what about the kiddos!? Here’s our budget hack- head over to the Dollar Tree and grab two inflatable long pool floats. Inflate to almost full and toss their bedding right on top! These are ALSO the perfect size to fit a sleeping bag. 

Start Camping Without Breaking the Bank: Light Up Your Adventure.

Your vacation budget and bank account might be bleak and dark, but we’ll help you light up your campsite! During the planning process, lighting is often overlooked. We forget that the campfire only glows and that our tents can get pretty dark. To help you get outside on a budget and start camping without breaking the bank lighting was a must-have on our priority budget list of essentials.

We found a GREAT one! This two-pack camping lantern set has amazing features for the price! This fully rechargeable, 1000 LM and waterproof lantern is the perfect light source for your campsite. This lightweight and budget-friendly camping lantern has 6-modes and a 360-degree beam angle. Pretty sick! They ALSO have a USB port so you have a place to charge your cell phones. GET LIT with our EASY OUTDOOR CAMPSITE LIGHTING IDEAS when you’re ready to add to your budget-friendly camping gear!

Essential Budget Camp Cooking Gear for Gourmet Adventures!

Channel your inner Gordan Ramsey on your next camping trip-budget style! For us, the BEST PART of camping is the COOKING! Or should we say…all the awesome camp cooking gear out there! Whether we are cooking on the campfire or our camping stove, delicious things happen. Guess what!? All you need are the basics to start.  Bring the rest from home and you are golden. Then, you can branch out when you are ready…or your bank account is!

The humble but hard-working Coleman Single Burner Butane Stove and coffee pour-overs give you the most bang for your buck starting. These two easy-budget powerhouses for your start-up camping gear will see you through many memorable camping dishes. Set up your camp kitchen right on the picnic table and you are good to go!

PRO TIP- For an easy camping menu, GRAB this EASY CAMPING MEALS: SIMPLE CAPSULE MEAL PLANNING .

Stay Chill on a Budget.

We ALL want a Yeti but have you seen the cost of the coolers lately!? OUCH! It’ll leave you frosty for sure! What’s a budget-conscience camper to do!? No worries! We chose the Coleman 316 Series for this super tight budget because Coleman coolers are affordable and reliable. This Coleman cooler can hold ice for up to 5-days and is leak-proof. It can also be used as a small table or for extra seating around camp. 

Pull Up A Chair for This Get Outside on a Budget: Start Camping Without Breaking the Bank Guide.

Come have a seat as we spin tales around the campfire. Oh, wait…you forgot to budget those in! Nothing like the hard ground to spoil a trip outdoors! We threw in four very basic camping chairs so you could enjoy making S’more memories. Sorry. That was bad. Anyway, IF you need to go lower than the $350 camping budget, cut these out! Use the cooler or the picnic table. No worries. 

Stay Safe on a Shoestring: A Budget-Friendly First Aid Kit for Camping Adventures.

When you’re deep in the great outdoors, the last thing you want is a surprise encounter with a thorny bush or an overly ambitious campfire marshmallow. That’s where a mini first aid kit swoops in like your trusty sidekick! Packed with essentials, it’s the ultimate safety net for your camping adventures—because nothing says “nature lover” quite like a Band-Aid on a mosquito bite. Whether you’re patching up a scraped knee or managing a surprise headache, having a first aid kit on hand ensures your trip is more about s’mores and less about emergency room visits.

Who is This Extreme Budget Start-Up Camping Essential Guide For!?

• Everyone who wants to start tent camping.
• Adventure seekers on a super tight budget.
• Families who want to explore the great outdoors.
• Anyone who is not sure camping is their passion.

Do you have an REI close by!? Another GREAT option is to rent ALL your camping gear! Camp stoves averaged $ 10 for the first night and $4 for each additional night. They offer everything you need for very affordable prices. REI also has a great selection of used gear for sale. You might score a fantastic deal! Check out the REI Rental Program here.

Tips For Sourcing Out Gear When You’re On a Tight Vacation Budget.

• Camping gear ALWAYS goes on sale at the end of the Summer.
• Facebook Marketplace is a great place to grab used gear. That being said, tents should be set up for inspection before purchasing.
• Friends and Family who have upgraded their outdoor gear or haven’t used it in a while.
• Garage sales are a GOLD MINE.
• Shop your house first. Use plastic laundry baskets to pack food, clothes, and gear in.
• KEEP IT SIMPLE. Food. Gear. Outdoor activities.

Ok…so you have all your gear and a holiday weekend…where too!? Easy. Depending on where you live, look for public service areas that allow you to camp for free. State Parks are another budget-friendly favorite of ours. For an average of $28/night, this makes a super affordable mini-vaca! In Florida, Ocala National Forest has designated areas where you can camp for free. Check out what your area has to offer. You might be surprised!

BEFORE YOU GO, check out and see if you need a permit. Especially if you are boondocking on free land. In most areas, you can apply directly online.

Extreme Camping on a Budget: Gear Up for Adventure Without the Cost!

There’s no reason to miss out on nature’s beauty just because you’re on a budget. With the right tips and gear, you can get outside on a budget: start camping without breaking the bank. Embrace the adventure, create lasting memories with your family, and enjoy the great outdoors—all while keeping your wallet happy. So pack your bags, grab your tent, and let the adventure begin. Happy Wandering!

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