Camping on a budget
April 19, 2017 12:22 PM Subscribe
I want to do some car camping in May/June and currently I have no equipment except for a sleeping bag. How can I do this on a pretty strict budget? I've been camping many times before and I don't need a lot of creature comforts. I will most likely be traveling alone. Temperatures will likely range from 50-80 F, occasional rain/T-storms expected.
The tight budget is because I'm currently unemployed. I'm reluctant to buy cheap stuff that's going to need to be replaced but then again, I don't need high end mountaineering gear just for car camping in a temperate climate.
The tight budget is because I'm currently unemployed. I'm reluctant to buy cheap stuff that's going to need to be replaced but then again, I don't need high end mountaineering gear just for car camping in a temperate climate.
REI (and many other outfits) rents camping gear, and I've found their prices to be very reasonable for trips on a budget where I didn't want to invest in gear that I would be using for years for whatever reasons.
If you want to buy, Hammock tents will resolve the need to buy a mattress pad. I've had good experiences with craigslist and getting really good deals on great gear from ultra-light cultists.
For the ethically questionable, retail stores with generous return policies (REI, Costco, Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Amazon) are also worth looking into.
posted by Karaage at 12:39 PM on April 19, 2017
If you want to buy, Hammock tents will resolve the need to buy a mattress pad. I've had good experiences with craigslist and getting really good deals on great gear from ultra-light cultists.
For the ethically questionable, retail stores with generous return policies (REI, Costco, Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Amazon) are also worth looking into.
posted by Karaage at 12:39 PM on April 19, 2017
Can you borrow a tent from friends? Where I live almost everyone has a tent, and I bet the people that don't use them that frequently would be willing to let you borrow.
Maybe a gear exchange? Sometimes universities will host gear exchanges, in the winter for skiing and in the summer for camping stuff. You can also sometimes rent equipment (including tents) from Outdoor Rec programs at colleges, even if you're not a student. REI also rents equipment, but I'm not sure how much that costs and if it would fit into your budget.
Craigslist is a good idea, or if you're on Facebook, there's the Facebook marketplace that often has items like camping gear for sale (where I live, at least).
posted by stellaluna at 12:39 PM on April 19, 2017
Maybe a gear exchange? Sometimes universities will host gear exchanges, in the winter for skiing and in the summer for camping stuff. You can also sometimes rent equipment (including tents) from Outdoor Rec programs at colleges, even if you're not a student. REI also rents equipment, but I'm not sure how much that costs and if it would fit into your budget.
Craigslist is a good idea, or if you're on Facebook, there's the Facebook marketplace that often has items like camping gear for sale (where I live, at least).
posted by stellaluna at 12:39 PM on April 19, 2017
Beg, borrow or steal.
(don't steal)
You don't need high-end stuff but you'll need some basics. Shelter and a way to cook your food.
Cooking could be as simple as a stick with a hot dog over a fire, or a cast iron pan. If you can borrow a camp stove, even better. You can also bring a portable grill or hibachi. Other than a stove or fire there's really nothing you need to cook with that you can't get from your kitchen, though it may get a bit sooty. A lot of car camping campgrounds have fire pits with cooking grates.
Shelter could be a tarp, but with 50 degrees and possible rain that's going to be miserable, and even worse if there are bugs. Most outdoor stores will rent you a tent. Do you have a car you can sleep in? That could save you the cost of a tent.
You'll want some sort of pad to put under your sleeping bag. A cheapo air mattress or even just a couple of blankets will be enough.
Really "camping on a budget" is just a matter of figuring out what you can live without.
posted by bondcliff at 12:40 PM on April 19, 2017
(don't steal)
You don't need high-end stuff but you'll need some basics. Shelter and a way to cook your food.
Cooking could be as simple as a stick with a hot dog over a fire, or a cast iron pan. If you can borrow a camp stove, even better. You can also bring a portable grill or hibachi. Other than a stove or fire there's really nothing you need to cook with that you can't get from your kitchen, though it may get a bit sooty. A lot of car camping campgrounds have fire pits with cooking grates.
Shelter could be a tarp, but with 50 degrees and possible rain that's going to be miserable, and even worse if there are bugs. Most outdoor stores will rent you a tent. Do you have a car you can sleep in? That could save you the cost of a tent.
You'll want some sort of pad to put under your sleeping bag. A cheapo air mattress or even just a couple of blankets will be enough.
Really "camping on a budget" is just a matter of figuring out what you can live without.
posted by bondcliff at 12:40 PM on April 19, 2017
Cast iron for sure. I see nicer camping kitchen gear and canteens etc at thrift stores a lot.
A few tarps and some paracord and a hatchet and you can make all kinds of shelters.
Also get a book on foraging and some simple fishing gear to maybe get some free food with all your down time.
posted by SaltySalticid at 12:45 PM on April 19, 2017
A few tarps and some paracord and a hatchet and you can make all kinds of shelters.
Also get a book on foraging and some simple fishing gear to maybe get some free food with all your down time.
posted by SaltySalticid at 12:45 PM on April 19, 2017
Are you on Nextdoor?
Maybe one of your neighbors would loan you one.
posted by BoscosMom at 12:50 PM on April 19, 2017
Maybe one of your neighbors would loan you one.
posted by BoscosMom at 12:50 PM on April 19, 2017
Car camping cheap? I'd just sleep out and get back in the car if it rains.
But as SaltySalticid said, cord and a tarp can make some great shelters. If you use the car doors to hold the high side, you can even skip the trees/poles.
posted by advicepig at 12:52 PM on April 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
But as SaltySalticid said, cord and a tarp can make some great shelters. If you use the car doors to hold the high side, you can even skip the trees/poles.
posted by advicepig at 12:52 PM on April 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
Seconding the tarps and paracord and maybe two ridge poles and a few stakes thing, along with the "get a sleeping mat".
Also, back in my days of river guiding I had all of the gear, but my preferred summer shelter was a hammock, a tarp, and enough rope to tie the hammock between two trees and run a ridge line above the hammock. Drape the tarp over that and I was set.
Wouldn't work in colder times of year because it's nice to have insulation below you, but I spent many a night like that.
posted by straw at 12:52 PM on April 19, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also, back in my days of river guiding I had all of the gear, but my preferred summer shelter was a hammock, a tarp, and enough rope to tie the hammock between two trees and run a ridge line above the hammock. Drape the tarp over that and I was set.
Wouldn't work in colder times of year because it's nice to have insulation below you, but I spent many a night like that.
posted by straw at 12:52 PM on April 19, 2017 [2 favorites]
One thing you can do is put a call out on facebook/email that you are interested in old camping equipment, either in trade or for reasonable prices. Lots of outdoorsy people will jump at the chance to upgrade their gear if asked. If you are near a college, watch craigslist around mid-May when students depart.
Get things like clothing and camping pots at thrift stores. If you have an REI near you, check when the next garage sale is as there are serious deals there (just be sure to get there early before it opens).
posted by veery at 12:54 PM on April 19, 2017 [2 favorites]
Get things like clothing and camping pots at thrift stores. If you have an REI near you, check when the next garage sale is as there are serious deals there (just be sure to get there early before it opens).
posted by veery at 12:54 PM on April 19, 2017 [2 favorites]
I camped for years with a $30 dome tent from Sears. You'll want to seal all the seams before you use it, because that is one place they cut corners on cheaper tents. Otherwise, it ought to easily get through a season or two of car camping.
posted by COD at 1:19 PM on April 19, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by COD at 1:19 PM on April 19, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I would definitely recommend approaching this from the "proof of concept" angle before majorly gearing up, because in the grand scheme of car camping the only things you absolutely must have are car keys, fire extinguisher, trash bag, bear can where required, and maybe one of those emergency auto-jumpers, so start extremely minimalist and just don't go way off the beaten path your first couple times (and avoid rain, if you can, as any sort of weather protection starts running up the price tags) in case you are underprepared.
Do borrow a tent if you can, or get one secondhand...but, my issue with that is bedbugs. I would borrow/buy from a trusted friend whose house I frequently visited, and I would buy from an outlet or scratch-and-dent or end of season sale, but I would be wary of any soft goods that are pre-owned. You can get the barest minimum (here's a trusted name two-person plain old tent with a rain fly) new for $40, but whatever you get: make sure you can put it up alone.
I prefer a camping cot to sleeping on the ground or a thin pad (actually, I prefer sleeping in a bed so I don't camp anymore), but certainly the sleeping pad technology has advanced dramatically since my camping days. I also require a comfortable chair, but you can get those anywhere these days for cheap.
All hard gear and equipment is fair game for secondhand or borrow, though. Know the fire restrictions for wherever you're going to be camping so you know if you can have a fire or can only use camp stoves or onsite grills.
I camped all through college with just an old grate from a BBQ grill and a giant beat up nonstick skillet and a spatula and a few pieces of flatware and a can opener and a big mug - you don't neeeeeeed a special camping pot, you don't need cast iron, you don't need a coffee pot, you don't need a folding fork. Don't try to gourmet cook. Eat canned food and sandwiches you made ahead and put in a cooler, and granola bars and smores. Bring a bottle of fancy cold-brew coffee and heat that up if you really need a hot cup. Decide after a few trips if you really hanker for the coffee pot or the cast iron dutch oven, which can be nice luxuries if it turns out to be high-value to you. Look around your kitchen and your gadgets you already own before you decide you need purpose-built anything.
My one tip on camp stoves is that if you're planning to stick to Official Campsite type places, you almost always get a picnic table with those, so you don't need one of those folding-leg table-style stoves. One of these will do the job, and maybe for emergencies have a TV tray or little folding patio table (which can also be nice as an end table if you want to spend your days in a chair reading a book). You can also use it on level ground.
For summer camping, not everyone even needs a sleeping bag. I have friends who do a lot of that and they just take a sheet and comforter plus sleeping pad or cot, and often end up sleeping on top of the comforter under the sheet. If you're not hiking it more than 40 feet, you can carry it all in a laundry basket or roll it up and cinch with rope that you can then use as clothesline etc.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:29 PM on April 19, 2017
Do borrow a tent if you can, or get one secondhand...but, my issue with that is bedbugs. I would borrow/buy from a trusted friend whose house I frequently visited, and I would buy from an outlet or scratch-and-dent or end of season sale, but I would be wary of any soft goods that are pre-owned. You can get the barest minimum (here's a trusted name two-person plain old tent with a rain fly) new for $40, but whatever you get: make sure you can put it up alone.
I prefer a camping cot to sleeping on the ground or a thin pad (actually, I prefer sleeping in a bed so I don't camp anymore), but certainly the sleeping pad technology has advanced dramatically since my camping days. I also require a comfortable chair, but you can get those anywhere these days for cheap.
All hard gear and equipment is fair game for secondhand or borrow, though. Know the fire restrictions for wherever you're going to be camping so you know if you can have a fire or can only use camp stoves or onsite grills.
I camped all through college with just an old grate from a BBQ grill and a giant beat up nonstick skillet and a spatula and a few pieces of flatware and a can opener and a big mug - you don't neeeeeeed a special camping pot, you don't need cast iron, you don't need a coffee pot, you don't need a folding fork. Don't try to gourmet cook. Eat canned food and sandwiches you made ahead and put in a cooler, and granola bars and smores. Bring a bottle of fancy cold-brew coffee and heat that up if you really need a hot cup. Decide after a few trips if you really hanker for the coffee pot or the cast iron dutch oven, which can be nice luxuries if it turns out to be high-value to you. Look around your kitchen and your gadgets you already own before you decide you need purpose-built anything.
My one tip on camp stoves is that if you're planning to stick to Official Campsite type places, you almost always get a picnic table with those, so you don't need one of those folding-leg table-style stoves. One of these will do the job, and maybe for emergencies have a TV tray or little folding patio table (which can also be nice as an end table if you want to spend your days in a chair reading a book). You can also use it on level ground.
For summer camping, not everyone even needs a sleeping bag. I have friends who do a lot of that and they just take a sheet and comforter plus sleeping pad or cot, and often end up sleeping on top of the comforter under the sheet. If you're not hiking it more than 40 feet, you can carry it all in a laundry basket or roll it up and cinch with rope that you can then use as clothesline etc.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:29 PM on April 19, 2017
My minimalist requirements for low budget camping are: enough padding for sleeping. (i used a blanket, a foam mat, a pad, and my sleeping bag because hard ground/hard back of the jeep just wasn't fun at age 35)
Toilet paper.
A bath towel
Trail mix/granola bars/ jerky/cheese. I used no fire most of the time. Most bathroom sinks got hot enough to make a cup of oatmeal. Microwaves were decently easy to find at truck stops or even restaurants or campgrounds/ rv parks.
I had a canteen and a gallon jug of water, and filled both up in bathrooms constantly, using my cup if the faucet was too awkward to get a container under.
I slept overnight at interstate rest stops four or five times with no problems. (they are brightly lit though, so plan for that) Otherwise I hit rv or state or national parks, or the occasional campground, usually for 10-20$ a night (though I had to search a lot, as some places wanted triple that. No deal!.) Some rv parks didn't care that I was in either a tent or calling my Jeep a rv, and some said my Jeep was clearly not a rv and they wouldn't take my $.
I did laundry on the road, and had rain protection for my ancient two person tent, but just slept in the car on wet nights.
This is pretty wearing after more than a week or so, and you have to have a certain tolerance for restricted diet (or be smarter about food than I was... MREs? Non refregirated fruit pouches and such?) but with planning and luck and a willingness to improvise I found it a great way to road hobo a bunch of neat places in Texas and Florida for cheap
posted by Jacen at 1:34 PM on April 19, 2017
Toilet paper.
A bath towel
Trail mix/granola bars/ jerky/cheese. I used no fire most of the time. Most bathroom sinks got hot enough to make a cup of oatmeal. Microwaves were decently easy to find at truck stops or even restaurants or campgrounds/ rv parks.
I had a canteen and a gallon jug of water, and filled both up in bathrooms constantly, using my cup if the faucet was too awkward to get a container under.
I slept overnight at interstate rest stops four or five times with no problems. (they are brightly lit though, so plan for that) Otherwise I hit rv or state or national parks, or the occasional campground, usually for 10-20$ a night (though I had to search a lot, as some places wanted triple that. No deal!.) Some rv parks didn't care that I was in either a tent or calling my Jeep a rv, and some said my Jeep was clearly not a rv and they wouldn't take my $.
I did laundry on the road, and had rain protection for my ancient two person tent, but just slept in the car on wet nights.
This is pretty wearing after more than a week or so, and you have to have a certain tolerance for restricted diet (or be smarter about food than I was... MREs? Non refregirated fruit pouches and such?) but with planning and luck and a willingness to improvise I found it a great way to road hobo a bunch of neat places in Texas and Florida for cheap
posted by Jacen at 1:34 PM on April 19, 2017
If you have more time than sense or money, Tarptent!
Also, best cheap meal ever is Daal, which fortunately also translates to camping. Garlic, onions, pepper and some pre-assembled spice mix and some lentils all thrown together can produce some phenomenally tasty food. There's a billion different recipes out there, but that's one of my favorite camping meals.
posted by furnace.heart at 2:01 PM on April 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
Also, best cheap meal ever is Daal, which fortunately also translates to camping. Garlic, onions, pepper and some pre-assembled spice mix and some lentils all thrown together can produce some phenomenally tasty food. There's a billion different recipes out there, but that's one of my favorite camping meals.
posted by furnace.heart at 2:01 PM on April 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
Check the rules and fire conditions where you plan to camp. Though planning to use a fire means less gear to carry, there are a lot of places that either never allow fires or will restrict them in dry conditions. Also, if you can pick up your own firewood it's free, but some places are scoured bare and low-impact wise, you don't want to start cutting up stumps and things. So a lot of people buy firewood, but that is more expenditure. Short version: have a backup plan, even if it's an old-fashioned sterno stove or one of these DIY #10 can puppies, which worked fine for me in Scouts.
posted by Miko at 2:23 PM on April 19, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Miko at 2:23 PM on April 19, 2017 [2 favorites]
What kind of car do you have? If it's a station wagon of some kind I'd recommend just sleeping in that. A foam pad and seats that fold down would be luxurious.
If you go that route I'd recommend cutting out some reflectix in the shape of your windows (they can usually press fit into place). Gives privacy, blocks out light and retains heat.
posted by just.good.enough at 2:53 PM on April 19, 2017
If you go that route I'd recommend cutting out some reflectix in the shape of your windows (they can usually press fit into place). Gives privacy, blocks out light and retains heat.
posted by just.good.enough at 2:53 PM on April 19, 2017
Can you sleep in the car? If so, then the best project is screens, because cars get hot & clammy. If not, tents are very easy to acquire used. I had some old tents and made a tent extension for my minivan - lots of fresh air and a place to stand up. Next time I car camp, I'll make window inserts from reflectix or cardboard and glue small powerful magnets to the windows, and magnets on the window inserts for easy to put up/ take down privacy.
When I car camped in the minivan, I had crates with my gear, then a piece of plywood, then a rug and foam mats for the bed. I used quilts, because sleeping bags get twisted up. I routinely see yoga and camping mats at Goodwill, sleeping bags too.
I recommend some kind of cookstove. I use the kind that takes propane canisters, widely available, but people also like the butane burners. Sterno cans and some sort of holder are not an absurd plan. And I have a coil-type immersion water heater that runs off the lighter, but be careful, I melted a hole in my toolbag. I used a couple small pans, and minimal utensils. Made coffee with a Melitta cone, travelmug was an essential, and a 2nd one for daily oatmeal, canned soup, etc.
I often stopped at McDonalds for coffee or a soft drink, and always filled a couple big plastic cups with ice. I'd like to have a better cooler, but even a cheap cooler can be improved if you crack it apart and fill the empty space with that expanding spray foam. Maintain the habit of storing a quilt on top of the cooler and keeping the cooler out of the sun. Some people wrap the cooler with bubble wrap.
2 liter soda bottles or big plastic juice containers are fine for water. The latter have a bigger mouth so are easier to fill.
LED headlamp flashlight is incredibly useful. A set of solar fairy lights is bright enough to read by when still bunched up.
An inverter that runs off the cig lighter can charge a laptop. Harbor Freight has a cheap one - you get what you pay for. I found keeping my phone and laptop charged was important, esp. the phone for travel info.
Take some basic car care stuff - jumper cables, oil, etc.
posted by theora55 at 3:50 PM on April 19, 2017 [2 favorites]
When I car camped in the minivan, I had crates with my gear, then a piece of plywood, then a rug and foam mats for the bed. I used quilts, because sleeping bags get twisted up. I routinely see yoga and camping mats at Goodwill, sleeping bags too.
I recommend some kind of cookstove. I use the kind that takes propane canisters, widely available, but people also like the butane burners. Sterno cans and some sort of holder are not an absurd plan. And I have a coil-type immersion water heater that runs off the lighter, but be careful, I melted a hole in my toolbag. I used a couple small pans, and minimal utensils. Made coffee with a Melitta cone, travelmug was an essential, and a 2nd one for daily oatmeal, canned soup, etc.
I often stopped at McDonalds for coffee or a soft drink, and always filled a couple big plastic cups with ice. I'd like to have a better cooler, but even a cheap cooler can be improved if you crack it apart and fill the empty space with that expanding spray foam. Maintain the habit of storing a quilt on top of the cooler and keeping the cooler out of the sun. Some people wrap the cooler with bubble wrap.
2 liter soda bottles or big plastic juice containers are fine for water. The latter have a bigger mouth so are easier to fill.
LED headlamp flashlight is incredibly useful. A set of solar fairy lights is bright enough to read by when still bunched up.
An inverter that runs off the cig lighter can charge a laptop. Harbor Freight has a cheap one - you get what you pay for. I found keeping my phone and laptop charged was important, esp. the phone for travel info.
Take some basic car care stuff - jumper cables, oil, etc.
posted by theora55 at 3:50 PM on April 19, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've got an extra hammock! Me-mail me your address & I'll send it. Almost new! I've got a handy propane grill for you & maybe some other stuff I'd be happy to pass on if we could meet up somewhere. (Some nice camping in this neck'o'dewoods, if you're coming Madison way.)
posted by Floydd at 6:28 PM on April 19, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Floydd at 6:28 PM on April 19, 2017 [5 favorites]
My local university has an Outdoor Pursuits centre with cheap gear rental. I think your local university might as well.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 8:49 PM on April 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 8:49 PM on April 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
Get a tent for privacy in campgrounds. You'll be miserable if you have none Just buy a used one off craigslist or get one on sale at REI for $100. Heavy is fine, waterproof is mandatory though.
Buy a headlamp. The LED ones are cheaper but weaker.
Buy a stove, most campgrounds ban open fires now due to people burning entire counties down on the regular. Just buy a cheap iso screw on camping pro stove for $25.
you NEED a cooler. buy a decent one! and a travel mug for coffee.
posted by fshgrl at 8:54 PM on April 19, 2017
Buy a headlamp. The LED ones are cheaper but weaker.
Buy a stove, most campgrounds ban open fires now due to people burning entire counties down on the regular. Just buy a cheap iso screw on camping pro stove for $25.
you NEED a cooler. buy a decent one! and a travel mug for coffee.
posted by fshgrl at 8:54 PM on April 19, 2017
A cheap option for a camp stove is an alcohol stove made from a soda can.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 5:56 AM on April 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Ms Vegetable at 5:56 AM on April 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Depending on the sorts of comforts you want, https://www.varusteleka.com sells surplus-and-new gear reasonably cheap (actually, sometimes ridiculously cheap for the surplus stuff), and has cheap flat rate shipping to the US.
posted by Zuph at 9:01 AM on April 20, 2017
posted by Zuph at 9:01 AM on April 20, 2017
Seconding veery, check the nearest REI for their next garage sale. Many in my state are having one this Friday, April 29th!
I went to the garage sale at REI's flagship Seattle store last weekend and got about $1,000 worth of equipment for $250. All quality stuff.
posted by SirNovember at 11:13 PM on April 24, 2017
I went to the garage sale at REI's flagship Seattle store last weekend and got about $1,000 worth of equipment for $250. All quality stuff.
posted by SirNovember at 11:13 PM on April 24, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
Make sure you have something underneath you, even if it's just a blue foam pad. (you probably know this, but I have seen people try and put their sleeping bags straight on the ground before)
Alternatively, if you're alone, a hammock is probably cheaper than a tent (although maybe not cheaper than a cheap or used tent). My husband bought a recreational hammock and DIY'd a bug net to turn it into something you could sleep in.
/r/myog (make your own gear) might have some useful info if you're into DIYing stuff.
posted by quaking fajita at 12:32 PM on April 19, 2017 [4 favorites]