Anda
Want to spend more time in the great outdoors without draining your bank account?
Backpacking has evolved immensely over the past couple of years. Gear prices are skyrocketing, campground fees are continually increasing, and even a weekend getaway can drain your wallet if you’re not mindful.
Here’s the good news…
You don’t need a thick wallet to enjoy the outdoors. By employing just a few simple techniques, you can hike, camp, hunt, and explore for pennies on the dollar.
Here are the tips budget travelers use to stretch their travel dollar farther so you can experience more trips, more miles, and more memories.
Here’s what’s inside:
- Why outdoor travel is getting so pricey
- Smart packing tips that save money
- The best ways to find free or cheap camping
- How to score quality gear without paying full price
- Food and fuel hacks for the road
Let’s jump in!
Why Outdoor Travel Isn’t Cheap Anymore
Outdoor recreation used to be the cheap alternative to fancy hotel holidays.
Not anymore.
Research shows that average daily campground expenditures across all age groups in 2024 were approximately $199. With gas, gear, and food factored in, you could spend more on a long weekend camping trip than you would on a few nights at a hotel.
But there’s a smarter way…
You can still travel, see amazing things, and have memorable experiences without draining your bank account. It’s all about saving where you can — without sacrificing enjoyment.
Pack Smart To Save Big
This is the most underrated travel tip of all time.
Packing light is great for comfort — but it also saves you money. The lighter you are, the less gas you use, the fewer bags you have to pay to transport, no checked baggage fees, and a smaller (less expensive) rental car if you need one.
Budget-conscious hunters and shooters face a dilemma that most folks don’t have to worry about. Long Guns are cumbersome to travel with, whether you’re throwing them in the back of a truck, stuffing them in a hard case, or flying with them. That’s why more people are buying a folding stock adapter from XLR Industries — they instantly decrease the overall length of your rifle, allowing you to fit into smaller cases, save space in your vehicle, and travel by plane without jumping through hoops. If you’re heading out on a budget hunt, a folding stock adapter might save you from paying an overweight baggage fee.
Here are some other smart packing tips:
- Use compression sacks for clothes and sleeping bags.
- Stick to one cooking pot for everything.
- Bring multi-use gear (a tarp = rain cover + shelter + ground sheet)
- Skip duplicate items
The lighter your load, the cheaper your trip.
Travel In Shoulder Seasons
This trick alone can save you 30-50% on your outdoor trips.
Shoulder seasons (spring and fall) tend to be cheaper, less crowded, and have ideal weather.
62% of people who like the outdoors said they would prefer to camp during shoulder seasons (spring and fall) because the weather is better and less crowded. Seems like there’s a reason for that…
Benefits include:
- Cheaper campsite fees
- Easier permit availability
- Less crowded trails
- Better wildlife sightings
Skip summer vacation time and long weekends if possible. Prices go up at National Parks and busy campgrounds during peak season. Popular spots will be reserved up to six months out.
Use Public Lands
Can you believe there are millions of acres of public land available for free camping?
That’s right — free.
The US has several hundred million acres of BLM land, as well as vast expanses of National Forest. The majority of this land allows for dispersed camping for free.
Here’s how to find these spots:
- Use apps like FreeRoam or iOverlander.
- Check the BLM website for your state.
- Look for “dispersed camping” zones in National Forests.
- Pop into local ranger stations and ask for tips.
You will camp overnight in some of the most scenic areas in the country for free.
Buy Used Gear (Or Rent It)
New gear is brutal on the wallet right now.
Tariffs and increased costs have caused major brands’ prices to skyrocket. However, you don’t need brand new gear. There is quality used equipment if you know where to search.
Some great places to find it:
- Facebook Marketplace
- REI used the gear section
- Craigslist
- GearTrade and other secondhand sites
- Local gear swap meets.
A quality brand previously owned tent or backpack will last longer than new inexpensive gear — and usually costs half the price or less.
Pro tip: Borrow things from friends/family before taking your first “big trip.” You’ll learn what you use (and don’t use) before you spend any $$ dollars.
Cook Your Own Food
Restaurant and trail-town meals will destroy your budget on the road.
A restaurant meal can cost $30+. Multiply that by the number of meals over several days of travel, and you’re spending a lot. Cooking for yourself can get that meal price down to around $5-10.
Easy and cheap trail food:
- Oatmeal and dried fruit for breakfast
- Tortillas with peanut butter for lunch
- Instant rice or pasta for dinner
- Trail mix and bars for snacks
Pack a backpack stove, one pot, and a spork. That’s all you’ll need to sustain yourself for a week.
Travel With A Group
Solo travel is great, but it’s expensive.
Dividing the cost among a few people makes everything affordable. Gas money, campsite fees, renting gear, permits, food – you name it.
Splitting Costs for a Group of 4: Here’s what a typical group of 4 saves per person by booking together, just by splitting costs on a weekend getaway.
- One vehicle
- One campsite
- Shared cooking gear
- Group meals
- Permits and entry fees
Just add one more traveler to your trip, and you can halve your costs. Twice as many trips, twice as often.
Final Thoughts
Traveling cheaply outdoors doesn’t mean depriving yourself. It means spending your time and money wisely.
To quickly recap:
- Pack light and bring multi-use gear.
- Travel in shoulder seasons when prices drop.
- Camp on public lands when you can.
- Buy used or borrow gear instead of buying new.
- Cook your own food on the road.
- Travel in a group to split the cost.
There’s no better exercise for your body and mind than outdoor recreation. Don’t let cost become a barrier. Use these tips to keep discovering the world and creating memories — without spending plenty of dough.
Choose one or two suggestions from the above list and implement them on your next journey. You’ll be amazed at how much money you save and why you didn’t think of it earlier.
Now go plan that next adventure!