As the end of summer is drawing near, a lot of people are looking to squeeze in some last-minute vacations and traveling. If you are looking for a cost-effective trip this summer, you might consider camping. When done right, camping can be a great affordable and fun vacation. So, I’ve compiled a list of ways to help you save on camping!

Getting the Best Deals on Camping Equipment:

• Before you buy anything, check your house, garage, attic, shed – anywhere there might be some forgotten camping supplies.
• Once you have gathered items from around the house, check online for the gear you still need. You can often get discounted prices by ordering online (check amazon.com). You can also use coupon codes to save on your online orders.
• Of course, if you are doing some last minute planning and have to shop for gear in-stores, be sure to check for store coupons. On the site, you can find in-store and online coupons and deals for sporting goods stores including REI, Sports Authority, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sierra Trading Post, Columbia Sportswear, Eastern Mountain Sports, Camping World, and Altrec.
• Garage sales, thrift stores, and Craigslist are also great places to find bargains on camping equipment. I’ve often found like-new sporting goods and camping equipment for sale at these places!

What You’ll Need for Your Camping Trip:

What you’ll need for your camping trip will vary depending on your destination, duration of trip, and the time of year you’re going. However, here is a basic list of what you’ll need.

Equipment and Gear:

• Lantern
• Matches or lighter
• Sleeping bags and pads for cushion
• Tents and tent stakes
• Blankets
• Stove and fuel
• Backpacks (bring an extra pack for short hiking trips)
• Folding chairs
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Axe
• Rope
• Waterproof gear (if there’s any chance of wet weather)
• Directions, maps, cell phone, and emergency phone numbers
• Travel/camping guide-book

Clothing and Accessories:

• Sunglasses
• Hiking boots
• Waterproof clothing
• Fleece jackets, pants, gloves, hats (in case of cold night temperatures)
• Visor or brimmed hat
• Camera and extra batteries
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Anti-bacterial lotion
• Toilet paper
• Towels
• First-aid kit
• All other daily personal items (toiletries, prescriptions, comfortable clothing, etc.)

Food and Cooking:

• Utensils, cups, plates
• Pots and pans
• Water and refillable bottles
• Food and snacks
• Garbage bags

Hopefully you’ll find some of these saving tips useful when planning your camping trip!

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