Whether you’re a full-time RVer or just a weekend warrior, one of the best ways to save money while camping is by taking advantage of discounts. Especially if you already own an RV, it’s important to learn how and where to get those discounts.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| RVing is a budget-friendly way to travel that offers numerous benefits for your physical and mental health. |
| Planning your first RV trip can be overwhelming, but with the right knowledge and resources, you can have a memorable and enjoyable experience. |
| Choosing free or low-cost campsites, preparing your meals, and reducing your energy consumption are some ways to save money on RV camping trips. |
| Regular inspections, preventive maintenance, and basic DIY skills can help you save money on RV maintenance and repairs. |
| Shopping around for quotes, bundling your policies, and taking advantage of discounts can help you save money on RV insurance. |
Here are 10 ways to save money while on the road:
Camping Fees, Workamper Programs, And Other Discounts
A good place to start saving money is by looking into what discounts are available in your area. Nationwide, there are different types of discounts on camping that you can take advantage of, including:
- Discounts for senior citizens and the disabled (e.g., veterans)
- Camping fee discounts for those who volunteer at a campground or maintain public lands (i.e., workampers)
- Discounts for active military personnel
RVing 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Exploring the Great Outdoors: Planning your first RV trip can be overwhelming, but with the right knowledge and resources, you can have a memorable and enjoyable experience. Learn more about RVing basics and tips in our guide on RVing 101 and discover the joy of exploring the great outdoors.
Overnight Parking
Depending on where you are, there are many opportunities to park overnight without paying. Many state parks and national forests have free overnight parking, as do many BLM lands.
You can find a list of all the places that allow parking on their websites, or by calling them directly (if they have one). Check out our article on state parks here!
| Location | Cost | Amenities |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Free | Restrooms, trash disposal |
| Cracker Barrel | Free | Restrooms, wifi |
| Casino | Free or low cost | Security, sometimes restaurants or entertainment |
| Rest Area | Free | Restrooms, picnic tables |
| Truck Stop | Low cost | Showers, food options |
| RV Park | Varies | Hookups, amenities |
National Forest Or BLM Land
If you’re looking to camp on public land, national forests and BLM land are great choices. These are public lands that are open to the public.
This means they often have beautiful campsites, but they may also have restrictions regarding what kind of camping you can do there (primitive versus developed).
The next time you’re planning a trip and want to include some camping in your itinerary, make sure to check out these awesome places!
The Best National Parks for RVers: Insider Tips and Hidden Gems: Visiting national parks is a must-do for any RV enthusiast, but with so many options, it can be hard to choose where to go. Check out our guide on the best national parks for RVers to find insider tips and hidden gems that will make your trip unforgettable.
Boondocking
If you’re like me, the term “boondocking” is new to you. Boondocking is an abbreviation for “boon-docking,” which refers to camping without hooking up to utilities such as electricity and water.
Campgrounds may have some kind of dump station or bathroom facilities, but these are often far from where actual sites are located. If you’re boondocking in a national forest or another remote location, there may not be any services at all available—and that’s perfectly okay!
When looking for a boondocking site on Google Maps or other GPS apps, keep your eye out for spots with satellite coverage and high cell phone service (3G/4G). This way if someone gets lost or needs help they can contact someone who knows how they’re doing it all the time!
| Location | Cost | Amenities |
|---|---|---|
| National Forests | Free | Primitive camping, scenic locations |
| BLM Land | Free | Wide-open spaces, off-roading opportunities |
| State Trust Land | Low cost | Remote locations, wildlife viewing |
| Wildlife Management Areas | Free or low cost | Hunting and fishing opportunities, hiking trails |
| Military Bases | Free or low cost | Safety and security, sometimes amenities like showers and laundry facilities |
Passes
There are a number of passes that can help you save money on RV camping. The National Parks Pass is the most well-known, but there are also several other types of passes available.
Here’s a breakdown of what each one does:
National Parks Pass – This pass will let you visit more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges and forests across the country for free (or nearly free). It costs $80 every year and is good for one full year from its date of purchase.
Senior Pass – The Senior Pass is similar to the National Parks Pass except it gets you into any federal recreation area that charges an entrance fee throughout your lifetime and it costs only $10! Seniors age 62 years or older can start using this pass immediately after purchasing it at any federal recreation site or online.
You can also get discounts on some activities including boating and camping fees such as campground reservations, guide services and equipment rental fees as well as discounts on tours such as rafting trips or horseback riding tours where applicable (these discounts vary by location).
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Food And Dining Savings
One of the best ways to save money on RV camping is by eating at home. The grocery store is your friend and will give you great savings if you shop there before going out on an adventure. You can also save a lot of money by bringing your own food and snacks with you.
This way, if something happens and there’s no place to stop for lunch or dinner during a long drive, it’ll be okay because you have everything that you need right there in your camper!
Another way to save money while eating out while RV camping is by taking advantage of any discounts offered by restaurants around town.
Some places offer discounts just because they’re nice people who want their customers (and potential customers) to enjoy themselves as much as possible; others may give discounts as part of their advertising plan or marketing strategy; still others may have coupons available online which could lower the price even further than normal prices would dictate and sometimes even eliminate them altogether!
Finally, keep an eye open for deals like “Buy one meal get another free” offers from grocery stores near where you are planning on visiting next weekend’s event venue so that when someone inevitably asks “So what did everybody eat?”
Everyone else doesn’t laugh behind their backs about how low-class/cheap/frugal we were compared to everyone else because nobody knows about these great deals except us thanks!!
Making your home more energy-efficient can save you money on utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Learn practical tips and tricks on how to make your home more energy-efficient on a budget in our comprehensive guide and start making a positive impact on the environment.
Laundry Savings
You’ve got a lot to do during your RV trip. It can be tempting to just give up on doing laundry and let the clothes pile up, but that’s not a great idea. Wearing dirty clothes is unpleasant, and it also smells bad when you don’t have an easy way to wash them.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get your laundry done while camping:
- Use a laundromat or campground with facilities for washing clothes
- Bring along a washer/dryer unit in your RV
- Do laundry in town when you stay at an RV park that doesn’t offer laundry facilities
Communications Savings
If you’re planning to go RV camping, it’s a good idea to get in touch with friends and family beforehand. Communicating via phone or text while out of cell service can be difficult, but there are some free apps that can help.
For example, WhatsApp is an app that allows users to text and call each other for free over Wi-Fi connections and cellular data connections as long as they have a data plan (in most cases).
Other options include Skype (you’ll need to pay $10 per month if you want video calls), Viber (you’ll need to pay $5 per month), and Google Hangouts (free).
Traveling sustainably doesn’t have to break the bank. Incorporate eco-friendly practices into your next trip without sacrificing comfort or experience by following our 15 budget-friendly sustainable travel tips and discover how to make a difference while exploring the world.
Free Attractions And Activities
You’re likely familiar with the term “staycation,” which is a portmanteau of “stay” and “vacation.” The general idea is to spend your vacation at home, but get away by spending money on fun things to do within reach of your hometown.
It sounds odd, but there are some great benefits to staycations: you don’t have to travel or deal with traffic and expense of hotels, flights and food; you can visit all those places you’ve always wanted to see without having to go far from home;
it gives you a chance reconnect with friends who might live nearby (and it’s less expensive than going out for dinner regularly); and if children are involved then they often enjoy staying in one place longer than they would during an actual vacation where they’re constantly moving around from place-to-place.
So how does this help us save money while RV camping? It’s simple—there are plenty of free activities available near our campsites!
If we’re traveling in an RV then we usually have access to amenities such as swimming pools and recreation centers that offer various sports leagues like basketball or volleyball; this eliminates paying entrance fees at parks because we already paid them when purchasing our recreational vehicle rental agreement online beforehand!
Staycations
Staycations are a great way to save money and still have fun. Why spend your hard-earned dollars on gas, food, and campsite fees when you could take a staycation instead? A staycation is just like a camping trip, except it’s in your own backyard or home!
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you some great ideas on how to save money on RV camping and enjoy your time in the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking for free or cheap campsites or planning a staycation, there are plenty of ways to keep costs down while still having fun!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you save money on your next RV camping trip:
Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Next RV Camping Trip: This article provides practical tips on how to reduce expenses on your RV camping trip without compromising on comfort and convenience.
Practical RV Travel Money-Saving Tips: Harvest Hosts offers unique, off-the-beaten-path camping experiences for RVers. Check out their article on money-saving tips for RV travel to learn how to stretch your budget and make the most of your trip.
How to Save Money RVing: Tips from Full-Time RVers: Design Your RV Life offers practical advice on full-time RV living. Their article on saving money while RVing shares insights and tips from experienced RVers who have successfully cut down their expenses on the road.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about saving money on RV camping trips:
What are some ways to save money on RV camping trips?
You can save money on RV camping trips by choosing free or low-cost campsites, preparing your meals instead of eating out, and reducing your energy consumption.
How can I find affordable RV camping sites?
You can find affordable RV camping sites by using apps like Campendium, which offers a database of campgrounds and reviews from fellow campers, and by checking out national forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites that offer free camping.
How can I reduce my energy consumption while RV camping?
You can reduce your energy consumption while RV camping by using LED lights, turning off appliances when not in use, and investing in energy-efficient equipment like solar panels and batteries.
What are some ways to save money on RV maintenance and repairs?
To save money on RV maintenance and repairs, you can perform regular inspections and preventive maintenance, learn basic DIY skills, and buy parts and supplies in bulk.
How can I save money on RV insurance?
You can save money on RV insurance by shopping around for quotes, bundling your policies, choosing a higher deductible, and taking advantage of discounts for safe driving and low mileage.
I am Hellen, I’ve been passionate about sustainability for as long as I can remember. It’s something that my mom taught me from a young age, and it’s something that has shaped my life in so many ways.