5 Ways to Save on Campgrounds
Now is the time of year with campfires, smores, bug spray, and sleeping under the stars, otherwise known as camping.
Camping is one of those activities that you feel should be cheap, but doesn’t quite end up being that way. Here are some great tips to keep camping as a frugal, fun family activity.
Skip The Crowded Parks
The fancy, shiny campgrounds also come with a shiny expensive price tag. Make reservations at state parks and campgrounds off the beaten path. You will end up paying less than half the price of the big campgrounds.
Look into Memberships
With certain RV campground memberships you can save up to 50% off the price of some campgrounds. Look into Escapees, KOA, and America’s Discount Camping Club.
Camp with a Group…and on the Weekdays
Some campgrounds will offer discounts if you camp as a group and their prices will also possibly be lower on the weekends. Call around to find the best prices before you go.
Get a Weekly Price
Most campgrounds will offer a discounted daily price or sometimes a day for free if you stay for at least a week. Make sure to ask for any discounts when you make your reservation.
Camp For Free
Look up campsites on sites like Boondocking.org or FreeCampgrounds.net to find campsites or campground that you can stay for free at. These campgrounds won’t have any facilities but if you are really into roughing it this is a great option!
Also, many disabled veterans are eligible to camp for free at state parks. Check with your park to understand the requirements for eligibility. This site has some information as well.
With all these tips you shouldn’t ever have to pay full price at a campground and if all else fails, just ask the campground what kind of discounts they offer, they may have some that you wouldn’t have even thought about!
Ohio State Parks offer a rewards program. Points are accumulated with camping/cabins stays and any purchases made at the parks and can be redeemed for free camping/cabin nights.
Kim, thanks for that info! That’s great to know!
Senior passes to National Parks give you a 50% discount per night. We jus spent 3 wonderful nights at Kendall Campground (5 miles from Lake Cumberland State Resort Park) in Jamestown, KY for $30. ($60 without discount). We had water and electric hookups and the sites were HUGE. Ditto on the Ohio State Parks. KY State Parks give a discount for active and veteran military.
Jan, thanks for that information!
Active, reserve, or retired military members can use camp sites on military bases too in such areas like New Orleans, Jacksonville, or even Key West. Look under their MWR sites.