The idea of camping brings images of picturesque mountains, turquoise streams, and simplicity. With very basic amenities and a thin piece of fabric separating you from the great outdoors, camping must be the cheapest vacation option, right? Although generally regarded as an inexpensive hobby, this may not be the case when you are starting from square one! So how much does camping cost?
In this article, I will examine all of the costs associated with camping and why it may not be as cheap as it appears. I will compare low-end to high-end gear options and tips and tricks to keep your expenses low. Let’s find out if camping is perfect for you!
How much money do you need for camping?
One of my favorite quotes about camping is, “camping: where you pay a small fortune to live like a homeless person”. But does this hold any truth? Surely spending a night under the stars can’t cost that much. Well, the truth of the matter is that when answering the question, how much does camping cost? the answer varies widely.
If you are a first-time camper you may not be aware of all the gear you must either purchase, rent, or borrow before you can even book your campsite! While the initial price tag can be quite shocking, depending on your preferences, most of this gear will last for several seasons.
Typically you can expect that the average cost of a three-day camping trip for a family of four will range anywhere between $120 to $2,200! So what could be so expensive and why is there such a large difference in expected price? To understand this we must examine the price differences of potential campsites, food, and gear selection.
How much do most campsites cost?
Campsites are not all built the same, so you can expect the costs will not all be the same. Costs vary greatly depending on several factors that include:
- The campsite’s location
- Whether it is a tent only or RV campsite
- If you plan to travel during high-season or low-season
- The number of amenities available at the campsite
- Whether it is a pull-through or back-in campsite for RVs
Of course, there are a large number of additional factors that can influence price, but the points listed above are the most likely culprits for large price variations. To understand these price differences I will first examine the type of campsites typically found in National Parks, State Parks, and National Forests.
Cost of camping in national parks
There are 423 National Park sites located in the United States, some with multiple campgrounds! Generally, these campgrounds offer few amenities and no hookups but do offer the convenience of waking up directly inside the park. The price for camping in each park will tend to vary depending on nearby attractions. You may even find that campgrounds within the same park have different prices! I have compiled a table of some of the prices for campgrounds in the most popular National Parks to give you an idea of expected prices.
| National Park | Cost per night |
| Great Smoky Mountain NP | $17 – $27 |
| Grand Canyon NP | $18 – $50 |
| Rocky Mountain NP | $20 – $50 |
| Zion NP | $20 – $130 |
| Yosemite NP | $36 – $75 |
| Glacier NP | $23 – $65 |
As you can see from the chart, there are quite a few fluctuations in prices! Overall, the average price for camping in a National Park ranges anywhere from $25 – $60 per night.
Cost of camping in state parks
Just as with National Park campgrounds, State Park campgrounds can accommodate both tent and RV camping but offer a wider selection of amenities. Typically the fees for camping in state parks will run between $15 – $40 per night, with higher rates over the weekends and during holidays. A few parks will also require you to pay a campsite reservation fee, typically between $6 – $9. I have included a table with a few State’s campgrounds to see the cost variation.
| State Park Campgrounds | Cost Per Night |
| Wyoming | $11 – $32 |
| Virginia | $10 – $47 |
| Florida | $16 to $42 |
| Idaho | $14 to $32 |
| New York | $12 to $37 |
| Georgia | $23 to $50 |
If you plan on camping at your State Park campgrounds multiple times it may also be a good idea to purchase an annual pass. They offer a wide range of discounts and will make your future camping expenses even cheaper.
Cost of camping in National Forests
If you are considering camping in National Forests you have two different types of camping options. You can either choose to camp in a designated campground or elect to disperse camp. Camping in designated campgrounds is very popular and you can expect to pay somewhere between $5 – $30 per night. This fee varies depending on the popularity of the campground. It is worth noting that the majority of these campgrounds are first-come, first-served with no reservations required!
Dispersed camping on the other hand is completely free! The only caveat is that you will have to ensure that you are camping in a camping-friendly area. You can expect a “rugged” and more down-to-earth camping experience with no amenities provided.
How much does food cost for a 3-day camping trip?
A large portion of answering the question, “how much does camping cost” is dependent on food choices. When trying to figure out the cost of food for your next camping trip you will have to consider the needs and tastes of your family. This makes the total cost hard to calculate.
The ultra-cheap route tends to follow the principles of surviving off of ramen, PB&J sandwiches, and granola. Mix in a few pop tarts, beans, and weenies and you may be looking at a total daily budget of roughly $10 per person. Alternatively, you can decide to buy all freeze-dried food to minimize cooking/ prep time, which costs between $ 5 – 7 dollars per meal. Sprinkle in a few snacks along the way and you could be looking at a daily cost of roughly $30 per person.
Realistically you will most likely fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. A few cheap meals, a few luxury meals, and the occasional splurge at a nearby restaurant. Overall, the typical camper can expect to spend somewhere in the range of $10 – $40 per day. This value can certainly be lowered by bringing food from your pantry to supplement your shopping costs. Planning and purchasing groceries before you arrive in the middle of nowhere is also a foolproof plan to avoid additional unnecessary costs.
The average cost of a camping tent
One of, if not the most important pieces of gear you will bring on your camping trip is your tent. It is your protection from the rain and the bugs, and your privacy during your camping trip. For most beginner campers this will end up being the largest expense!
Although there are very cheap tent options available, I recommend steering clear of these options. I suggest expecting to spend between $100 to $400 for your tent. How much you ultimately pay should reflect your expected camping frequency, the intended sleeping size, the expected weather for use, and other personal preferences. Just remember, a “3-person” tent only has enough space for three people to sleep shoulder to shoulder in sleeping bags. Do yourself a favor and check the dimensions instead of the sleeping size! To avoid some of the pitfalls of buying the wrong tent, check out this video:
If you are undecided about making camping a new hobby or only intend to camp once or twice a year it may be better to borrow or rent a tent. Borrowing a tent is free, but be sure to pay back the favor in some way and clean it before returning it. If you decide to rent a tent, be sure to remember that it only really becomes cost-effective if you plan on using it for 3 or more nights. Take REI tent rental, for example, the first-night cost for tent rental is $40- $50 and then a much lower $6 -$8 for any additional night.
The average cost of camping equipment
To take the plunge into the world of camping, you will need to purchase, rent or borrow a wide variety of gear. It can quickly become overwhelming with all the potential gear that is available out there. To cut through all of this distraction I have included a list of the most essential gear needed and the approximate cost of each.
Sleeping Bag
The cost will vary greatly depending on the filling material and its temperature rating. If you are a beginner and are only using the sleeping bag for camping outside in the dead of winter, a good price range is between $20 to $100. Anything more expensive is intended for lightweight or 4-season camping. Don’t be tempted to skip a sleeping bag and bring along regular blankets as the weather while camping can be fickle and fast-changing.
Air mattress/ Sleeping pad
Quality sleeping pads usually cost anywhere between $30 to $150. The cost depends on whether the gear is ultralight and/or is designed for cold weather. Choosing an air mattress over a sleeping pad will provide additional comfort on your camping trip as well as added insulation.
Camping Stove
Decent camping stoves on the market are available between $10 to $110. These can range from inexpensive Coleman grills to Jetboils that are ultra-efficient and very compact. The cost will depend on your needs in terms of size and time to bring water to boil.
Cooking Set
If you elect to bring along all your home cooking set they will take up more space in your vehicle but will be no additional cost. High-end camping sets can run upwards of $100. I recommend checking your local Goodwill and purchasing a cheap cooking set that you can designate as your camping set.
Headlamp / Lantern
You can expect to pay between $15 to $60 for a decent headlamp/ lantern. The high-end models have rechargeable batteries and more functions such as a strobe or a red light source, but this is all preference.
Cooler
At the high range, coolers can cost upwards of several hundred dollars. This is probably overboard. Instead, you may feel comfortable purchasing a cooler that requires being refilled with ice every other day. It all depends on your expectations while camping.
Water Treatment System
Treatment systems can range from $25 to $150. Options include tablets, filters, or UV systems. If you need one for your trip I suggest bringing the Sawyer Mini. Just be sure to check the time required to filter a liter of water.
As you can see, gear selection plays a large part in answering the question, “how much does camping cost”. Purchasing each piece of gear may result in a larger total cost for your first camping trip, but remember the gear should last for a few seasons. Renting or borrowing gear is a perfect alternative if you are trying camping out for the first time!
Is it cheaper to camp or stay in a hotel?
So the big question that you probably want to be answered is whether it’s cheaper to camp or stay in a hotel. Well, the answer is of course complicated. It depends on which destinations you have in mind and your expectations over the long term. Purchasing all of the camping gear will require a significant investment that may not be worth it if you only intend to camp once or twice. Likewise, renting camping gear for short-term vacations repeatedly will also result in prices similar, if not more expensive, than you would find at nearby hotels. In some locations such as these, you will even find campgrounds that are priced way higher than campsites!
Where camping comes out cheaper is when you factor in your long-term plans. If you plan on making camping part of your usual vacation, you will most likely find that camping is cheaper. Purchasing quality, dependable gear will ensure that the equipment lasts for multiple seasons and will spread out the cost. The only price for your vacation would then be the cost of the food and campsite. If you decide on dispersed camping, your only cost shrinks down to what you intend to spend on food!
Final Thoughts
If you are a first-time camper, deciding between staying in a campground or a hotel may be a hard decision. With all the initial gear purchases the total cost for your first camping experience can be overwhelming! However, once you have the gear purchase you will see a dramatic shift in the cost for all subsequent camping trips.
My recommendation is to see if you can borrow most of the gear for your first camping experience. This way you have not invested heavily in the adventure and you can decide if camping is for you without wondering “how much does camping cost”. If you find you enjoy it, then the price for purchasing all the gear will not be as obnoxious when you know it will be distributed over your many planned trips in the future. Whatever you decide, be sure to make sure you get outdoors. Happy Camping!