How Much Does It Cost To Go Car Camping (Average Budget)
You can approach camping two different ways: you can be very frugal or you can opt for more expensive gear and locations. This post will show you the average budget for how much it costs to go car camping.
You can decide which areas you can save money, and which areas you want to spend money for the best possible camping experience.
*If you’re looking for the cheapest way possible to start camping, then skip down to the “How To Save Money On Camping” section.*
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How Much Does It Cost To Go Camping?
The budget expenses for car camping (also known as “tent camping”) can be broken down into 2 different categories:
- One-Time Camping Gear Purchases
- Expenses For Each Camping Trip
In general, you’re going to spend a lot of money up front on your one-time gear purchases ($140-$1135) and then there will be smaller expenses for each camping trip that you’ll usually spend ($20-$340).
Your expenses will vary based on several factors:
- The number of people camping
- The time of year that you camp (summer camping vs. winter camping)
- How much you want to spend on gear
- The locations that you choose to camp in
This guide will show you the average costs for camping to give you a better idea of what you can expect to spend on your first camping trip.
*If you’re looking for the cheapest way possible to start camping, then skip down to the “How To Save Money On Camping” section.*
Essential One-Time Gear Purchases
If you’ve never camped before, then you’re probably going to need to spend some money on gear. The good news is that you can buy the gear once and have it last for years to come.
You’ll only have to fork out the money one time, and then camping won’t be nearly as expensive for the rest of your camping trips.
You might already have some items that you can use from home, but there will be some purchases that are necessary for a comfortable camping experience. You can check out my post on the basic camping gear checklist to learn more.
The most essential gear that you’re going to need to consider buying for your first camping trip is:
- Tent
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad or Air Mattress
- Cooler
- Camp Chair
- First Aid Kit
- Flashlight
Tent Prices
Tents can be one of the more expensive items when you’re shopping for essential camping gear. But there are very affordable tents out there for purchase.
My biggest tip is to not go with the bare minimum, because you want to be able to assemble & sleep comfortably during your camping trip. Nothing can ruin a camping trip faster than having a poor night of sleep.
You’ll need to search for a tent based on your needs. How many people are sleeping in the tent? During which seasons are you using the tent?
On average, a basic 3-season, four-person tent can cost anywhere from $30-$300. This is an area that we chose to splurge in. We use the Gazelle T4 Pop-up Tent for a quick setup & spacious layout. (Read our 4-year review here.)
Sleeping Bag
Your sleep system (sleeping bag & sleeping pad) is one of the most important factors to focus on while camping. They are the best way to ensure that you will have a good night of sleep while you’re camping.
Having a decent sleeping bag doesn’t have to be expensive. Just make sure to choose a sleeping bag that is rated for your area’s temperature range & that will be the right size for you. (Here’s a guide on how to choose a sleeping bag).
Average sleeping bags can typically range from $25-$100. If you’re looking for a sleeping bag that is lightweight and packs down easily to use for backpacking trips, then you’ll be spending anywhere from $100-$400.
This is a great example of a sleeping bag that isn’t too expensive, but will keep you warm in cooler temperatures.
Sleeping Pad Or Air Mattress
Bringing your guest room air mattress from home is actually not a great idea for camping. If you’re sleeping in cooler temperatures, then the excess amount of air in the air mattress will make you even colder.
A sleeping pad or camping air mattress is the better option to use while camping. This is one area that you might want to spend a little bit more money in so you have a comfortable night of sleep.
On average, sleeping pads can cost anywhere from $15-$200.
Cooler
You might already have a cooler on hand, but if not then you’ll want to consider buying one for your camping trip.
The price range of basic coolers can cost from $35-$300 depending on the quality. You can get away with a cheaper cooler for a while, but just know that the ice will melt a lot faster.
If you don’t think you’ll need a cooler, then you might need to consider a bear canister if you’re backcountry camping to store your food in.
Camp Chair
Having a comfortable place to rest during your camping trip is going to make a huge difference. You could always sit on the ground or at a picnic table (if provided at your campsite), but having a portable camping chair will give you a lot more options.
Camp chairs can range anywhere from $10-$75.
First Aid Kit
Being prepared for emergencies is really important while you’re in the great outdoors. Always bring a small first aid kit with you just in case something happens.
The average price of a basic first aid kit can cost anywhere from $15-$60.
Flashlight
You’re definitely going to need some form of light while you’re camping at night. You could go with a simple flashlight, a headlamp, or a lantern.
On average, camping headlamps cost anywhere from $10-$100. This is our favorite headlamp to use while camping.
Other One-Time Purchases To Consider For Camping
The great thing about camping is that you can go as bare minimum as you want.
These are other camping gear items that you might want for your camping trip, but they aren’t always necessary.
- Camp Stove
- Cooking Pots
- Cooking Utensils & Dinnerware
- Camping Clothes
- USB Power Bank
- Camping Bins
- Pocket Knife or Multi-tool
Camp Stove
You can always cook over your fire pit while camping, but having a camp stove opens a lot of options for you.
Camp stoves range from one-burner to two-burners. Depending on the size of your group, you might want to go with the larger camp stove.
2-Burner camp stoves can range anywhere from $55-$200. You can’t go wrong with a Coleman camp stove!
Cooking Pots
Whether you’re cooking over the campfire or cooking on a camp stove, you’ll need something to cook in.
This could be a cast-iron skillet or a set of camp cooking pots. Of course you can always bring some from home to start out with.
On average you’ll spend $20-$80 on camp cookware.
Cooking Utensils & Dinnerware
This doesn’t have to be very fancy, but you’ll want to make sure you have cooking supplies & something to eat on while you’re camping.
You can opt for a cheap spatula, spoon, & mess kit for this.
On average you’ll spend anywhere from $15-$50 on your cooking & eating supplies.
Camping Clothes
You can definitely use what clothes you already have to go camping. If you’re in a colder or rainy climate, then opting for some higher quality camping clothes could give you a better experience.
Basic rain jackets can range anywhere from $25-$80.
USB Power Bank
If you’ll be away for a few days, then you might want a way to charge your phone for emergencies. USB power banks are compact & easy to keep with you in your camping gear. (Read this post about all the different ways to charge your phone while camping).
Small USB Power Banks can cost anywhere from $20-$50.
Camping Bins
Once you have all your camping gear ready to go, you might consider buying some camping bins to store everything in. This makes it easier to pack up your camping stuff and keep it all in one place.
Two camping bins can cost you around $50-$100.
Pocket Knife or Multi-Tool
We can fix almost anything with a multi-tool and duct tape when we’re camping. I highly recommend getting a decent pocket knife or multi-tool to keep in your camping bin.
An average pocket knife can cost anywhere from $10-$60.
Total Costs For One-Time Gear Purchases
If you add everything together in the Essential One Time Purchases, your total runs anywhere from $140 to $1135.
Keep in mind that some of these items will need to be purchased per person, like a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, & camping chair. Those additional numbers will need to be factored into the total for your one-time gear budget.
If you decide to add in the other camping gear mentioned above (camp stove, cookware, camping bins, etc.), then that adds another $195-$620 to your one-time purchase budget.
One-Time Gear Purchases Price Ranges
| Tent | $30.00 | $300.00 |
| Sleeping Bag | $25.00 | $100.00 |
| Sleeping Pad | $15.00 | $200.00 |
| Cooler | $35.00 | $300.00 |
| Camp Chair | $10.00 | $75.00 |
| First Aid Kit | $15.00 | $60.00 |
| Flashlight | $10.00 | $100.00 |
Other Gear Price Ranges
| Camp Stove | $55.00 | $200.00 |
| Cooking Pots | $20.00 | $80.00 |
| Cooking Utensils | $15.00 | $50.00 |
| Camping Clothes | $25.00 | $80.00 |
| Power Bank | $20.00 | $50.00 |
| Camping Bins | $50.00 | $100.00 |
| Pocket Knife | $10.00 | $60.00 |
Expenses For Every Camping Trip
After you buy all of your camping gear, there are going to be some smaller items & fees that you’ll spend for each camping trip.
Some of the expenses for each camping trip to consider are:
- Campsite Reservation Fee
- Transportation Costs
- Firewood & Cooking Fuel
- Ice
- Food
- Toiletries
Campsite Reservation Fee
Campsite reservations are by far the most expensive part of each camping trip. Depending on where you camp, you could be spending anywhere from $10-$100 per night. Obviously different types of camping will be more expensive, like RV resorts or glamping at private campsites.
Since we’re budgeting for car camping, the average price of campsites, whether it be national park campgrounds, private campgrounds, or state parks in the United States is typically $10-$50 per night.
Some campsites might also require additional fees per person or per vehicle that will be sharing the campsite with you. You might also be paying higher prices during peak season for your campground costs.
Transportation Costs
Depending on where you live, then you might have to drive longer distances to reach a campsite. Keep in mind that the average fuel costs to travel by car per mile is about $0.58/mile.
If your campsite is 35 miles away, then you’ll be spending roughly $20.30 going one way.
Firewood & Cooking Fuel
Depending on how you plan to cook, you’ll need to bring the proper fuel. This could be propane, charcoal, or firewood.
For a two-day camping trip, you’ll spend roughly $20-40 dollars on firewood.
Using charcoal or propane might be a cheaper option for you if you don’t need to have a campfire during your trip.
Ice
If you need to keep your food cold, then you’ll need to consider purchasing ice for your camping trip. (Learn how to properly pack your food for camping here).
One 10lb bag of ice typically costs anywhere from $2-$10.
For safe measure, it would be a good idea to get at least two bags of ice, which means you’ll be spending somewhere between $4-$20 on ice for your camping trip. (Or skip the ice all together with this list of non-perishable camping food items).
Food
This is a hard category to budget for because everybody eats so differently. Let’s just say you’re eating sandwiches for lunch, hot dogs for dinner, and cereal for breakfast.
The cost for 4 people to eat would be roughly $20-$25 for one day of camping. That’s about $5 per person each day.
This is if you’re eating super easy foods at camp. If you want to cook something a little more gourmet over your campfire, then the price could shoot up to roughly $10/person. (Check out these unique make-ahead camping meals).
Toiletries
Toiletries might not be purchased for every trip, but they will need to be restocked frequently.
Here are some of the items you’ll want to consider purchasing:
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Bar Soap
- Shampoo
- Bug Spray
- Sunscreen
In total, you could be spending anywhere from $20-$40 on toiletry items for your camping trip.
Total Cost For Every Camping Trip Expenses
In total, for a 1-day camping trip, you could find your self spending anywhere from $89-$340.
Keep in mind, this can vary greatly based on your destination & how much food, ice, firewood, and toiletries you’ll bring from home instead of buying new from the grocery store.
Price Ranges For Every Camping Trip Expenses
| Campsite Fee/day | $10.00 | $100.00 |
| Transportation | $15.00 | $100.00 |
| Fuel | $20.00 | $40.00 |
| Ice | $4.00 | $20.00 |
| Food | $20.00 | $40.00 |
| Toiletries | $20.00 | $40.00 |
Additional Hobby Costs
Another expense to consider is if you’ll be spending money on additional hobbies while camping. Depending on your camping destination, you might have to pay an extra fee to enjoy that hobby.
Here are some example of expenses for hobbies:
- Fishing license – $5-$15
- Hiking boots – $50-$150
- National Parks Day Pass $15-$35
- National Park Annual Pass – $80
How To Save Money On Camping
Now that we’ve discussed all the ways you can spend a small fortune on camping, let’s cover the ways you can save money on camping.
If you’re on a tight budget, it is totally possible to go camping for very little cost. Here are some tips to help you save money on your camping trip:
- Use bedding from home instead of a sleeping bag
- Pack foods you already have at home
- Cook over the campfire
- Collect your own firewood at the campsite
- Find free campsites to camp at (We use Campendium)
- Camp during times of year that are less busy
- Use dinnerware & cookware from home
- Buy used gear locally
Total Cost For Budget Camping
Just to put things into perspective, if you:
- Use your own bedding
- Use your own cookware & dinnerware from home
- Find a free campsite
- Collect your own firewood
- Bring food from home
- Cook over your campfire
Then your total budget for one-time camping purchases could be as low as $100 and your expenses for every camping trip could be as low as $19 for gas & ice.
Budget Friendly One-Time Purchases
| Tent | $30.00 |
| First Aid Kit | $15.00 |
| Flashlight | $10.00 |
| Cooler | $35.00 |
| Camp Chair | $10.00 |
Budget Friendly Every camping trip Expenses
| Transportation | $15.00 |
| Ice | $4.00 |
Conclusion
You can spend as much or as little as you want on camping. In general, you will need to purchase a handful of essential camping gear, plus spend money on small expenses for each camping trip (like gas & food). Overall, this camping budget should give you a better idea of where you will need to spend money to start your camping adventures.
Our Favorite Must-Have Camping Gear
Gazelle T4
Hub Tent
Jackery Solar
Generator
Qomotop Self-Inflating Mattress
THERMACELL MOSQUITO REPELLER
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The Ultimate Guide To Pack Food For Camping
Solo Camping Checklist (Beginner’s Guide)
Why Is Camping Fun? All The Reasons To Love Camping
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Basic Camping Packing List
If this is your first time camping, or you need a refresh, then here is a free download for our Basic Camping Packing List. It is a full list of the basic items you need to bring for a successful camping trip.
