Cheapskate Camping

I admit it. I'm a Cheapskate camper. A Cheapskate camper is someone who knows where to go to find cheap or free camping. I used to make a game of it, but it's no longer a game. Finding cheap or free campgrounds has now become a necessity because it's the only way most people these days (including me) can afford to go RVing.

I have traveled by RV for most of my adult life and have watched with great interest the changes that have taken place in the world of camping. Back in the day, a one night stay in most campgrounds cost somewhere between five and ten dollars. Today, a one night stay can cost as much as one hundred fifty dollars.

Of course many of today’s campgrounds must be equipped to handle the big rigs which need more space and use more electricity. They must also cater to the demands of more sophisticated campers who want extras such as concrete patios and parking slabs, wireless access, phone access, grills, Jacuzzi’s, workout rooms and various forms of entertainment. In addition, the costs for repairs, maintenance, taxes and utilities have risen substantially over the years, so campground owners have raised their prices accordingly.

Unfortunately, many campers find that the higher fees are beginning to price them out of the market. When a renting a campsite gets to the point where it costs as much as renting a hotel room, people begin to wonder if camping is worth the cost.

Those who feel the financial pinch, wind up doing one of several things:

• They sell their RV.
• They take shorter trips.
• They take fewer trips.
• They travel closer to home.
• They look for a way to camp that will allow them to continue on as before.

Those who look for a better way are today's cheapskate campers. This form of travel allows them to enjoy the call of the open road without having to go broke. Here is how a smart cheapskate camps for less.

Negotiation

Cheapskates know it is generally easy to negotiate with campground owners, especially for longer stays. For example: campgrounds in the Black Hills are now charging an average of $40 per night in season. A cheapskate camper will negotiate on a one month stay and wind up spending around $400, a savings of $26.67 per night!

In most campgrounds, the longer a camper stays, the less he will pay. Those who don’t want to stay in one place for an entire month can still negotiate for smaller savings on shorter visits.

Discount Camping Clubs

Cheapskates join discount camping clubs and can save 50% off the full price of camping, even for a one night’s stay. However, not all camping clubs are equal. Some are expensive to join, have limited access to their campgrounds, don’t have a lot of member campgrounds and also have annual fees.

One of the best discount camping clubs is Passport America. It costs $44 a year plus $5 if they have to ship their catalog. They have 1500 member campgrounds nationwide. Cheapskate campers who belong can average $15 a night or less when staying at their member parks.

One caveat is that many of their campgrounds offer only limited stays or allow one to get the deal only at certain times of the year. The ones in Florida, for example, will not offer the deal during high season. The rest of the year, however, cheapskate campers can enjoy staying at nice places and save a bundle.

Camping at State and National Parks

State and national parks have become expensive for visiting and camping in recent years. However, anybody can purchase an annual national park pass for $80. These offer free access to all national parks. They do not, however, give any discounts for anything else.

Senior citizens with Golden Age Passes (which can be purchased for about $10 + a processing fee), can get park entrance fees waived and can camp for half price.

Disabled seniors can get Golden Access Passes for free. These offer the same benefits as Golden Age Passes.

A few states, such as those in Arkansas, allow their parks to honor the national park senior passes. It pays to ask before going. Most states are charging around $40 per night for camping in their parks, so they are not always a good deal.

Casino Camping

Many casinos around the country offer reduced price or free campsites. Some only offer areas where people can dry camp while others offer full hookups.

Free Campgrounds

There are also a number of free campgrounds around the country. Many of these have partial or full hookups. Freecampsites.net is a good resource, but there are many others. You can also read my hubs about free RV campsites. I'll be writing more of these types of articles as time goes on. Those I discuss are campgrounds I have actually visited.

Most that say they are free really mean the price is $10 or less. However, in among those that do charge a fee, cheapskate campers can find sites that are truly available at no charge. These are the best deals. There are many of them located in several different areas of the United States, and they are really nice camping spots.

Truck Stop Camping

Truck stops are safe places for overnight stays. Some, such as Pilot/FlyingJ, cater to recreational vehicle travelers with RV parking sections, dump and fill stations and discounted gas. Just remember to ask permission to stay over prior to doing so.

Rest Area Camping

Many rest areas around the country allow overnight camping. A good number of them have dump stations, and some, especially those in Kansas, have fill stations as well. The rest areas that have security patrols are the ones safest for overnight stays.

Shopping Center Camping

Many Walmart stores allow overnight camping in their parking lots, but be sure to ask permission. Some shopping centers will allow overnight parking as well, but make sure they have security patrols available.

Driveway Camping

Staying in the driveway of a friend while hooking up to his electric and water is actually a nice and inexpensive way to visit someone. They have their privacy, and cheapskate campers have theirs. They treat their hosts to a thank you dinner, and everybody goes away happy.

Cheapskate campers can pick and choose from thousands of inexpensive or free camping opportunities. They don’t have to sacrifice anything to win the camping game; they just have to be willing to play it!

Those who play by the guidelines listed above are sure to win. They’re the ones who are able to take long, leisurely vacations for very little money. They may be cheapskates, but they can save enough to travel again another year!