How to Save Money on Camping Gear

Camping season is finally here, and I am super excited to hit the road and sleep in nature. While camping can be a frugal activity once you have all the gear, it can be an investment up front if you don’t. If you are a camping fan too and are ready to hit the trail, but are in need of some new camping gear, or if you don’t have any gear and want to experience camping this year, read on for some tips on how to save money on camping gear.

How to Save Money on Camping Gear

Check online. Amazon has an amazing selection of camping gear available. Some of it is dirt cheap. For instance, you can get camping cooking supplies, backpacks and tents on Amazon for less than you would pay in stores.

Shop out of season. Shop either very early or just after the camping season wraps up. Stores will have sales on camping gear early in the season to kick off summer, so watch for 50% off or more sales in the first few weeks of summer or early to mid-spring. In the fall, you can find really great deals on camping gear as well.

Check out thrift stores and yard sales. Camping gear usually holds up well from year to year, so many folks have some great older camping gear that is still perfectly usable that they donate to thrift stores or sell at yard sales when they upgrade.

Make some of your own camping gear. Camping is about “roughing it”, right? Why not get creative and make some of your own camping gear such as a hobo stove from the instructions on Mother Earth News.

Borrow gear. Yes, this is not really owning your own, but if you only go 1-2 times per year, see if you can borrow the larger items like a tent from a family member or friend. Free is always cheapest!

Check out daily deal sites or sign up for deals from outdoor big box giants like REI. REI often has one day sales that are large on their outdoor gear. Daily deal sites sometimes offer coupons or gift cards at a discount for local outdoor stores.

Buy discount gift cards for stores like Target, Walmart, REI and Cabella’s. There are many online stores that sell discounted gift cards that others don’t want for less than the value of the card. Typically its 5-10% less, but savings is savings and some even allow you to sell yours on the site as well so you could turn that unwanted restaurant gift card you have into a tent down the road from REI.

Check out Army/Navy supply stores. From my experience, this can be touch and go as far as it being a reliable source for lower cost camping and outdoor gear, but sometimes you can find a real treasure, especially on smaller supplies and outdoor clothing.

Take a temporary part time job at an outdoor store. This is a pretty extreme way to save, but you will get a discount working there, even if it’s just a couple hours a week and you can use your paycheck to buy your new gear. Plus, you will sometimes get first dibs on returned gear or trade-ins.