The Super Budget Camping Build

Contrary to popular belief, camping isn’t all that expensive. Sure, it can be. And sure it looks pretty pricey, but it’s not. If you already have a car you’re good to go without really needing anything else.

Introducing the Super Budget Camping Build.

First, the car. Yes, I’m assuming you already have this. 4 Wheel drive is not required. Most of the camping I’ve done throughout my life has been in sedans, (even some off-roading, though I don’t recommend this). If there’s a way that you can lower your seats and sleep in the back, you should do this. It’s a really viable way of camping and super comfy. If you can’t do that, you’re going to have to add a tent to your budget.

Suss out how cold it’s going to be. If it’s nothing too drastic you’re going to be fine with your comforter. Bring it, and bring some extra blankets just in case. Boom. No sleeping bag required. Note: in this budget build we aren’t looking at sleeping pads so make sure you’re bringing an extra blanket thick enough that you can comfortably lay on it. Lots of people have blow up mattresses already, if you’re one of those people you should try testing it in your car to see if it fits.  

So now we have the sleeping situation figured out. That was easy.

Looking around the theoretical campsite, what else do we need? Oh wait we can’t see anything because there’s no lights. For this one you will probably need to spend a little bit of money. You can get the Luci solar lanterns for around $20 each. They’re inflatable which is convenient for packing, and from my experience they put out a decent amount of softer light which can’t be said about most LED lanterns. Still though, $20 is pricey. I’d only get one and rely on flashlights you already own for the rest of your light.

Now that that’s covered lets just kick back and relax in our… oh wait, there’s no chairs either. This is another easy fix. Head over to walmart and get yourself a cheap folding chair. They’re around $10 and, it’s a chair. Not much to say about that.

Camping on Caden’s budget is primitive. Like, if you want to do this cheaply, we can go reallly cheap. This is the part where people recommend buying a cooler. You can find these for how much? $20. That’s accounting for the cheapest cooler you can find. Ice is going to melt pretty quick in that. So my alternative? Don’t bring a cooler if you don’t need one. I get it if you need one for beverages, but I’ll help you through what foods to bring which don’t need refrigeration.

Alright so we’ve gotten our basics out of the way. Those are the essential items that you need to go camping. Now let’s look at what you’re eating. Assuming you bought a cooler, fill that up with what you will. Go crazy, you have the power of modern amenities. If you’re roughing it on a budget, we’re gonna look at alternative foods.

Canned chili is by far the best camping food I can think of just based on convenience. Throw it in – anywhere. Eat it – anyhow. It doesn’t care if it’s warmed up or cold, and you won’t care either. That stuff is good. “Wow, canned chilli, what a hot take on camping food,” you might think, and yes I’ll accept that backhanded compliment, because someone had to say it. Humor me and look up easy camping foods on Google. I’ll wait. Yeah. Did you notice how on every site, nothing truly looked easy to make? Come on guys, I’m here to make sure you don’t think you have to mince raw veggies, cover them in tinfoil, saute chicken breast, and then add everything to a boiling pot of macaroni… while you’re camping. We don’t have time for that in this budget!

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Doesn’t get easier than that folks. It’s another non-refrigerated treat and can be a great lunchtime meal. Canned tuna is another good option for easy to make sandwiches.

Canned products like Chef Boyardee, and baked beans are other great meals which, again, don’t have to be heated up or kept cold!

Buy a few gallons of water too. You end up going through way more than you’d expect when you’re spending all day long outside.

I’m leaving the meal recommendations as that. There are more options but if this is your introduction to camping, you most likely won’t need anymore. Just fill up the car with chips, trail mix, and other snacks and you’re good to go.

Did you think I’d forget the fire? Of course not. Bring yourself some (lots of) matches or a camping lighter. And you know all that junk mail that’s been accumulating? That’s your firestarter right there. Don’t worry about the wood just yet unless you’re heading out to the desert. National forests have gas stations where you can buy your wood which I’d seriously recommend. Bringing wood from far away can carry invasive beetles which eat the trees in the forest and kill them. Buy your wood local! Heading out to the desert is more lax with the rules about that sort of thing.

Finally! We’re done. That’s it. Whew. It was really dragging on at the end wasn’t it? But seriously that’s all you need to camp on a super tight budget. If you want to be safe you can assemble a first aid kit too, but I mean, have those ever helped anybody? Eh.

No but seriously. Do that.

I hope this guide has helped you put camping into a more reasonable perspective. Don’t let those gearhead’s gatekeep you from the great outdoors!