6 Tips For Frugal Fall Camping

(Updated 2020)

Looking for some great fall fun? An opportunity to get in the outdoors and relax without spending wads of cash? Then, make sure to check out these 6 Tips For Frugal Fall Camping. 

1. Keep your eyes peeled for off season campsite specials

Fall starts the low season for camping in many locals. The kids are back in school. Vacations are waning until the holidays. And temperatures and hours of daylight are starting to being a downward trend. 

If the campsite is not in a prime leaf watching local or near a major year-round attraction, the occupancy rate will have cooled off, too. Some campsite owners offer discounts to keep people coming. Do a Google search and see what bargains are to be had. 

Want to explore the range of camping opportunities that are available near you? Take a look at Where To Find Camping Near You. 

2. Snag Camping Gear Through Final Summer And Back To School Clearance Sales

The big box retailers, especially, offer big markdowns on outdoor gear and back to school items to make way for holiday merchandise. Seek out bargain prices on items that you need such as:

• Backpacks
• Ice packs
• Coolers
• Tents
• Cots
• Sun blocking apparel
• Sun screen lotion
• Bug spray
• Citronella candles
• Travel pillows
• Outdoor tableclothes
• Camping chairs
• Beach towels
• Picnic caddies
• Outdoor folding tables
• Portable propane grills
• Grilling Tools
• Outdoor Games such as bean bags, washer toss, horseshoes, spikeball, and ladderball.  
• Duffel bags
• Lighter weight sleeping bags
• Water bottles
• Blow up mattresses
• Pop up canopies
• Travel first aid kits 

3. Take Advantage of Hunting Season Sales

Many outdoor stores offer specials on hunting gear in the fall. Some of the hunting merchandise is also handy for camping. For example:

• Rain boots
• Rain coats
• Rain suits
• Lined jackets
• Long underwear
• Ear Muffs
• Knit Caps
• Headlamps   
• Freeze Dried Food 

4. Use Halloween Candy Discounts To Your Advantage For Frugal Fall Camping 

In the fall, retailers roll out the candy in preparation for fall festivals and Halloween festivities. Then, they offer specials to draw people into stores. On top of that, manufacturers offer coupons to entice  people to buy their brands. Let the price and product competition work to your advantage and stock up on chocolate bars, marshmallows, chocolate chips for trail mix, and all the other ingredients you need for sweet camping treats. 

5. Cooler Weather Means Soup On The Menu For Fall Camping 

Soup is one of those awesome grocery money stretcher meals. You can make it with an endless variety of ingredients and it is tummy filling. Best of all many types of soup can be made quickly at the campsite or frozen ahead, properly stored, and reheated at the campsite (keeping in mind food safety). Add a little skillet cornbread as a side and you are in business.  

6. Come Prepared So You Don’t Have To Run Out And Make Costly Purchases On the Fly 

Layering is the name of the game when it comes to fall camping. Weather conditions can change quickly and vary greatly. Bring layers of clothes that you can easily take on an off.

Also, in addition to your sleeping bag, you may want to bring along a blanket(s) that you can add or remove as needed for comfortable sleeping.

The last thing that you want on a campout is to find yourself without gear that you need and have to make a run to whatever store you can find. That is if you are near a store that would carry what you need. 

By doing some savvy prep, your frugal fall camping adventures will succeed. And speaking of savvy, don’t miss my free guide to 50 Clever Ways to Save Money Online with load of clickable links.