Getting Started
How Much Does Camping Cost to Get Started?
A realistic look at camping costs for beginners: gear tiers, campsite fees, and how to start for under $100 if you borrow smart.
Camping can cost anywhere from $15 for a weekend to $1,500 or more if you buy everything new at once. The number that actually applies to you depends on what you already own, how much you want to borrow or rent, and what kind of camping you plan to do first.
The short answer for most beginners: expect to spend $0 to $200 on gear for your first trip if you borrow strategically, and $5 to $35 per night on a campsite at a standard state or national forest campground.
What Does It Actually Cost to Camp?
The cost of camping breaks into two buckets: one-time gear costs and per-trip costs. Gear is the bigger upfront number, but it spreads across many trips. Campsite fees recur each time, but they're usually modest.
Per-trip costs (recurring):
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Campsite fee (tent site, state park) | $10 to $35/night |
| Campsite fee (national forest dispersed) | $0 |
| Campsite fee (KOA or private) | $35 to $60/night |
| Food for 2 nights | $25 to $60 per person |
| Firewood (if not gathering) | $5 to $10/bundle |
| Fuel canister (backpacking stove) | $5 to $10 |
A two-night trip for one person at a $20/night site, buying simple camp food, costs roughly $60 to $90 in per-trip expenses. That's your floor once you have gear sorted.
Gear costs (one-time, by tier):
| Gear tier | What you get | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow/rent | Full kit from a friend or gear library | $0 to $30 |
| Budget new | Entry-level tent, bag, pad from sporting goods stores | $100 to $250 |
| Mid-range new | Better sleep system, lighter tent, small stove | $300 to $600 |
| Quality new | All-season tent, quality sleeping bag, backpacking stove | $700 to $1,500+ |
Most beginners don't need mid-range or quality gear for their first few trips. A budget tent and a borrowed sleeping bag will get you through a summer weekend in a car-camping setting.
Camping on a Budget: Where to Borrow and Rent
The fastest way to reduce startup costs is to not buy gear for your first trip. A few places to look:
Borrow from people you know. Camping gear sits unused in garages most of the year. Ask around before spending anything. Even borrowing a tent and sleeping bag can cut your first-trip gear costs to zero.
Gear libraries and outdoor rec centers. Many cities have gear-lending programs through parks departments, outdoor recreation clubs, or universities. A one-time membership fee (often $20 to $50) gets you access to tents, sleeping bags, pads, and stoves.
Outdoor retailers with rental programs. Some REI locations and local outdoor shops rent tents, sleeping bags, and pads. A weekend rental for a two-person tent typically runs $15 to $30.
Buy used. Gear in excellent condition shows up constantly on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local buy-nothing groups. A used sleeping bag that retailed for $180 often sells for $30 to $50. Check for mildew, broken zippers, and damaged insulation before buying.
If you're testing camping to see whether you enjoy it, renting or borrowing for your first one or two trips is the sensible call. Buy gear only after you've confirmed you want to keep going. See how to start camping: a complete beginner's guide for a fuller overview of what to prioritize.
Is Camping Expensive? Breaking Down the Real Costs
Camping gets a reputation for being cheap, and over time it is. But startup costs can sting if you try to buy everything at once.
The gear trap: Walking into an outdoor retailer without a plan leads to buying more than you need. A $400 four-season tent is overkill for a July car-camping trip. A $30 foam sleeping pad works fine for most beginners in warm weather, while a $120 self-inflating pad adds comfort you may or may not need.
The core kit that actually matters for a first trip:
- A tent rated for at least the season you're camping in
- A sleeping bag rated to at least 10 degrees below the expected low temperature
- A sleeping pad (foam works; insulated inflatable is better but not required)
- A headlamp with fresh batteries
- A method for cooking or heating water (camp stove, or use a fire where permitted)
- Water and a way to treat or carry enough of it
That's the short list. Everything else, from camp chairs to cast iron to a lantern, is optional for trip one.
Where costs climb: Costs go up when you buy branded gear you don't yet need, when you camp at private or resort-style campgrounds every time, and when you upgrade too fast before knowing your preferences.
Finding Low-Cost Campsites
The campsite fee is the recurring cost you control most directly. A few options that keep it low:
National forest and BLM dispersed camping. On most national forest and Bureau of Land Management land, you can camp for free outside of developed campgrounds, usually anywhere 200 feet from water, roads, and trails (check specific forest rules). No reservation, no fee. This is legal, widely practiced, and a core part of camping culture in the western US. Leave No Trace principles apply: pack out what you bring in, use a cathole for waste, leave the site as you found it.
National forest developed campgrounds. These typically run $10 to $22 per night and require less advance planning than national parks.
State parks. Fees vary widely by state. Some state parks charge $15 to $20 per night and offer well-maintained sites with water access. Reservations are usually available online.
County parks and local campgrounds. Often overlooked, but county-run campgrounds can be quite affordable and less crowded than state or national parks.
For your first trip, a developed campground with a picnic table, a fire ring, and at least one bathroom nearby takes pressure off the logistics. Once you're comfortable, dispersed camping opens up completely free options. Read about planning that first outing in your first camping trip: a step-by-step plan.
What You Can Skip for Your First Trip
A lot of camping gear exists, and a lot of it isn't necessary to start. Things beginners commonly buy and don't need right away:
- A four-season tent (unless you're camping in winter)
- A backpacking stove (a basic canister stove works; some beginners skip cooking entirely and eat sandwiches)
- A camp chair (a log, a picnic table, or a blanket on the ground works)
- Matching camp cookware sets (one pot and one pan covers most meals)
- A cooler upgrade (a cheap $20 cooler handles a weekend with ice)
- Hammocks, tarps, bear canisters (useful eventually, not for trip one at a front-country campground)
Camping style matters here. Car camping, where you drive to your site and unload from your vehicle, has much lower gear demands than backpacking. If your first trips are car camping, you're not constrained by weight, so budget gear works fine. If you eventually move to backpacking, you'll invest in lighter, more compact equipment over time. Understanding the types of camping available helps narrow what you actually need. Tent, cabin, or RV: types of camping explained for beginners breaks down the different formats and their cost implications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to go camping for the first time? For a single two-night weekend, expect $60 to $150 in per-trip expenses (campsite fees, food, gas). If you need to buy a basic gear kit, add $100 to $250 for a budget tent and sleeping bag. Borrowing or renting gear can keep that gear cost near zero.
Can I go camping for under $100? Yes, if you borrow a tent and sleeping bag. A two-night stay at a $15-per-night campground with simple food costs around $50 to $80 for one person. If you pay for dispersed camping on national forest land, the site itself is free.
Is camping cheaper than other types of travel? Generally, yes. A two-night camping trip typically costs far less than a hotel stay for the same period, especially once you have gear. The upfront gear investment is the biggest variable, but it spreads across many trips once purchased.
Do I need to spend a lot on gear to stay warm and safe? Not for summer camping. A $40 to $70 sleeping bag rated to 35 or 40 degrees handles most summer nights. A foam sleeping pad for $20 to $30 adds insulation from the ground. The key is matching the rating to the actual overnight lows you'll encounter. Cold-weather camping requires more investment, but that's not where most beginners start.
Are there free camping options for beginners? Yes. Dispersed camping on national forest and BLM land is free and legal across much of the US. The tradeoff is that there are no facilities, so you carry everything in and out. For a first trip, a low-fee developed campground is usually easier, but free dispersed camping is a real, practical option once you're comfortable with the basics.