thriftytrailblazer

Outdoors on a budget

The best views are often the cheapest.

Plain-English guides to enjoying the outdoors for less: park passes and free entrance days, budget camping, gear you can rent or borrow, camp food, and the essentials that keep you safe.

Price a camping trip Buy, rent or borrow?

A weekend for four2 nights

Camping

$332
  • Campsite$60
  • Gas$33
  • Food$144
  • Gear rental$40
  • Park entry$35
  • Ice and firewood$20

Hotel trip

$848
  • Hotel$300
  • Gas$33
  • Eating out$480
  • Park entry$35

Camping, per person$83

An illustrative example. Fees and prices vary by park and season.

Start with one of these

CalculatorCamping trip costPer person, per night. GuideBuy, rent or borrowGear, item by item. ChecklistTrailblazerSixteen steps outdoors for less.

15 outdoor guides

Parks and passes

Camping

Gear

Safety and care

Free download, no email needed

The Outdoor Trip Planner

Budget the trip, pack with a gear checklist, plan camp meals, leave a plan with someone at home, and log where you went and what it cost.

Get the free PDFSee the Trailblazer checklist

Coming soon

Plan every trip for less

Trailblazer Trip Kit: printable trip planners, seasonal gear checklists, camp meal plans for a weekend and a budget sheet for every trip.

$9 once. Yours to keep. 30-day refund.

See what's in the kit