RV Camping on a Budget: Expert Tips and Tricks

RV Life

Are you looking for budget-friendly ways to enjoy RV camping this year? You’re not alone. Rising costs have many RVers rethink how they’ll be camping in the coming camping season. Luckily, one of the best parts about the RV lifestyle is that it’s flexible. That means you don’t need to break the bank to have fun in your RV. We researched the best ways to save money on RV camping and live big for less. And we’re happy to share our favorite tips and tricks for RV camping on a budget.

Keep up With RV Maintenance Tasks

No matter what type of RV you have, keeping up with the RV maintenance your manufacturer recommends will save you a lot of money in the long run. Although there will always be times when you’ll want to hire an RV technician, there are many maintenance jobs that are easy to do yourself.

Learning to dewinterize your RV or inspect and replace sealants require little skill and can save you a bundle of money on shop labor costs. For those who lack confidence in their own DIY RV maintenance and repair skills, NRVTA offers a very helpful online RV maintenance and repair course specifically for RV owners. Click here to learn more about it.

Plan a Fuel-saving Route

Planning a fuel saving route do your destination can save you a lot of money. While A to B distance obviously factors into fuel consumption, other factors like elevation gain and wind speed also factor into vehicle fuel consumption. RV Trip Wizard app can help with fuel expenses by working out the cost of gas or diesel for different routes as well as giving you elevation information and timely information about wind speeds.

Camp in the shoulder- or off-season

Camping in the shoulder or off seasons can save you a lot of money. RV camping isn’t just summer recreation anymore because nearly all RVs are designed for 3 or 4 season use. Instead of going camping in the busy peak season, plan your RV vacation around the traditional campground “slow seasons”. That’s when campsite rates are at their lowest. Not only that, but you’ll also get to enjoy nature at its best. That’s because campgrounds are always more peaceful in the off-season. This is the time of year when wildlife returns.

Find Free Camping

You can save a lot of money on campsite fees if you don’t mind boondocking, There are plenty of beautiful, free campsites throughout the US and Canada. Some of these are easier to access than others. Here are some resources I recommend for finding free camping, wherever you are.

RV LIFE Campgrounds: Offers photos, rates, amenities and honest reviews by real RVers.
Freecampsites.net: Offers locations and reviews of free campsites and spots to overnight
Bureau of Land Management dispersed camping
Bureau of Land Management fee free days: The BLM will offer free camping on the following 2025 dates”
- January 20 (Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.)
- June 19 (Juneteenth National Independence Day)
- July 16 (BLM’s Birthday)
- August 4 (Great American Outdoors Act Anniversary)
- September 27 (National Public Lands Day)
- November 11 (Veterans Day)
Sites and Trails Website: Offers a list of recreation sites for free camping in BC, Canada
Alberta Public Lands Camping Webpage

Join Harvest Hosts

Joining Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome gives you access to unique, free camping experiences throughout Canada and the US. The caveats here are that you need a self contained rig. Also, you’re usually only allowed to stay one night, although some hosts might allow you to stay for up to 4 nights. However, depending on how you travel, the membership plan fee of between $99 and $179 per year can pay itself off after just a few overnight stays.

Take an RV vacation close to home

Camping close to home can save a lot in travel expenses. Nearly all communities in many regions have a regional park with a campground nearby. Planning an RV vacation close to home allows your family to explore local attractions and events that you might never visit otherwise.

Use The Gasbuddy App to Find the Best Fuel Prices Wherever You go

The Gasbuddy app is a handy app that gives users gas prices at local stations, wherever you go. In addition, GasBuddy also offers a GasBuddy Mastercard that automatically collects points that can be used for discounts on gas purchases when you use it at specific retailers. Gasbuddy is available for Ios and Android mobile devices.

Use Your RV’s Kitchen Instead of Dining Out

One of the great things about RVs is that they have functional kitchens. Preparing delicious meals in your RV is a no-brainer when it comes to saving a lot of money. Need inspiration for meal ideas? Click here for delicious, budget friendly camping recipes. Buying local food at farmer’s markets is a great way to meet the locals while trying out regional specialties. The USDA Farmer’s Market directory allows you to find farmer’s markets throughout the USA.

Similarly, making your own coffee or espresso drinks in the RV can leave a lot of money in your pocket. That’s money you could spend on gas, fun activities, or a myriad of other things.

Stock up on healthy snacks before you leave home

Snacks at at truck stops, fast food restaurants and gas stations are often priced at least double the price of snacks at a grocery store. It’s easy to prepare some tasty, healthy snacks for the road before you hit the road. Here are some healthy, road trip friendly treat ideas

Grapes
Baby carrots
Baby cucumbers
Apples
Pita chips
Bagel chips
Trail mix
Roasted Nuts
Pralines
Jerky
Cheese
Crackers and hummus
Hard boiled eggs

Take Advantage of Free Activities

You don’t need to spend money to have fun. Use campground amenities like the park pool, playground hot tub, lawn games, the dog park, fishing etc. Taking advantage of the many free activities wherever you go will also keep money in your wallet. Here are some examples:

Hiking and walking trails
Cycling routes
Self guided tours
Public gardens
Local festivals
Farmer’s markets
Local playgrounds
Fishing
Birdwatching
Wildlife rescue center tours
Beach related activities
Kayaking or canoeing locations

Your Wallet Will Thank You

There’s no doubt that RV camping can be expensive, especially with the rising costs associated with fuel, food, and campsite rates However, these budget-friendly tips and tricks can help to keep costs down down. RV camping on a budget doesn’t have to mean missing out on any of the things that makes RVing to special. Instead, it can bring us back to the benefits that drew us to RV camping in the first place. After all, good times and relaxation are really what RV life all about. Budget RV camping can offer both of these in abundance.