How to Book a Last-Minute Getaway Under $300
- Campspotter
From food costs to gas prices, things aren’t cheap these days—but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on exciting travel or spontaneous weekend getaways. In fact, a recent Campspot study found that while 72% of campers are stressed about economic uncertainty, 94% still plan to camp the same or more in 2024 than in 2023.
Travel is food for the soul, so treat yourself without breaking the bank. Before the end of the season, squeeze in one more, last-minute camping getaway for under $300 by following these tips and best practices. Your brain, body, and wallet will thank you for it.
How to Book a Last-Minute Camping Trip Under $300
Find the Right Camping Destination
Planning a last-minute, budget-friendly getaway all starts with a search on the right platform. On Campspot.com, you can explore everything from RV resorts, to woodsy cabins, to glamping tents. Filter and choose from over 240,000 sites to instantly book the perfect camping spot for you.
Further protect your wallet by applying the latest camping deals (more on that below), as well as a Sensible Weather Guarantee to any eligible trip—which means you can get reimbursed for up to 100% of your reservation cost in the case of unexpected weather.
In fact, booking a last-minute getaway under $300 has never been easier with the Campspot mobile app, available on both iOS and Android. Search thousands of campgrounds at once, on the go.
Drill Down With Filters
Build the last-minute getaway experience you’re craving by using filters. On Campspot.com, you can sort by distance, nightly price, ratings, lodging type, and amenities (on both a campground level and individual site level).
Choose from a large assortment of “park features” to plan the perfect last-minute getaway under $300 that fulfills both your needs and wants.
For an end-of-summer getaway, for example, popular filters include destinations with a water park, a waterfront view, or a boat launch. Bringing the kids? See which campgrounds have an arcade, or arts and crafts. Quickly pull up results with dog parks to accommodate furry family members.
Guarantee Your Exact Site
Frequent campers know that even within a given campground, not all sites are the same. The exact location of your site can make a big impact on your experience. Thankfully, Campspot’s “lock your site” feature allows you to book the precise location you desire within the campground.
If you’re looking for amazing views, or proximity to a feature or amenity—the lakefront, the dog park, even the bathrooms—you have the option to secure your spot. If you’re traveling with a group and need two sites, guarantee ahead of time that they’ll be side by side.
Even for budget-friendly getaways under $300, using this feature can be more than worth it to ensure your experience remains top-quality.
Apply the Latest Camping Deals
Great deals are the not-so-secret sauce to booking last-minute getaways under $300.
At Campspot, we make it easy for you to explore the best deals near you. Check out our top camping promo codes and discounts, which include a variety of deals like:
- Discounts at campgrounds near you
- Special offers for military, emergency services, and first responders
- Exclusive coupon codes for AAA, Good Sam, Passport America, and other member-only clubs
You can also search discounts offered on a campground-by-campground basis. For a given campground, search their available deals (located under available sites) and find a promo code to enter during checkout.
7 Key Tips for Camping on a Budget
Apart from searching for and booking your perfect Campspot, there are ways to protect your wallet and plan a budget-friendly getaway under $300. Follow these tips to cut costs while still enjoying your outdoor adventure.
1. Borrow Camping Gear
Rather than buying new camping gear for your trip, save money by borrowing what you need from friends, asking in your local Buy Nothing group, or searching for camping rentals near you. REI also offers camping and gear rentals in several states. Not only is borrowing equipment more sustainable, but it also gives you a chance to test out gear if you do intend to purchase.
2. Shop Second-hand or Older Camping Equipment
If you really want to purchase your own camping gear, buying used equipment is a great way to help out your wallet. As new camping gear and gadgets are released every year, older models go on sale or become available at secondhand shops as campers make room for new releases. This creates plenty of opportunity to get lightly used equipment at a steal.
In addition to online marketplaces, shop used gear or great deals at places like:
3. Pack Necessities From Home
Buying forgotten or specialized supplies on the road can add up quickly. When camping on a budget, bring what you can from home. Pillows and pillowcases (which you can clean afterward), an old non-stick pan to use over the campfire, cooking supplies and ingredients, first aid items, clothing, tools—pack what you have, and avoid buying doubles or paying high prices on the road.
Use our family camping checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything.
READ NEXT: Family Camping Checklist—Packing Made Easy
4. Plan Your Meals and Keep It Simple
A major element of budget-friendly camping trips are simple, planned-out camping meals. Avoid expensive prepackaged items, but still keep things convenient by opting for one-pot meals and foods you can prep ahead of time or are easily assembled. Planning and prepping your meals before you hit the road will help you avoid last-minute grocery runs or eating out.
Remember to bring spices, sauces, and condiments. If you don’t have a camp grill or stove, keep things low-cost and easy by packing aluminum foil packet meals you can simply cook over the campfire.
READ NEXT: 20 Easy Camping Meals for Your Next Trip Outdoors
5. Bring Reusable Water Bottles and Utensils
This budget-friendly camping tip is simple but easily forgotten. When planning a last-minute camping getaway under $300, bring a reusable water bottle rather than buying a case of bottled water. To purify your water, bring a water filter, water purification tablets, and/or boil it for at least one minute (or longer for higher altitudes).
Also pack dishes, utensils, and cups from home, which you can easily wash after using. It’s cheaper than buying disposables and more sustainable, too.
6. Non-RVers, Check Out a Campground Cabin
If you don’t have an RV and don’t want to tent camp (or deal with the gear), cabins are an amazing lodging option that provide more bang for your buck than an expensive hotel stay.
To start, you get much more room (and outdoor space) than a tiny hotel room. You also gain access to all of the campground amenities and activities, which can include a full water park, playground, arcade, kids’ crafts, mini golf, and themed events for the whole family. Meals become cheaper as well when you prepare them in your cabin kitchen.
And, of course, a campground cabin allows your whole crew to slow down and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
READ NEXT: 12 Tips to Slow Down and Relax While Camping
7. Enjoy Free Activities in Nature
There’s no shortage of cost-free things to do when camping in the great outdoors, and your brain, body, and soul will be better for it, too.
In addition to enjoying all the amenities available at your campground, plan to:
- Get active: hit the trails, go biking
- Learn new skills: start a fire from scratch, learn to fish
- Appreciate nature: pack binoculars for bird-watching, do a scavenger hunt with the kids, stargaze into the night
- Plan fun activities around the campfire: roast s’mores, jam out, swap stories
- Play games: pack board games, a deck of cards, or other yard games
- Wind down: enjoy a book before bed
Book a Last-Minute Trip for a Few Hundred Dollars
It’s never been easier to book a last-minute getaway for under $300. Find a Campspot near you, follow these money-saving tips, and enjoy a camping adventure before the weather changes!
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Elizabeth Pun writes for ecommerce and SaaS businesses. A former content marketing manager, she has over 11 years of experience helping brands grow through compelling content. She loves scouring for vintage finds, exploring the outdoors, and getting her glamp on.
Image Credit: Adobe Stock – rh2010, Adobe Stock – Pormezz, Adobe Stock – Jeremy Francis, Adobe Stock – HONIGSONNE, Whispering Hills Jellystone Park, Adobe Stock – Drazen