When did camping get soooo expensive?!?

[cjcouple]

My extended family is looking to do a camping trip next summer. The tent camping rates are $80 a night in the fall. I think they are 100 in July when they want to go.  Seriously?  $80-100 to sleep on the ground? 

This is not the only campground that is high either.  There is one not too far that is $66 a night without anything included. No electric, water etc. I used to go camping for like $30-35 a night right by the beach and it included water and electric.  And only reason we camped was because it was a cheap vacation.  It's not cheap anymore so what is the point? 

I would not be surprised if these prices are just because I am in New England....everything here is so expensive. I would move if B wasn't so settled in school.
    

[momin2013]

We typically camp in our local provincial park, it's $52/night for a non-electric site (it has water, though).

Seriously, the last time we went, by the time you add in all the extra supplies you need, you can pretty much stay in a reasonably-priced hotel for about the same amount - it's crazy.

I seriously remember that when we camped as kids, rates were like $20/night, or $18 without power.

[cjcouple]

Yes...and it wasnt that long ago. My boys love camping. I don't mind the actually activites while camping but HATE sleeping on uncomfortable air mattresses and cooking all of the time.

[campermom]

Average in my area on the East coast is about 60/night for sewer electric and cable for a large RV site. Sometimes they nickel and dime you another 5/ day per child over a certain age.

Is this a yogi bear or jelly stone kind of place? Bc that would have run us $500 for Memorial Day weekend. We went somewhere else.

[cjcouple]

Sept 17, 2018 22:26:38 GMT -5 campermom said:

Average in my area on the East coast is about 60/night for sewer electric and cable for a large RV site. Sometimes they nickel and dime you another 5/ day per child over a certain age.

Is this a yogi bear or jelly stone kind of place? Bc that would have run us $500 for Memorial Day weekend. We went somewhere else.

Yes, it's a family campground. There are some lake side spots that are more money as well and there's a pool/splash pad with basketball court, etc. looks like there is a basic 9 hole mini golf course but you have to pay extra to play. Definitely not as good as a yogi bear. A few years ago I went to Yogi bear in mid July and rented a cabin for 5 night for $450 with taxes and there were a lot more amenities. 2 pools, Inflatable water slides and moon bounce, hey rides, movies every night. All of which was included in the cost.

I am sure there are cheaper options like a state park. I was just surprised it was $80 a night or tent site without any hookups for off peak in October when clearly the pool is closed and lake is limited to kayaks and canoes rentals (which are extra $) and limited activities.

[CrazyLucky]

Oh my gosh. We camp a lot. Like eight times this year, once for two weeks. We generally pay in the $35-$40/night range, and that's for an electric site. When we stayed in the Adirondacks, it was more because they charge more for out of staters, but still not $80-$100. Holy crap.

Oh, yeah.  We always go to state parks.  Private campgrounds are definitely going to be more, but usually have better amenities.  Depends what you're looking for.

[gastro]

We camped this summer in Big Sur and I think it was $35/night - no electricity/ no water. The spots go quick though so the hardest part was trying to log onto the site to book right when the day was released. The camp sites were on National Park grounds.

I probably spent $1000 on all the gear though - tent, cooking stove, extra sleeping bags, battery powered air mattresses etc

I then spent nearly $1000 to get a roof rack/cross bars and Thule so we could haul all the stuff.

Camping is so not my thing but DH and the kids love it. We definitely have some memorable times so I guess it’s worth it. I can’t wait till the boys are a bit older and it can be a thing where DH takes them camping and I can stay at home.

[dutchgirl678]

We usually pay $30-40 a night to go camping. But I have noticed in the last year since we've been back in the PNW that popular camp sites are full all summer unless you reserve months ahead of time. We are gong this weekend and we went in August, hoping to do more next year. We have a tent trailer that I love and the beds are not too bad. But I'm hoping the rain in the forecast is going to stay away or at least be less than what they are saying.

[mamaalysson]

Sept 18, 2018 11:17:26 GMT -5 gastro said:

We camped this summer in Big Sur and I think it was $35/night - no electricity/ no water. The spots go quick though so the hardest part was trying to log onto the site to book right when the day was released. The camp sites were on National Park grounds.

I probably spent $1000 on all the gear though - tent, cooking stove, extra sleeping bags, battery powered air mattresses etc

I then spent nearly $1000 to get a roof rack/cross bars and Thule so we could haul all the stuff.

Camping is so not my thing but DH and the kids love it. We definitely have some memorable times so I guess it’s worth it. I can’t wait till the boys are a bit older and it can be a thing where DH takes them camping and I can stay at home.

YES. Same. We camped this summer. State Park, so it was pretty cheap per night, but the gear, food, etc. added up. Plus the cost to get a pedicure and adjustment when we got home. Not my thing; DH can take the kids in a few years, because they had a blast.