Budget-Friendly Camping!

While we may love glamping here at McGovern’s RV – including luxury fifth wheels, heated camping chairs, custom décor and every customizable option for your RV, but camping is for everyone. Here’s a couple short term and long-term ways to save on your camping expenses and to get you out to the campground on any budget.

RV Purchase:

Your RV purchase is the biggest piece of the camping price pie. There’s a couple of things you can do to make sure that your purchase makes sense – not just sorting the RVs by lowest price.

First, you’ll need to confirm your towing capacity, and make sure that you are only shopping within that. Another thing to keep in mind is the heavier a camper is, the more gas it’ll consume when you hit the road. But if you’re planning to leave your camper somewhere for a long time, the weight might not affect your budget!

Another thing to keep in mind is the different builds of different RVs, and what season you’re looking to camp in. While an RV may seem affordable, if you’re planning to camp in the off-season you’ll want to make sure it’ll be able to keep you warm. This may affect the RV weight based on the construction materials and whether options like tank pad heaters are included.

When shopping for an RV it’s easy to go right to used RVs – which are a great option! This can be a great step into affordable camping, especially if this is your first camper. However, if you are purchasing privately always make sure there’s no issues with your RV. In addition to disrupting your camping trip, RV repairs can add up quickly! In the long-term our team would definitely recommend extended warranty, which is available on used and new RVs (depending on purchase/RV age, and can be subject to inspections).

There are so many options when you look at an RV! It can feel overwhelming at first, but the more information you give to your RV expert in store, the more they can help make sure your camper fits the needs and wants!

Finding a Campsite:

Camping in the off-season can be a great way to save on camping costs – just make sure you’re prepared to stay warm through our Canadian cold seasons! It’s more than just bringing more blankets and wool socks because your RV plumbing can be damaged if it freezes. Do your research specific to your area before you damage your home-on-wheels and if you’re in doubt ask our sales or service teams for more specific advice!

Another great way to save on camping sites is with the Canada Strong Pass (2025) offering discounts on overnight stays in our gorgeous National Parks. Be a hop skip and a jump away from the stunning views at Lake Louise or a stroll away from Jasper.

Lastly, you can head over to your local library and see if they offer a park pass program. They’ll give you the inside scoop on local spots, list the available amenities and you’ll have your campsite to make every weekend an adventure before you know it!

When you book your campsite, make sure it has whatever you may need for your trip specific to your RV. Possibly including shore power, water hookup, fire pits, potable water or washrooms depending on how “off-grid” your RV can get.

Some of our favorite campsites are also available in these articles:

Favorite Campsites North of Edmonton

10 Best Camping Spots in Northern Alberta

Planning:

Don’t waste your camping time running back into town to “pick up a few things”. Follow our camping checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need. When you’re camping dry foods or canned foods are your best friend to compensate for limited fridge and freezer space. Even with a residential sized fridge in your larger RV, you’d be shocked at how fast the food can run out.

There’s also options of pre-made or easy-to-cook camping meals! Follow our blog for more recipes OR just type “camping meals” into your search bar and enjoy. You can save on time and costs, without having hotdogs for ten days in a row.

Check out our article here about keeping mice out – especially out of your food storage.

You should also plan out your route ahead of time and be aware of gas costs in case they sneak up on you.

Long-term money savers:

Depending on how often you camp and the type of camping you do these may be worthwhile for you!

Solar power can be a great option to preserve your battery life and to keep you off-grid longer so you can access sites without shore power. However, there is an associated cost with your installation. This can also help power all the accessories you’d like access to, like a TV or ice maker, as well as keeping your fridge on! For all your solar FAQ click here.

Make sure you are properly winterizing your camper. Skipping this step can seem like a quick way to save, but if you run into issues down the line you’ll regret it.

If you're looking to do off-season camping, prepare for various weather with RV skirting to protect the camper undercarriage and keep you warm!

Did you know that 65% of Canadians planned to take some type of road trip in 2024, and that 1 in 4 RVers report saving 2.5-5K per year by RVing. Get the convenience of home on the road, reconnect with your nearest and dearest and explore our great Canadian backyard with tons of camping style options today!

Got more tips for us? Help us keep camping affordable for everyone and let the next generation make their memories at the campsite by sharing your tips and tricks with us.