by William Collins

Created on: December 03, 2009

Whether you're planning a cross-country trip or just a leisurely upstate vacation, the most economic way to do it is by going camping. But the joy of it, the invigorating hikes, the swimming, the fresh air, all the family sharing opportunities, it's hard to put a price on that. Nevertheless, by planning your trip ahead of time, you'll be able to find the least expensive places to stay.

The US Corps of Engineers is the government agency that builds and maintains dams and reservoirs. Many of their locations have great campgrounds at very low prices.

Another low cost place to camp is the U.S. Forest service campgrounds, their campground price range from free to $30-$40, depending on their location and popularity.

If you're camping in the Western US, the Bureau of Land management (BLM) has a great deal for you; you can camp on most BLM land for free! Also they have long term campgrounds where you can stay most of the year for $180 including trash removal, water, sewer dumps and showers.

You can find the Corps of Engineer, BLM and US Forest Service campgrounds at this website: www.recreation.gov

With a self-contained camper, that is you can camp inside without attracting too much attention, you will have many possibilities for free camping; something campers call boon docking. Many Wal-Mart stores will allow you to spend the night in their parking lots. The Super Wal-Marts even have 24-hour bathrooms available. There are many other store parking lots, where if you blend in, you can overnight without being disturbed.

If you are driving late at night and need a place to rest, try parking on a residential street near a corner, or other area not directly in front of someone's house. This works if you avoid attracting too much attention by turning off your lights quickly and going to sleep.

A great boon docking place, a place that's always quiet, peaceful, where the residents never complain about your camping, where the only possible price is a handful of wild flowersis the local cemetery. Find one outside of town and you will not be disturbed.

By using a little ingenuity you will be able to come up with many other places where you can camp for free. Remember, sometimes it's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

If you prefer to stay at a commercial campground, it will cost you from $14 to $50 per night. The price will vary depending on the location and the amenities they provide you with.

Be warned however, by choosing a low rent campground, you will sometimes have to camp in a less than desirable environment, one with less than desirable camping neighbors. To avoid this, spend the extra $5 per night and stay at places such as KOA (Kampgrounds of America). It's amazing how the extra price will increase the quality and safety of your camping experience.

Not only will you save on lodging by going camping, you can also save on your food bill. If you don't eat out in restaurants, it won't cost you any more to eat while camping than it would cost you at home. Just buy your groceries at the local supermarket as you travel, and use your cooking facilities.

The smell of a campfire, the aroma of pine needles and of dinner bubbling over the stove is something special that you cannot get anywhere else. Not to mention the adventure of sleeping outside: the rustling and snapping of twigs by creatures of the night, the braying of wild donkeys, the serenading of distant coyotes, and the millions of stars you will see in the night sky. Ah, it doesn't get any better than this. Go camping -it's truly memorable and economical.

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