Gas prices have come down from their highs, but they are still higher than we are used to and it seems like they will stay elevated for a while. As you are planning your next vacation, you may be wondering if camping in a travel trailer is too expensive right now.

While tow vehicles hauling campers do use more fuel than other cars, traveling anywhere, by definition, means you’ll be spending money on fuel. Have you seen airline ticket prices lately? Can you imagine having to delay or cancel your vacation because of flight changes? The question becomes, can you offset the cost of the extra fuel?

Absolutely!

One of the biggest costs of any vacation is food. If you are staying in a hotel, you will have to purchase all your meals out. Not only are meals on the road and in restaurants more expensive, they are also typically less healthy than meals eaten at home. And heaven forbid you eat meals in a venue where the price gauging is unreal!

However, when you are camping in a travel trailer, you have your own kitchen on wheels! You can buy the food your family loves and prepare it in a healthier way. Campers now come with a spacious refrigerator, sink, stove and most have ovens. All the campers we rent at Getaway Camping come with cooking utensils, plates, bowls, cups and coffee mugs. It’s easy to whip up something healthy for your family!

Camping also gives you the opportunity to make cooking fun for the whole family. Try something different and eat “silver turtles” made right in the fire! Simply put butter, ground beef or chicken, and diced veggies like peppers, mushrooms, and onions in aluminum foil with your favorite seasonings. Get a fire going and tell stories about your day while you wait for the wood to burn down to coals. Then throw the foil packs on the coals for about 30 minutes and enjoy. (We sometimes put potatoes in our silver turtles and top them with Heinz 57 or A1 sauce after opening.) Of course when you’re finished with dinner you have to make S’mores over the fire!

The other big cost for a vacation is entertainment; nobody wants to travel to a new city and sit in a hotel room. The costs can add up quickly when you are paying for different outings each day. But camping is an adventure on its own! Chose a state park with amazing hiking and scenic views. Some parks also have lakes and rivers. Bring the fishing poles and swimsuits and keep everyone entertained for hours. Go on a nature trail and look for wildlife. Meet your neighbors- most campers are friendly and outgoing, ride bikes with the kids, the possibilities are endless.

Come to think about it, even with higher gas prices, traveling with a camper gives you a more economical, healthier, more fun vacation adventure for your family than many other options!