The term glamping comes from merging camping with glamor. However, glamor doesn’t have to be expensive. There are lots of ways to keep your costs down while still enjoying the most luxurious of outdoor getaways. Here are some of the top ways to have an affordable glamping trip:

Don’t Go Too Far

A major expense that comes with camping of any kind is transportation. If you’re traveling by car, calculate your gas needs ahead of time. The closer you can stay to home, the better for your wallet. Also consider the cost of a place to set up camp. Some campgrounds, especially those that advertise specifically to cater to glamping, can charge hefty fees for an overnight stay. This cost comes on top of the fuel needed to get there. Even if you find the perfect place, the closer it is the easier it will be to balance out the expense if you’d decide to splurge. Unfortunately, in some areas it’s a lot harder to stay close to home while getting away. You can often still save money by planning and reserving your glamping real estate in advance.

Use What You Have

You don’t need to spend a fortune on brand new camping gear as long as you get creative. While a good tent is an excellent investment, you can use and enjoy a lot of the things you already have at home. A key element of glamping is to bring along comforts that you would normally leave at home on traditional camping trips. This includes bedding, furniture, portable appliances and purely decorative pieces. You can bring your patio furniture from the backyard and all of your favorite bedding to create a luxurious and cozy place to sleep. Not only will this help you save money on your adventure, it will enhance the entire experience by bringing elements of home with you wherever you go.

Make Your Own Food

Another great way to save on glamping is to prepare and make your own food. One of the easiest things to do is mix your favorite veggies and protein items with your desired seasoning in tin foil pouches. Another fun glamping dinner idea is to cook a large amount of pasta ahead of time to reheat with your favorite sauce and more around the fire. You can have the most time-consuming and potentially expensive parts of the meal ready to go, which will help you avoid the temptation of expensive takeout alternatives. Making your favorite home-cooked meals while glamping is another way to increase the comfort level of the outing. As long as you have a cooler to fit everything that needs to stay cool on the journey, you have a world of culinary possibilities.

Glamping, like traditional camping, leaves lots of room for creativity. It can also be highly variable depending on climate and other factors. Glamping at the beach won’t be the same as glamping in the woods. Even though you’re not truly “roughing it,” it’s still important to do your research and prepare for any weather or other safety concerns.