Canada is a popular camping vacation destination, offering vast areas of wilderness for primitive camping as well as national parks and privately run campgrounds suitable for family tent camping, RVs and Big Rigs. It is already a budget vacation option for many, but with rising costs, especially for gas, finding further discounts is highly desirable. Fortunately, with a bit of leg work, there are several options available to reduce the cost of your camping trip to Canada significantly.
Camping Clubs
Join a camping club and you can enjoy discounts on participating campgrounds in Canada. For example, for a small annual fee, Passport America offers a 50 percent discount per night, and as of July 2010, featured sites in eight of the 12 Canadian provinces. New grounds are frequently added and their free iPhone App camping directory keeps you updated to changes. The Happy Camper Half Price Camping Club is aimed at RV campers and has campgrounds in seven Canadian provinces. Camp Club USA also has campgrounds in Canada with 50 percent discounts for members, while the monthly eNewsletter features prizes and a $50 reward for any published camping tip.
Explorer RV Club
The Canadian Explorer RV Club is open to American and international residents. Among the benefits of membership you will receive discounts on gas, site fees and emergency roadside assistance. Membership also includes a bi-monthly magazine with up-to-date details of any specials deals, a comprehensive directory of Canadian campground and free spousal membership.
Discount Camping Equipment
A large percentage of the cost of a camping vacation is spent on the gear. Seek out stores that offer discount camping equipment and you can enjoy substantial savings. Camping Canada provides a comprehensive list of stores providing everything from sleeping bags to RV covers, brand-name hiking gear, portable power generators, grills and tents, often at discount. Campers Village has stores in Calgary and Edmonton, but it is not always the cheapest. Mountain Equipment Co-Op has stores throughout Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax, and offers a "Gear Swap" service to buy, sell or swap used outdoor gear.
Camping Guides
Arm yourself with a decent guide to campgrounds in Canada and you may recoup the cost of purchasing your guidebook in a single night. "Camp Free in B.C." by Kathy and Craig Copeland describes how many of the state's 350 free campgrounds formerly run by the Ministry of Tourism remain free or low-fee. "RV Travel to Canada" is an eBook by Peggi and John McDonald with enthusiastic tips on low-cost stops in provincial and national parks across the country.
When To Go
Many campgrounds in Canada close for the winter, but many more remain open, and discounts are available during low and shoulder seasons. The New York Times reports that prices fall during September and October when the temperature is still pleasant in all but the most northern provinces. Spring is also a good value, although the melting snows give way to a "mud season" when campgrounds can be messy and outdoor activities restricted.
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