As with most vacation options, organization and infrastructure can each play a critical role. Here are a handful of things to take into consideration. (See also: Glamping on the Cheap)

Lists:

With all of the bits and bobs necessary for tent assembly, power access, cooking and on-the-road problem solving, having a checklist or two can keep camping chaos from spiraling out of control. For instance, knowing how many tent poles and steaks are in the kit, and making sure you double count them as you’re packing up to head to the next camping location can save you significant travel stress if you arrive after the camping and hardware stores are closed for the night. Other helpful lists to have on hand include cooking equipment, food supplies, clothing to accommodate temperature changes and navigational aids. (See also: Camping in Shenandoah National Park)

Lots:

For vacations where remote waterfall access, wildlife photography and wilderness are the intended focus, plenty of free and affordable back country permit options exist. However, if you will need to stay wired for work and family communications during your getaway, then choosing a campground with developed lots is probably a good idea. Charged cell phones, Kindle Fires and laptop batteries are worth their weight in gold when you’re operating professionally from the road, and those are only possible on camping vacations when utilities are available.

Many venues can offer both running water and electricity at each site, with Wi-Fi becoming more prevalent as well. If your site also has a picnic table, fire pit and nearby trash receptacle, that will greatly reduce the number of items you need to bring along, such as a place to set up your food supplies and a portable campfire stand. It also helps if your location is somewhat wooded, as shade can be a sought-after commodity when you are roughing it in hot weather.  (See also: Camping in Jordan’s Wadi Rum)

Luxury:

It doesn’t take more than a single night on rocky ground to remind me that I no longer have the spine of a 20 year old. Fortunately, air mattresses with easily-activated inflation devices are available in the camping sections of most basic department stores. My husband and I recently purchased one from Coleman that came with one fabric-coated side to reduce the stickiness factor that comes with skin-to-plastic contact. We also never camp without our French press, which provides a smooth gourmet coffee with nothing more than grounds and the hot water we’re able to boil on our camping stove. (See also: 25 Ways to Use Hot Water on the Road)

Photo Credit: Andy Roberts Photos

Cost-sharing:

Workingtolive.com’s Julie Rains, a professional blogger with two kids, partners with other families to share costs on meals, supplies and site rentals. This is a strategy my family has used many times over the years, especially when times were financially leaner. It enabled us to experience extended lake stays as a family, and sharing the work load made reaching more remote locations much easier than it would have otherwise been. (See also: Glamping on the Cheap)

Fees:

Cheryl MacDonald and Lisa Chavis of What Boundaries recommend tracking down free camp sites. In Hawaii, Chavis and MacDonald discovered the federal national parks of Haleakala on Maui and Volcano National Park on the main island allow free camping on a first-come, first-serve basis. Boondocking.org features a list of free and nearly free places to camp, and The United States Bureau of Land Management allows free camping on certain public lands. Travel blogger Lisa Overman is a huge fan of the National Park Service’s artist-in-residence program, which offers stays ranging from two weeks to several months at little or no cost. Check the National Park Service web site for details. 

Gear:

We’ve found killer deals at discount stores such as Big Lots, the Christmas Tree Shops and Mardens.  Max Levitte of Cheapism, a web site which reviews products for quality and affordability, recommends Coleman’s Andover sleeping bags for off-the-shelf affordability at less than $30 each. For tent functionality and affordability, Levitte suggests the South Bend Sports Dome tent made by Wenzel, which fits up to four people and is available for less than $50.

Logistics:

For simple, but efficient cleanups during camping trips, Freelancefarmer.com’s Linsey Knerl uses soap pads to avoid leaky dish soap containers. Knerl also recommends a plastic tote for organizing family footwear inside the tent. Before a camping trip, Katie Lee of Chaos in the Kitchen freezes meat ahead of time to create a block of ice that can be used to keep other items frosty in the cooler. This strategy avoids the watery meltdown of traditional ice, which can make the other groceries soggy, and the meat can be thawed and ready to cook by the time you set up camp, according to Lee.

Photo Credit: iStock

Salvage:

Check marine salvage yards for old tug boats, canal barges and other retired watercraft to remodel and retrofit. We’ve seen a large cargo barge remodeled into a floating loft-style home with a catwalk, tall windows and a gourmet kitchen. Tug boats can be renovated with recycled wooden floors, a few Persian carpets and built-in cabinet storage. Remember, the space is small, so you won’t be paying to remodel very many square feet. Also, there are many ways to affordably remodel a kitchen which are still stylish and functional. Converted canal boats are a great way to tour Europe by river, and look beautiful with a fresh paint job and a few plants. Livingafloat.com provides information on barge living, as well as the process of buying and converting Dutch barges. A common place to purchase barges in need of an upgrade is Belgium.

Safety:

Avoid costly medical bills, ticket fines and potential tragedy by practicing boating safety and maintenance. Kirby Collins, of Places Around Florida – a destination information site – reminds us that afternoon thunderstorms are common in certain parts of the world. He advises a pre-trip inspection of your water craft to check for corroded wiring, which can leave you stranded with an approaching storm if your boat won’t start. Navigational lighting is another commonly overlooked maintenance issue. It’s not uncommon for boaters to receive a ticket for non-working lights, even in daytime, according to Collins.

Free Parking:

Cars aren’t the only form of transportation that comes with ways to save on parking. Look for restaurants, bars and other facilities that offer low-cost or no-cost docking services. At The Wharf, a restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida, people to tie up their crafts and keep an eye on them from the balcony while enjoying shrimp poor boy sandwiches and other local specialties. Ricks on the River, a waterfront restaurant in nearby Tampa, allows Hillsborough River boaters to park for free and listen to live music nightly while snacking on steamed mussels with garlic bread for less than $8.

Have you orchestrated a successful boating getaway, or spent time living on the water affordably? What were your most successful savings strategies?

Photo Credit: Pictures of Travel Places

Fun: The island’s state park is free of charge, and boasts more than 70 miles of trails for biking, horseback riding and hiking. You can also take a carriage tour of the park, taking in a rock arch, historic cave and stunning woodsy views of Lake Huron. Another freebie is the recently-opened antique carriage museum operated by Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. It features a number of restored horse-drawn vehicles and the ability to view the company’s horses and stables up close.  Additional destination attractions include Fort Mackinac, several historic churches and a notable butterfly conservatory. If horseback riding isn’t in your budget, bicycle rentals start at $5 per hour for a basic model.

Food: Mackinac Island takes its fudge seriously, as the many family sweet stores in the shopping district demonstrate. The destination even holds an annual fudge festival to celebrate its devotion to this classic confection. For upscale yet casual dining, take a carriage ride to Woods which offers gnocchi gorgonzola for less than $20, and a moderately-sized dessert menu with all items priced at an easily-affordable nine bucks. While you’ll find many other excellent eateries when strolling the streets, experiencing afternoon tea at Grand Hotel complete with champagne, sherry and live harp music allows vacationers to incorporate a memorable activity into their mid-day snack break. Priced at $25 per person, this decadent diversion comes with a phenomenal view that won’t sink you a single dime extra. It’s also an excellent Mommy and Me activity. (See also: Making the Most of Family Resorts)

Splurge: This same hotel was used to film the movie “Somewhere in Time,” and has played host to celebrities and socialites since its opening just over 125 years ago. So if you’re searching for old-school glamour with a relaxed summer atmosphere, splurging for a night or two at this establishment might be just what the romance doctor ordered. Weekday prices are notably cheaper, with per-person rates starting at $254 for double occupancy. This price includes all on-site tips, full breakfast, an extensive lunch buffet and a five-course dinner. Changes in departure dates made after you check in will sink you $375 however, so be advised your budget is best served by sticking to your original itinerary.

Photo Credits: Trek Hound

Nancy Sathre-Vogel and her husband John (www.familyonbikes.org) took things to the next level when they embarked on a multi-year journey with their twin boys to ride the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Argentina. She gave us a few minutes of her time a while back, during a brief layover in the Peruvian Andes. She had lots to say about things to consider on your own bicycle touring adventure. (See also: World Class Walking Tours)

Logistics: Decide what you’re going to carry and how you’re going to carry it. Sathre-Vogel is a fan of side panniers for storage, while her husband prefers the tow-behind trailer. Turns out, they need both for things like spare parts, home-schooling supplies and all-weather gear.

Planning: To cross the Darien Gap – a stretch between Panama and Columbia with no road – the Vogels  made arrangements to strap their bikes to the front of a sail boat and spent five days chillaxing on the water making their way to Columbia. In Peru, the family had to choose between a flat coastal route with strong daily headwinds and desert, or the stunning mountain route with scenery and interaction with the local people. They chose the latter, but paid the price with brutal climbs.

City tours: Travel writer Shelley Seale, author of Insider’s Guide to Seattle, recommends scoring a free copy of the city’s bicycling guide – see www.seattle.gov for details – for frugal guidance on how to enjoy Seattle affordably on two wheels. Seale points to Seattle’s two-hundred seventy miles of bike trails, bike rack-equipped city buses, and the bicycle-friendly ferries and streetcars as evidence of just how bike tourist friendly the city is. Her overall top tip? Bikestation.com. This site lists bike-transit stations around the United States where you can have secure parking for your bike while out and about seeing the sites.

Packing: Travelingringo.com’s Glen Abbott knows bike touring from a motorized perspective. He lives and writes motorcycle travel. According to Abbott, packing the right supplies is critical. In addition to a camera, two lenses and a portable computer to coordinate travel photography and content development, he preaches packing light with regards to wardrobe items to make room for things like weather gear such as a breathable rain suit and warm gloves. But he does make room for one comfy outfit to change into at the end of the day, along with a pair of tennis shoes.

Photo Credit: Pictures of Travel Places

Agritourism:

Farmers play an active role in the tourism scene, providing experiences that are both nostalgic and nutritional. Matheson Creek Farm, overlooking Skaha Lake, is a scenic spot to stop and enjoy freshly-picked fruit and veggies while out for a drive. For a full-on family experience however, be sure to search out Covert Farms near the town of Osoyoos. The venue offers a variety of child-friendly activities such as scarecrow making, organic strawberry picking and corn mazes, leaving grownups free to sip wine and relax. Diners interested in an exceptional farm to fork experience won’t want to miss the al fresco lunch scene at P.inc Patio, located at the Red Rooster winery. Not only are the produce items grown within sight of the restaurant, but the seeds for planting are as well. (See also: Italy’s Lake Garda Offers Wind Surfing, Archaeology)

Accommodations:

The Grist Mill in Keremeos, an agritourism experience in its own right and a designated heritage site for the province of British Columbia, has campground lots featuring water and electrical access available for $25. A resort experience, complete with concierge services and full amenities can be had very affordably at Watermark Beach Resort on the shores of Osoyoos Lake. With rates as low as $129 during the high season, guest accommodations can be booked with organic groceries delivered directly to your in-room kitchen. The resort will also arrange any desired activities upon request, and provides washers and dryers in all rooms. Prefer something in between? Benchmark, a boutique bed and breakfast in the town of Naramata provides affordable, private luxury with rates starting at $179 per night based on double occupancy. All rooms come with complimentary gourmet breakfasts and a commanding valley view. (See also: Cross Keys Vineyards – Rural Virginia or Old Tuscany? )

Activities:

A variety of high-value options exist for families and couples heading to the region. For example, the Desert Center Osoyoos offers guided flora and fauna tours to its 67 acre living museum for $7 per adult and $16 per family. In the Naramata area where wineries appear around every corner, it’s possible to bike your way from venue to venue and pick up your purchases later by vehicle. If you’d prefer to focus on views for your bike ride, the Kettle Valley Rail Trail provides scenic access to the region with the ability to stop off for snacks and accommodations as you see fit. Canines are also welcome at a high percentage of Okanagan Valley venues. The See Ya Later Ranch for instance offers a private off-leash lunch experience for $51.75. The experience starts with an on-leash winery tour and taste testing, and ends with an intimate picnic in the middle of the vineyard where Rover can romp freely. (See also: Traveling with Dogs Takes Patience, Planning )

Affordability:

Built-in saving opportunities throughout the Okanagan Valley maximize your vacation dollars. The Penticton farmers’ market held on Saturdays is a great place to stroll for free and listen to a variety of live performers while you shop for inexpensive local produce and fresh-baked treats. The food stand for Joy Road Catering for instance, offers artisan pizza slices for $3.75. Similarly, Backyard Beans sells $1.50 organic coffee in large ceramic mugs returnable at one of several collection points throughout the market. Also of note is the booth for Lan Yo Veggie Village, where you can purchase vegan spring rolls for a buck a pop.

Further south in the Okanagan, Seven Stones winery encourages visitors to bring their own picnic lunch to consume on their patio or picnic tables while enjoying a house pour. Rates start at $6.50 per glass and come with sweeping scenic vistas. Similarly, Church and State Wines offers an $8 tasting fee which includes four samples of your choice. The cost is waived with purchase. (See also: A Budget Traveler’s Picnic)

Photo Credits: Trek Hound

For far less than luxury hotels, I’ve seen elegant homes for rent along the Tour de France route and in various Super Bowl cities. Share costs with friends to create an affordable experience that will top what you would otherwise be able to afford at a hotel on your own. Here are other strategies for scoring good deals during sports vacations.

Choices:

Choose destinations where everyone can have fun, thereby avoiding the cost of an additional vacation. On a family getaway to Triesenberg, Liechtenstein, David took the opportunity for Alpine marathon training, while I enjoyed wine tasting and photo ops of the principality’s castle at moonrise. St. Petersburg, Florida, known for its art galleries, waterfront parks and historic Friday night shuffleboard events, began hosting open-to-the-public spring training events for international baseball teams in 2011. Teams from Holland, Korea, Australia and other countries will be participating.

Tailgating:

Children’s sports programs routinely come with weekend competitions as part of the package, making teen sports travel a must-budget-for expense. Similarly, professional sporting events that draw large crowds often require early arrival for parking. Tailgating – hosting food-related parties from the back of your vehicle – is a great way to keep things fun and save money. Just make sure you have a strong repertoire of tailgating menu ideas that are easy to make happen no matter where you are traveling.

Transportation:

Your method of transportation can be just as athletic as your chosen vacation activities once you get where you’re going. For example, a vacation in Wales lends itself to walking between many historic villages and attractions, due to the nation’s extensive network of foot trails. Similarly, a traveler who chooses to bike around the world saves thousands in airline ticket fees and rental car costs.

Regardless of whether you are enjoying a marathon in Bermuda, a world soccer championship elsewhere in the world or simply supporting your favorite teen during a hockey tournament, athletic travel can be approached with a unique set of money-saving strategies.

Photo Credit: Mattsches

Nature:

Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve and the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge are just a few of the Paradise Coast’s nature attractions, making it a terrific bargain for travelers with an America the Beautiful Pass from the National Park Service. The $80 card provides access to all federal recreation lands, providing a serious savings avenue for frequent adventure travelers. Those who arrive with their own kayaks can enjoy the Paradise Coast Blueway, a network of public paddling trails designed to provide explorers an up-close-and-personal peek at area birds, plant life and water dwellers. For those that feel more secure with a formal tour, Naples Marina and Excursions offers nature-knowledgeable guides available for fee-based experiences. If paddling your way to the area’s bird hangouts is more than your joints can handle, the company also offers multi-person sunset nature cruises for $35 per ticket.

Dolphins:

For a family-friendly activity that helps fund real science while providing a full afternoon of entertainment, consider booking a tour with The Dolphin Explorer project on Marco Island. At $59 per ticket, vacationers embark on a three-hour excursion to collect actual scientific data about the local dolphin community to be uploaded from the on-board computer. Tots and teens are actively engaged for the duration of the experience, via interactive spotting with the crew, identifying specific creatures through unique fin markings, a scavenger hunt activity, a shelling break on a private island beach and stitched commemorative patches with which to remember the day. Dolphin-study.com has further details. (See also: Family Vacation Experiences for Science Buffs)

Dining:

Tommy Bahama fans will want to check out the chain’s original café on Third Street South in Naples. Splurge on their macadamia-encrusted snapper with a coconut shrimp appetizer, or keep it cheap with their protein-packed, vegetarian bungalow salad for $8. Additional artisan sides are available for just $5 each, including cauliflower mash, plantain chips and grilled asparagus. The venue’s daily Island Time happy hour offers superior value as well, with discounted cocktails and small plate treats starting at $5. (See also: Where to Find Great Grub for Less)

McCabe’s Irish Pub and Grill located on Fifth Avenue South offers fun, affordable fare as well. Several pre-meal snacks are available for less than $9, including spinach-artichoke dip, fried green tomato slices and cheesy potato skins with sour cream. An extreme mushroom flatbread and generously-sized Mediterranean salad are also available for roughly $11 each. For a diverse offering of Asian dishes at a great price, Charlie Chiang’s has appetizers starting at $4, several soup selections at $3 each, and a number of noodle entrees available for $10. (See also: How to Score Vacation Food at Affordable Prices)

Accommodations:

Double Tree Suites by Hilton offers an affordable family overnight option with room packages starting at less than $200, including breakfast for two adults and two children younger than 12.  The venue also has complimentary hot cookies available throughout the day, and a fee-free coffee and tea bar in the lobby. Honeymooners searching for an affordable splurge may want to consider the historic and newly-remodeled Inn on Fifth. Offering luxury rooms for as low as $239 at certain times of year, the venue is conveniently located in a sought-after downtown shopping district. With a next-door community theater, free valet parking and walkable beach access, it’s an affordably-decadent option for a weekend excursion.

Photo Credits: Trek Hound

If you wish to tour such attractions while you are visiting the host country, having a few conservative fashion choices at your disposal will help ensure you are granted the access you’re seeking. Fortunately, spending money on specialty garments you’ll only be able to use once, or dishing out for overpriced tourist solutions at the entrance gate isn’t necessary. There are numerous items available at mid-range clothing and department stores that you can use to aid your tourist efforts. (See also: 12 Things to Look for When Shopping for Travel Clothing)

Length:

Body coverage is critical at many sacred sites around the world. One of easiest ways to make sure you’re dressed appropriately is to choose longer clothing options for your vacation wardrobe. Maxi dresses and skirts offer ankle-length coverage for women while still providing room to move comfortably up stairs, hills and into tour vans. (See also: Visiting Jordan)

If your clothing selections lean more towards form-fitting jeans and leggings paired with tank tops, be sure to pack a long tunic or a duster made from a thin sweater fabric. This will enable you to stay stylish and appropriate while touring cathedrals and temples around the world. Basic trench coats can also provide a solution in moderate temperatures should your skirt length fall short of a venue’s standards of acceptability.

Layers:

Camisoles have come to my rescue on numerous occasions when a dress neckline was in danger of breeching boundaries, and take up very little luggage space. When the only long dresses I’m able to purchase at home come with spaghetti straps, I purposely include items like shrugs and shorter jackets made with denim or twill to pull on prior to entering a particularly sensitive building or area. It’s a casual look you can also use at home to deal with seasonal weather shifts. (See also: Things to do in Jerusalem)

Thin cardigans serve the same purpose, and pair well with pencil skirts and sleeveless dress shirts if you happen to be combining business with pleasure during your trip. If you like the look of layering a thin, coordinating scarf over a tank top and buttoned blouse, choose one that’s a bit wider. It will give you the same look and leave you prepared for those situations where a head covering is necessary.

Photo Credit: Pictures of Travel Places

Alternatives:

Horse and race car owners have altered custom cargo trailers to tow gear to events and to haul around a place to sleep on site. The average cost? Around 80 percent less than any other option we had researched. Cheaprvliving.com has information about other unexpected RV alternatives as well, including converted box vans and school buses. Use accessories to organize your travel equipment.  Wall hooks are ideal for securing bags, including sacks filled with bulky cold weather equipment. Other items can be clipped to the ceiling or spaced throughout the vehicle using s hooks or carabiners. Basically, if you play your cards right, there’s no reason why you can’t experience many affordable family road trips with the incorporation of an RV into your vacation supply inventory.

Resources:

Partner up with other RV folks to share costs on activity and entry fees when you reach your destination. Group and potluck camping dinners are popular with the recreational vehicle crowd, and group activities turn make-your-own meals into a social event. Make new friends to develop a support network and sense of community that you may start missing after several months on the road. Rv.meetup.com lists RV networking groups in various locations. Find one near where you’re heading to see if there’s an event scheduled during your time there. Accessing infrastructure and activities on the road needn’t be a financial burden or budget buster. There are a number of travel apps for family road trips to help make things easier by providing information on family-friendly venues, roadside attractions, budget-friendly birding opportunities and more.

Fees:

You don’t have to do the traditional camping thing long before you realize that in addition to whatever payments you may or not be making on your recreational vehicle, you will typically be charged daily or monthly fees by campsites in order to park and use their facilities and utilities. This might be fine once you own your vehicle outright or for a week or weekend getaway, but long-term travelers tend to find it a bit steep to dish out the equivalent of a second mortgage every month just to plug into an electric and water line. Sites like boondocking.org provide listings of cost-free venues around the United States where vacationers are welcome to park an RV or tent while they explore the surrounding area. Similarly, Harvest Hosts lists wineries and farms where RV travelers are welcome to spend the night for free. Support services aren’t provided, but if you have a stand-alone unit with solar power and contained sewage, this is a great way to go glamping for less while seeing some rural countryside.

Do you have an RV travel success story? What are some of your favorite ways to live this particular lifestyle for less?

Photo Credit: Slideshow Bruce