Campground Cost Calculator
Find the cheapest mix of nightly, weekly, and monthly campground rates.
Find the cheapest mix of nightly, weekly, and monthly campground rates. Free, private, and it shows its working.
How to use this tool
Weekly and monthly rates can be much cheaper per night than nightly rates, but monthly stays often add metered electricity. This tool tries every combination and picks the lowest total.
Always confirm how the park defines a week or a month and its cancellation terms.
This tool is for planning and education only. It does not store your entries. Read our disclaimer.
Worked example
Here is what the Campground Cost Calculator returns with its starting values. Replace them with your own numbers for a real plan.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Length of stay | 45 nights |
| Nightly rate | 55 $ |
| Weekly rate (0 if none) | 300 $ |
| Monthly rate (0 if none) | 900 $ |
| Metered electric (monthly stays) | 90 $/mo |
| Lodging tax (if charged) | 0 % |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Cheapest total | $1,645 |
| Best booking mix | 1 month(s), 2 week(s), 1 night(s) |
| Effective rate per night | $36.56 |
| If booked nightly only | $2,475 |
| Savings vs nightly | $830 |
How the calculation works
- Tries every mix of monthly (30-night), weekly (7-night), and nightly blocks that covers your stay, then picks the lowest.
- Metered electric is added to each monthly block, because most parks meter power on monthly stays.
- Lodging tax (if entered) is applied to the final total.
Tips for more accurate results
- Ask each park how it defines a week and a month, and whether monthly stays add metered electricity.
- Compare the result with a mix of paid and free nights on public land.
Related guides
When this tool helps most
Use it whenever you plan to stay more than a few nights. Weekly and monthly rates can change the cheapest option, especially when monthly stays add metered electricity.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a monthly rate is always cheapest without checking electricity charges.
- Not asking how the park defines a week or a month.
- Forgetting cancellation terms when booking long stays.
Step-by-step guides that use this tool
These guides explain the decisions behind the numbers, so you can act on your result with confidence.
Understanding your results
- Nightly vs weekly vs monthly: the cheapest way to pay for the length of stay you plan.
- Effective nightly rate: lets you compare memberships, monthly rates and free nights fairly.
- Monthly total: drop it straight into your full-time budget.
Two quick scenarios
Monthly rate
A monthly rate often costs far less per night than staying nightly, though electricity is sometimes metered and billed on top.
Mixing free nights
Replacing some paid nights with legal dispersed camping lowers the average, as long as you plan for water, dumping and power.
Before you rely on the numbers
- Ask whether electricity is included or metered.
- Check pet, extra vehicle and guest fees.
- Confirm stay limits on public land.
- Check cancellation terms before you prepay.
Keep planning with Free camping in the US and Campground Comparison Tool.
Official references
Frequently asked questions
Are monthly campground rates always cheaper?
Per night, usually, but monthly stays often add metered electricity and may not refund unused days. The calculator finds the cheapest mix for your stay.