Camping out is one of the easiest ways to save money while traveling.
Both private and public campgrounds are nearly always cheaper than any other paying option, and hikers, cyclist, and bikers can often find free out of the way places to camp that provide privacy, solitude, and a unique view of the world at night.
The biggest concern for more campers is choosing the right shelter.
Tents, bivy sacks, tarps, and mosquito nets, can all make great shelters depending on weather conditions; sometimes a light sleeping bag tossed out on the ground is all the intrepid adventurer needs to get a good night's sleep.
The important thing is to find the best option for you, your journey and the way you choose to travel.
Here are a few camp shelter options to consider: Bare Ground: there is nothing simple - and very little more enjoyable than finding a nice spot on a clear evening, throwing down a sleeping bag and sacking out under the stars.
On a clear moonless night you'll be amazed at how quiet and peaceful the world becomes after dark and amazed at the sheer magnitude of the night sky.
With not tent to setup or tear down, bare ground camping is as easy as it gets.
Roll out the bag, crawl inside, and drift off with the whole wide world as your bedroom.
Under the right circumstances it doesn't get any better.
BENEFITS: a whole new appreciation of the world after dark, ease of set-up and tear down.
DRAWBACKS: completely exposed to the elements Tarps: The next step up from bare ground (or step down depending on your perspective) is the tarp.
Favored by many experienced adventurers, tarps offer an infinite array of setups and can be modified to suit almost any situation.
On clear nights the tarp can act as a ground sheet or a windbreak should breezes kick up, and properly rigged tarps can offer comfortable shelter from some of the worst storms.
The key here is that the tarp must be rigged up properly or it will be virtually worthless.
If you choose to use a tarp as your primary shelter make sure that you are well versed in how to set it up in all kinds of weather, terrain, and lighting conditions.
BENEFITS: lightweight, versatile DRAWBACKS: can be difficult to set up unless the user is experienced.
Mosquito nets: Bugs can be a real bother in some climates.
On muggy nights when a tent or bivy is too hot, a simple mosquito net may be the perfect thing to keep the bugs off of you while still allowing plenty of airflow to get a good night's sleep.
When choosing a mosquito net, make sure that you find one that can be clipped to a tree branch or other stationary object to keep the net away from your skin.
Bugs can still bite and sting through the mesh; mosquito nets only work when the fabric is not touching your directly.
BENEFITS: Easy to set up, bug free sleeping DRAWBACKS: some of them just lay flat on top of you and the bug can just bite through the mesh.
Bivy Sacks: Bivy sacks are one of my personal favorite camp shelters.
Basically a weatherproof liner that slips over your sleeping bag, they are quick to set up, mostly water and bug proof, low profile, and lightweight.
If you decide to check out a bivy sack, make sure you get one with a dome that slips over the head so you don't have the fabric lying in your face all night.
BENEFITS: lightweight, quick setup, mostly weather and bug proof, low profile.
DRAWBACKS: vapor barrier can get make for a damp sleeping bag, can feel crowded, not good for long days of hanging out waiting for weather to clear, no place to stow your gear.
Hammocks: Many travelers swear by their hammocks.
They are super lightweight, offer a variety of configurations, very low profile (prefect for stealth camping) and they keep you off of the ground.
Because they hang suspended from trees (or other stationary objects) hammocks are less likely to be seen than other shelters - people tend to look where they expect to see things - and their elevated vantage point also makes them impervious to flooding during a storm.
Many camping hammocks come with optional mosquito nets for warm, dry nights and weatherproof rain-flies for use during fowl weather.
The additional options do take some experience to set up and stake out properly but after a few run-throughs most campers should be able to handle it.
BENEFITS: lightweight, off the ground, moderately easy to set up, multiple configurations.
DRAWBACKS: can be uncomfortable if you aren't used to them, you've gotta have something to hang it off from.
Tents: Tents are the traditional choice for camping overnight, and modern tents are the best option for many campers - particularly those who plan to spend most of their nights in paid campgrounds.
Modern tents are often free-standing designs with simple two or three pole setups.
The typical tent can be setup in less than ten minutes the first time you take it out of the bag, after a few trial runs you can probably have your camp set up and be snug and warm inside in five.
No matter what your style of travel, there is probably a tent tailor made to your specific needs.
From ultra light single person tents to heavy duty mountaineering base camps that can withstand gale force winds, there is a tent for every situation.
Most good camping stores can also help you find the right tent for you depending on where and when you will be traveling.
BENEFITS: come in a variety of sizes, perfect for hanging out in camp all day, plenty of room to store gear, warm and if properly maintained dry in even the worst of storms DRAWBACKS: bulky, can take time to set up, need a clear piece of ground, highly visible.