One of the first things people want to know when they are considering hiking as a hobby is how much it might cost.
You can spend $50-$100 getting started hiking with your kids. There are endless variables that come into play, but you can get started hiking very cheaply. While it is possible to hike for free or spend hundreds of dollars on equipment, travel, and supplies, most families will spend a moderate amount of money on this hobby.
We have learned a lot about how much it costs to get outside with kids, and we are happy to share our hard-earned knowledge with you. Here is everything you need to know about the expenses of hiking:
Basic Hiking Expenses
The cost to get started hiking will be different for each family, but there are some basic items that most people will use. Fortunately, most families already have some of these basics, and the whole list is relatively inexpensive.
Backpack
Most families will want to bring a backpack for their supplies and snacks, even on short hikes. A backpack allows you to carry snacks, extra water, a small first aid kit, and other needed supplies. You don’t need an official hiking backpack, and there are many inexpensive options that you can buy to get started. If your pack comes with a water bottle holder that is easily accessible, you will find it easier than unzipping a pocket each time you need a drink.
Water Bottle
Everyone in your family needs to have a water bottle, even for short hikes. An emergency in the outdoors can quickly become life-threatening without water. You don’t need fancy or expensive water bottles but there are some features you should look for. Make sure the water bottles you choose are leak-proof and that they are at least slightly insulated, which helps keep the water cool on warm days. Try to find bottles that are large enough that you won’t need to be continually refilling them, but small enough for your kids to carry their own. A shoulder strap is helpful for hiking. Finally, brightly-colored water bottles will be harder to lose.
Snacks
Every good hiker deserves a snack, especially kids. On short hikes, we often leave the bulky snacks in the car to eat when we return, and bring one small treat in our pockets. Snacks like granola bars, packages of crackers, and cheese sticks are easy to bring along and don’t require a large pack for transportation. If we’re going on a longer hike we’ll bring more snacks and let the kids will carry their own in backpacks or fanny packs. Here is a post I wrote all about snacking while hiking, with tons of good snack ideas.
First Aid Supplies
First aid supplies should be simple and don’t need to weigh much. If you truly need medical help, a first aid kit isn’t going to have what you need, but for smaller annoyances like stings, cuts, and scrapes, basic supplies can come in handy. This is especially true when hiking with children. As we all know, a properly applied band-aid and kiss on a boo-boo can save the day. When your child gets scraped on a hike, having a band-aid and some ointment can help keep them happy and moving. You can easily assemble first-aid supplies on your own, or buy a ready-made, lightweight kit to keep in your backpack.
Bug Spray
If there is any chance that you will encounter biting insects on your hike, bug spray or other protection will be important. You can find protection from biting insects at every price point, from cheap spray to expensive electronic systems. Everyone swears by their own favorite product, but here are some methods we have tried and found effective, depending on the kind of insect and how persistent they were.
We have had some success with essential oil bracelets. They seem to work best on kids who are active and with moderate levels of mosquitoes.
My husband swears by his long-sleeved Hook and Tackle fishing shirt for insect protection, especially from no-see-ums or biting midges.
When all else fails, we fall back on good old-fashioned DEET spray for insect protection. Spray it onto clothes instead of skin for longer-lasting protection.
Sunscreen
Sun protection is essential for bright days. Not only should you bring sunscreen for your family, but you should also consider using other sun protection such as sun hats and sunglasses, especially for young children and those who are more sensitive. Sun hats provide protection for heads that don’t have a lot of hair, like babies, and those with very fine or light-colored hair.
How We Hike for Free (Mostly)
Hiking and spending time outside is one of our favorite family adventures, and part of the reason is because of hiking’s affordability. We have a large family and many activities that charge per person simply costs too much. Instead, we tend to visit national and state parks and free public lands.
We rarely spend any extra money on our hiking trips. We already own some hiking and camping gear, so that helps, but for the most part, we don’t spend any money on hiking outside of the gas in our car and an occasional state park admission.
We hike so cheaply because I found out long ago that the less stuff you bring hiking, the more fun you will have. While I believe in being prepared, I also know that the majority of the time you won’t need as much gear as you think you will. Unless you are backpacking or going out for more than a few hours, a light pack is more than enough and much easier to lug down the trail.
We can hike for (mostly) free because we already own water bottles and bandaids, and like most parents, have ample snacks around the house. Here is what I usually bring on a short hike (1-2 miles or less) with kids:
- Water
- Bandaids
- Light snack I already have at home (such as an apple or some crackers)
- My phone
- Jacket or sweater
I often stick these items in my pocket and carry my water bottle so I can avoid wearing a pack. My kids are all elementary age and older, and carry their own water and snacks, either in a small pack or in their pockets. If you have toddlers or babies, your list will need to be a little bit longer.
How to Hike With Your Family Cheaply or For Free
It is possible to hike without spending any money, or only spending a small amount. While most people will want to buy some gear before beginning hiking, it’s usually possible to get by without this if you need to. No one should feel like they can’t get out and enjoy nature in this simple way because of a lack of funds!
Saving Money on Gear
One of the easiest ways to save money on hiking is by re-using gear you already have. You don’t need much to get started hiking. In fact, you probably already have most of what you need in your house. Your school-age kids probably already have backpacks, and you can use those for your hiking trips if needed. You and your children don’t need fancy hiking clothes or boots, and you can use your regular clothes as well as tennis shoes or sneakers until you are ready for longer and more adventurous treks.
You can also save money on food and snacks when you hike by choosing to make your own snacks or re-package items you already have rather than purchasing single-use or on-the-go items. For example, instead of bringing small cracker packages and individually packaged jerky, buy a family-size package and repackage the snacks into smaller, reusable containers. This is both fiscally and environmentally wise. You can also bring water in refillable bottles instead of bringing disposable, single-use bottles to save money.
Saving Money on Access and Travel
While public lands are inexpensive or free to access, the cost can add up if you visit a lot, and some areas are more expensive than others. However, there are ways to lower the costs to access public lands. The best way to save money is by purchasing a yearly pass for your family. The most well-known of these passes is the America the Beautiful pass which provides admittance into all the national parks as well as many other federally-managed lands. However, many states also offer state park passes that will easily pay for themselves in a few visits if you are a frequent visitor.
If these passes are still too expensive or you aren’t sure you will return enough times to make it worth the money, stick with free public lands for now. You can also save money by choosing to hike close to home, which will save money on fuel and meal expenses. Of course, many people don’t have a variety of places to hike and explore near their home and they will be forced to travel, but if you are willing to dig it can be surprising what you can uncover locally.
Finally, save on meals before and after your hike by packing food instead of eating out. I usually bring a packed lunch such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or pasta salad, along with chips, fruit, and fresh vegetables. Sometimes I will pick up a grocery store meal which is cheaper than purchasing fast food or stopping at a restaurant. Usually, this means purchasing sandwich supplies or pre-made grocery store subs, but occasionally I will buy a package of warm deli chicken for a treat. You can eat fried chicken anywhere!
Essential Items You Will Want to Buy When Hiking With Kids
There are some things you will want to purchase for your family before getting started with hiking as a hobby. You already have some or all of these things at home, but if you don’t, you might want to buy them. Most of these supplies can be purchased in your local department store or dollar store, and don’t need to come from big-name sporting goods stores unless you simply want to shop there. Here are the things I would purchase before you go on your very first hike with your kids:
- Water bottles for everyone
- Simple backpack or fanny pack (your kids will want to get in on the action as well, but they can use school packs if they have them.)
- A simple first-aid kit and extra bandaids (you can keep the kit in your car or put it in your pack)
- Snacks
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
Optional but nice:
- Sun protection such as sunglasses or a hat if needed
- Whistles for kids to wear (train them only to blow them in emergencies)
What You DON’T Need to Get Started Hiking as a Family
While there are some things that you will want to buy before getting started hiking, I don’t think any family needs to purchase specific hiking gear in order to get outside. In fact, the more you buy, the more you will be carrying, and the more tired and cranky you will get! I believe that for most families and situations, less is more when hiking. Here is a list of hiking items you DON’T need for short, fair-weather hikes:
- Expensive hiking-specific pack
- Water pack
- Trekking poles
- Hiking pants
- Northface (or similar) jacket
- Fancy camera
- Expensive hiking water bottle
- Protein bars, freeze-dried foods, or similar special snacks
- Hiking boots or shoes
- GPS device
Of course, there is a time and place for all of these gadgets and more. However, if you are a beginner, you shouldn’t be needing these items. You will be hiking relatively short, safe trails in moderate temperatures and good weather. If you decide to start taking longer trails, going out overnight, or hiking in cold or hot temperatures, you will have to purchase more gear.
Conclusion
The cost to get started hiking with kids can be as little or as much as you want, and each family will be different. You can start with very little money, or you can spend more on specialty outdoor gear and supplies. No matter what your financial situation, there is a way to get outside more and enjoy nature by hiking with your family.