It’s hard to beat a summer night under the stars, whether it’s from a glamping site in a cactus-studded desert, an alpine lake tucked deep in the lush backcountry or an RV park within walking distance of a paddle-worthy lake.
But arranging these adventures hasn’t always been simple. That’s why REI is partnering with Hipcamp, an online site and app that enables people to discover places to stay on private and public land, and, in some cases, find real-time availability that makes even last-minute trip planning a breeze. Hipcamp helps people spend less time researching and more time recreating—and the co-op shares in the mission to get more people outside.
In particular, Hipcamp is known for its breadth of overnight options on private land, which can offer a more intimate alternative to often crowded national and state parks. Private sites can be a great choice if public campgrounds, which can require reservations months in advance, are full. The diversity of options also provides an experience beyond the typical campsite, whether it’s spending a few days at a regenerative farm or cozying up in a geodesic dome (you know, those bubble-like structures that offer great views).
And perhaps the best part is that you can feel good about your adventure. Staying on private land supports landowners, which can help them care for critical ecosystems on their property. “One of our core beliefs is that we can use recreation to power the restoration of our ecosystems,” says Hipcamp CEO and Founder Alyssa Ravasio. So, while you learn about the principles of, say, regenerative agriculture or take in a desert sunset, you’re also supporting the people who steward our outdoor spaces. Pretty neat.
5 Facts About Hipcamp
- Hipcamp has a variety of outdoor stays to choose from. Among them: tent sites, treehouses, geodesic domes, RV campgrounds, cabins, farms and wineries.
- It has facilitated more than 6 million stays across the U.S., Canada and Australia since its founding in 2013.
- Private camping provides a revenue stream to landowners, who can use that money to steward outdoor spaces. Staying on private land—which comprises about 60% of the U.S.—also takes some pressure off crowded national and state parks.
- More people are getting outside. Around 160 million Americans participated in outdoor recreation in 2020, 7 million more than the previous year, according to the Outdoor Industry Association. Hipcamp helped five times as many people get outside in 2021 compared with 2019.
- Hipcamp makes impromptu trips easier to plan. Campers can search real-time availability for sites on federal land and at California state parks, making last-minute trip planning a whole lot easier. They can then book a spot by contacting the land manager.
Book your next adventure with Hipcamp