Hipcamp Review: Is it The Best Camping App for Unique Stays?

We’ve gathered everything you need to know about Hipcamp's website and mobile app, including pros, cons, and everything in between, so you can decide if the popular camping app is right for you.

Hipcamp Review 2026: Is Hipcamp Legit?

Yes, Hipcamp is a legitimate camping marketplace that has connected millions of campers with private campsites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping stays since 2013. Hipcamp RV and tent sites typically range from about $20 to $75+ per night depending on location, amenities, hookups, and seasonality. Premium glamping stays, cabins, and luxury accommodations can cost significantly more.

Hipcamp operates similarly to Airbnb, allowing private landowners to list campsites and outdoor stays across the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and France. The platform is especially popular among travelers looking for unique camping experiences beyond traditional campgrounds and RV parks.

This review covers:

• how Hipcamp works,
• average Hipcamp pricing,
• safety and legitimacy,
• pros and cons,
• and whether Hipcamp is worth using in 2026.

Where is Hipcamp available?

Hipcamp has been around since 2013 and is currently operating all around the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and France. We’ve found that Hipcamp has spots in every Canadian province, but Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta currently have the strongest selection of listings in Canada.

How much does Hipcamp cost?

The Hipcamp app is free to use for campers. Campsite pricing varies by location, amenities, hookups, season, and property type.

In 2026, most Hipcamp RV and tent sites typically range from about $20 to $75+ per night, depending on location, amenities, hookups, season, and property type. Premium glamping stays, cabins, and luxury sites can cost significantly more.

Hosts set their own pricing, and guests may also pay additional service fees during checkout to cover platform operations, customer support, and payment processing.

What kind of camping can you find on Hipcamp?

Hipcamp is all about finding and sharing the newest and coolest nature spots, including some incredible RV spots across Canada. In addition to private places to park your RV, you can also find tent camping sites, glamping, cabins, treehouses, and yurts. While the website shares info on public parks and campgrounds, bookable Hipcamps are all on private land and hosted by landowners.

Is Hipcamp safe?

Yes. Hipcamp is a legitimate peer-to-peer camping marketplace that has operated since 2013 across the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and France. Hosts must verify their identity and follow Hipcamp’s hosting standards and policies before listing campsites on the platform.

Hipcamp has also crossed more than 10 million nights booked since launch, adding credibility to its position as an established outdoor-stay marketplace.

Because every campsite is independently hosted, experiences can vary by property, making reviews, photos, amenities, and host communication important parts of the booking process.

Pro tip: Reading reviews is a helpful way to get a feel for what to expect at any given campsite.

How to search for campsites on Hipcamp

To begin searching in the app or on the Hipcamp website, plug in your preferred dates and use the filters to find an RV location that fits your needs. For example, you can narrow down your search by price point, RV length, available hookups, the number of guests allowed, and more.

Pro tip: Want to book a last-minute stay? Narrow your search by choosing this weekend or next weekend to see what's available within a few weeks.

From there, read the listing descriptions to learn more about each spot’s location, accessibility, amenities, and requirements. Some, for example, might only be accessible via four-wheel drive, while others might have directions that require navigating via latitude and longitude rather than a GPS app.

Booking a campsite (host communication)

Booking an RV campsite with Hipcamp is pretty easy. Once you find the spot you like, you can select your chosen dates, then go through a couple of pages to complete either a booking request (when a Host requires advance notice and the ability to approve your booking within 24 hours) or the Instant Book process (when your booking is confirmed immediately). Either way, you’ll get more details via email and SMS (if you allow it) as your booking goes through. At any time along the way, you can send your Host a Hipcamp Message in the app, on the website, or via SMS. The Host is automatically notified.

Pro tip: Check out each listing to find cool Hipcamp extras like firewood sales, on-site activities, sleeping bags, Host-led workshops, or farm tours.

Checking in and checking out

Since some Hipcamps are more secluded than others, we recommend that you save your location using offline maps and communicate with your Host earlier than later. That way, they will know when to expect you, and you'll have everything you need to reach their place if you don't have a reliable cell signal.

Some Hosts do in-person greetings upon arrival, while others provide detailed instructions for campers to make themselves at home on their own. If you get lost or can’t seem to find the right entrance, it’s possible to shoot the Host a message via SMS or text message. This also applies if you need their help during your stay. We’ve found that Hosts are responsive and genuinely want to make sure campers have a positive stay, so they’re usually just a message away.

Pros and cons

Pros

Unique camping experiences

Hipcamp excels at offering private and unusual camping locations not available through traditional campground systems.

More privacy

Many properties are far less crowded than public RV parks.

Flexible accommodation types

You can find everything from primitive tent sites to luxury glamping retreats.

Helpful host communication

Direct messaging makes it easier to coordinate arrival and logistics.

Cons

Experiences vary significantly

Because every property is independently managed, consistency can vary.

Amenities are inconsistent

Not all RV sites include hookups, dump stations, or easy access.

Rural access can be difficult

Some locations may have:

• poor roads,
• limited GPS accuracy,
• or weak cell service.

Large inventory can feel overwhelming

Filtering through many listings sometimes takes extra effort.

Final thoughts

Hipcamp remains one of the most popular platforms for finding unique outdoor stays, especially for travelers looking beyond traditional campgrounds and RV parks. Its wide variety of private campsites, glamping stays, cabins, and RV-friendly properties makes it a flexible option for campers who value privacy, scenery, and more personalized outdoor experiences.

As with any peer-to-peer marketplace, the quality of each stay depends heavily on the individual host and property. Reading reviews carefully, checking amenities, and understanding site access details can help ensure a smoother camping experience. If you plan to rent an RV for your next camping trip, make sure to check out RVezy.