From Hidden Fields to Center Stage: The Rise of Private Land Camping
For generations, the American camping experience was largely defined by state parks, national forests, and RV campsites. But in recent years, something quieter—and perhaps more personal—has been taking root. Sarah, a Brooklyn-based graphic designer, didn’t pitch her tent at a KOA last summer. Instead, she booked a secluded hilltop on a family ranch in Montana through Hipcamp. It had no water hookups, no bathhouses—just space, stars, and a picnic table with a story.
Now, Hipcamp has reached a milestone that cements this shift: over 565,000 listings across the U.S., marking a new era in outdoor travel. This explosion in private land camping isn’t just a trend—it’s reshaping how we access nature, support rural economies, and redefine what it means to camp.
The Hipcamp Boom: What 565,000 Listings Mean
As of 2024, Hipcamp’s online platform now offers more than 565,000 campsites, cabins, glampsites, and RV spots—many of them on private land not previously available to the public.
Key Growth Drivers:
- Rising demand for off-grid escapes post-pandemic
- Landowners turning underused acreage into income
- Travelers seeking more curated, intimate outdoor stays
With this scale, Hipcamp now rivals public campground systems in terms of availability, offering access to places that were once inaccessible unless you knew the owner personally.
Access to the Outdoors, Reimagined
Traditional public campgrounds often book up months in advance, especially in popular national parks. Hipcamp’s model widens the funnel of access. It allows campers to:
- Avoid crowds and overbooked sites
- Find last-minute reservations in scenic, lesser-known areas
- Experience a more private, natural setting
This is particularly empowering for urban families, solo travelers, and first-time campers who may feel overwhelmed by the logistics of traditional camping.
Economic Lifeline for Rural Landowners
For thousands of landowners—many in agricultural communities—Hipcamp has become a valuable side income or even a primary business. By listing part of their land, they can:
- Earn passive income without major development
- Diversify revenue beyond farming or ranching
- Share the history and ecology of their property directly with guests
In regions where tourism dollars rarely reach, Hipcamp is becoming a tool for rural revitalization. Hosts keep up to 90% of booking fees, and many offer firewood, farm produce, or guided tours to increase their earnings.
A New Kind of Camping Culture
What began as a tech startup has evolved into a community-driven ecosystem. Guests are rating hosts not just for cleanliness or location, but for storytelling, hospitality, and environmental stewardship.
Landowners, in turn, are:
- Building compost toilets and solar showers
- Creating nature trails and wildlife observation areas
- Setting visitor expectations for respectful use of the land
This shift from institutional camping to personalized outdoor stays is redefining the experience—not just where we sleep, but how we relate to nature and each other.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Of course, this rapid growth brings complexity. Issues like zoning, insurance, and sustainable land use are increasingly in focus. Hipcamp has been proactive, offering liability coverage, working with local governments, and promoting Leave No Trace principles among users.
As the platform matures, it will need to balance scale with sustainability—ensuring that the very qualities that made Hipcamp special aren’t diluted by mass popularity.
Further Reading & Resources
Learn how landowners can turn unused acres into income, including setup tips and legal considerations.
Essential guidelines for responsible camping and outdoor ethics.
Data and insights on how outdoor recreation is evolving post-pandemic.
Explore programs and funding for rural landowners and entrepreneurs.
This milestone isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how we choose to experience the outdoors. Hipcamp’s 565,000 listings are more than places to pitch a tent; they’re a growing testimony to the power of shared land, personal connection, and rethinking what it means to get away.
