Camping may be about “getting away from it all” and finding your way back to nature, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use technology to help plan your trip. With these handy apps, you can check out photos, reviews and other amenities to choose the destination for your family’s next camping trip. These camping apps are especially helpful for those on a long-term RV road trip or who live the #vanlife to find their next stop across the country (or even the world!). Learn more about the best camping apps we recommend for our guests at Natural Springs Resort!
The Dyrt
Free Download: iOS and Android or Pro version $35.99/year
Whether you enjoy camping in a tent, trailer, RV, or cabin, The Dyrt provides one of the most active camping communities in the world. Use their free or pro app to access resources and connections that will make your camping trip the best you’ve ever had. With The Dyrt app, you can look up campgrounds in your next destination to check out reviews, photos and a list of site features. And when you join The Dyrt PRO, you’ll also have access to offline maps, public lands maps, cell service maps and exclusive campground and booking discounts.
HipCamp
Free Download: iOS and Android
HipCamp is reportedly the “most comprehensive resource for unique outdoor stays” in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia. With community-submitted details and reviews for more than 300,000 campsites, you’re sure to find the best spot for your next trip with HipCamp. They specialize in hidden, one-of-a-kind private camping destinations to give their users memorable and off-the-beaten-path outdoor experiences. Filter your campground search by your family’s specific needs, look over the community-sourced photos and reviews for each campsite, access the details of your past and upcoming trips, and contact your next Host all in one convenient app. Check out their blog for camping tips and tricks too!
Campendium
Free Download: iOS and Android or Pro version $49.99/year
If you do a lot of RV travel or are looking for free camping options, Campendium is another great app to locate RV parks, campgrounds and travel stops, along with user-submitted reviews and lists of amenities. The Campendium website also offers free guides and articles to educate yourself and make the most of your next camping trip. And if you are a frequent camper or live out of your RV, it could definitely be worth investing in the Roadpass Pro version to gain premium access to multiple other road travel apps, an ad-free experience, maps for cell service, public land and trails, as well as a search filter for elevation.
Recreation.gov
Free Download: iOS and Android
Explore America’s outdoor and cultural destinations with the Recreation.gov app, operated in partnership with 13 different federal organizations, including the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Federal Highway Administration and more. Boasting more than 21 million users submitting reviews of national campsites, destinations and activities, you can’t go wrong with this app. You can even book your camping/lodging, ticketed tours, park passes and other permits directly through Recreation.gov!
iOverlander
Free Download: iOS and Android
iOverlander is a volunteer-run app that collects user-submitted campsites in one simple-to-navigate map. Originally existing in a single spreadsheet, the iOverlander app and website now aggregate campgrounds and overlander sites from all over the world. Overlanding is a form of self-reliant travel “where the journey is the primary goal” and which primarily takes place in a personal RV, van or another vehicle. Whether you are an overlander or taking a domestic or international road trip, the iOverlander app can be a great resource to find the next place to lay your head.
Public Lands App
$2.99 Download: iOS and Android
Did you know that the US Federal Government owns nearly 650 million acres of land, making up roughly 30% of the country? With the Public Lands App created by Two Steps Beyond, you can quickly access map layers to view the public lands that are managed by our federal government, including National Parks, the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Fish & Wildlife Service and more. Plus, your maps will be stored on your device with no need for wifi or data access. Although the Public Lands App is not specifically designed as a campsite locator or database, you can still use it to check out hiking trails and camping locations that are located within public land resources.
If you’ve checked out Naturals Springs Resort on one of the helpful apps and are ready to book your stay, you can do so online or contact us at 937-437-5771 for more information!
