Hi Product Hunt - I'm excited to announce the launch of the Hipcamp Camping App. We launched Hipcamp five years ago with a mission to get more people outside by making it simpler to discover great camping. It wasn't until we were discovered on PH that traction really started to take off - it was a PH post that sparked our seed round! It's been a long and beautiful journey to get here and we couldn't have done it without this community's support — thank you! P.s. Congratulations to the team for a lot of hard work and a beautiful app.

Tried Hipcamp this week and unfortunately had a really bad experience. Booked what looked like a great place and then confirmed multiple times with the host that given Covid, we wouldn't be sharing the campsite with anyone else. To be extra sure, we even paid extra to secure a second, adjacent space. Then, the morning of the booking, I got a message from the host that she had accidentally allowed a double-booking, so she was going to let six additional people stay on our campsite for free! The end result of us objecting to this situation was having our booking cancelled, even though we were the original bookers. We contacted Hipcamp customer service who, while polite, were also extremely unhelpful and could only provide a refund in 5-10 days. In other words, I was unable to apply the money I already paid towards a replacement booking for that same evening. The most frustrating thing is that because the stay was cancelled, according to Hipcamp policy, I can't even leave a review of the host. Which means she's free to do the same thing to future campers. This is a big policy flaw that they need to fix as they're essentially hiding from their customers that they have unreliable hosts who are not taking Covid seriously. (Note, the host is currently listed as having 100% positive reviews on Hipcamp.)

I started camping when I was 2 months old and went camping every summer for 22 years with my family. When I started working more, I stopped camping and it was really bad for my mental health. I am so grateful for Hipcamp, because now I can easily book nature getaways. I’m literally going to camp on a sheep farm this weekend to de-stress and unplug, and I wouldn’t be able to do that without this company.

So excited to get the Hipcamp app out into the world! Thanks for all your support over the years. #FindYourselfOutside

As a host, hip camp is terrible. The back end is not mobile friendly, the app has no host back end. After I tried to make nice with it as I have with Airbnb, I deactivated my account with confirmation from support only to find out my account was active. People showing up at my door that I had no confirmation of / contact with. Took 20 support messages to handle it and get them to cancel my listing and all the bookings

I love Hipcamp so much

Pros:

Amazing campsites and hosts. Booking experience is great. I’ve gotten more nature in my life because of Hipcamp

Cons:

Before, I would have liked to have an app - now I’m pumped it’s here!

Being able to contact the host. And a reliable calendar for bookings. What a waste of time. YOUCAMP was 10 thousand times better!!!!

Now I can Hipcamp while I am Hipcamping! Will be using the app often as I brainstorm ideas with friends. So awesome!

I remember (6?) years ago when Alyssa stopped by the Keen IO office at Heavybit to hack on her "tool to make booking campsites easier" (my interpretation). That afternoon I completely underestimated the fullness of Alyssa's vision and her ambition. I have been blown away by her progress and, as a camper, thrilled to see this this new marketplace expand. Go Alyssa!!!

Me and my group of friends have had so many incredible trips thanks to Hipcamp - memories that will last a life time. I can't wait to create new ones with my son.

I <3 HipCamp and have been anxiously waiting for an app for a long time. Go HC! @alyraz

Hipcamp is awesome. I've got to stay in amazing places like unique treehouses and yurts because of it.

The hipcamp team is so amazing, they help you make your listing stand out- they really get what campers and landowners need to be a successful marketplace.

Pros:

makes impromptu camping road trips possible find a place to get outdoors that isn't booked! can list your land too

Cons:

needed an app, makes it easier to travel!

Hipcamp has brought more joy to my weekends than anything in recent memory, and with this new app it's only going to get better!

Cool idea. Totally thought this was going to be a Basecamp/Hipchat combo

Congratulations on the app! The more people who use Hipcamp the better the world will be. This is an especially good fit for the startup / tech community who can organize camping quickly and easily so we can spend more time relaxing, daydreaming and connecting with our friends.

The idea and presentation of Hipcamp is great. But... the way they slug campers with a massive fee (up to 25% per night!!!) is nothing short of highway robbery. I will use this service from time to time, however, due to their money grabbing M-O, I will avoid using where possible. I have met other campers who feel the same way. Unfortunately, Hipcamp has all benefits for the hosts and sucks the campers dry. This is (currently) an underhanded approach, as they are cornering the market by attracting hosts with free advertising and a small cut for the host's insurance, and then reap huge takings from the humble campers. I sincerely hope that Hipcamp will consider offering a fairer deal.

Have had so many amazing experiences on Hipcamps (it’s my favorite way to get away from the crowds and go camping). Congrats to everybody on the team for the app launch!

I've been using Hipcamp since it's beginning five years ago. Two thumbs up for all they are doing to reconnect humans with nature.

Pros:

I love that by camping in cool places I help to save ranches, family farms and coastal properties from development and even fracking!!!

Cons:

I'd like to see a focus on keeping some affordable campsites.

Sounds cool! When will you come to Europe?