Renting a mobile hotel makes travel easy –– as long as you know where to park! If you don’t know where to start, it might feel like there are a million options, or none at all. You want reviews, photos, and a clear understanding of the amenities, right? Here are 5 free apps that make finding perfect campervan parking a breeze.
The Dyrt
The free version of The Dyrt offers highly customizable search options for all of your unique camping needs. You can filter by site type (RVs, tents, cabins), features (fires allowed, pets allowed, alcohol allowed), price, rating, and more. To boost your confidence in your destination, there are photos and reviews from other nature lovers.
If you want even more customization, discounts, and offline usability, The Dyrt PRO offers a ton of extra features. One of our favorites is the Trip Planner, which will recommend entire trips based on your preferences, complete with estimated fuel costs.
iOverlander
iOverlander is great for finding campsites nearby. It offers the date last visited, GPS coordinates, and clear details about the amenities. You can record your trip and share places with friends, too.
This app isn’t the most user friendly or the easiest for planning, but the offline capabilities make it an excellent resource if you’re traveling off the beaten path. The database also includes mechanics, propane filling, and other essentials you might not plan for ahead of time.
Hipcamp
With an interface similar to Airbnb, Hipcamp is super user friendly. In addition to covering parks in all 50 states, Hipcamp offers outdoor stays in Canada and Australia. It’s great for finding unique and “insta-worthy” places to stay, such as an alpaca farm. If you’re looking for a less traditional campsite, Hipcamp is the app for you.
Like many of the other camping apps, you can filter sites to show only your preferred amenities, terrain, price range, and more. One of the more unique filter requirements is “Stargazing,” which helps you find places where the International Dark-Sky Association predicts the least amount of light pollution.
The Vanlife App
The Vanlife App is a standout for finding free campsites. Although perhaps not a selling point during COVID, the other great feature of this app is its community focus. You are able to share your location and connect with nearby campers through the app.
This women-owned app is still fairly new and is quickly improving. It is not yet the best app for filtering and finding campgrounds unique to your needs, but the community aspect makes it a great addition for anyone trying out life on the road.
Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov is reliable, up to date, and has so much to offer. In addition to filtering by amenities, the campsite search tool allows you to enter your desired dates and filter by availability. Each campsite includes a thorough details page, with information about the natural features, surrounding recreational activities, and anything you might need to know before arrival, including packing recommendations.
Beyond campsites, you can use this app for booking tours, gaining permits, and entering lotteries. It’s a great one-stop shop when preparing for a trip to any public land.
There are so many different ways to camp in your Cabana. Whether you’re looking for a community or a solitary escape, a glorious glamping experience or an open clearing for a free stay, with this app list, one is sure to fit your style.