Hipcamp is the #1 app to find and book campsites, from national parks to blueberry farms. Hipcamp unifies the world’s best camping options across peaceful private spots, iconic public lands and well-equipped campgrounds to create one app that has everywhere you want to camp.
Written by the business, not verified by us.
Is Hipcamp legit?
Hipcamp (www.hipcamp.com) has a 3.4 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 200 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Travel & Vacation and its reputation is mixed. Opinions are polarized: 59% rate it 4 stars or higher while 31% give 1 star; The business has replied to 88% of negative reviews; 31 of them were added in the last 12 months. Last updated 2026-08-31.
I scheduled a place to stay, and was contacted immediately by the owner. She wanted to make sure I was interested in the remoteness of this place because I was driving an RV. She said she would not accept my registration if it would be a problem. I thanked her and said to cancel the registration. I realized a week later I had been charged anyway
Reply from Hipcamp2026-08-16
Hi Gary,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community!
It sounds like the property you booked may have been a Request To Book site. When booking a Request To Book site, a charge hold will be placed on your card and the Host will have 24 hours to confirm or decline the request. If they neither confirm nor decline, the request will expire after 24 hours, and the charge hold will be released back into your account. If the request is declined by the Host or is cancelled by the camper, the charge hold is cancelled and the pending charge will drop off your statement within a few days.
If the property was an Instant Book property, it is possible that the Host did not cancel and refund the booking. Please feel free to reach out to our Support team via https://hipca.mp/support with your booking number so we can look into this further for you!
I love finding out of the way places/Survey needs Tech Support
I love finding out of the way places. Found one a couple weeks ago that was a real gem. Alas I could not do a survey because Hipcamp does not have NA. You have to choose a smiley face, a sad face, or the one in the middle that still looks negative. Need to fix that so that we can share info with perspective clients. PS, Shasta Valley in KY Rocks.
I love the varied and unique sites I’ve visited over the years, especially those that reflect the outdoors. Only a small number of sites left me feeling like they were not up to your standards.
We booked for a family group of 12 and paid in full. A month later we were informed that apparently the camp site we booked had been sold 2 years previously!! After trying to claim our refund we have had no success despite repeated follow ups and a few weeks of waiting. Very disappointed after all their previous reviews.
Refund Request #1486234
Confirmed: Hipcamp Booking #4172331 at Wildlings C
Previous support requests 1482409 & 1486234
Reply from Hipcamp2026-07-19
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for updating your review with the relevant details! I've located your existing Support requests and can see there has been a technical error preventing the previously-issued refund (on July 01) from processing to your account. This issue has been escalated by our team, and our agent Mason will keep you in the loop regarding the status of your refund. We hope to have those funds successfully processed to your ASAP!
My booking was $344, hip camp charged me 108.76 in fees! Thats thats another night stay! Thats outrageous! The cost didnt click till after a night when I was thinking of leaving a night early, i was like why is it so much!
Hipcamp fee : 60.61
Hipcamp service fee tax: 5.15
Occupancy taxes: 43
GTFO! THATS ROBBERY! Im looking into other apps and sites.
Reply from Hipcamp2026-07-12
Hi Lyrica,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community. We appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective!
The Hipcamp Service Fee is applied to all bookings and is proportional to the cost of booking. The Service Fee is clearly shown to campers at each step of the checkout process, and Hipcampers review and agree to this fee prior to submitting a booking or booking request.
Occupancy Taxes are not a fee that is retained by Hipcamp; they are lodging, occupancy, short term rental, or sales taxes that are required to be charged on certain bookings depending on local, state or federal taxation laws and the type of stay being provided. In some jurisdictions, Hipcamp as a platform is required to collect these taxes from the camper and remit these taxes to the relevant taxation authority on the Host's behalf; in other jurisdictions, Hosts nominate the relevant tax percentage applicable to their bookings and we collect those taxes from the camper and then pay them out to the Host for the Host to remit. You can learn more here: https://support.hipcamp.com/hc/en-us/articles/17754475628436-What-should-I-know-about-Sales-and-Occupancy-taxes-in-the-United-States
In some jurisdictions, Hipcamp is also required to charge a tax on the Hipcamp Service Fee. Again, this is not a fee being charged/retained by Hipcamp; it is a taxation obligation we have in certain jurisdictions and these Service Fee taxes are remitted by Hipcamp to the relevant taxation authority.
Any applicable taxes are displayed to campers at each step of the booking checkout prior to booking, and are also shown on a camper's receipt.
If you have any further questions regarding the breakdown of fees and taxes on your booking, you are welcome to reach out to our Support team via https://hipca.mp/support
took my money and did not book the trip. You can only speak to AI. Another reminder to always book direct, but definately not through Hipcamp
Reply from Hipcamp2026-07-05
Hi Joel,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community! Please reach out to our team via https://hipca.mp/support for more assistance; alternatively, you can tell the Support Chatbot to "create a ticket" and you will be put in touch with our team directly.
We look forward to hearing from you!
I loved Hipcamp when I first joined. But now, not so much.
Camping selection is just okay. Here in Mn its mostly camping on fly infested hobby farms. No thanks. There is only one place I truly enjoy and I went to book it, but decided not to because of THE FEES !!! WOW, 20% (of total plus) non-refundable booking fee is just plain greedy
( they also collect a host fee) After years on Hipcamp I am done. I will be sticking to the state park reservation system.
They only charge $8.00 and have real people to speak with.
Total inept site with zero contact information when issues arrive, 20 dollar non refundable service fee ? Don't waste your time with them just go directly to the business your wishing to make reservations with and save yourself time, frustration and money........
Reply from Hipcamp2026-05-17
Hi Ronald,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community!
Hipcamp's Support team can be reached via the Chatbot (ask it to file a ticket); via email at [email protected]; via https://hipca.mp/support; or on +1 (877) 469-2088 (USA), +44 (0)207 820 9333 (UK); +61 1800 431 614 (Australia); or +1 (877) 469-2302 (Canada).
Hosts can be contacted via Hipcamp Messages (instructions are in this FAQ: https://support.hipcamp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360024822712-How-do-I-contact-a-Host) or via the phone number listed on your trip confirmation.
A Hipcamp Service Fee is applied to all bookings, and is non-refundable in the event of cancellations (barring extenuating circumstances). This fee is clearly displayed at the time of booking, as is the cancellation policy. You can learn more here: https://support.hipcamp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025121211-What-is-the-Hipcamp-service-fee
the app is a scam, no cancelation button. it's 3 weeks out, the policy is full refund 2 weeks out. i call the camp and they say they don't know bc its booked through hipcamp. there is no phone to reach hipcamp, just a dumb AI that says to go to the app, nothing in the app helps, this is ridiculous!!
Reply from Hipcamp2026-04-29
Hi Chad,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community. We appreciate hearing from you!
Bookings can be cancelled by following the instructions in this FAQ: https://support.hipcamp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360024822752-How-do-I-cancel-a-booking-Hipcamper
If you require help with this, please file a ticket at https://hipca.mp/support or reach out to [email protected] and our team will gladly assist!
I would really like to say how much I love Hipcamp but the truth is all it has ever done for me is take my service fee. I am a planner. I plan in advance. Plans change. Over the last 12 months every single Hipcamp reservation I have made has needed to be modified and cancelled. The only thing I have found was great possibilities but alas all I have done is throw money at the fees to HIPCAMP. I’m in over $200 for nothing.
I work for a hipcamp host as their IT and marketing support. Hipcamp has the very worst support of any company I've ever had the displeasure to engage with.
They have this attitude that the "customer" is an idiot, because they set up their "system" with AI assist chat bots that don't actually know anything. Which is simply a sophisticated way to say "look at this link" which links to an article that doesn't help.
The fact the company has zero phone support, even for their corporate offices, displays a company that has rolled out a product that they can't really support. They blame everyone, the host, the campers, but never have the courage to acknowledge their system might have some design issues.
Our site has been de-listed or paused, we can't tell because hipcamp's support is WORTHLESS, completely, and utterly WORTHLESS!
Host's are trying to run a business and this platform is making that harder, not better.
We are seriously looking for alternatives because hipcamp has proven unsupportive, untrustworthy and unreliable. But most importantly, their unwillingness to communicate.
I'm sure if we could actually get to speak with an actual human, this might get resolved in just a minute or two, but since they PREVENT communication, I can only conclude, they don't want our business.
Book at hipcamp at your own risk. You have been warned!
Reply from Hipcamp2026-03-19
Hi Clinton,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us and with the broader Hipcamp community. We appreciate hearing from you!
Hosts can contact Hipcamp Support via:
- the chatbot located on every page (tip: tell it to file a ticket if the bot isn't helping/you need to speak to a human!)
- filing a ticket at https://hipca.mp/support
- sending an email to [email protected]
- calling +1877-469-2088 (USA); +1877-469-2302 (Canada); +611800431614 (Australia); or +44(0)2078209333 (UK)
Hosts can also locate the Support phone number and a direct link to file a support ticket on the Host Dashboard page, where it says "Need help? File a ticket (link to submit a ticket) or call (phone number relevant to the Host's country)."
Please feel free to use any of these methods to get in touch with us so we can assist with your listing. We look forward to hearing from you and helping get things sorted!
A host messaged me the day before the booking saying I needed four wheel drive to access the property, which I didn’t have. I canceled the booking and the host said he’d refund, but then ghosted me.
Hipcamp opened a support ticket and I cannot get a resolution. There are no live agents to talk to and no customer support phone number. You can only communicate through some AI chatbot, which is incredibly frustrating.
After our first great experience last year, I was quick to rebook for this year. I had no idea about Hipcamp's cancellation policy. I was charged 17% ($65) to cancel a booking 2 days following the initial booking. I am so angry and I know I won't receive any support from them. Be careful!
Reply from Hipcamp2026-02-07
Hi,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us and with the broader Hipcamp community. We appreciate hearing from you!
The Hipcamp Service Fee is applied to all bookings and is proportional to the cost of booking. It is non-refundable barring extenuating circumstances, or in the case of initiated cancellations (whereupon the full fee is refunded).
The Service Fee, and the non-refundable nature of the fee, is clearly displayed to campers at every step of the checkout process and campers agree to the cancellation policy (including the non-refundable Service Fee) when submitting a booking or request to book.
As noted in your support ticket with our team, our team have provided you with a Hipcash credit for the full cost of the Hipcamp Service Fee for your booking.
You can learn more about the Hipcamp Service Fee here: https://support.hipcamp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025121211-What-is-the-Hipcamp-service-fee
Update* I wasn't pleased because of service charges, due to a change in reservations the app charged double 'service fees' even though I had cleared the changes with the Host. I had made last minute camping reservations, and needed a change last min. which was against their cancellation policy. Because it was slow season, the Host gave the okay, but the app still charged as though a new reservation was made. I worked with customer service to try and figure out a refund, which took a while.
Reply from Hipcamp2026-01-25
Hi Jason,
Thanks for taking the time to share this feedback with us!
The Hipcamp Service Fee is shown to campers at each step of booking, so guests are always aware of the fee prior to confirming a booking or making any payment. The fee is applied to all bookings, and is proportional to the cost of booking. It is non-refundable barring extenuating circumstances; however, all Host-initiated cancellations will result in a full refund of the service fee.
You can learn more here: https://support.hipcamp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025121211-What-is-the-Hipcamp-service-fee
Not thrilled lately have been a host on hipcamp for…
I have been a host on hipcamp for almost 2 years. Been a good experience until recently for two huge reasons.
One fee went from 10 percent to 15 percent. I think a 50 percent increase is outrageous. Second is my site can only be found by city and not name. It confuses prospective campers because you can find some sites by name. I have brought this up to hip camp a couple of times over the past months and nothing is improved or changed.
Your website is lowest I could give a site. Your customer support with bots or whatever is off the charts on the negative side. I was going to be a host with your company, but after all these encounters, I would not touch your company again with a ten foot pole!
Reply from Hipcamp2026-01-10
Hi,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community. We're sorry to hear you've been experiencing issues with Fern the support chatbot! Please feel free to contact our human team via https://hipca.mp/support for further assistance; we look forward to hearing from you!
This business is not run ethically. They tout 'respect' and do the opposite.
We stayed at a few hipcamps and some were acceptable and some not. We hardly ever met a host. Of the two we met, one was nice and one was an outright psycho. They became belligerent after we communicated concerns, which was frightening and resulted in a call to the authorities where we learned this was a known unstable person who had listed someone else's property. This is something that hipcamp could have easily determined by interacting with them. Mind you, this individual and hipcamp profited off this, the fact that this could happen meant we wanted nothing to do with the so called business, they were not trustworthy and we accepted they scammed us.
This is the land of scammers - from hipcamp to the individuals on the site. The company and business itself is a scam. Putting up photos that do not depict what the properties actually look like, wordy descriptions that are not accurate, to prey on consumers and travelers. Ultimately for profit and ego. It's a sham.
Reply from Hipcamp2025-12-11
Hi,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community.
Hipcamp's Terms of Use require that all hosts follow our Host Standards and that they have permission and legal rights to host on the land they list with us. Please reach out to our team via https://hipca.mp/support with the booking number that this report relates to, so that our team can investigate further and remove the listing from the platform. We look forward to hearing from you so that we can look into this ASAP!
Many thanks,
Had a horrible experience with booking. I had to change the date on my booking and charged me $250 for modification. This site is also pretty horrible with refunds. In a matter of 10 mins I lost about $800 only because of their cancellation rules. Better go off with other trusted websites than this site if you want peace of mind of plans changing and having to cancel.
Reply from Hipcamp2025-11-25
Hi Karen,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us and with the broader Hipcamp community; we appreciate hearing from you!
Modification fees on Hipcamp are charged in accordance with the Host's chosen cancellation policy, and are clearly communicated to campers within the product prior to a modification being made. You can read more about this here: https://support.hipcamp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025120511-How-do-I-change-the-dates-of-my-booking#h_01JQEP0H687XA5GPB52R4NMJYP
Hipcamp does not choose cancellation policies for Hosts; rather, we provide Hosts with nine different options to select from for their sites. Campers are shown the Host's cancellation policy and agree to the cancellation policy prior to submitting a booking or booking request. You can read about the different cancellation policy options here: https://support.hipcamp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025120071-What-is-the-cancellation-policy
Regardless of a Host's cancellation policy, they do have the ability to issue refunds for modification fees or late cancellations if they would like to do so. Campers can send their Host a refund request by following these instructions: https://support.hipcamp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025121371-How-can-I-request-a-refund-for-my-trip
Unfortunately, Hipcamp cannot override a Host's cancellation policy to issue refunds for modifications or cancellations that are outside the cancellation policy agreed to at the time of booking. If you would like us to request a refund on your behalf, please reach out to our team via https://hipca.mp/support and we will gladly assist!
Terrible website. Can't sing up nor sing in since 2 days
Reply from Hipcamp2025-11-22
Hi Jakub,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us! We can see you've successfully created a Hipcamp account; if you need assistance logging in/accessing that account, please reach out to our Support team via https://hipca.mp/support
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