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.
So disappointed with Hipcamp. They don’t reimburse the service fee even when you have to cancel because of a thunderstorm in the forecast. What’s worse, the site owner even advised us to move the trip to another day, but Hipcamp still refused to refund the fee. That’s really unreasonable and unfair to campers.
Reply from Hipcamp2025-11-16
Hi Peggy,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community!
The Hipcamp Service Fee is non-refundable in the event of cancellations, barring extenuating circumstances. If you would like to modify your trip to a new date, you can do so by following these instructions: https://support.hipcamp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025120511-How-do-I-change-the-dates-of-my-booking
If you have further questions, please feel free to reply to your Support ticket with a request that it be escalated to a manager for review.
As a host, I was appalled by the lack of customer service support when I had a booking for approx 5 people, but the person invited at least 15 others for a party! I had rude, confrontational people that damaged trees and threatened us. I am slowly transferring to another well known company who will actually call you if there is a problem and not become unavailable outside of office hours and use so zen desk type software that makes communication impossible, fragmented , delayed and frustrating. I gave up trying to resolve the matter in the end but Hipcamp let me down really badly and others need to be aware that if you run into a problem with guests, it is your problem! as Hipcamp really don't seem to care
Reply from Hipcamp2025-11-02
Hi,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us and the broader Hipcamp community. We're so sorry to hear this!
If you have an existing Support ticket, please reply to that ticket requesting it be escalated for review, and one of our team will be in touch soon. We look forward to working through this with you as efficiently as possible!
I understand a service fee, but the price for said fee should not alter based on the price of the campsite price. You don't do anything differently for any booking. There is no justification for different fees based on the cost of trip. Best to book directly with the owner if possible as their fees will not be astronomical because this site is charging for a google query
Reply from Hipcamp2025-10-28
Hi,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community! 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
Please note that bookings made outside the Hipcamp platform are not covered by Hipcamp's Insurance. If booking outside of the Hipcamp platform, it is up to the landowner to determine whether they carry adequate insurance that will respond in the event of guest injury.
What an amazing place. It was absolutely beautiful and Hearing the sea lions all night, was such an amazing experience for us all. We will definitely be back again.
It was my first time using Hip Camp and it was very easy , I loved that it shows a picture of the camp and all the info you might need before reserving, my husband and I love to travel so I’ll be using the app
Allows double booking and then don't take any responsibility.
PS - reply to the Management
Your incompetence doesn't help me get compensated , you are fixing issues too late and not questioning your Horrendous Host for their wrong actions. It's amazing how you accept the fault but don't want to compensate or make Host compensate for the inconvenience . Issuing a refund doesnt settle the dispute .
Reply from Hipcamp2025-09-15
Hi Vivek,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community!
As our team have explained to you, Hipcamp operates based on the information provided by the Host. Per our terms of use, it is a Host's responsibility to ensure the accuracy of their listing, including maintaining correct availability on their calendar and ensuring that they have set up their calendar syncs if they are cross-listed across multiple platforms.
Hipcamp are working with the Host in question to assist them in setting these up, to prevent further double bookings in the future. We are very sorry that this Host did not set this up prior to sending their listing live, and we have reminded them of the importance of ensuring that all syncs are set up before starting to accept bookings on Hipcamp.
HipCamp doesn't support campers if an issue arises. If you ask for services promised from the host, or an alternative if some aren't working, and the host becomes instantly agitated, illegally films you, reports you to HipCamp by exaggerating the truth and playing the victim, and keeps (a.k.a. steals) your money before the reservation even begins, HipCamp will let them. After all this, my boyfriend uttered "this situation is retarded" - not the best word of course - but apparently due to that nothing that the host did is being examined and she gets to keep all our money.
Reply from Hipcamp2025-08-23
Hi,
Thanks for sharing your feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community!
As our team have explained to you on multiple occasions, you have disputed the charge with your bank which means the funds are now frozen. Hipcamp must therefore wait for your bank to complete their review before any further action can be taken on our side. If you have further questions regarding the dispute process, please feel free to respond to your support ticket; alternatively, your bank should be able to explain the process in further detail.
Not a great experience but managed very well by customer services
Update:
Although the experience described below was terrible l, Hipcamp customer services team were excellent to be fair and managed the situation really well, refunding me quickly and offering compensation and an apology which I really appreciate and has given me confidence to use them again. I’m changing my original rating from 1 star to 3 to account for this.
Original:
I booked a 3-night stay through Hipcamp, paid £390, and drove 4 hours with my 3-year-old to Gisburne Park Estate. On arrival, the managers told me they had never heard of Hipcamp, had no affiliation with them, and that there was no booking in my name. They showed me they were full and sent us away.
I had a confirmed Hipcamp booking and proof of payment to Gisburne Park Estate, yet we were left stranded with an exhausted, upset child and forced to pay for a hotel at extra cost.
This is fraud, pure and simple. Hipcamp took money for accommodation they cannot provide. I have reported them to Action Fraud and to my credit card provider as fraudulent.
Avoid at all costs – this company cannot be trusted. Families should not be scammed and left in this position.
Hipcamp charged me roughly $100 in fees on a $400 trip. When I was overcharged and asked for help-they told me that they couldn't help me at all. Literally telling me that I was on my own. What does my $100 go towards. Oh, yeah- towards helping the hosts screw over other campers!
Reply from Hipcamp2025-08-20
Hi Levi,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us! As noted in our support ticket with you, since Hosts set their own prices and cancellation policies, they also have full control over whether to approve or deny refund requests. Our role is to support campers to go through the refund request process and help facilitate communication if needed, but ultimately, the decision is in the Host’s hands unless there’s a clear violation of our policies or extenuating circumstances.
Last month I booked a two-night stay (beginning the same night) for a campsite on Hipcamp. I ended up having to cancel 10 minutes later due to a conflict. The host had a flexible cancellation policy so I believed I would be refunded the $284.57 I spent. However, my refund never came. After nearly a month of back and forth between Hipcamp support (which does not provide a telephone number for customer support, only email), I was told that since I did not cancel "at least 24 hours before check-in" that I would not be reimbursed, per the host's cancellation policy. I understand this, but how does this apply to same-day bookings? It was literally impossible to follow that policy when my check-in time was only a few hours later that same day. It is extremely frustrating to lose nearly $300 for absolutely no reason, when Hipcamp could absolutely refund me out of good faith. As said earlier, I canceled TEN MINUTES after booking. It's disheartening and disappointing, not to mention I feel completely defeated over the entire situation. This is a multi-million dollar company which was complete power to make this right, yet they refuse to. Will not be booking with Hipcamp again, and will absolutely be telling everyone I know not to as well. Be better, Hipcamp.
Reply from Hipcamp2025-08-10
Hi Caitlyn,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community.
On Hipcamp, Hosts have absolute authority over their cancellation and refund policies. When booking at a Hipcamp property, campers are shown the Host's cancellation policy and an explanation of said policy, and agree to this policy prior to placing a booking or submitting a booking request.
It is possible in the future that we will update our cancellation policies to accommodate cancellations made within a short time after placing a booking, but at this time we will always defer to the cancellation policy that was agreed to at the time of booking.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to us via https://hipca.mp/support if you require any further information or clarification!
My major problem with Hipcamp is the false advertising of prices. The place I stayed at was advertised as $27 per site for all sites. I couldn’t get to the check out screen but knew where the place was located because I previously lived in the area. The host explained the price as $48 per night. I showed him the sites on my phone showing $27. He called his wife over to show her. Said they were never $27 and they don’t know why it was showing that way. They both looked surprised and confused about this. They said $48 is their base price and you add amenities from there for an extra cost but it has never been $27. When I later checked a YouTube video, it too said that you will never pay the price shown on the app, it will always be more. Almost twice as much as advertised? That’s ridiculous.
Reply from Hipcamp2025-07-31
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for sharing this feedback with us! The price displayed on Hipcamp is comprised of: the price (set by the Host) for that date, the Hipcamp Service Fee, cleaning fee (if applicable), and taxes (if applicable). This is what is displayed, and this is what is charged.
If the Host believes their pricing was wrong, please reach out to our team via https://hipca.mp/support so that our team can identify the property and assist the Host with correcting their pricing.
I booked what I thought was glamping but within an hour after booking I realised it was camping and no beds were provided. I canceled immediately and Hipcamp still collected 41.50 from me. The reservation was over 3 weeks away. When I made the reservation the site told me I would not be charged yet. I was charged and will let everyone know my experience.
Reply from Hipcamp2025-06-30
Hi Gail-Anne,
Thanks for sharing this experience with us and with the broader Hipcamp community!
It sounds like you booked a Request To Book listing. When you submit a Request To Book, we don't charge your card immediately: we place a hold on your card, and only capture it/make the charge when the Host accepts your booking request. If the Host declines your request, or the request expires (after 24 hours), the hold is released and no charge is made to your card.
If you need further assistance regarding this booking, please feel free to contact our Support team via https://hipca.mp/support
I have used the hipcamp a few times have also cancelled or left the site for personal reasons. I find the fees are way to much and will not be using after my next trip. I will go to regular campsites from now on.
I have no date for the experience .. i am just disappointed at the fees and when you cancel you are not totally reinbursed
Don't book with Hipcamp. They are spammers.
In light of the business's reply to my previous review insinuating I'm some kind of idiot who is unable to set his marketing preferences, here are the email subjects of the emails they will send, even when you opt out of marketing emails:
"Enhance your trip with extras"
"Your trip is coming up! Here's who's onboard."
"Reminder for your trip to Grass Pitch"
"Time to pack your bags!"
Seriously, stop spamming me
Reply from Hipcamp2025-05-06
Hi Mark, thanks for sharing this feedback! If you require assistance opting out of emails, please reach out to our team via https://hipca.mp/support
Camping trip cancelled with 2 weeks notice by host - but this was because the HipCamp calendar didn't synch up, so they were double booked. I contacted Hipcamp, and after 2 weeks still haven't heard back from them. The host was very apologestic when I contacted them directly, but the error was Hipcamp's fault. I've also not had a refund through, and have had to ask the host to chase Hipcamp up.
Reply from Hipcamp2025-04-16
Hi,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share this feedback with us and with the broader Hipcamp community. We're so sorry to hear that you've had this experience!
We haven't been able to locate a Support request regarding this matter. Please go to https://hipca.mp/support and submit a ticket with your booking number and request that your Support ticket be escalated to Ellyn for review. We look forward to hearing from you and working towards a resolution on this!
Best,
Outdoorsy
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