Hipcamp, a campsite booking app, has added several Sierra Club properties (California) in the Tahoe region to its platform, opening winter booking for Clair Tappaan Lodge, Hutchinson Lodge, and four backcountry huts.
The move provides outdoor hospitality operators and campground partners a case study in how digital booking platforms can expand access to historic and seasonal lodging while supporting ongoing stewardship.
Hipcamp now features a selection of the Sierra Club’s most recognized winter properties. Listings include Clair Tappaan Lodge, Hutchinson Lodge, and four backcountry huts near Donner Summit and the greater Tahoe region.
These properties have traditionally provided winter access to the Sierra Nevada for skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking.
The new Hipcamp listings aim to reconnect visitors after pandemic closures, increasing exposure for both the lodges and backcountry sites.
The lodges are positioned near established ski areas, including Sugar Bowl, Royal Gorge, Boreal, and Donner Ski Ranch, while also providing proximity to Palisades Tahoe and Northstar. Guests can combine resort-based recreation with access to backcountry trails and sections of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Winter access is limited for some properties. Clair Tappaan Lodge and Hutchinson Lodge are drive-in accessible year-round, whereas backcountry huts require hikes or ski approaches ranging from three to 5.5 miles, depending on the site.
Clair Tappaan Lodge, built in the 1930s, offers bunk rooms, a library, and communal meals. Its location allows direct access to snowshoe and cross-country skiing trails. Hutchinson Lodge, dating to 1924, is constructed from local rock and timber and sits above Donner Lake, providing a base for winter hiking, snow play, and group retreats.
Bradley Hut sits high in the Sierra backcountry, reached via a 4.7-mile winter hike or ski. Benson Hut, built in 1939 along the Pacific Crest Trail near Anderson Peak, allows summer vehicle access and serves as an overnight stop for advanced winter traverses.
Ludlow Hut, south of Homewood Mountain Resort, is drive-in accessible in summer and requires a 5.2-mile winter approach. Peter Grubb Hut, near Castle Peak, offers a three-mile approach year-round and remains a popular stop for backcountry travelers.
“These huts and lodges have a storied history with the Sierra Club, and have connected people to the Sierra Nevada mountains for nearly a century,” Lauren Tackbary, marketing director at the Sierra Club, said in a press release.
“By making them easier to discover and book, we’re opening the door for more people to experience the magic of the Sierra, while ensuring these historic spaces are preserved for generations to come,” Tackbary added.
Alyssa Ravasio, founder and CEO of Hipcamp, also emphasized the platform’s role in discovery. “So many people simply don’t know these incredible places exist,” she said.
“We’re excited to help the Sierra Club bring these cabins to a new generation of winter adventurers by making them easier to find, book, and experience firsthand,” Ravasio added.
Featured image by Hipcamp via hipcamp.com