Hipcamp, a platform for campsite bookings, has acquired BookOutdoors, an online reservation service specializing in campgrounds, RV parks, cabins, and glamping resorts, aiming to meet the growing demand for amenity-rich outdoor stays. This acquisition positions Hipcamp to cater to a new generation of campers seeking enhanced convenience and experiences in the great outdoors.
Alyssa Ravasio, founder and CEO of Hipcamp, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, noting that the community’s top request is more camping options.
“Hipcamp is the largest and fastest growing community of campers in the world. In all our customer interviews and research, the top request—by far—from our campers is more places to camp. We’re so excited to be joining forces with BookOutdoors and its team of industry leaders to connect hundreds of amazing new campgrounds and RV parks with our community!” Ravasio said.
A recent shift in camping preferences shows that younger generations, specifically Millennials and Gen Z, value well-equipped campsites. According to the OHI Generational Camping Report, 65% of these groups prioritize locations with “strong amenities.” This trend is echoed in the 2024 KOA Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report, which documents a 68% increase in active campers over the past decade, translating to an additional 21.6 million households seeking comfortable outdoor experiences.
Hipcamp also witnessed a 200% surge in summer 2024 searches for campsites, with an 87% increase in demand for locations with amenities.
In addition to satisfying the market’s evolving expectations, Hipcamp’s acquisition of BookOutdoors is expected to streamline the booking process for users. Over the past year, Hipcamp’s community of campers booked more than 3.3 million individual nights outdoors, underscoring the platform’s capacity to meet rising demand. By integrating BookOutdoors’ inventory, Hipcamp will extend access to more amenity-rich options, ultimately benefiting both campers and campground operators looking to capture new revenue opportunities.
This demographic shift is particularly evident within Hipcamp’s user base, where 75% of users are under the age of 55. To cater to this group’s expectations for unique experiences combined with modern conveniences, Hipcamp is expanding its partnerships with campgrounds, RV parks, cabins, and glamping operators.
For many campgrounds, Hipcamp has become a vital source of bookings, with over 80% of third-party reservations generated through the platform. This trend is highlighted by Malibu Beach RV Park, which experienced a 95% rise in bookings from first-time customers during its first year on Hipcamp.
Similarly, Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground has seen substantial engagement from Millennials and Gen Z campers, drawn by the streamlined booking process Hipcamp provides, according to manager Allyson Jayes-Primack.
“Most of our Hipcamp guests are Millennials and Gen Z. We realized we need to have more of a presence online to reach our audience. We still keep our unique character, but Hipcamp has helped to streamline our booking operations,” Jayes-Primack explained.
Beyond its growth through acquisitions, Hipcamp has fostered a robust and engaged community of outdoor enthusiasts. With over 7 million registered users and 1.3 million social media followers, Hipcamp continues to expand its presence.
Currently, Hipcamp offers more than 140,000 bookable campsites spanning 5 million acres in four countries. By facilitating off-peak and mid-week bookings—now accounting for 57% of all reservations—Hipcamp helps campground operators optimize revenue during slower periods.
Featured image by Hipcamp