Hipcamp for Hosts: Getting Started

Hipcamp is a popular online marketplace for glamping, camping, and outdoor stays. It allows travelers looking for unique stays to explore the largest collection of private campsites, RV parks, treehouses, and glamping and discover perfect spots that match their camping style.

So, is it a good platform to market your off-grid cabin or a tiny home you rent out to adventurous travelers on Airbnb? In this blog, we'll talk about how this platform works and share tips on how to get started and achieve success as a Hipcamp host.  

Whether you own a log cabin in the woods or a small cottage on your private plot of land in a rural area, listing your property on multiple online booking platforms and creating your direct booking website is an effective strategy that can help you grow a sustainable STR business. You can scale faster if you streamline your daily operations using cabin booking software like Hospitable.

What Is Hipcamp?

Founded in 2013, Hipcamp calls itself the most comprehensive resource for discovering and booking unique outdoor stays. The online marketplace is built on a mission to get more people outside. With over 7 million users, it works in the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, France, and Spain.

Often referred to as the "Airbnb of camping," Hipcamp partners with landowners who become Hipcamp Hosts. The platform helps hosts earn extra income by connecting their properties with campers, glampers, RVers, and outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for places to stay and camp outside.

All you need to start earning as a Hipcamp host is a flat piece of land where someone can pitch a tent or park an RV and great outdoors so your guests can connect with nature. Hipcamp hosts can also list unconventional accommodations like yurts, treehouses, cabins, and glamping tents to provide a more comfortable outdoor experience.

How Does Hipcamp Work for Hosts?

You can list your property on Hipcamp for free, and no hosting experience is required. There are no fixed contracts, and you only need to pay when you get bookings. Hipcamp charges a 10%–12.5% commission on each booking, and for Australian hosts, it's 10%-12.5% commission + GST.  

According to Hipcamp, this commission covers the costs of

• Secure payment processing: a 3% fee goes directly to Stripe
• Email and social media marketing to more than 7 million Hipcampers
• Complimentary insurance policy: up to $1M in protection for general liability claims per occurrence for hosts in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France (or $10M AUD for Australian hosts)
• 7 days a week customer support from local Hipcamp Guides

Hipcamp is a niche site that focuses on unique outdoor stays. Even if you have successful listings on major OTA platforms and your direct booking website, you can consider adding Hipcamp as another distribution channel for your vacation rental farmhouse, yurt, treehouse, or cabin. It's also a great place to market your glamping property, which blends the beauty of nature with the convenience of cozy accommodations. This way, you can extend your reach and connect with nature enthusiasts who want to explore the outdoors and seek unique places to stay.

Managing bookings on multiple channels can be challenging, but you can get more bookings without stress by using Hospitable's iCal imports. With iCal, you can seamlessly sync calendars across various niche booking platforms, including Hipcamp, avoid scheduling headaches, and prevent double bookings. Watch this short video to learn how this functionality works.

Check out our support article to find more details.

How to Get Started as a Hipcamp Host

Creating a listing on Hipcamp is easy, and publishing only takes minutes. First, click Start Hosting and sign up as a host by completing a form. Enter basic details, such as your name, email, and phone number, create a password, and choose a type of accommodation (tent site, RV site, or lodging).

Click Get Started and follow the prompts to create your account. Once you register on Hipcamp, you'll be directed to start setting up your property. You must provide your property address or locate it on the map, write a brief description, upload photos to showcase your land, set your rules, pricing, and availability, and list amenities.

You also need to complete your ID, insurance, and payment details. Include information on how to access your property and write your arrival instructions. Finally, you can review your property details for accuracy, click Publish, and start hosting.

How to Be a Great Hipcamp Host

Hipcamp has a set of Hosting Standards to which all hosts should review and adhere. These standards were designed to set expectations and guide the platform's Host community. They include guidelines on providing a positive Hipcamper experience, ensuring your guests' safety, protecting the environment and wildlife on your land, and being a good neighbor and citizen.

Following these best practices helps build trust in the Hipcamp community and leads to better reviews, more bookings, and a successful hosting experience. Here are the basic requirements for hosts on Hipcamp:

• Respond to booking requests and inquiries within 24 hours to ensure a good experience for Hipcampers.
• Keep your calendar up to date and accept booking requests for available dates.
• Make sure your listing details are accurate to set the right expectations and attract the perfect guests for your property.
• Communicate with your guests before and during their stay to make them feel supported and comfortable.
• Honor all scheduled bookings and avoid unwarranted cancellations because they make guests unhappy and can impact how your Hipcamp listing appears in search results.
• Maintain positive ratings and respond to guests' reviews. If guests don't have a stellar time at your property, you should do your best to address their concerns and learn from these experiences.

Final Thought

Built for the outdoor accommodation industry, Hipcamp offers a marketplace that connects private landowners who want to earn extra income by hosting with people looking for unique outdoor getaways. According to Hipcamp, 57% of bookings on the platform are for mid-week and off-peak stays. So, you may consider using Hipcamp as an additional distribution channel to help you grow a sustainable STR business.