Since its inception in August of 2008, Airbnb has redefined the way we travel and book hotel accommodations. Now, nearly anyone can rent out their spare room or entire house on the platform and make a few extra dollars in the process. However, as Airbnb has evolved, it has also begun to offer more and more travel destinations and experiences.
Below, we are going to review how to find camping sites on Airbnb. In addition, we are going to provide you with a few alternatives to Airbnb which cater specifically to camping and the great outdoors. Searching through both Airbnb and these alternative sites, you’ll be able to find that perfect campsite, no matter where you’re looking!
What is Airbnb?
Airbnb is an online marketplace which connects travelers with lodging and overnight stays. These stays can be for tourism, a simple getaway, or for longer, more permanent stays. Rather than owning any of the properties listed on the site, Airbnb simply provides travelers and homeowners an easy, simple, and efficient way to connect and book a stay.
However, Airbnb has been met with criticism and is not without its fair share of blame. In addition to driving up home rents, Airbnb has been criticized for also creating nuisances for individuals living near properties listed on the site. Similarly, due to lax regulations and little to no vetting processes, nearly anyone can list their home or apartment on the site, potentially leading to dangerous and compromising situations.
Due to many of these complaints, some cities in the United States, particularly San Francisco and New York, have introduced regulations on whom can rent out their homes or apartments. Similarly, the European Union has also discussed implementing regulations on the platform.
How to Rent an Airbnb Unit Safely?
It’s important to understand that while Airbnb offers a service similar to that offered by more traditional hotel companies, it is not a hotel, nor should it be treated as one. Rather, Airbnb is simply a platform which connect travelers and homeowners with available accommodations.
If anything, the relationship between traveler and host should be thought of more as a landlord-tenant relationship, wherein the traveler will be utilizing the hosts space for an agreed upon time and set rules and regulations.
And, whether you are new to the platform or a seasoned Airbnb traveler, understanding how to stay safe is of the utmost importance. This is, unfortunately, even more true for solo travelers and for female travelers. If you are looking to stay safe on Airbnb, our best recommendation is to book units, lodges, or camp spaces which have previous stays and contain glowing reviews.
Secondly, utilize the filtering system within Airbnb’s platform. By filtering potential stays, you can choose to only stay in locations with either Superhost’s or stays which are designated as Airbnb Plus stays.
The Superhost system is a new system which is doled out by Airbnb and recognizes experienced hosts who provide, “a shining example for other hosts and extraordinary experiences for their guests.”
Similarly, Airbnb Plus stays are a selection of stays within the highest quality homes and with hosts known for their great reviews and attention to detail. Within Airbnb, these homes and stays are verified by Airbnb through an in-person inspection to confirm quality and design.
Although these stays may be slightly more expensive than a regular stay, your safety and security is definitely more important.
Finding Campsites on Airbnb
Whereas finding a stay or room to board on Airbnb is relatively easy and simple, finding camping sites can be a bit more difficult and challenging. Below, we’re going to walk you through finding a campsite on Airbnb.
- Open the Airbnb app
- Click on the top dialogue option asking, “where are you going?”
- Enter your desired city, state, country, or location
- Click on, ”Find an experience”
- Click on “Nature and outdoors”
Alternatively, if you are looking for a stay near a campground, follow the below steps:
- Open the Airbnb app
- Click on the top dialogue option asking, “where are you going?”
- Enter your desired city, state, country, or location
- Click on either, “Find a place to stay” or “Find a monthly stay”, depending on how long you want your trip to be
- Enter your desired dates at the next step
- Enter the total number of travelers that will be going on the trip and click “Search”
- Now, at the top right, click the toggle button
- Scroll down to “Property type” and click on “Cabin”
Alternatives to Airbnb for Finding Camping Sites
Although Airbnb is, by far, the most popular short-term rental option, there have been a growing crop of competitors built to service specific travel needs. In particular, when it comes to finding camping sites, a few notable entrants have recently sprung up.
The first is HipCamp. HipCamp started when CEO Alyssa Ravasio herself was looking for a campsite near California’s Central Coast at Andrew Molera State Park. Unable to find a suitable platform to find a campsite on, she decided to start her own.
HipCamp currently has over 18,200 parks, 31,100 campgrounds, and over 363,000 campsites across the United States. If you’re looking to find a suitable campsite in the United States, then HipCamp can be a great alternative to Airbnb.
In addition to HipCamp, there is Tentrr. Tentrr is similar to HipCamp, however, when you are looking to choose a campsite on Tentrr you are given two options, either Tentrr Signature or Tentrr Backcountry.
With Tentrr Signature, you will be able to rent a campsite, with no additional equipment needed. This means that you simply need to show-up and will be given proper accommodation and a place to stay. With Tentrr Backcountry, you will have a more traditional camping experience where you will need to pitch your own tent and bring your own equipment for your stay.