The 14 Best Camping Apps for Van and RV Adventures
85 shares For many of us, camping is the ultimate way to disconnect from the pressures of modern life and just get away from it…

For many of us, camping is the ultimate way to disconnect from the pressures of modern life and just get away from it all.
With that said, there’s no reason you can’t use modern technology to enhance your camping experience!
Whether you live full-time in your Sprinter van or you’re a weekend warrior looking for an awesome car camping spot, we’ve found the best camping apps to help you find campsites. We’ve also included a few camping apps for getting the most out of your adventures. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Best Camping Apps for Finding a Camp Spot
Whether you prefer dispersed camping or campgrounds with wi-fi, friendly fellow campers, and dump stations, finding the perfect site doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Let’s take a look at the best camping apps for finding camping of all kinds.
The Dyrt Pro Version (Click here for a 30-day Free Trial)

- Cost: $35.99 per year
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Offline option: Yes
The free version of this awesome camping app has been a favorite of RVers and van dwellers for years. Featuring information on over 40,000 campsites around the United States, The Dyrt can help you find tent sites, RV parks, and out-of-the-way dream spots.
Best of all, you’ll find a ton of user-generated reviews, photos, trip reports, and more. The intuitive map-based interface in the Dyrt Pro version of the app (click here for a free 30-day trial) allows you to search an area and apply filters and layers. We’ve found this particularly helpful in finding boondocking spots on BLM land.
Once you’ve selected a camp spot, you’ll find loads more information about weather, elevation, and cell service.
Upgrading to the Pro version is definitely worth the investment if you’ll be using The Dyrt regularly. Pro members can download maps for offline use and have access to a fantastic list function for saving favorite camping spots. Plus, you’ll get access to camping gear discounts and discounts at hundreds of campgrounds.
Roadtrippers

- Cost: Free/$29.99 per year for Plus version
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Offline option: Yes
If you’re a fan of meticulous planning, Roadtrippers could just be one of the best camping apps you’ll find. This awesome app is available for free with ads, but the Plus version is really worth considering.
Roadtrippers is a camping trip planning tool that allows you to design a complex route through whichever part of the country you’re traveling through. You can add up to 150 stops with the Plus version, and there’s in-depth information on campsites, trails, National Parks, and much more.
Not only that, you’re able to calculate fuel costs, find places to eat along the way, and save your favorite places.
What’s really cool is the navigation function which also gives up-to-date information on traffic conditions. Best of all, the Plus version allows you to use the maps and navigation offline when you don’t have an internet connection. Roadtrippers includes tons of reviews and photos from other campers and there’s even a way to collaborate with friends to create your ideal trip!
WikiCamps

- Cost: Free
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Offline option: Yes
WikiCamps is a wonderful camping app that’s available for use in different countries including the UK, New Zealand, and the United States. Plus, WikiCamps claims to have the largest database of campsites around.
Using this camping app couldn’t be easier — you simply download a country then use the map-based interface to navigate the area you’re searching in. There are plenty of helpful filters for restroom availability, pet friendly spots, and much more.
Once you’ve selected a campsite you’ll find loads of user-generated reviews, photos, and tips. Plus, there’s even information on nearby facilities like dump sites and grocery stores.
We love that WikiCamps allows you to connect with other users via their online forums. Not only that, this cool app is completely free, with inexpensive upgrades available too!
Allstays



- Cost: $1.99-$9.99
- Platform: iOS
- Offline option: Yes
Allstays is another camping app that’s long been a go-to choice for RV campers and Van lifers. The map-based interface allows you to apply many different layers and filters, making Allstays particularly helpful in finding free campsites on public lands.
Once you click on a camping option, you’ll see plenty of user-submitted reviews, photos, and trip reports.
One of the best things about Allstays is the information you’ll find on road conditions and clearance. If your rig is too large to navigate certain roads, the app will suggest alternate routes to get you where you need to go.
Campendium

- Cost: Free
- Platform: iOS
- Offline option: No
Campendium is a website and app that’s totally free to use. We love the Campendium interface — it’s super intuitive and easy to navigate. You can search by city, state, zip code, or campground name and Campendium will also display all nearby options. Plus, an array of intelligent filters allow you to really narrow down your search.
Once you’ve selected a site, you can access some of the best user-generated content we’ve seen on a camping app. Campendium user reviews and photos always seem to be up-to-date and thorough and it’s common to find information on cell reception, weather conditions, site length, and much more.
Although Campendium is free, you can choose to be a supporter by paying $20. This will eliminate those annoying ads and give you a few more map layers to play with.
iOverlander



- Cost: Free
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Offline option: Yes
iOverlander is a fantastic free app that’s all about providing campers with as much information as possible. That said, this app is mainly geared toward car campers and 4×4 enthusiasts, so those traveling in a larger rig should double-check road conditions.
Featuring a map-based interface, iOverlander offers a ton of filters to help you narrow down your search. Once you’ve clicked on an option, you’ll find pretty much all the details you could ever ask for, including GPS coordinates, photos, road conditions, and more.
What we really like about iOverlander is the information you’ll find on nearby conveniences like grocery stores, rest stops, and gas stations. This allows you to streamline your camping trip and can even help you save money along the way!
Campspot

- Cost: Free
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Offline option: No
Campspot is a newer app that was launched in 2021. Since then it’s really taken off, thanks to the fact that it’s totally free and easy to use.
This app lets you search all the top-rated campgrounds that offer online booking. There are also tons of other options including RV parks, cabins and glamping spots. Simply input the area you’re searching for and apply filters like hookups, bathrooms, and wifi.
Once the available campsites show up, click on an option to find details on pricing as well as other information like photos and nearby attractions.
FreeRoam

- Cost: Free
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Offline option: Yes
FreeRoam allows you to search for free camping and private campgrounds, making it a super versatile option for anyone out on the road.
We love the FreeRoam map overlays that include cell service for multiple providers as well as public land managed by different government agencies. You can also apply other search filters for things like site length and weather, before clicking on an option to browse loads of user generated reviews and photos.
One of the best things about FreeRoam is the trip planning function; you can choose how far you want to travel in a day and add stops for gas, groceries, and more. Another bonus of using this app is the ability to connect with other users. You can find information on events and meetups and plan your camping trip accordingly!
HipCamp

- Cost: Free
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Offline option: Yes
HipCamp allows you to search for camping spots in National Parks, state parks, and regional parks as well as offering information on thousands of official campgrounds across the country.
However, what sets HipCamp apart from other camping apps is the ability to find unique camping spots on privately owned land.
Essentially, this function is kind of like Airbnb for campers. This means HipCamp gives you the opportunity to find camping in completely unexpected places. Everything is on offer here, from secluded spots in someone’s field to an RV space with hookups on an inner city driveway!
Using HipCamp for finding campsites couldn’t be easier; you just use the map or search “near me” to pull-ups all the nearby options. Once you find a site that looks good, you can book instantly and then get detailed directions.
Best Camping Apps for Navigation
It’s always a good idea to bring paper maps along with you. Still, having a decent GPS navigation app installed on your phone never hurts. Plus, the navigation apps we’ve found offer loads of valuable information you’ll seldom find on a paper map!
Gaia GPS

- Cost: Free/$17-$36 per year
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Offline option: Yes
For many folks Gaia GPS is the go-to app for detailed navigation. This popular app is super easy to use and maps can be downloaded for offline use.
Designed mainly for hiking and off-road exploration, Gaia GPS offers route planning as well as tons of information about an extensive list of trails. You can also record your trip, take pictures, add waypoints, and share details with friends.
The Gaia GPS Premium membership gives you access to expanded maps and overlays as well as National Geographic Illustrated maps.
onX Offroad

- Cost: Free trial then $29.99 per year
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Offline option: Yes
This wonderful app is well worth the annual fee if you like to get out there and explore public lands. The interface comprises a map with detailed layers and an information bar giving overviews of nearby trails.
Once you click on a trail, you’ll find a world of information on difficulty, duration, and elevation, as well as plenty of photos. As you’d expect, onX Offroad allows you to use maps offline use and track your trip in detail.
You can also save all the information for future reference and share with friends. This fantastic GPS app has information on 500,000 recreation points including campsites, boat launches, and much more.
Other Handy Camping Apps
As you might imagine, there are thousands of camping apps out there, each one claiming to offer a useful function you can’t live without. We can’t list them all, but we’ve selected a few of the best camping apps to improve your next trip.
Dark Sky

- Cost: Free trial then $3.99
- Platform: iOS
- Offline option: No
Let’s face it, you’re never going to be more concerned about what the weather will do than when you’re on a camping trip. That’s why Dark Sky is such a good addition to your arsenal when you’re out in the wild.
Despite its somewhat sinister-sounding name, Dark Sky will be your faithful companion! You’ll get access to hyperlocal weather forecasts and the app will even let you know when the rain will start and stop in your precise location. Best of all, you can set up custom alerts so you’ll always know what’s coming.
Offline Survival Manual

- Cost: Free
- Platform: Android
- Offline option: Yes
Offline Survival Manual is one of those camping apps that’s great to have on your phone if you’re out in the wilderness. Best of all, you can use this app without an internet connection. Then again, the name kind of gives that away!
Offline Survival Manual is chock full of useful information about fire building, shelter construction, first aid, and a range of other skills. There’s also a wide range of information relating to plants, including which plants are safe to eat and which ones can be used for medicinal purposes.
Chimani National Parks

- Cost: Free/$29.99 per year for premium version
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Offline option: Yes
For those travelers who want to get the very best out of America’s National Parks, this superb app is definitely worth considering.
Chimani National Parks gives you almost endless detailed information on recreation areas, points of interest, and history. What’s more, each National Park has its own separate app that you can download for even more detailed descriptions.
While the free version is fantastic, regular National Park visitors will love the Premium version. The upgrade offers extended travel guides, offline capability, and discounts on dining, recreation, and camping.
Final Thoughts on the Best Camping Apps
We hope you’ve found this article on the best camping apps helpful. Whichever camping app you end up using, remember to leave reviews to help your fellow campers!
When you’re boondocking make sure to follow the Leave No Trace principles. That way, dispersed camping can continue to be a wonderful experience for everyone!
Feel free to leave any questions in the comments section below!
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