Hiking and Camping Resources

**This hiking and camping resources page may contain affiliate links and I may earn compensation when you click on the links, at no additional cost to you. 

If you have a hiking or camping resource you'd like included on this page, please email us at ContactUs@HikingBingo.com.

Avenza Maps - This is my favorite app for finding dispersed camping sites (camping for free on public land in the U.S. in other than organized campsites). Both paid and free maps are available on Avenza, but all the dispersed camping maps I've needed to download have been free. Yes, you can download the maps to be able to use them when you are in an area without cell service.

Campnab - This service helps you get a reservation at soldout campgrounds and is one of the most valuable camping resources around. Campnab monitors campgrounds you select for canceled reservations and notifies you by text with a camp alert when a campsite opens up. 

Harvest Hosts - The road trip of your dreams is within reach. Harvest Hosts offers RVers unlimited access to farms, breweries, wineries, and attractions across North America. Your membership allows you to stay overnight at any of their 4,000+ host locations and in return, they ask that you support your host's business during your stay. It's a great way to explore new places and try new things! Use code SPRING23 through 3/31 to save 20% off your first year's membership!

Recreation.gov.  Plan your next adventure and reserve experiences at over 4,200 facilities and 113,000 individual sites across the United States. Find information on places to visit, camp, hike and more. Rent camping and hiking gear and RV and trailers as well. The website provides amazing tools to use in preparation for hiking or camping.

The Dyrt Pro - This app helps you plan better camping road trips through choosing your route, camping style, finding campgrounds along your route and locating areas with free dispersed camping.

Escape Campervans - Rent a fully equipped and colorfully decorated campervan from one of 13 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Their mission is to"  inspire people to escape their everyday routines and embrace their adventurous spirit by exploring the world in our campervans." Check out their newest model: the POP TOP Del Mar!

Adventure in Camping - You can rent a trailer and have it delivered to a campground in their service area which includes Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierras in California. You can "Adventure more without the hassle of setting up your camp!"

The Holidays Delivered - Enjoy a vintage trailer delivered to your already booked campsite! They currently deliver to San Clemente, San Mateo, Doheny, San Onofre, and Crystal Cove Campgrounds and can also deliver to residences or private event locations in San Diego and Orange County.

Outdoorsy - " Experience the magic of the outdoors with the best RV, camper van, and travel trailer rentals imaginable." Find an RV to rent or list your RV to rent. 

RV Storage - StorageUnits.com provides a detailed guide on types, sizes, and cost of RV storage options as well as how to prepare your RV for storage. 

American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations - Join American Hiking Society for a week of backpacking or day hiking while building and maintaining trails in exciting and diverse locations across the United States. You can read about my personal experience on a Volunteer Vacation in Joshua Tree National Park HERE.

Foster the Earth - An organization dedicated to helping vulnerable children and young adults in the foster care system through exposure to the great outdoors. They provide transformative backpacking expeditions through a 5-7 month program  each year.

NOLS - National Outdoor Leadership School.  You can learn by "doing" with the leader in wilderness education. Programs include: Wilderness Expeditions, Wilderness Medicine, and a Wilderness Risk Management Conference. I had the opportunity to earn my Wildernes First Aid certification through NOLS this year and I gained valuable knowledge for my hiking excursions.

Outward Bound USA - the "leading provider of outdoor education programs that allow young people to explore their personal potential." Outward bound provides  backpacking trips, mountaineering trips, whitewater rafting trips, canoeing trips, dog sledding expeditions, sailing trips as well as programs in local schools and neighborhoods. 

REI Co-op Adventure Travel - REI guides lead over 100 outdoor adventure trips annually including backpacking, hiking, cycling and much more. You can read about my personal experience on an REI-led backpacking adventure HERE.

Every Kid Outdoors -  Fourth grade students can get a free annual pass to visit more than 2,000 federal recreation areas through the Every Kid Outdoors program.  To obtain the free pass, fourth grade students visit the Every Kid Outdoors website, participate in a short educational activity, and download a voucher. 

YMCA Adventure Guides/Clubs - An outdoor exploration program for kids in the San Diego area. Adventure Club programs provide an opportunity for a parent and child(ren) to camp or participate in an outdoor activity once per month from September-June. 

Kids in Parks - a nationwide program of outdoor adventure scavenger hunts known as TRACK Trails. Kids can track their adventures on hiking trails, biking trails, geocaching trails, paddling trails, and nature trail disc golf courses and can receive prizes in the mail.

EXPED USA -  Gear up for your next outdoor adventure! EXPED USA has a wide selection of durable gear bags, backpacking and camping mats, sleeping bags and waterproof packs. Check out my gear review articles: Sleeping Pad Review - EXPED Flex Mat Plus M and EXPED Ultra 3R Sleeping Mat.

KÜHL outdoor apparel. KÜHL is proud to be one of the few remaining privately owned and independent companies in the outdoor space. Check out my most recent gear review article: KÜHL Women’s Freeflex Roll-Up Pant. 

Kelty - Provides outdoor gear including backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and packs, plus kids gear, tactical gear and more. 

Platypus - Provides water filtration systems, hydration packs and water bottles for hiking and backpacking. 

REI - Provides outdoor gear (backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, trekking poles, hiking boots + much more) and apparel, guided adventure trips, classes and outdoor events. 

Thermarest - Provides sleeping pads, sleeping bags, cots, and sleeping systems for camping and backpacking.

All Trails - Great for locating hikes near you and planning a hike. Contains trail maps and reviews. You need to upgrade to the Pro version to get offline trail navigation capabilty.

HiiKER - discover thousands of trails worldwide, download free offline maps for National Parks and other great hiking trails, create custom hikes, import GPX files, track your hikes, and plan ahead by discovering accomodations and amenity options for your outdoor adventures. 

Maps.me - free downloadable maps allowing you to see your position along trails while offline.

Modern Hiker: California Trails - Locate trail informaton including conditions, camping info, and directions for the Southern California region. You can download one trail map for use offline for free, then you must upgrade to a subscription for additional offline capability.

Mile Marker Memories - National Parks travel, outdoor weekend getways and travel tips for families.

The Modern Female Hiker -  blog for outdoor lovers, dog parents (we have a chocolate lab and a basset hound) & weekend warriors!

A Full Guide on Hiking With Your Dog - This website provides information on exercise for your dog including a great guide on hiking with dogs along with the best scenic dog walking routes in the UK.

Wisconsin State Park Dogs - If you live near or plan to travel to WI, this website will help you plan your hiking trip with dogs to Wisconsin's State Parks. The book "A Dog Lover's Guide to Hiking Wisconsin's State Parks"  divides Wisconsin into five regions providing details on specific dog-friendly trails.     

RVing with a Disability - This RV resources article provides insight on what you need to know about RVing with a disability.

Wilderness First Aid Basics - This article provides important information on how to handle wilderness emergencies and was provided by Pacific Medical Training.

The Most Underrated Park in Every State - written by Outside. This article provides a description of one "underrated" state park, preserve or national monument for each of the 50 states in the U.S. Escape the crowds of the most popular national parks by visiting these locations!

More to Come!  If you have a hiking or camping resource you'd like included on this page or if you have an outdoor hiking, camping or adventure blog geared toward families, please email us at ContactUs@HikingBingo.com for the chance to be featured here or to write a guest blog post!