Best Camping Apps for Android & iOS in 2024

When it comes to camping, finding the perfect site for your trip is crucial, and using the right camping app or tool makes it a million times easier. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a beginner, these apps can help you navigate the wilderness, find the best campsites, and make your outdoor adventure a memorable one.

Best Camping Apps For Android And iOS

The Dyrt

The Dyrt app is a must-have for tent and RV campers. Easily find and book campsites across the U.S. with its huge database, read detailed reviews from fellow campers, and get helpful tips. Its user-friendly interface and rich info make it the perfect companion for your next outdoor adventure, helping you discover the best spots with insider knowledge.

• Cost: $35.99 per year (billed annually)
• Platform: iOS, Android
• Location: United States
• Offline functionality: Yes, downloadable maps
• Free version includes: Limited features, access to campsite information and user reviews
• Premium offers include: Unlimited stops, customisable route planning, fuel and gas stop estimation

View Ranger

Knowing your location, destination, and route is essential. While paper maps are reliable, they can be cumbersome. Your phone, however, is always handy. With a click, you can pinpoint your location, generate routes, or follow existing ones. Among many GPS apps, ViewRanger stands out. It offers route finding, walking routes, and more. Crucially, it works offline and is trusted by outdoor professionals and over 400 Search and Rescue teams across the US, Canada, and Europe.

• Cost: Free with premium version available starting at £4.99 per year
• Platform: IOS and Android
• Location: Worldwide
• Offline functionality: Yes
• Unlimited OS maps for Great Britain - try free for 7 days
• Augmented Reality (AR) available - you know, that thing where you hold your phone up and the app tells you stuff about what's around you
• Free terrain maps that cover the whole world, and partners with official mapping agencies in 23 countries to offer highly-detailed topographic maps
• No phone signal needed

Gaia GPS

Gaia GPS is a favorite among Android users for free camping apps, offering detailed offroad and hiking maps. Perfect for backcountry explorers, the app provides topographic maps, satellite imagery, and hiking trails. Users can plan routes, mark waypoints, and record their journeys, even in remote locations. Gaia GPS is an essential tool for anyone venturing into the wilderness.

• Cost: Free version available with standard membership for $17 and premium version for $36 per year
• Platform: IOS and Android
• Location: Worldwide
• Offline functionality: Yes
• Free version includes: route planning, marking waypoints, recording your trip, using GPS, taking pictures, sharing with friends, backing up to gaiagps.com
• Premium offers include: Expanded European Maps, specialised overlays for professionals, & National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps

All Trails

All Trails is a favourite among outdoor enthusiasts, helping users find the best hiking, biking, and running trails from a massive library of over 100,000 hand-curated maps, complete with reviews and photos. Its real-time map overlay is handy for tricky parts, and it offers kid and dog-friendly routes. Users can log their trips and find camping spots too. While there's some overlap with other apps, many use All Trails to discover new routes and turn to Gaia GPS or ViewRanger for backcountry navigation.

• Cost: Free
• Platform: IOS and Android
• Location: Worldwide
• Offline functionality: Yes
• Filter by length, rating, and difficulty level
• Get driving directions
• Save favourite trails
• Create custom maps
• Active community of 20 million AllTrails users

Campspot: RV & Tent Camping

Campspot is a user-friendly app available on iOS and Android, offering easy booking for tent and RV campers across North America. With over 230,000 campsites, from rustic to luxury, finding your ideal spot is effortless. Instant booking, detailed campground information, and savings opportunities make Campspot a must-have for seamless camping adventures.

• Cost: Free to use, no membership required
• Platform: iOS, Android
• Location: United States, Canada
• Offline functionality: No
• Key features: Instant booking, extensive database of campsites, user-friendly interface, Sensible Weather Guarantee, and discounts/deals

Campendium

Campendium is a fantastic resource for finding free RV parking spots. With a large database of public and private campgrounds, you can easily locate a place to park your RV without breaking the bank.

• Cost: Free
• Platform: iOS, Android
• Location: Worldwide
• Offline functionality: Yes, downloadable maps
• Free version includes: Full access to campsite information and user reviews
• Premium offers include: None

Sky Walk 2

Stargazing while camping is a delightful experience, and apps can enhance it significantly. Sky Walk 2 is among the top choices, with over 10 million downloads. Its user-friendly interface and impressive Augmented Reality feature make identifying stars, planets, and satellites in real-time a breeze. Plus, the app provides the latest news from the world of outer space and astronomy, adding another layer of fascination to your camping adventure.

• Cost: free
• Platform: IOS and Android
• Location: Worldwide
• Offline functionality: Yes
• Real-time sky map
• Learn about the solar system, constellations, stars, and space
• AR star gazing
• Space news

Photo Pills

Photopills is a must-have for night-time and astrophotography enthusiasts. Its powerful features include Augmented Reality for visualizing celestial elements' positions and precise timing for capturing specific shots, like the moon between cliffs. With video tutorials to aid learning, it's worth mastering. From calibrating camera focus for flawless time-lapses to planning Milky Way shoots, it's a game-changer for camping photographers.

• Cost: $9.99
• Platform: IOS and Android
• Location: Worldwide
• Offline functionality: Yes
• Powerful planning tool
• Customisable widgets
• Spits out timelapse settings for you

Additional Tips and Tricks

• Use Multiple Apps: Don't rely on just one app for your camping needs. Use a combination of apps to find the best campsites, plan your trip, and stay organised.
• Read Reviews: When choosing a campsite, always read reviews from other campers to make an informed decision.
• Plan Ahead: Book your sites early, especially during peak season, to secure the best campsites.
• Stay Connected: Join online communities or forums to connect with fellow campers for valuable advice and insights.

Conclusion

Camping is an incredible way to connect with nature and experience the great outdoors. With the right apps and tools, you can make your camping trip even more enjoyable and memorable. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a beginner, these essential apps for camping will help you navigate the wilderness, find the best campsites, and make your outdoor adventure a success.