Best Camping and Hiking Apps

Your smartphone can be a powerful tool for outdoor adventure. Here are the essential apps every camper should know.

Campsite Finding

Recreation.gov

• Official federal campground reservations
• Real-time availability
• Park information
• Free

The Dyrt

• User reviews of campgrounds
• Photos from real campers
• Free and Pro versions
• Covers private and public lands

Hipcamp

• Private land camping
• Unique stays
• Booking platform
• Like Airbnb for camping

Freecampsites.net

• User-submitted free camping spots
• Reviews and directions
• Great for dispersed camping

Navigation

Gaia GPS

• Downloaded maps for offline use
• Multiple map layers
• Track recording
• Industry standard ($40/year)

AllTrails

• Trail finding and reviews
• Offline maps (Pro)
• User photos and conditions
• Free basic version

Google Maps

• Download offline areas
• Basic but reliable
• Good for driving to trailheads

Weather

Weather Underground

• Detailed forecasts
• Hourly predictions
• Weather maps

Mountain Forecast

• Specific to mountain conditions
• Elevation-based forecasts

Utilities

SkyView

• Star and constellation identification
• Point phone at sky
• Free version available

PeakFinder

• Mountain identification
• Augmented reality view
• Works offline

Download before you lose signal! 📱