Nothing says summer like a camping trip, but with more people than ever getting outside, it can be hard to secure a campground reservation. CampScanner is here to help: The newly-launched platform helps RVers, tent campers, and outdoor enthusiasts find openings at some of the toughest-to-find campsites across the United States, including over 12,500 campgrounds at 4,900 parks.
"The process of booking campgrounds has become increasingly challenging with the recent road travel boom," Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts, the parent company of the platform, said in a press release. "We are thrilled to launch CampScanner to help bring back the joy of last-minute travel and ease of booking on-the-go for campers across the country."
What Is CampScanner?
CampScanner is an online tool designed to help travelers and campers find a wide range of campgrounds and outdoor destinations that are typically full and impossible to book.
The tool pulls information from various websites like Recreation.gov, CA..gov, and Reserve America to "scan" for any cancellations. When a sold-out campground becomes available, CampScanner alerts users of that open spot based on their preferred locations and travel dates.
However, once the traveler receives a notification that something is open, it is up to the user to reserve a spot directly through the campground's original booking system.
"When camping is at an all-time high, the earlier you know about an opening and the faster you can act on it, the better your chances will be at securing your dream camping destination," Harvest Hosts stated in a press release.
How Does It Work?
CampScanner is meant to simplify the process of finding and booking camping sites. Here's how it generally works:
- Search and explore campgrounds: Once travelers visit the website CampScanner.com, they will search for any camping sites or parks based on their preferred location and timeline.
- Create a scan: After users select a destination, they will then create a "scan" or choose their preferred campgrounds in that park and address other criteria such as dates and vehicle length.
- Reserve a spot: As soon as users create a "scan," they will then receive a text or email notification if and when reservations open up. If a camping site is available, travelers will be prompted to reserve a spot as soon as possible on the campgrounds booking system.
What Camping Sites Are Included?
Whether you prefer a lakeside retreat or a cozy campground tucked in the woods, CampScanner searches for openings at more than 200,000 campsites at 12,500 campgrounds in over 4,900 national and state parks.
Some of the parks and campgrounds on CampScanner include:
- Upper Pines Campground at Yosemite National Park
- Blackwoods Campground at Acadia National Park
- Signal Mountain Campground at Grand Teton National Park
- Hoh Rainforest Campground at Olympic National Park
- Sprague Creek Campground at Glacier National Park
- Moraine Park Campground at Rocky Mountain National Park
- Indian Creek Campground at Yellowstone National Park
- Devils Garden Campground at Arches National Park
- Halfway Group Campground at Sequoia National Forest
- Abrams Creek Campground at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
How Much Does It Cost?
Travelers who want to use the CampScanner tool will need to purchase a membership. There are three different options to choose from based on the frequency at which you camp as well as the campground where you are trying to book a site.
Scans represents the action of browsing and searching through CampScanner's database to find your desired camping destination. Scans occur up to every five minutes and can match CampScanner users with the thousands of last-minute cancellations daily.
Concurrent scans mean running a certain number of scans at the same time. For example, if you wanted to book a site at a campground at Yosemite National Park but also for Glacier National Park, you could run both of those scans at the same time.
Basecamp
Cost: $39/year
What it includes:
- Unlimited notifications
- Scans every 15 minutes
- Up to 5 concurrent scans (running a certain number of scans at the same time)
Trailhead
Cost: $49/year
What it includes:
- Unlimited notifications
- Scans every 10 minutes
- Up to 10 concurrent scans
Summit
Cost: $79/year
What it includes:
- Unlimited notifications
- Scans every 5 minutes
- Up to 15 concurrent scans
However, CampScanner is offering a 15% off discount on the cost of your annual membership. You can use the code INTRO15 when you sign up. For more information, visit their website
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