What’s a surefire way to attract more Hipcampers? Positive reviews. Collecting them early on is the best way to expedite your listing’s success, because positive reviews make it really easy for future Hipcampers to decide they want to book with you.
We’ve found that Hosts who get great reviews tend to focus on five things: setting expectations with accurate land details, proactive communication, prioritizing privacy, clear directions for arrival and check-in, and regular upkeep.
Here are some helpful tips for improving the guest experience.
👨🏻💻 Expectations
A great Hipcamp experience starts before the guest even books. Your listing should provide an accurate and detailed picture of what campers can expect. This ensures that only guests who are a good fit book your property, reducing the chances of misunderstandings or negative reviews.
- Update your land and site description to include information campers will need to decide if your property is the best fit for them.
- Move critical information to the top of your description to ensure that your most important information will be seen by potential Hipcampers.
- Use high quality, up-to-date photos—learn more here.
📞 Communication
Hipcamp Hosts who get the best reviews are either Instant Book or have a 100% Response Rate—which means they don’t expire any booking requests—and always respond to booking requests in less than 6 hours. Being responsive early-on helps establish trust with your Hipcamper, while being communicative about rules and need-to-know info helps make their check-in process smooth (and yours too!)
- Enable Instant Book so Hipcampers don't have to wait to confirm their booking.
- Answer any questions the Hipcamper has about their stay in a timely manner.
- Setup a scheduled message to send upon booking confirmation, providing key details and any information they may need in advance.
- Keep in touch about the Hipcamper’s expected arrival time.
- Greet the Hipcamper when they arrive, and make sure they know their way around the property.
🌳 Privacy
Every Hipcamper has a different idea of the perfect stay, but we've found that many are looking for peace and solitude. Setting clear expectations about privacy helps campers feel comfortable and ensures they have the experience they’re looking for.
- Add photos and update your land and site description to let campers know how close they’ll be to your home, other campers, neighbors, major roads, etc.
- If you have multiple sites, consider how close they are to one another to prevent campers from feeling overcrowded.
🗺️ Directions for arrival and check-in
The last thing a camper wants after a long drive is to struggle to find their site. Confusing directions or unclear arrival instructions can set a negative tone before their stay even begins. The easier you make their arrival, the better their first impression will be.
- Ensure your directions and arrival instructions are accurate and clear. If GPS is unreliable or you're in a remote area, include landmarks, distances, and turn-by-turn instructions in your arrival instructions.
- Specify whether campers should use Google Maps, Apple Maps, or if neither is accurate.
- If your property has multiple entrances, specify which one to use to avoid unnecessary detours.
- Let guests know where to park, how to locate their site, and where to find key amenities like water or toilets.
- Onsite signs are a big help in pointing your Hipcampers in the right direction—check out our official Hipcamp Signs, available for free print-at-home download or as physical signs for purchase.
- Don't forget to be available for any questions during check-in. A simple “Let me know if you need anything!” message can ease any arrival concerns.
🚗 Camping vehicle access
Not all camping vehicles can handle every type of terrain. Ensuring that campers know exactly what to expect for vehicle access prevents confusion, frustration, and potential damage to your land.
- If 4WD or high clearance is needed, make this clear in your description so that campers know before they book.
- Update your RV/Caravan accessibility settings to ensure campers are given accurate information, including allowed vehicle types, maximum RV length, and available hookups.
- If your property has narrow roads, steep inclines, or low-hanging branches, note this in your listing and arrival instructions.
- If sites are not level, require backing in, or have tight turns, note this in your listing and arrival instructions.
- Ensure your site meets the needs of RV travelers—use this guide to determine what your space can accommodate.
🛠️ Upkeep
A well-maintained site isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about functionality, safety, and guest comfort. A clean, well-kept space makes a great first impression and ensures campers can fully relax and enjoy their stay. Taking the time to regularly check on the conditions of your sites helps prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems and leads to consistently positive reviews.
- Regularly remove trash, debris, fallen branches, or any hazards that could make the space feel unkempt or unsafe.
- Keep grass trimmed and pathways clear to ensure easy access and a tidy appearance.
- Keep amenities stocked and clean, especially toilet facilities.
- Consider seasonal factors, such as clearing fallen leaves in autumn or checking for muddy areas after heavy rain, to keep your site in top shape year-round.
- Adjust your advance notice setting so you’ll have more time to prepare for your future campers once you receive a booking.
💰Value
Pricing plays a big role in guest expectations. If your site is priced too high without the amenities to match, guests may feel shortchanged. On the flip side, underpricing can undermine your site’s perceived value.
- Research similar Hipcamp listings in your area to find the right balance between affordability and profitability.
- Ensure the price of your campsite is priced fairly considering your location, accommodation type, amenities, and unique features.
- Consider offering extras such as customizable experiences, rentals, goods, and firewood bundles.
- Take advantage of our advanced pricing tools, such as weeknight discounts and holiday pricing.
🚀 Going above and beyond
The little details can make all the difference. Small, thoughtful touches can turn a good experience into a great one, leaving a lasting impression on your guests and making them more likely to leave a glowing review, recommend your site to others, and return for another stay.
- Recommend your favorite restaurants, activities, and nearby trails, either in person or a printout left at their site.
- Provide coffee fixings or s’mores waiting for them at their site.
- Surprise guests with a farm-fresh breakfast or a homemade treat to make their morning extra special.
- Invite them to gather fresh eggs or hand-pick vegetables from your garden for a unique farm-to-table experience.
- Setup a scheduled message to send after checkout encouraging the guest to leave you a review.