Speaking up for rural recreation

How low-impact camping spurs rural economic development

Low-impact camping is a powerful tool for rural communities, especially those facing tough environmental and economic conditions like droughts, recessions, transitioning economies, and inflation. 

By giving rural landowners the chance to benefit directly from outdoor recreation, low-impact camping is bridging the rural-urban divide and supporting rural communities as they diversify their economies with sustainable tourism. 

At Hipcamp, 66% of our Hosts use the revenue generated from low-impact camping to reinvest in their properties or pay taxes; this land use is helping landowners, farmers, and ranchers keep their land undeveloped and in family ownership for another generation.

Not only is low-impact camping good for rural landowners, but it’s also great for rural economies:


  • Generating local tax revenue: In 2022, Hipcamp Hosts in the U.S. alone contributed up to $2.8 million in transient occupancy taxes to local governments, helping fund programs for tourism marketing, conservation, open space, affordable housing, and more. Hipcamp is just a segment of the private-land camping market; this land use has the potential to be a huge boon for rural community coffers. 


  • Support for small businesses: During an average visit, campers who book through Hipcamp spend $300 at local restaurants, cafes, gear shops, farm stands, and more, providing sustainable revenue to small businesses. Private-land camping is supporting tourists who want to visit local businesses and small towns, as well as sending new patrons to small businesses who benefit from additional visitation.


  • Job creation: landowners who host campers are job creators – they are employing local community members as landscapers, cleaning staff, gardeners, farm assistants, and more with the revenue brought in via hosting campers.

Low-impact camping is an economic driver that helps rural communities maintain community values and leverage outdoor recreation to grow in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly way. 

Hipcamp wants to work with you and your community to ensure we are growing the outdoor recreation industry in your community responsibly. Contact us via email at policy@hipcamp.com for more information.

The Camping Advocacy Network is powered by Hipcamp, Inc.