Campsite booking platform Hipcamp and specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op announced the launch of the “Summer of Magic Campout Series,” a campaign offering complimentary stays at some of Hipcamp’s campsites across the country during peak weekends, as well as outdoor gear packages and guided experiences.
Focused on making the outdoors more accessible throughout the popular summer travel months, the company said the Summer of Magic campaign will allow thousands of people to experience the joy of being outside.
In recent years, campers have stated that finding a good campsite is one of their main challenges to getting outside. Demand for camping is showing no signs of slowing down. Hipcamp is seeing 75%+ year-on-year traffic growth in the U.S. this year. And the 2023 Outdoor Participation Trends Report from the Outdoor Industry Association revealed a 12% increase in camping with 51.4 million campers registered last year.
How to attend the Summer of Magic:
- Get on the list: Sign up with your email and/or get the Hipcamp app to be notified when new campouts are announced.
- Wait for an invite: Watch for campout announcements throughout the summer. The company said at least six announcements are planned.
- RSVP: Hipcamp Magic Passes are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. If you don’t get one, don’t worry – you can try again on the next drop.
A “Magic Pass” opens access to the best Hipcamp locations on the best weekends, the company said, as well as gear packages, guided experiences and more from REI and surprise guests. A Magic Pass might include things like enjoying a five-star catered meal in the great outdoors with a dozen friends, snagging a last-minute camping spot next to a waterfall during a holiday weekend or arriving at the campsite knowing it’s already pre-outfitted with brand-new REI camping gear, dry firewood and a s’mores kit.
To kick off the Summer of Magic, the first drop gives campers a chance to experience the total solar eclipse at award-winning Hipcamps along the path of totality. Some recipients will also have the chance to participate in a night hike and star talk with the REI Experiences team, or could receive a REI camping gear package. Additional eclipse campouts include a scenic, pet-friendly campground in Arkansas, a private and quiet site in Texas and a family-friendly getaway nestled in the highlands of Ohio and many more.
“We believe that nature — and spending time outside immersed in it — is a magical experience,” said Alyssa Ravasio, Hipcamp CEO and founder. “One of the best ways to tap into that experience is camping, but finding a great spot during the peak summer season can be tough, especially if you’re booking last minute. That’s why we’re so excited to work with REI to help thousands more campers accomplish our mission to get people outside.”
“As people continue their camping traditions, we hear from our members that available campsites, when and where they want them, are challenging to find due to many getting reserved early. Hipcamp makes thousands of additional camp sites available to campers across the nation,” said Paolo Mottola, REI divisional vice president of brand marketing. “At REI, we connect our customers to the outdoors with gear, apparel, classes and advice in our stores and online. This collaboration offers members more options to get outfitted and get outside.”
To learn more about the Summer of Magic campaign, visit hipcamp.com/magic.