Photos by Hipcamp
Whether you’re into camping or glamping, this campground collective has the perfect place for you to pitch a tent in the region.
There’s something to be said for leaving the creature comforts of home behind to embrace the great outdoors during a camping trip in the Hudson Valley. Not only is camping a chance to drop the phone, unplug from the computer, and forget about Instagram for a minute, but it’s also an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Plus, in a region defined by breathtaking landscapes, rivers, and mountainsides, there’s no better place to pitch a tent than in the Hudson Valley.
Luckily, Hipcamp is here to help with that. As the largest online resource for public and private camping grounds, Hipcamp connects campers with the perfect campgrounds for them. On its website, it offers everything from traditional camping to glamping, with locations ranging from secluded forests to rolling farmland.
In the Hudson Vallley, Hipcamp finds a perfect home among landowners in search of a side hustle and visitors who crave an escape into nature. During the COVID-19 crisis, the platform has seen a significant uptick in interest, with the potential for landowner profits expanding tremendously. According to the brand, in June 2020 alone, landowners made three times as much as they did during that same period in 2019. That’s a significant increase in profits for individuals and businesses that may have taken a hit during the pandemic.
“We’re grateful that we can help Hudson Valley landowners maintain a steady stream of earnings through Hipcamp during such a difficult time economically,” says Hipcamp founder and CEO Alyssa Ravasio. “Some of our most successful hosts are making upwards of $100k in their first few months on Hipcamp.”
In fact, Hipcamp’s increase in traffic has been so significant that the company is currently supply constrained. It encourages landowners who are interested to apply to be a host online. Once part of the program, hosts can offer “extras” ranging from chef-cooked meals with local ingredients to firewood add-ons for campfires or even vow celebrations for couples.
In the Hudson Valley, Hipcamp offers 61 locations for visitors to explore. Near Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, the glamping tent at Treetopia tempts campers who want a little more luxury. For a more classic camping experience, this Cedar Branch Circle spot has space for four guests per site, with campfires allowed. Plus, for tiny home lovers, this little Tudor at Happy Yogic Homestead is a bitty delight next to a horse pasture and vineyard. And did we mention how cool this Catskill Airstream with pool access looks?
As far as why Hipcamp is so popular right now, it all comes down to a desire to get outside and have fun while social distancing.
“Getting outside is more important than ever because it is a great source of healing, both physically and mentally,” Ravasio explains. As she notes, Hipcamp makes it possible for visitors to experience the best of the Hudson Valley’s diverse terrain, with campgrounds located in hidden forests, near horse stables, beside country houses, and atop grassy meadows. At each venue, Hipcamp ensures that hosts, campers, and the community stay safe through its COVID-19 safety guidelines. Within them, the company stresses the significance of things like “leave no trace,” fire safety, and physical distancing.
While Hipcamp hosts certainly see their fair share of out-of-towners, Ravasio notes that there’s a surge in local travel as well.
“People are traveling on average 40 percent closer to home on Hipcamp than they did this time last year,” she reveals. Looking ahead, she and the brand hope to work with more landowners in the Hudson Valley to help them add new revenue streams to their farms, vineyards, and vacant plots. As the collaboration gives hosts more pocket money, it offers users the unique opportunity to get outside, discover the hidden beauty of the region, and support the Hudson Valley community at large.
Want to learn more about Hipcamp or find a campsite near you? Start here.
