Hipcamp offers options for unique, affordable back-to-nature experience
Christina Bloodgood and five-year-old son Maddox chose to spend some special time together camping without the bother of setting up tents, much less towing a camper trailer.
The timing was right. "He’s about to start kindergarten and I just wanted to have him get away from everything prior to starting school for the first time," said Bloodgood.
Bloodgood searched online for Hipcamp options. She chose one hosted by Ivonne Paris on the outskirts of Chapel Hill in Orange County. Her barn style home is surrounded by a few acres of wooded property near the end of a long dirt and gravel road.
Hipcamp works like AirBNB. Travelers search through a variety of host sites. They can choose their preferred level of comfort and seclusion.
Some enjoy showing up with a pitched and outfitted tent ready to receive them. Others prefer "glamping" which could include staying in an RV or in Paris’s small Shasta trailer which she calls "Towanda."
"You know, she’s got a bathroom on board and a television and air conditioning on super hot days," said Paris.
The Hipcamp posting lists the price of the experience at an affordable $64 per night.
As more people avoided the risks of crowded resort vacations during the pandemic, Paris says Hipcamp bookings increased dramatically. "It’s a wonderful side income that allows me to do more things to the land. Live the dream, if you will. I’ve got mini-donkeys coming soon," said Paris.
A key attraction for young Maddox Bloodgood was Paris’ chicken coop. Paris let Maddox keep a few of their eggs. Then she allowed her four hens to leave their coop so Maddox could carefully walk among them and actually pet one.
Paris believes the experience is a far better value than large resort hotels. She said, "Why take a five star hotel when you can have a 5 million star hotel?"
Hipcamp officials point to added benefits for communities near host sites. The average Hipcamp family spends $300 during their stay at nearby restaurants and grocery stores.
