1. Google Maps
Free
Android, iOS, Windows
Google Maps has always been my go to navigation app since it replaced the archaic art form of printing out directions from Map Quest. Google Maps is always my guide even if it’s a frequented route to a favorite destination, as its fairly reliable for keeping up-to-date with traffic delays and road closures.
2. Reserve America
Free
Android & iOS
Reserve America gives campers easy access to state and private campgrounds all across the country. Interactive campground maps provide excellent detailed information on site length and width, grade, shade/sun, vehicle limit, maximum vehicle length, how far away from restrooms, water supply etc.
RA only includes state and private campgrounds. To access the National Park’s reservation system, you will need their app.
3. Recreation.gov
Free
Android, iOS
Recreation.gov is your portal to the National Parks System’s reservation service, lottery system, and ticket and tour information. This app offers a similar easy and super informative interface much like Reserve America’s.
4. Seek
Free
Android & iOS
Animal and Plant Identification
Seek is one of my all-time favorite apps. I use it constantly at home and on the road to identify all things living. It’s fairly accurate even at questionable distances. It comes with an impressive set of challenges to complete as well as gold, silver, and bronze species badges to earn. Animal and plant identification is a fun, immersive, and educational way to enrich your camping experience.
5. All Stays Camp & RV
$9.99 one-time purchase
iOS only
All Stays Camp & RV claims to be #1 selling, # 1 ranked, and #1 reviewed Camping App in 104 months. It’s a pay one price $9.99 investment and it’s only available for iOS. I’m pretty cheap when it comes to apps, but let me tell you, this one is worth it. For ten bucks you get access to so much information that’s all presented to you in a simple map layout with the ability to filter as little or as less as you’d like.
Their database of 30,000 campgrounds includes US & Canadian State and National Parks, County/City Parks, BLM Lands, Army Corp and Military famcamps, KOAs, Good Sams, private campgrounds, and primitive hike-in/boat-in spots that other maps exclude. It also includes campground details like website, phone number, rates, hook-ups, amps, big rig access, water, showers, toilets, laundry, pool, propane, pet friendly, RV dump station, firewood, boat launch and Wi-Fi.
It also tells you the location of Wal-Marts (with overnight parking reports), Sam’s Clubs, Costco, truck stops with amenities (chain stops have their logo with fuel prices), stores (Camping World, REI, Cabelas, Gander Mtn, Bass Pro), RV services, overhead clearance, rest areas, welcome centers and more.
6. Trip Advisor
Free
Android, iOS, Web Browser
Trip Advisor lets you set a central location and explore all that area has to offer through categories like dinning, top attractions, things to do, lodging (including campgrounds) and more. User generated reviews provide you with a wealth of insight and photos to assist your crucial destination decisions.
7. All Trails
Free (Includes subscription service for premium features)
Android, iOS, Windows
Search over 100,000 trails in All Trail’s expansive database of maps that includes user generated and crowdsourced reviews and images. Track your hikes and create lists of trails you plan to explore. Premium features include the ability to download maps to your phone, so you always know where you are even when you have no signal. I use All Trails to find pet friendly trails not just on the road but here at home too.
8. Indiana DNR
Free
Android, iOS
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources online app gives campers easy access to all the information the typically seek online. The app features a list of all property maps (trail maps) and campground maps in PDF format (which can be stored on your phone and viewed offline) and an interactive state map helps you find DNR properties. The app also has fishing regulations, fish species guide, fishing reports, hunting regulations and check-in stations, and a feature that allows users to report polluters and poachers to conservation officers.
Many states have an online app available for outdoor recreation and if they don’t have an app, they certainly have a website. The National Parks System also has several apps available.
9. Overdrive
Free with a library card
Android, iOS, Windows
Overdrive is an application that enables users to access audiobooks, eBooks, movies and magazines via a library card. Using my public library card, I can access thousands of audiobooks that I enjoy listening to on the road or on a quiet evening when I find myself all alone.
10. Adobe Photoshop Express
Free ($4.99/mo. subscription service for premium features.)
Android, iOS, Windows
Adobe Photoshop Express is an amazing photo editing app. Enhance and stylize your photos using a wide range of dynamic effects and filters, adjust color and lighting, retouch blemishes, and remove red eye. The iOS version allows you to remove backgrounds and create a transparent image. Photoshop Express premium is another one of my favorite paid apps I cannot live without. Its powerful editing tools give me the ability to turn my every-day phone pics into beautiful, creative photos I can edit and share on the go.
Honorable Mentions
The Weather Channel (free) lets me save frequented destinations for quick and easy forecasts.
Apple Music ($9.99/mo.) is another app I need for daily life and comes in real handy when we’re camping and can only get one station on the radio.
Facebook (free) has countless groups on camping. Winter camping, tent camping, RV camping, boondocking, van camping, canoe camping, women’s camping, camping with pets, local camping, state park camping. There’s literally a Facebook group or five for every specific form of camping you can think of and many more you’d never thought.
According to Google…
According to Google, you should also check out:
- The Dyrt (Free) 500,000+ campsites, reviews & tips
- Hipcamp (Free) Glamping
- REI Co-op National Parks Guide (Free)
- Campendium (Free) RV, Tent campground reviews
- Boondocking (Free) Submitted locations for boondockers
Live Love Camping 
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