Should you build a product in this niche? An answer from the numbers: search demand, competitors, napkin economics and what to build first.
Updated · How TGGET measures a niche
Verdict · confidence: high
The camping app niche shows declining demand (-19% YoY) and high competition in app stores, dominated by giants like The Dyrt. However, user complaints reveal significant pain points: misleading billing, expensive subscriptions, and poor value for free camping seekers. This creates a clear opportunity for a transparent, genuinely free or low-cost alternative. The search landscape is mixed with some weak SERPs, allowing entry via specific long-tail keywords. The decision is 'maybe' due to the strong negative trend and high CAC, but the specific pain points provide a viable differentiation strategy if executed with strict transparency.
| Factor | Value | Level | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demand | 2,900 searches a month | medium | 0 |
| Change over a year | -19% over a year | stable | 0 |
| App store | 13 of 43 apps with 10,000+ ratings, median 116 ratings | contested | 0 |
| Search results | 1 of 3 checked search results are weak, 0 strong | mixed | 0 |
| Paid traffic | $2.71 a click, people pay in this niche | medium | 0 |
Sum of scores: 0. The verdict is computed by rules from the numbers of the research; its explanation is written by the model.
Source: TGGET, researched on 29 September 2026.
Entry point: "best app for camping": 590 searches a month, weak search results.
Positioning
A transparent, community-driven camping app focused on free and dispersed camping, with no hidden fees or misleading subscriptions. We provide accurate, user-verified spots and clear pricing.
For whom: Budget-conscious campers, RV owners, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for free or low-cost camping spots who are frustrated with expensive and misleading apps.
Main job: Find reliable, free camping spots without being tricked into expensive subscriptions or encountering outdated information.
Platform
IOS+ANDROID
Monetization: Freemium with transparent premium features · Competitors like The Dyrt use a freemium model but are criticized for it. A transparent approach can differentiate.
1Users feel tricked by hidden fees and complex subscription models. They are frustrated when they cannot cancel easily or are charged unexpectedly. strong
Evidence: 12 complaints from The Dyrt reviews mention misleading billing, high prices, and difficult cancellation processes.
What the product does: Offer a truly free core experience with optional, transparent premium features. No hidden fees, easy cancellation, and clear pricing upfront.
2Users are frustrated that existing apps do not show enough free or dispersed camping spots, or the information is outdated. strong
Evidence: Complaints mention 'Does not show any free camping spots' and 'Standard info. Everything this app provides i can find for free with simple internet searches.'
What the product does: Focus on user-generated content for free and dispersed camping spots. Implement a robust verification system to ensure accuracy and freshness.
3Users want to upload their own spots and photos but find the process difficult or restricted in existing apps. medium
Evidence: Complaints mention 'Can’t upload new spots' and 'very difficult and won’t work.'
What the product does: Make the spot upload process simple, intuitive, and rewarding. Encourage community contributions with easy-to-use tools.
| Feature | Pain | Priority | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Spot Search | №2 | must | Addresses the core pain point of finding free camping spots, which is underserved by paid apps. |
| Transparent Pricing Model | №1 | must | Directly addresses the trust issue and billing complaints from competitors. |
| Simple Spot Upload | №3 | should | Encourages community growth and addresses the difficulty of contributing in other apps. |
| User Reviews and Verification | №2 | should | Ensures data accuracy and builds trust, countering the 'standard info' complaint. |
| Competitor | Type | Pricing | App | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thestokefam.com The Stoke Fam: Outdoor Adventures & Gear for the PNW & Beyond - The Stoke Fam | site | yes | no | — |
| winnebago.com Home - Winnebago | SaaS | yes | no | — |
| freecampsites.net Free Camping Near You | Go Camping for Free! | site | yes | yes | — |
| recreation.gov Recreation.gov - Camping, Cabins, RVs, Permits, Passes & More | SaaS | no | no | — |
| ioverlander.com iOverlander | Find your next destination | SaaS | no | yes | — |
| campnado.com Campnado - Find the Best Free Campsites! | site | no | no | — |
| Recreation.gov Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. | App Store | free | yes | 4.9 · 386,064 |
| National Park Service National Park Service | App Store | free | yes | 4.9 · 131,404 |
| The Dyrt: RV & Free Camping The Dyrt, Inc | App Store | free | yes | 4.8 · 123,481 |
| Harvest Hosts - RV Camping Harvest Hosts, LLC | App Store | free | yes | 4.9 · 66,511 |
| Hipcamp: Camping, RVs & Cabins HIPCAMP INC. | App Store | free | yes | 4.9 · 55,162 |
Price
$4.99/month or $49.99/year for premium features
Competitors charge around $4.99-$19.99/month. Our pricing is transparent and lower than the most complained-about premium tiers.
Does it add up
Economics are viable if retention is high. CAC of $27.10 is covered by the first 3 months of subscription revenue.
Customer acquisition cost
$27.10 (assuming 10% conversion rate from paid search click to paid user)
Paid search: CPC $2.71 · bids $0.58–$3.67 · competition: Moderate
Revenue per customer
$59.90 (assuming $4.99/month price and 12-month retention)
Assumptions to validate:
Product · 18 · 6,290
freedom camping app (880) · camping spots app (590) · dispersed camping app (590) · app for camping sites (320) · app for rv camping (320) · camping app (2,900)
Commercial · 11 · 1,340
camping app free (880) · free dispersed camping app (170) · free camping app usa (70) · free camping app for android (30) · free rv camping app (50) · free camping site app (30)
Comparisons · 11 · 1,460
best app for free camping (260) · best app for camping (590) · best rv camping app (210) · best dispersed camping app (170) · best free rv camping app (50) · best app to find free camping (30)
home · Core
title: Find Free Camping Spots | Transparent Camping App (49)
H1: Find Free Camping Spots Without Hidden Fees
description: Discover free and dispersed camping spots with our transparent camping app. No hidden fees, easy uploads, and accurate info. (124)
camping app · free camping app · free dispersed camping app
Compete with The Dyrt and Recreation.gov by emphasizing transparency and free spots.
comparison · Comparisons
title: Best Camping Apps Compared | Free vs Paid (41)
H1: Best Camping Apps Compared: Free vs Paid
description: Compare the best camping apps. See why our transparent, free-focused app is better than expensive alternatives. (111)
best app for camping · best app for free camping · best rv camping app
Target comparison queries to capture users researching options.
blog · Informational
title: How to Find Free Dispersed Camping (34)
H1: How to Find Free Dispersed Camping
description: Learn how to find free dispersed camping spots with our guide. Tips, tools, and apps for budget campers. (104)
free dispersed camping app · best free dispersed camping app
Create content around informational queries to build authority.
| Topic | Format | When | Phrases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Camping Guide | guide | May | free camping app usa · free camping spots app |
| RV Camping Tips | article | September | app for rv camping · best rv camping app |
Yes, our core features for finding free camping spots are 100% free. We have transparent premium features for advanced tools.
You can cancel your subscription anytime from your account settings. No hidden fees or difficult processes.
Yes, you can easily upload your own spots and photos to help the community.
Name: FreeCamp: Free Camping (22/30)
Subtitle: Find Free Spots (15/30)
Keywords: rv,camping spots,free camping,dispersed camping,rv camping,camping gps (70/100)
Category: Travel
Promotional text: Find free camping spots without hidden fees. Join the transparent camping community.
Screenshots:
Name: FreeCamp: Free Camping Finder (29/30)
Short description: Find free and dispersed camping spots with our transparent app. No hidden fees. (79/80)
Key phrases: camping, rv camping, free camping, camping spots, dispersed camping, camping gps, rv spots, free rv camping, camping app, outdoor adventures, national parks, free dispersed camping
FreeCamp is the transparent camping app for finding free and dispersed camping spots. Unlike other apps, we don't hide fees or trick you into subscriptions. Our community-driven platform ensures accurate, up-to-date information on free camping spots. Upload your own spots, share photos, and connect with other campers. Perfect for RV owners, tent campers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Download now and start your adventure with confidence.
The research has no Google Play data: recommendations rely on queries and the App Store.
Benchmarks: 4.5+ (Targeting higher than The Dyrt's 4.78 by focusing on transparency) · 100+ (Initial goal to build social proof) · Localizations: en
| Name | .com | .app | App Store | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FreeCamp freecamp | taken | free | free | Directly describes the core value proposition: free camping. |
| CampFree campfree | taken | free | free | Simple, memorable, and focuses on the free aspect. |
| OpenCamp opencamp | taken | taken | free | Implies transparency and open access to camping spots. |
| TrueCamp truecamp | taken | taken | free | Emphasizes truthfulness and transparency in pricing and info. |
| HonestCamp honestcamp | taken | free | free | Directly addresses the pain point of misleading apps. |
Domains checked via RDAP, names via the App Store. Check trademarks before registering.
Find Free Camping Spots Without Hidden Fees
Join the transparent camping community. Upload spots, share photos, and discover free dispersed camping with confidence.
Yes, finding and using free camping spots is completely free. We offer optional premium features for advanced tools.
Cancel anytime from your account settings. No hassle, no hidden fees.
| Channel | What the data supports | First step | Effort | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEO for Long-Tail Keywords Organic search | Weak SERPs for specific phrases like 'best free dispersed camping app' offer an entry point. | Create content pages targeting 'free dispersed camping app' and 'best free dispersed camping app'. | medium | now |
| App Store Optimization App stores | High competition in App Store requires strong ASO to stand out. | Optimize app title, subtitle, and keywords for 'free camping' and 'rv camping'. | medium | now |
| Reddit and Facebook Groups Communities | Communities like r/camping and Facebook groups are active with users seeking free spots. | Engage in r/camping and share value, not just links. | low | at launch |
| Paid Search Paid traffic | CPC is $2.71, which is manageable for targeted keywords. | Launch Google Ads campaigns for 'free camping app' and 'best free camping app'. | medium | later |
Metrics:
Interview questions:
| Risk | What to do |
|---|---|
| Declining demand trend | Focus on niche subsegments like free dispersed camping which may have stable demand. |
| High competition from giants | Differentiate on transparency and user experience, not just features. |
| User acquisition cost too high | Rely on organic growth through communities and SEO before scaling paid ads. |
| Data accuracy issues | Implement a robust verification system and encourage user feedback. |
The report was written by a language model from the collected research data and may be inaccurate; each recommendation cites its source, verify it against the raw data. Generated 2026-09-29T09:29:50+00:00.
Data: search demand, search results, the App Store, public-interest and developer community signals. The verdict is computed by rules from these numbers; the explanation and the plan are written by a language model. Both are evidence to check, not a promise.
There is demand, but not everything is in its favour. TGGET scored “camping app” 0 on a scale from -6 to +5. The verdict is “Needs validation”.
TGGET measured 2,900 monthly searches for “camping app” in the United States in September 2026. Search interest is about stable: -19% over a year.
1 of 3 checked search results is weak and 0 are strong. 43 competing apps were found in the App Store; 13 of them have more than 10,000 ratings, and the median app has 116 ratings.
A click in paid search costs about $2.71, and competitors in this niche charge for their products.
Through “best app for camping”: 590 searches a month and weak search results.
TGGET computes the verdict by rules from five measured factors: demand, its change over a year, competition in the app stores, the strength of the search results and the cost of paid traffic. Each factor adds or takes away points and the sum decides, so the same numbers always give the same answer. A language model writes the explanation and the plan; it does not choose the verdict.
Three full researches are free: demand, sub-niches, competitors, App Store and community signals, and a report like this one. Type a phrase or describe the idea in your own words.
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