Hipcamp buys BookOutdoors to expand offering: Read on for more information at our ShortTermRentalz website.

Hipcamp, an online marketplace for camping trips, has acquired BookOutdoors, a booking site for RV parks, cabins, campgrounds and glamping resorts.

From golf to fishing to pickleball, outdoor sports and recreation saw a boom during the pandemic. But unlike some pandemic-driven trends (virtual conferences, Zoom happy hours), the interest in outdoor activities has stuck.By the end of 2023, outdoor participation grew to a record 175.8 million people, or 57% of all Americans aged 6 and older, according to the Outdoor Industry Association.But the influx of interest exposed the lack of innovation in many parts of this industry. From over-the-phone bookings to cash payments to a gear market dominated by legacy brands, the outdoor recreation category was full of opportunity for entrepreneurs.In the past couple of years, entrepreneurs have built SaaS software for hunting and fishing guides. Founders have developed AI-powered companies that find and book golf tee times. Kevin Durant invested in a startup that helps people locate pickleball courts. And the list goes on.VCs, meanwhile, have been interested as well