New law will increase affordable camping options, reduce pressure on crowded campgrounds, and strengthen California’s outdoor recreation economy
Photos courtesy of Hipcamp
Californians will soon have more ways to experience the outdoors, thanks to a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Assembly Bill 518 (AB 518) gives counties the authority to permit small-scale, low-impact camping on private land—unlocking opportunities to stay on farms, ranches, vineyards, and other landscapes that have traditionally been off-limits. 
For campers, the change means more affordable, local access to nature—whether pitching a tent under redwoods, parking an RV at a working vineyard, or spending a weekend on a family ranch. For landowners, it creates a clear, safe path to welcome guests while generating supplemental income that helps sustain rural livelihoods.
“This is about making the outdoors more accessible, while supporting the farmers and ranchers who care for so much of California’s open space,” said Alyssa Ravasio, CEO of Hipcamp, the world’s #1 booking app for camping and glamping. “AB 518 helps open the gate to landscapes that many Californians have never had a chance to camp on before.”
AB 518 passed with strong, bipartisan support and a rare coalition of farmers, conservationists, and outdoor equity advocates. Groups ranging from the California Farm Bureau to Surfrider Foundation and Latino Outdoors all rallied behind the law—recognizing the potential to both protect working lands and expand access to nature.
“This is a historic step toward increased equity and access to California’s outdoors,” shared Jazzari T. Taylor, Policy Advocate at Latino Outdoors. “AB 518 will help break down barriers to camping and open the door for more Californians to build lasting connections with nature.”
About AB 518
- Signed Into Law: October 1, 2025
- What it does: Authorizes counties to permit small-scale, low-impact camping on private land.
- Why it matters: Expands outdoor access, supports rural economies, and ensures county oversight on sanitation, wildfire safety, and conservation.
- Who supported it:
- Agricultural and rural advocates: the California Farm Bureau Federation, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, and local chambers of commerce.
- Conservation: Save the Redwoods League, Rails to Trails Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, and the Great Redwood Trail Agency.
- Outdoor Recreation: Hipcamp, REI Co-op, Marmot, VF Corporation,
- Equity and access groups: Latino Outdoors, Outdoor Afro, Outdoor Outreach, and Black Surfers Collective.
- County governments from Inyo to Mendocino to Santa Barbara.
About Hipcamp
Hipcamp is the #1 app to find and book campsites, from national parks to blueberry farms. Hipcamp unifies the world’s camping options across peaceful private spots, iconic public lands and well-equipped campgrounds to create one app that has everywhere you want to camp. Hipcamp has grown into a community of over 7 million campers who use our app to explore all of their options in one place—tent sites, RV spots or glamping—and find the perfect site to match their camping style. Each year, Hipcamp helps millions of campers sleep happily under the stars, boosting local economies and biodiversity along the way. Learn more at hipcamp.com.
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