Like boondocking? Love the original iOverlander app? Well, it’s been redesigned with all the modern features we wanted, plus new subscriber-only upgrades.
For fans of the original, this might not come as great news, but it was inevitable. Turns out, the original was built so long ago that the code platform isn’t even used anymore. And it can’t really be updated.
The original iOverlander app was (and remains) totally free, with hundreds of thousands of free camping and boondocking sites listed around the world. I’ve used it a lot, and the community-generated updates and locations have made it incredibly popular and deeply loved.
The original also relied entirely upon donations to stay afloat. With the need to completely rebuild the app and the increasing amount of time required to manage hosting, moderate submissions, use developers, and everything else, it was time for a new app and new business model.
What’s new with iOverlander 2?
The new app has the same database of locations, but adds things like:
- Quick Check-In
- Dark Mode
- Offline Maps
- Saved Favorites
- Improved Filters
- Spanish Language Support
Many of the features are free, including the entire database of locations like campgrounds, boondocking spots, hotels, service stations, propane filling locations, and more. Plus, you can see images and reviews of locations, and add your own spots, comments, images, and reviews, too.
But…unlike the original app’s UI that showed all locations all the time, the new one requires you to download a region to view any spots.
And free plans can only download ONE region at a time. For the US, that’s generally one state at a time, which works if you’ve got cell data service and are hunting for a nearby spot that day. Some larger states, like California, are broken up into sections.
While it’s a bit more work, the benefit is that you can then view these locations offline, even on the free plan. But, if you want to download another section, you’ll have to delete the original download first, or subscribe…
What do the paid subscriptions give you?
For heavy users, there are two paid subscription options, Pro and Unlimited. Paid plans let you:
- Download more spots
- Disable ads
- Use more offline features
That first one is key for power users who want to plan a trip in advance, scout more areas more efficiently, and have more offline access.
Their stated goal is to continue to make most of the features free for everyone, but charge for advanced features that cost more to develop and maintain. After all, they have to pay for hosting and bandwidth for you to download maps and data, and not everyone needs multiple maps at once.
What’s the difference between iOverlander 2 Pro and Unlimited plans?
Both options remove advertisements, and both add a search function to help find nearby facilities and places. Otherwise, the differences are how many spots you can view at once, and how many offline maps you can download:
iOverlander 2 Pro:
- 3 offline maps at a time
- 3 regions at a time
- $5.99/mo or $59.99/year
iOverlander 2 Unlimited:
- Unlimited offline map downloads
- Unlimited regions
- $9.99/mo or $99.99/year
Both of them give you a free one-week trial with the annual plan. Here’s a quick video (no audio) showing how some of it works:
There’s also a new Quick Check-In feature on all plans that lets you simply check in at a spot without having to type any updates or anything. It’s perfect for letting everyone know the spot is still around and in good shape.
That type of community support is what made iOverlander a favorite in the first place, and now it’s easier than ever to contribute.
The new iOverlander 2 app is available in the App Store and Google Play.
I installed ioverlander 2 a few months ago and I can’t see any sites , anywhere for free. Before I install it again, could you tell me if I need to do anything special to set it up?
Make sure you download an area. You won’t see any camping spots until you download a region.
After trying both platforms, I honestly stick with Red ARCA without hesitation. iOverlander can be handy to quickly find a spot on the road, but the info is often outdated or unreliable since anyone can post it.
With ARCA it’s a whole different experience: hosts are verified, the community is real, and you feel that human support that makes all the difference when you’re traveling. Plus, it’s not just about having a place to sleep — it’s about connecting with local families, supporting small businesses, and experiencing genuine hospitality.
What I value most is the sense of safety and belonging. When you arrive at an ARCA spot, you know you’re part of a supportive network, not just following a cold list of GPS coordinates.
For anyone who wants to check it out, here’s the official link 👉 https://www.eltipviajero.com/ARCA
Stick with ARCA IMHO
iO was once ok but now greed has taken over.
$99 bucks a year FFS AND expects you to keep feeding data in.
I’m out