Our Mission

🌈 Pitch Your Tent With Pride

At Purple Tents, we believe the great outdoors should be as welcoming, inclusive, and fabulously queer as the people who call it home—whether that’s under the stars for one night or on the road for a lifetime.

Too often, queer campers have been told (directly or indirectly) that certain spaces “aren’t for us.” We’re here to flip that script, roll out the rainbow welcome mat, and make sure everyone knows: we’ve always been here, and we’ve always been fabulous about it.

Our mission is simple, but mighty: to build a thriving LGBTQ+ camping community, promote visibility in outdoor spaces, and equip our members with the resources, safety info, and connections they need to adventure boldly—and camp with confidence.

🏕 Creating a Queer-Friendly Camping Map

The heart of PurpleTents.com is our Queer-Friendly Campground Directory—your go-to guide for where to pitch your tent (or park your camper) without wondering if you’ll be welcome. Every listing is more than just GPS coordinates; it’s an invitation to be yourself.

  • Embraces diversity and inclusion
  • Welcomes all gender identities and expressions
  • Offers safe, respectful environments for LGBTQ+ travelers

Our directory is a living, growing project—powered by community tips, honest feedback, and a shared vision that no queer camper should have to choose between their identity and their love for the outdoors.

🎖 Badges, Fun, and Fierce Friendships

Camping is better with flair, and our Camp Badge Program proves it. From Glitter Mixologist to Drama Llama, our collectible badges celebrate your quirks, skills, and camping style—and help you find your people.

Badges spark conversations, create memories, and say “I’m part of this community.” Earn them through events, challenges, or by sharing your camping story. It’s how online connections become campfire friendships.

🛍 Supporting Queer-Friendly Businesses

The outdoors industry has a diversity problem. Our LGBTQ+ Business Directory connects you with queer-owned and queer-affirming businesses that help you gear up, glam up, and stock up for your next adventure.

Every dollar you spend is a vote for the world you want to see. Supporting LGBTQ+ businesses builds a stronger, more visible, and more resilient community—on and off the trail.

🎙 Stories, Voices, and Events That Bring Us Together

We’re more than a website—we’re a hub for queer outdoor storytelling. Through our blog, podcast, and live events, we celebrate the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful parts of our community:

  • Inspiring stories from queer campers of all backgrounds
  • Practical how-to guides for gear, trip planning, and safety
  • Campy podcast episodes hosted by our AI pal Lucas
  • Virtual and in-person events like Queer for Gear LIVE

We create spaces—digital and physical—where people share knowledge, laugh together, and make memories that stick like glitter to a tent floor.

🛡 Safety, Visibility, and Advocacy

The outdoors should be for everyone, yet systemic barriers and safety concerns still keep many LGBTQ+ people from fully enjoying it. At Purple Tents, we face these realities with clear eyes and practical tools:

  • Safety Guides tailored to queer travelers
  • Visibility tips for solo campers and couples
  • Resources for navigating discriminatory situations
  • Advocacy for better inclusion policies in public and private campgrounds

We’re unapologetic about challenging discrimination, increasing representation, and making the outdoors safer and more welcoming—because you deserve more than tolerance; you deserve celebration.

💌 How You Can Join the Movement

  • Join – Sign up to access our directory, earn badges, and connect with other campers.
  • Share – Submit campground reviews, safety tips, or a story on our blog.
  • Support – Use our business directory when planning your next trip.
  • Amplify – Tell friends and allies about PurpleTents.com.
  • Show up – Join our events—or host one in your area.

🚀 Our Big Picture

We imagine a future where “queer camping” isn’t a niche—it’s simply camping. Every trail, campsite, and park bench is safe, welcoming, and alive with diverse voices. Queer kids grow up knowing they belong in the wilderness as much as anyone else.

Until that day, we’ll keep building, laughing, sharing, and pitching our tents with pride. At Purple Tents, we’re not just camping; we’re claiming our place in the wild, one fabulous campsite at a time.

Join the Community

Ready to camp queerly with us? Create your free profile to set alerts, save your favorite campgrounds, and connect with a growing community of LGBTQ+ campers and allies.

🌲 Join for Free

PurpleTents Visuals

Some visuals on PurpleTents are generated using AI design tools guided by our creative team. They help us imagine new queer camping worlds with consistent style and color.