Beacon vs Campnab
Both services alert you when campsites open up on Recreation.gov. Here's how they compare — feature by feature, dollar for dollar.
| Feature | Beacon | Campnab |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes — 2 scans, forever | No free plan |
| Starting price | $0/mo (free forever) | $10/mo (Good plan) |
| Credit card required to start | No | Yes |
| Availability calendar | Real-time, color-coded | Not available |
| SMS alerts | Coming soon (Starter plan and above) | All plans |
| Interactive search map | Yes — full US map | Not available |
| Park grouping in search | Yes — campgrounds grouped by park | Individual campgrounds only |
| Annual billing discount | Yes — save 20% | Yes — save 25% |
| Public API | Yes — with webhooks | Not available |
| State parks support | Not available — Recreation.gov campgrounds only | Yes — US and Canada, state and provincial parks |
| Pay-per-use option | Not available — subscription only | Yes — $10–$20 per one-time scan |
Campnab figures were checked against campnab.com/pricing on September 1, 2026 and may change — see their site for current terms. Beacon figures reflect our current plans. Where Campnab is the better choice, we say so.
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Start Scanning — It's FreeCommon Questions
Is Beacon really free?+
Yes. Beacon offers a genuinely free tier with 2 active scans and email alerts — no credit card required, no trial expiration. Campnab does not offer a free tier.
How do Beacon's prices compare with Campnab's?+
Beacon has a free plan with 2 scans, forever. Paid plans are $5, $12 and $25 a month. Campnab has no free plan: its plans start at $10/mo (Good plan) and its top tier is $30/mo. Campnab also offers 25% off annual billing and one-time pay-per-use scans, which can be cheaper if you only camp occasionally.
Can I switch from Campnab to Beacon?+
Absolutely. Create a free Beacon account, set up your scans, and cancel Campnab when you're ready. There's no migration needed — just search for the same campgrounds on Beacon.