The Outdoorithm
Greenbook
Continuing the legacy of Victor Hugo Green's historic guide— empowering travelers from marginalized communities to find welcoming outdoor spaces with confidence.
Carrying Forward a
Historic Mission
The Negro Motorist Green Book wasn't just a travel guide—it was a lifeline. For thirty years, it helped Black Americans navigate a hostile landscape. That spirit of community protection lives on.
The Green Book is Born
Victor Hugo Green, a Harlem postal worker, publishes the first Negro Motorist Green Book—a survival guide listing safe havens for Black travelers during Jim Crow.
National Parks Segregated
While white families enjoyed the great outdoors, national and state parks enforced segregation. Indigenous peoples had already been forcibly removed from lands that became these parks.
Civil Rights Act Passes
Legal segregation ends. The Green Book publishes its final edition in 1966—but the cultural dynamics of exclusion continue in subtler forms.
The Need Persists
Studies show Black Americans visit national parks at rates far below their population percentage. Many travelers from marginalized communities still ask: Where will I be welcomed?
“There will be a day sometime in the near future when this guide will not have to be published. That is when we as a race will have equal opportunities and privileges in the United States.
Data-Driven Transparency
We've analyzed over 1.8 million+ campground reviews using AI to surface patterns—not hunches. Here's what the data tells us.
Key Insights from Our Analysis
Staff Are the Primary Issue
Nearly 80% of reported discrimination comes from staff—rangers, hosts, and employees—not other visitors. This suggests systemic training gaps, not random bad actors.
Most Places Are Welcoming
Only 4% of campgrounds have any discrimination reports. The outdoors is overwhelmingly positive—we help you find the gems and avoid the rare exceptions.
Subtle, Not Overt
Most incidents are 'moderate' severity—unwelcoming vibes, differential treatment, cold shoulders. The problem is often subtle hostility, not explicit slurs.
How the Greenbook
Works
We've built a rigorous, transparent system that turns thousands of real experiences into actionable safety intelligence.
Collect Real Experiences
We aggregate reviews from Recreation.gov, Google Maps, and other platforms—over 1.8 million+ real traveler experiences at campgrounds across America.
AI-Powered Analysis
Our classification system reads each review, distinguishing between discrimination reports (victim accounts), discriminatory language (reviewer prejudice), and false positives (like 'black bear' or 'white sand').
Pattern Recognition
We look for patterns, not single incidents. A campground isn't flagged for one complaint—we require multiple independent reports across different time periods before raising concerns.
Community Vibe Scores
Each campground receives a 0-100 Community Vibe Score based on overall tone, staff sentiment, camper community vibe, and any safety signals—giving you a clear picture at a glance.
Our Design Principles
Positive Framing
"Where you'll be welcomed" > "Places to avoid"
Transparent Method
We show our work—you can see how scores are calculated
Statistical Rigor
Minimum review thresholds before any flagging
Intersectional
Serving all marginalized communities, not just one
Travel with
Confidence
On every campground page, you'll find community safety information integrated right into the details—no guesswork, no surprises.
Community Vibe Score
Every campground gets a 0-100 score based on review tone, staff sentiment, and camper community vibes. Higher scores mean more welcoming experiences.
Safety Status Indicators
Clear flags help you understand potential concerns at a glance—from 'All Clear' to 'Caution' to rare serious warnings, all based on verified patterns.
Identity-Affirming Badges
Campgrounds with strong track records for specific communities earn badges—LGBTQ+ Friendly, Accessible, Family Welcoming, and more.
For Every Marginalized Traveler
The Greenbook isn't just for one community—it's intersectional by design. We track safety signals that matter to everyone who has ever wondered, "Will I be welcome here?"
The Outdoors
Belongs to You
Victor Hugo Green envisioned a day when guides like his wouldn't be necessary. We're not there yet—but we're building toward it, one welcoming campground at a time.
Every piece of data we surface comes from real travelers sharing real experiences. We don't make accusations—we aggregate evidence. We don't shame—we inform. And we always lead with the overwhelming truth: most outdoor spaces are welcoming, beautiful places where everyone belongs.
Built in partnership with communities we serve