Camping Statistics 2025

In May 2020, 50% of campers rank camping as the safest type of travel post-pandemic.

This increased to 72% among Baby Boomer campers. 

In the UK 1 in 5 adults have been camping or caravanning during Covid.

UK spending on camping trips surged to £2.7 billion in 2021 - 80% more than in 2020.

46% of US leisure travelers, (including those who do and those who don’t camp), also ranked it as the safest type of trip.  

7.2 million first-time campers in the US in 2022.

46% of prospective campers want to spend time outdoors after being in lockdown for so long.

41% said camping is an affordable way to travel. 

37% said it’s easier to practice social distancing, compared to other types of travel.

Post-pandemic 45% of Millennials and 44% of Gen Z have the highest level of interest among prospective new campers. 

Camping accounted for 11% of all trips for Americans, while post-COVID-19, camping is likely to account for 16% of all trips taken.

Revenue in the camping industry is projected to reach US $43.89 billion in 2023. 

Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2027) of 9.12%, resulting in a projected market volume of US $62.23 billion by 2027.

2022 was the most booked year ever for camping trips.

Campers say it was five times harder to find an available campsite in 2022 than it was pre-pandemic.

Over 35 million Americans camped in an RV in 2022.

In 2023, 40% of campers want to travel for natural events and 36% for food tourism and culinary experiences.

There have been 7 million new camper households in the U.S. since 2014.

There has been a 72% increase in the percentage of campers who camp 3 or more times annually since 2014.

66% of families say that the number of times they camp will increase in 2019.

In 2018, families choosing to camp has grown by 4 million, reaching an all-time high of 78.8 million.

There has been a 22% increase since 2014 in the number of families who camp at least once a year.

There has been a 72% increase since 2014 in the percentage of campers who camp three or more times a year.

5% of families stated that they camped for the first time in 2018.

There has been a 17% increase in the percentage of families who camp with children over the past five years.

66% of teens and 51% of children say that they are enthusiastic about camping.

There has been a 46% increase in campers who intend to camp more often since 2014.

84% of campers stated that they intend to camp more in 2019.

10 was the average age for a first camping trip.

48% of campers stated that other people introduced them to camping. Younger campers stated that they were introduced to it by their families.

32% of Millennials and 38% of Generation Xers now identify themselves as lifelong campers in comparison to past years.

50% of millennials stated that life events such as increased income or having children permitted them to camp more often.

90% of teen campers say they plan to camp as adults.

38% of the 75 million household campers are Millennials. This has increased by 34% since 2016.

In 2018, 51% of new campers are from multicultural groups whereas Caucasian campers account for 49%.

11% of all camping households are Hispanic, making up the largest non-white group of campers.

22% of new campers in 2018 were Hispanic and are the fastest-growing group based on ethnicity.

Since 2015, the number of Hispanic camper households using tents has dropped whilst the use of cabins has increased by 10%.

74% of Hispanics are the most likely to camp with multiple generations of their family members, making it a family holiday. They are also more likely to camp with larger groups of campers.

The percentage of same-sex couples camping has increased to 8% in 2018.

Millennials are more likely to camp in larger social groups including friends and family.

Generation X campers are more likely to camp with a significant other.

60% of households take at least one trip that includes multiple generations. This has increased by 56% since 2015.

40% of the adventure tourism market is dominated by Europe.

The Mountain Region has a camping participation rate of 19%, making it the highest in the U.S.

13% of trips to campgrounds were under 50 miles from home in 2014. This has risen to 31% in 2018.

54% of campers travel less than 100 miles from home to their destination.

60% of nights are spent in public campgrounds or public land.

56% of baby boomers and 54% of mature campers are less likely to change their travel habits.

Younger campers are more likely to extend their trips and include more weekends away.

Since 2015, camping in national parks and state parks has declined. However, in 2018, in national parks and state parks amongst African American/Black and Asian it is at an all-time high.

40% of households say that the campsite’s quality has the most impact on their selection, specifically older campers. 25% stated that the atmosphere in the camp is an influential factor.

In 2018, the top factors that influence the campground selection were campground atmosphere (24%), campground location (22%), quality of campsites at the campground (18%), availability of the cabins (9%), the types of sites available (12%), the onsite recreations opportunities (5%) and Wi-Fi availability (3%).

40% of millennials and generation Xers stated that recreation is an important factor in their vacation experience. 37% of baby boomers and 34% of mature campers agree.

50% of campers believe that clean bathrooms are the most important factor when staying at a campsite.

23% believe that allowing pets is the most important factor, 21% believe being child-friendly is the most important and 20% stated that offering recreational activities is the most important.

90% of campers leave campsites to take part in other activities, such as sightseeing, dining or other outdoor recreational opportunities.

43% of campsite reservations are made on the day of arrival.

Western U.S. campers and Canadian campers are more likely to travel long distances for their camping trips.

There are 30 million RV enthusiasts nationwide, including renters.

11% of U.S. households (35-54-year olds) own an RV.

Hispanic campers are seeking new ways of camping and types of experiences, they are most likely to want to try an RVing experience (58%) or to experience “van life” (22%).

29% of RV owners are couples with children.

60% of campers do so in tents and it is the primary type of accommodation.

60% of new campers are staying in recreational vehicles, cabins or other accommodation.

Cabins have increased in popularity with 21% of Millennials, 22% of Generation X and 33% of Baby Boomers staying in cabins.

45% of Canadian households tried out new accommodation in 2018 and 33% of Canadians said that they would like to try a luxury cabin in 2019.

Glamping trends show it has increased in popularity with 50% of Millennials and nearly 50% of Generation Xers.

20% of Millennials are interested in giving unique lodging a try but continue to gravitate towards staying in tents.

8 million people in the U.S. participated in backyard, car or RV camping in 2017.

Canadian campers represent the highest rate of RV owners (64%).

46% of Canadian camper households are interested in a glamping experience.

50% of campers stated that they would like to experience glamping in the coming year. This has doubled over the past 12 months.

96% enjoy camping with family and friends and feel healthier because of the benefits of outdoor activities.

50% of younger campers say their family inspired this type of travel.

60% of older campers state that it was the love of outdoors that inspired this lifestyle.

The top five influences for people taking their first trip are: the love for the outdoors (34%), thinking it will be fun (32%), due to their significant other (30%), spending time with their family (27%), and to escape the grind (26%).

Physical pursuits whilst on this type of trip have increased since 2014. Hiking/backpacking has increased by 14%, canoeing/kayaking has increased by 11% and biking has increased by 6% since 2014.

85% of adults state that the participation of children in outdoor activities is significant.

Hiking (50%) outranks fishing (44%) as the most popular form of recreation.

The younger campers listed fishing (73%) and hiking (60%) as their favourite activities. Sightseeing (42%), biking (40%) and canoeing (33%) were also popular activities amongst younger campers.

$3 billion was spent on camping equipment in 2017 in the US.

The flashlight was the most popular purchase.

96% of campers stated that their outdoor gear kept them comfortable.

The top five most essential items were: a tent (61%), a sleeping bag (38%), bug spray (24%), cooler or fridge (23%) and firewood (22%).

34% of campers unplug by having their smartphone with them but not turning it on.

97% of campers will bring some form of technology.

The importance of Wi-Fi or internet access has declined from 37% to 29% since 2017.