Today’s RV campers are looking for more opportunities to escape the ruckus of daily life, while having the option to connect when they want – not when they are forced to. The new insights come from the Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report for 2024.
21.6 Million Campers Spend Around a Week Out Per Year
According to the data collected by the campground and RV resort operator, the love of camping starts at a young age and continues into adulthood. The report shows 60 percent of campers have their first outdoor experience before they turn 18, turning positive memories into a passion as they grow. Today, over 21.6 million households identify as “active campers,” an increase of 68 percent over the past ten years.
Camping and RVing is also turning into a preferred vacation method for all types of travelers. The study found camping accounted for one in three leisure trips in the U.S., with campers going on one to two trips per year. On average, campers spend around one week at their favorite campsites each year.
Generational Differences in Travel Accommodations and Preferred Partners
Going camping is often associated with the older generations who have more leisure time and income to spend on travel. However, KOA found that the younger generations are getting much more active with their camping. Only 52 percent of campers identified as “Gen X” and “Boomers,” while Millennials accounted for 28 percent of travelers.
Across all generations, spouses and significant others are the preferred partners for camping trips for Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers – Gen Z show no strong preference between partners and friends. Where the generations differ is in their expectations for the camping experience. While Gen Z want to have adventure-based experiences in the outdoors, Millennials want to spend quality time with family and friends. And while Millennials like to go “glamping,” both Gen X and Boomers prefer the luxury of RVs.
While many campers enjoy “roughing it” off the beaten path, more campers are looking for hotel-like amenities when choosing where to stay. Over half of campers say they begin their trips at a campground or outdoor resort with “abundant services and amenities.” It should come as no surprise that the most popular amenity is a Wi-Fi connection, with nearly half saying it is the “most important” feature of a campground.
To collect their data, KOA sent out over 4,000 surveys to campers across the United States and Canada, evenly distributed by census region in the U.S. The full report is available to download from the KOA website.
