50 Camping Industry Statistics for North America (2022)

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Looking to understand the state of the camping industry?

Here are 50 of the latest camping industry statistics for 2022. These statistics are for the North America (US and Canada) camping industry unless otherwise specified.

Camping and the Economy

  • Americans spend $167 billion on camping gear, accessories, and trip-related expenses each year.1
  • In 2021, wholesale sales of camping equipment in the United States amounted to over 3.7 billion U.S. dollars.2
  • In 2021, wholesale sales of tents and shelters in the United States amounted to 489 million U.S. dollars.2
  • Camping creates 1.4 million jobs in America.1
  • Top reasons campers are not camping in 2022: 1) financial reasons 2) difficulty finding a place to camp or overcrowding 3) do not have vacation time available 4) increase in gas prices.3
  • 8 out of 10 campers are making some kind of adjustment to their camping plans due to gas prices for 2022.4
  • 20% of campers say increases in the cost of gas and inflation have a great deal of impact on their camping plans for 2022.5
  • 29% of campers plan to take fewer camping trips in 2022 due to increases in costs.5

Impact of COVID-19 on Camping

  • 28% of campers took more camping trips because of COVID-19.5
  • 46% of campers took fewer camping trips because of COVID-19.5
  • 43% of Gen Z campers started camping due to COVID-19.5
  • In 2020, 16% of new campers tried camping because of COVID-19. This dropped to 8% of new campers who started camping in 2021.5
  • In 2021, more than half of all campers (55%) said that camping offered a safer option compared to other forms of travel.5
  • 37% of campers replaced a leisure trip with a camping trip in 2021.5

Camping Participation & Frequency

  • 56.9 million households camped at least once in 2021.5
  • 9.1 million households camped for the first time in 2021.5
  • As of 2021, 7 in 10 households identify themselves as at least occasional campers or glampers (93.8 million).5
  • 56% of campers took 1 or 2 camping trips in 2021.5
  • 32% of those who camped for the first time in 2021 took 3 or more camping trips that year.5
  • On average, campers spent 7.4 nights camping in 2021.5
  • 42% of experienced campers camped less often in 2021 because of overcrowding or too many other people camping.5
  • 28% of experienced campers plan to increase the number or length of their camping trips in 2022 compared to 2021.5

Who Goes Camping?

  • 58% of households that went camping in 2021 had children.5
  • In 2021, more than a third (37%) of campers had a household income of $100,000 or more.5
  • 51% of campers live in urban environments, while 32% are suburban residents and 17% live in rural areas.5
  • In 2021, 26% of campers identified as lifelong campers.5
  • More than half of (52%) of those who camped for the first time in 2021 were non-white.5
  • 60% of campers started camping when they were a kid and have continued camping as a result.6

GenZ Camping Statistics

  • 34% of GenZ campers intend to continue camping beyond 2021.5
  • 27% of GenZ campers were new to camping in 2021.5
  • About 50% of GenZ campers identify as non-white, making GenZ the most diverse generation of campers.5

Where & How People Camp

  • 64% of campers prefer to camp in tents versus RVs or cabins.5
  • Baby Boomers are the most likely generation to camp in an RV (34%) or cabin/glamping accommodation (24%).5
  • Almost one-third of campers (31%) stayed within 50 miles of home on their camping trips in 2021.5
  • In 2021, campers spent 35% of their time camping in state or national park campgrounds. This was more than any other type of campground.5
  • 28% of campers book camping trips 6 months or more in advance.3
  • 17% of campers book camping trips 1 month or less in advance.3
  • 64% of campers go camping with their spouse or significant other.5
  • 28% of campers go camping with friends.5
  • 5% of campers took at least 1 solo camping trip in 2021.5
  • 33% of campers always camp with pets.3

RV Camping Statistics

  • Almost 15 million households went RVing in 2021.5
  • Of all of the households that camped in an RV in 2021, 77% traveled in an RV that they own.5
  • 56% of campers want to try an RV experience.5

Statistics on Camping Activities

  • 37% of campers participate in hiking or backpacking while camping.5
  • 36% of campers participate in fishing while camping.5
  • 50% of US campers sometimes or always work while camping, compared to 27% of Canadian campers.5
  • 57% of millennials work during their camping trips.5

More Camping Statistics

  • In 2021, camping accounted for 40% of all leisure trips taken with more than half of travelers (53%) including camping in some or all of their travel.5
  • 63% of campers used camping as a way to help improve their mental health in 2021.5

Sources:

  • 1Outdoor Industry Association
  • 2Statista
  • 3KOA July 2022 Monthly Report
  • 4KOA June 2022 Monthly Report
  • 5KOA North American Camping Report 2022
  • 6KOA April 2022 Monthly Report

100% of campers should leave no trace on all of their adventures!

Laura

Hi, I’m Laura! I've been hiking and camping for my whole life. I’ve since explored the outdoors all over the United States, including about 20 national parks. You can read more about me and my adventures on my About page.