HARRISBURG (TNS) — The ongoing boom in camping — pumped up even further by the pandemic — brought changes in diversity to the activity in 2021, according to the eighth annual North American Camping Survey.
Diversity among camper households continues to closely mirror the makeup of the general population, but new campers in 2021 drove the numbers in a new direction. About 54 percent of new campers came from non-white groups, according to the report compiled by Cairn Consulting Group for Kampgrounds of America Inc.
People who live in major metropolitan areas also continued to increase their camping trips, “indicating COVID-19 as one driver of changing camping habits,” noted the report. “Thirty-six percent of urban campers noted the pandemic and avoiding crowds influenced their decision.”
In addition, nearly 40 percent of campers report a household income of more than $100,000, up substantially from before the pandemic.
Economics also is pushing more people overall into camping, including 44 percent who said they plan to replace a leisure trip with a camping trip in 2022.
“Over the past two years, COVID-19 has significantly impacted travel. While much of the impact has been negative, camping has seen a dramatic increase in participation,” noted the report.
“Leisure travelers, who would otherwise stay home, have utilized camping as a preferred form of travel amidst pandemic spikes. Importantly, many are indicating camping will continue to be a part of their travel plans in a post-pandemic world as we see an increase in camping, RV usage and glamping.”
The number of campers in the U.S. climbed from 71.5 million in 2014 to 93.8 million in 2021.
However, 51 percent of long-time campers reporting camping less in 2021 due to overcrowding in campground or too many campers.
And, partially for the same reason, the average number of nights spent camping fell from 9.5 in 2019 to 7.4 in 2021.
More campers are putting in some work time while at the campsite, climbing from 37 percent in 2019 to 46 percent last year, led by millennials, 57 percent of whom worked while camping.
Camping accounted for 40 percent of all leisure trips in 2021 with more than half of all travelers — 53 percent — including camping in some or all their travel.
The RVing segment of camping is at an all-time high, with 11 million RV owners and 2 million RV renters in 2021, but relatively new forms of camping also were finding an audience. About 36 percent of campers tried glamping for the first time in 2021; 50 percent said they will in 2022. And, 27 percent took an overlanding trip for the first time, traveling in an off-road vehicle with no services or amenities; 46 percent want to try it this year.
