Forget any quaint notions of s'mores by the fire being a simple pastime—the numbers reveal that camping is now a massive economic powerhouse, contributing over $57 billion to the U.S. economy in 2022 alone.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. camping industry generated $57 billion in total economic output in 2022
- Camping contributed 1.1 million jobs to the U.S. economy in 2022, representing 0.7% of national employment
- RV camping alone accounted for $50 billion in spending by campers in 2023 across the U.S.
- Camping market grew at 7.2% CAGR from 2018-2023 reaching $45.6 billion globally
- U.S. camping participation increased 23% from 2019 to 2023, driving market expansion
- Global glamping market projected to grow from $5.6 billion in 2024 to $12.1 billion by 2030 at 14.2% CAGR
- 57.8 million Americans went camping in 2023, up from 48.2 million in 2019
- 54% of campers prefer car camping over backpacking in 2023 surveys
- Millennial participation in camping reached 40% of total campers in 2023
- Tent sales volume hit 12.5 million units in U.S. 2023
- Sleeping bag market revenue reached $1.4 billion globally in 2023
- RV shipments totaled 414,000 units in U.S. 2023, down 20% from peak but still strong
- U.S. camping market largest in North America at 45% share valued $22 billion 2023
- Europe holds 30% of global camping market with €15 billion in 2023
- Asia-Pacific camping growth fastest at 9.5% CAGR led by China 2023
The camping industry is a major, multi-billion dollar economic force creating millions of jobs.
Consumer Behavior
- 57.8 million Americans went camping in 2023, up from 48.2 million in 2019
- 54% of campers prefer car camping over backpacking in 2023 surveys
- Millennial participation in camping reached 40% of total campers in 2023
- 72% of families with children camped at least once in 2022-2023 season
- Average camper spends $1,200 per trip on gear and fees in 2023
- 65% of new campers discovered the activity via social media in 2023
- Weekend camping trips averaged 2.8 nights per outing for U.S. consumers in 2023
- 48% of campers prioritize eco-friendly sites in booking decisions 2023
- Solo female camping increased 35% from 2020 to 2023 among participants
- 61% of campers use apps for site reservations in 2023
- Repeat campers make 4.2 trips annually on average in 2023 data
- 39% of urban dwellers tried camping for first time post-2020
- Pet-inclusive camping chosen by 52% of families in 2023 surveys
- Nightly campground fees averaged $45 for tent sites in 2023 U.S.
- 67% prefer public lands for camping over private in 2023 polls
Consumer Behavior Interpretation
The Instagram-induced masses are now opting for car-powered glamping with the family dog, braving nature for nearly three nights at a time and with an app in hand, proving that modern camping is less about survival and more about a very expensive, eco-conscious, and social-media-friendly picnic where you sleep.
Economic Impact
- The U.S. camping industry generated $57 billion in total economic output in 2022
- Camping contributed 1.1 million jobs to the U.S. economy in 2022, representing 0.7% of national employment
- RV camping alone accounted for $50 billion in spending by campers in 2023 across the U.S.
- The camping sector paid $8.5 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2022
- International tourists spent $15.2 billion on camping-related activities in U.S. national parks in 2023
- Glamping market within camping industry reached $3.8 billion globally in 2023
- U.S. campground operators reported average annual revenue of $1.2 million per site in 2022
- Camping retail sales boosted local economies by $12.4 billion in retail purchases in 2023
- The outdoor camping sector's GDP contribution was $146 billion in 2022 including multipliers
- Camping-related tourism supported 4.2 million jobs in Europe in 2022
- U.S. camping industry trip expenditures totaled $42 billion in 2023
- Private campgrounds generated $7.9 billion in direct spending in 2022
- Camping wages and salaries reached $40 billion across the U.S. in 2022
- The industry imported $2.5 billion in camping gear contributing to trade balance in 2023
- State parks camping revenue hit $1.8 billion in 2022
- The U.S. camping industry generated $57 billion in total economic output in 2022
- Camping contributed 1.1 million jobs to the U.S. economy in 2022, representing 0.7% of national employment
- RV camping alone accounted for $50 billion in spending by campers in 2023 across the U.S.
- The camping sector paid $8.5 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2022
Economic Impact Interpretation
Forget Wall Street; the real American dream is apparently a tent, an RV, and a campfire, generating billions in taxes and wages while proving that happiness might just be a sleeping bag purchased with a side of serious economic clout.
Market Growth
- Camping market grew at 7.2% CAGR from 2018-2023 reaching $45.6 billion globally
- U.S. camping participation increased 23% from 2019 to 2023, driving market expansion
- Global glamping market projected to grow from $5.6 billion in 2024 to $12.1 billion by 2030 at 14.2% CAGR
- Tent market within camping industry expected to reach $4.2 billion by 2028 growing at 5.1% CAGR
- RV market sales surged 12% in 2023, pushing industry value to $68 billion
- U.S. camping equipment market valued at $8.9 billion in 2023, up 9% YoY
- Adventure camping segment grew 15.3% annually from 2020-2023
- Europe camping market expanded to €12.5 billion in 2023 at 6.8% growth rate
- Backpack camping gear market to hit $2.7 billion by 2027 with 4.9% CAGR
- Post-pandemic camping boom led to 28% market growth in Asia-Pacific 2021-2023
- Luxury camping (glamping) grew 20% in North America from 2022-2023
- Overall outdoor recreation market including camping projected at 5.4% CAGR to 2030
- U.S. campground market size reached $4.1 billion in 2023 growing 8.2%
- Sustainable camping products segment expanding at 10.1% CAGR through 2028
Market Growth Interpretation
Even as tentpoles hold steady, the camping industry's real growth is clearly coming from those who'd rather pay a premium to avoid the part where you're actually in a tent, proving that the call of the wild is increasingly answered with a credit card and a memory foam mattress.
Product Sales
- Tent sales volume hit 12.5 million units in U.S. 2023
- Sleeping bag market revenue reached $1.4 billion globally in 2023
- RV shipments totaled 414,000 units in U.S. 2023, down 20% from peak but still strong
- Backpacks for camping sold 8.2 million units in North America 2023
- Coolers and portable fridges generated $950 million in sales 2023
- Hammocks sales surged 28% to 2.1 million units in 2023 U.S. market
- Portable stoves sold 4.7 million worldwide for camping in 2023
- Glamping tents revenue $1.2 billion in 2023 global sales
- Camp chairs market valued at $750 million with 6% growth in 2023
- Lanterns and lighting products sales hit $420 million U.S. 2023
- Water purification devices sold 1.8 million units for campers 2023
- Inflatable mattresses for camping generated $650 million revenue 2023
- Cooking utensils set sales 3.4 million kits in 2023 global camping
Product Sales Interpretation
Americans are on a collective quest to find themselves in the woods, but they’re bringing along a startlingly well-funded and comfortable support system to do it.
Regional Statistics
- U.S. camping market largest in North America at 45% share valued $22 billion 2023
- Europe holds 30% of global camping market with €15 billion in 2023
- Asia-Pacific camping growth fastest at 9.5% CAGR led by China 2023
- California leads U.S. states with 10.2 million campers annually 2023
- Florida campground occupancy averaged 78% in peak 2023 season
- Canada camping participation 12.4 million people or 32% population 2023
- Australia camping market $4.5 billion AUD with 6 million campers 2023
- Germany has 2.8 million camping pitches across 12,000 sites 2023
- Texas RV parks generated $2.1 billion revenue in 2023
- UK glamping sites grew 25% to 1,500 locations by 2023
- Brazil eco-camping sites increased 18% in Amazon region 2023
- Colorado national forests saw 4.5 million camper nights 2023
- France camping revenue €6.2 billion with 120 million overnights 2023
- Japan camping boom with 15 million participants up 40% post-COVID 2023
Regional Statistics Interpretation
While America boasts the biggest backyard of all, with Europeans running a close second in the continental camping club, it's the Asia-Pacific region that's pitching tents at a breakneck pace, proving that a universal yearning for nature—from California's throngs to Japan's post-pandemic boom and Germany's sprawling sites—is now a multi-billion dollar, globe-trotting business that is as much about luxury glamping as it is about roughing it.
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