Forget everything you ever thought about getting away from it all; the modern campground industry is now a roaring, $12.4 billion economic engine in the U.S. alone, fueled by a massive cultural shift towards outdoor living.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the U.S. campground industry revenue reached $12.4 billion, marking a 15% increase from 2022
- Global camping market size was valued at $42.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to $81.7 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 8.6%
- Campground occupancy rates averaged 62% in 2023 across North America, up from 55% in 2021
- There were 17,000 developed campgrounds in the U.S. in 2023, providing 1.8 million sites
- KOA network expanded to 525 campgrounds with 120,000 sites in 2023
- U.S. national forests host 150,000 dispersed campsites alongside 10,000 developed ones
- 42 million Americans camped at least once in 2023, up 12% from 2022
- 54% of U.S. campers are aged 35-54, with millennials comprising 38%
- Women make up 52% of campers in 2023, leading family trip decisions 71% of time
- 62% of bookings made online via apps in 2023, up 28% from 2020
- Peak season (Memorial-Labor Day) saw 78% occupancy in U.S. campgrounds 2023
- Weekend stays average 2.3 nights, midweek 4.1 nights in 2023
- 52% of U.S. campgrounds achieved carbon neutrality in 2023
- 78% of campers prefer eco-certified campgrounds, willing to pay 15% more
- Solar power installed in 35% of U.S. campgrounds, generating 25% of energy needs
The campground industry is experiencing strong global growth driven by high demand and rising revenues.
Booking and Usage Trends
- 62% of bookings made online via apps in 2023, up 28% from 2020
- Peak season (Memorial-Labor Day) saw 78% occupancy in U.S. campgrounds 2023
- Weekend stays average 2.3 nights, midweek 4.1 nights in 2023
- 55% of campers book 1-4 weeks in advance, 25% same-week
- Mobile app bookings surged 40% to 45% of total reservations in 2023
- Shoulder season (spring/fall) usage up 30% to 45% occupancy in 2023
- 68% of sites reservable online, with 92% fill rate for popular parks
- Last-minute bookings (under 7 days) hit 32% in 2023 due to flexibility
- Group bookings (10+ sites) represent 15% of revenue, up 12%
- Off-grid camping usage grew 25% to 18% of trips in 2023
- Average 3.4 people per campsite in U.S. 2023
- Winter camping bookings doubled to 8% of annual in northern states 2023
- 47% repeat visitors per campground, loyalty programs boost 22%
- EV charger-equipped sites booked 3x more, 12% of total in 2023
- International campers to U.S. up 15% to 2.5 million visits in 2023
- Cabins/glamping units booked at 85% capacity vs 60% tent sites
- Direct bookings via campground websites rose to 38% from 25% in 2020
- Multi-site trip itineraries (3+ stops) used by 42% of RVers in 2023
- No-shows averaged 5%, costing $150 million industry-wide in 2023
- 71% of campers use review sites like Campendium for booking decisions
- Festivals/events drove 20% booking spike in host campgrounds 2023
- Pet fees added to 65% of bookings, averaging $10/night extra
Booking and Usage Trends Interpretation
Clearly, while spontaneity is making a late checkout (with 32% booking last-minute and app usage soaring), the modern camper’s motto is "plan the adventure digitally, but pack the bug spray seriously," as they meticulously optimize everything from pet fees to multi-stop RV trips, proving that getting back to nature now requires remarkably forward-thinking logistics.
Camper Demographics
- 42 million Americans camped at least once in 2023, up 12% from 2022
- 54% of U.S. campers are aged 35-54, with millennials comprising 38%
- Women make up 52% of campers in 2023, leading family trip decisions 71% of time
- 28% of U.S. households own an RV, with 11.2 million RV-owning households
- First-time campers increased to 25% of total in 2023, mostly Gen Z at 40%
- Average camper household income is $92,000, 20% above national average
- 65% of campers are families with children under 18
- Urban dwellers (55%) dominate campers, with 30% from suburbs
- 72% of campers are college-educated, higher among glampers at 85%
- Solo female campers rose 35% to 12% of total in 2023
- Hispanic campers grew 22% to 18% of U.S. total in 2023
- Boomers (55+) represent 26% of campers, averaging 14 nights/year
- 48% of campers prefer RV camping, 32% tent, 20% glamping/cabins
- Pet-owning campers are 62%, with dogs in 55% of sites
- LGBTQ+ campers at 8%, seeking inclusive sites 92% of time
- Average camper age is 42, down from 47 in 2019 due to younger families
- 37% of campers are veterans or active military
- Black campers increased 18% to 9% in 2023, urban-focused
- Couples without kids are 22%, preferring luxury amenities
- 81% of campers are married, 15% single, 4% divorced/widowed
- Gen Z campers (18-24) tripled to 15% since 2019
- Remote workers camping full-time rose to 5% of RVers in 2023
- 76% of campers prioritize nature access, 62% seek pet-friendly sites
- Average camping trip length is 5.2 nights, up from 4.8 in 2022
Camper Demographics Interpretation
Camping is now officially the pastime of the educated, suburbanite, dog-loving, RV-toting millennial parent, who is statistically likely to be a woman making the plans for a family earning well above average, all while the sport quietly—and wonderfully—gets more diverse, more youthful, and more inclusive by the year.
Campground Numbers and Capacity
- There were 17,000 developed campgrounds in the U.S. in 2023, providing 1.8 million sites
- KOA network expanded to 525 campgrounds with 120,000 sites in 2023
- U.S. national forests host 150,000 dispersed campsites alongside 10,000 developed ones
- Average U.S. campground has 120 sites, with 65% offering full hookups
- Canada has over 4,200 campgrounds with 500,000 total sites as of 2023
- Europe counts 25,000 campsites with 2.5 million pitches in 2023
- U.S. state parks operate 7,000 campgrounds with 400,000 sites
- Average capacity utilization in U.S. campgrounds was 58% annually in 2023
- Australia has 2,500 caravan parks with 250,000 sites, 80% waterfront or scenic
- 35% of U.S. campgrounds added sites in 2023, averaging 15 new sites per expansion
- UK has 4,200 campsites offering 220,000 pitches, with 40% year-round
- Private U.S. campgrounds number 12,500 with 1.2 million RV sites in 2023
- National Park Service manages 130 campgrounds with 25,000 sites, 90% reservable
- Average site size in U.S. campgrounds is 2,500 sq ft, with 20% oversized for RVs
- Florida boasts 1,800 campgrounds, highest in U.S., with 200,000 sites
- 22% of U.S. campgrounds offer tent-only sites, totaling 300,000
- Mexico has 1,200 developed campgrounds with 80,000 sites along coastal areas
- New Zealand's 250 holiday parks provide 35,000 powered sites
- U.S. BLM lands offer 4,000 campgrounds with 50,000 sites, mostly primitive
- 45% of Canadian campgrounds have over 100 sites, averaging 120 sites each
- Glamping sites grew to 15,000 globally in 2023, with 2 million sq ft of luxury tents
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates 90,000 campsites across 400 parks
- Average U.S. campground age is 25 years, with 30% built post-2000
- 68% of U.S. sites offer water/electric hookups, 45% full hookups in 2023
Campground Numbers and Capacity Interpretation
While the grand American outdoors offers a staggering 1.8 million developed campsites for us to claim our modest plot of nature, the seemingly modest 58% average occupancy suggests a critical, unspoken truth: finding the perfect spot feels like a competitive sport, likely because someone else already booked the one with full hookups.
Economic and Employment Impact
- Campground industry supported 600,000 jobs in U.S. in 2023
- Each campground dollar spent generates $3.70 in local economic activity
- RV industry, including campgrounds, added $80 billion to U.S. GDP in 2023
- Campground construction created 25,000 jobs in 2023, $2.5B invested
- Tourism from camping contributed $15B in state/local taxes in 2023
- 40% of campground staff are seasonal, totaling 300,000 positions filled
- Small campgrounds (<50 sites) employ average 8 full-time staff
- Wages in campground sector averaged $42,000/year, 10% above hospitality
- 12,000 new jobs from glamping expansions in 2023 globally
- Local supply chains for campgrounds spent $4B on goods/services 2023
- Campground closures cost 50,000 jobs during early pandemic, recovered 95% by 2023
- Average campground payroll is $350,000/year for 100-site operations
- Veterans employed at 15% rate in campgrounds, above national 7%
- Rural campgrounds support 70% of jobs in host communities under 10K pop
- International visitor spending at campgrounds: $2.8B in 2023
- Franchise campgrounds employ 2.5x more staff than independents
- Campground retail/concessions generated $1.2B, supporting 80,000 jobs
- Labor turnover in campgrounds at 45%, training costs $100M annually
- Gig economy platforms filled 20% seasonal roles in 2023
- Economic multiplier effect of 4.1 for public campgrounds spending
- 28% job growth in campground management roles since 2020
- Propane/fuel sales at campgrounds: $900M, 15,000 supplier jobs
- Diversity hiring: 35% minority staff in campgrounds 2023
- Campground events hosted generated $500M indirect jobs in entertainment
Economic and Employment Impact Interpretation
Campgrounds are not just oases for campers but economic engines that, from fueling local businesses to creating year-round careers, prove that a love for the outdoors is also a serious job creator.
Revenue and Market Size
- In 2023, the U.S. campground industry revenue reached $12.4 billion, marking a 15% increase from 2022
- Global camping market size was valued at $42.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to $81.7 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 8.6%
- Campground occupancy rates averaged 62% in 2023 across North America, up from 55% in 2021
- Average daily rate (ADR) for U.S. campgrounds rose to $52.30 in 2023 from $47.80 in 2022
- KOA franchises reported a total revenue of $1.2 billion in 2023, with 99% occupancy during peak season
- The RV park and campground sector in the U.S. contributed $8 billion to GDP in 2022
- Canadian campground industry generated CAD 2.5 billion in 2023, driven by domestic tourism recovery
- U.S. public campground revenues increased by 22% to $1.1 billion in 2022 post-pandemic
- Average annual revenue per U.S. campground site was $4,200 in 2023
- Europe’s glamping market revenue hit €3.2 billion in 2023, with 12% YoY growth
- U.S. private campground revenue per acre averaged $15,600 in 2023
- Campground industry in Australia reported AUD 1.8 billion revenue in 2023
- Net operating income margins for U.S. campgrounds averaged 38% in 2023
- Total U.S. campground expenditures by campers reached $57 billion in 2023
- Florida campgrounds generated $1.2 billion in revenue in 2023, leading U.S. states
- U.S. campground RevPAR (revenue per available site) hit $32.10 in peak summer 2023
- Glamping sector revenue grew 25% to $5.4 billion globally in 2023
- Average U.S. campground franchise fee revenue was $250,000 per location in 2023
- UK campsite revenue increased 18% to £1.1 billion in 2023
- U.S. state park campground revenues totaled $450 million in 2023
- Campground industry EBITDA margins averaged 42% for top performers in 2023
- Total economic output from U.S. camping was $140 billion in 2023
- Average nightly revenue per site in U.S. RV parks was $68 in 2023
- Mexico campground market revenue reached $800 million in 2023
- U.S. independent campgrounds reported 20% revenue growth to $6.5 billion in 2023
- Asia-Pacific camping market revenue projected at $10.2 billion by 2025 from $6.8B in 2023
- U.S. luxury campground revenue surged 30% to $2.1 billion in 2023
- Total U.S. campground capital investments hit $1.8 billion in 2023
- Average profit per U.S. campground was $450,000 in 2023 for mid-sized operations
- New Zealand campground revenue grew 14% to NZD 450 million in 2023
Revenue and Market Size Interpretation
The industry has clearly realized that pitching a tent now means pitching investors, as campgrounds transform from rustic retreats into remarkably profitable real estate where the only thing growing faster than the revenue is the guest's nightly rate.
Sustainability and Innovations
- 52% of U.S. campgrounds achieved carbon neutrality in 2023
- 78% of campers prefer eco-certified campgrounds, willing to pay 15% more
- Solar power installed in 35% of U.S. campgrounds, generating 25% of energy needs
- Water recycling systems adopted by 42% of campgrounds, saving 1.2M gallons/year/site
- 65% reduction in single-use plastics across KOA sites by 2023
- EV charging stations at 18% of U.S. campgrounds, up from 5% in 2020
- Biodiversity programs in 55% of European campsites, planting 2M trees since 2020
- 48% of campgrounds use LED lighting, cutting energy use by 60%
- Compost toilets installed in 22% of primitive sites, reducing water use 90%
- 71% of campers support leave-no-trace policies, 89% compliance observed
- Rainwater harvesting at 30% of Australian campgrounds, supplying 40% potable water
- Zero-waste campgrounds grew to 1,200 in U.S., diverting 75% landfill waste
- Native plant landscaping in 60% of new sites, boosting pollinators 35%
- 25% of campgrounds offer bike/pedestrian paths, reducing car use 40%
- Carbon offset programs joined by 40% operators, offsetting 500K tons CO2
- Greywater systems in 35% RV sites, recycling 80% wastewater
- Dark sky certified campgrounds reached 150 in U.S., light pollution down 70%
- 52% use electric mowers/groundskeeping, cutting emissions 50%
- Wildlife corridors preserved on 20% of campground lands
- 67% of glamping sites use sustainable materials, FSC-certified wood 90%
- Microgrid backups in 12% remote campgrounds, renewable 85% energy
- Food composting at 45% sites, producing 10 tons compost/year average
- 80% reduction in fossil fuel generators via hybrids in top parks
- Pollinator gardens in 38% campgrounds, increasing bee populations 25%
- 55% offer reusable dishware, cutting 1M plastic items annually
- AI water management systems in 15% large campgrounds, saving 30% usage
Sustainability and Innovations Interpretation
While campgrounds are clearly earning their "green" badges with impressive eco-statistics, the most telling number is that 78% of campers are willing to pay a premium for them, proving that sustainability has finally pitched its tent squarely in the realm of good business.
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