Forget the quiet escape of yesterday; today's camping industry is a roaring $57 billion economic force in the U.S. alone, driven by everything from luxury glamping to a massive surge in new participants.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. camping industry generated $57 billion in revenue in 2022
- Global camping equipment market size reached $22.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $35.8 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.8%
- U.S. camping market valued at $12.6 billion in 2021, expected to reach $22.1 billion by 2028
- 78.4 million U.S. households went camping in 2023, up 6.3% from 2022
- 57.9 million Americans camped in 2022, a 12% increase from 2019
- 25% of U.S. population participated in camping in 2023
- 42% of U.S. campers are millennials (ages 28-43) in 2023
- Gen Z (ages 18-27) represent 27% of new campers in 2023
- 56% of campers have household income over $75,000 in 2023
- Average annual spend per camper $1,248 in 2023
- RV owners spend $50,000 on average purchase, plus $4,500 yearly maintenance
- Tent purchases averaged $250 per unit in U.S. 2023
- Industry supports 1.1 million jobs in U.S. outdoor recreation including camping 2022
- Camping contributes $62 billion to U.S. GDP annually as of 2023
- RV industry employs 678,000 workers directly and indirectly 2023
The camping industry is booming globally with strong revenue and diverse participation.
Consumer Demographics
- 42% of U.S. campers are millennials (ages 28-43) in 2023
- Gen Z (ages 18-27) represent 27% of new campers in 2023
- 56% of campers have household income over $75,000 in 2023
- Women make up 52% of campers, up from 45% in 2019
- Families with children under 18 comprise 38% of camping households 2023
- Urban dwellers 61% of campers vs. 39% rural in 2023
- Hispanic/Latino participation in camping up 20% to 14% share in 2023
- Baby boomers (55+) 22% of campers, spending most per trip
- 65% of campers have college education or higher 2023
- LGBTQ+ campers 12% of total participation in 2023
- Single parents camping with kids 19% rise since 2020
- Veterans represent 15% of RV campers 2023
- Asian American camping participation 9% in 2023, up 15%
- Empty nesters 28% of luxury campers 2023
- Remote workers camping 34% of new participants 2023
- Lower income (<$50k) campers 22%, preferring tenting
- Couples without kids 31% of campers 2023
- Black/African American campers 8% share, up 10% YoY 2023
- Seniors (65+) 11% but highest loyalty rate 2023
- Students 16% of youth campers 2023
- Pet owners 52% of campers 2023
- Fitness enthusiasts 47% overlap with campers 2023
- Average camper age 41 years in 2023
- 71% of campers prefer sustainable practices in 2023
- Digital nomads 21% of extended stay campers 2023
Consumer Demographics Interpretation
The modern American camper is statistically more likely to be a well-educated, sustainability-minded, urban-dwelling millennial woman with a dog and a decent income, proving that the call of the wild is now a Wi-Fi-enabled, demographically diverse, and surprisingly lucrative group text.
Consumer Participation
- 78.4 million U.S. households went camping in 2023, up 6.3% from 2022
- 57.9 million Americans camped in 2022, a 12% increase from 2019
- 25% of U.S. population participated in camping in 2023
- RV camping trips reached 448 million nights in U.S. 2023
- 48% of campers took more trips post-pandemic in 2023
- Tent camping participation up 23% among millennials in 2022
- 11.5 million first-time campers in U.S. 2022
- Average camper took 6.2 trips per year in 2023
- 62% of U.S. campers prefer public lands, 2023 survey
- Glamping nights booked 15 million in U.S. 2023
- Family camping households 45.2 million in 2023
- Solo camping participation doubled to 18% since 2020
- Weekend camping trips accounted for 68% of all outings in 2023
- 35 million international camping nights in Europe 2022
- Dispersed camping sites used by 22% of U.S. campers 2023
- Pet-friendly camping trips 41 million in 2023
- Winter camping participation up 28% in 2023
- Group camping events attended by 29% of campers 2023
- Beach camping trips 12.4 million in U.S. 2022
- Motorcycle camping miles logged 1.2 billion in 2023
- Canoe camping outings 4.8 million in 2023
- Festival camping attendance 8.7 million U.S. 2023
- Backpacking overnights 15.2 million in 2023
- Car camping dominant at 54% of trips in 2023
- Hammock camping users 3.1 million in 2023
Consumer Participation Interpretation
America has collectively decided that its national pastime is now fleeing into the woods, with a record-breaking swarm of households pitching tents and parking RVs with a mix of purist grit and resort-style comfort, proving our desire to escape modern life is only rivaled by our ingenuity in bringing it all with us.
Economic and Employment Impact
- Industry supports 1.1 million jobs in U.S. outdoor recreation including camping 2022
- Camping contributes $62 billion to U.S. GDP annually as of 2023
- RV industry employs 678,000 workers directly and indirectly 2023
- Campground operators number 15,000 businesses employing 200,000 in U.S. 2023
- Tax revenue from camping $12 billion federally in 2022
- Supplier spending by campers $22 billion yearly 2023
- 7,000 new campground jobs created 2022-2023
- Glamping sector added $1.2 billion to rural economies 2023
- Export value of camping gear $4.5 billion from U.S. 2023
- Local spending near campsites $18 per visitor day 2023
- 25% wage premium in outdoor jobs including camping 2023
- Carbon offset programs from camping tourism $300 million 2023
- Franchise campgrounds generate $2.7 billion revenue 2023
- Wildlife viewing tied to camping adds $50 billion to economy 2022
- Gear manufacturing employs 150,000 in U.S. 2023
- International tourists camping spend $9 billion in U.S. yearly
- State parks camping revenue $2.8 billion 2023
- Multiplier effect of camping spend 2.6x on local economy 2023
- Insurance payouts for camping claims $1.5 billion 2023
- Tech startups in camping apps valued at $2 billion 2023
Economic and Employment Impact Interpretation
So much for camping being a simple escape, as this industry has firmly pitched its tent as an economic powerhouse, quietly supporting over a million jobs, generating tens of billions in GDP, and proving that every dollar spent around a campfire multiplies into serious money for the wider economy.
Equipment and Spending
- Average annual spend per camper $1,248 in 2023
- RV owners spend $50,000 on average purchase, plus $4,500 yearly maintenance
- Tent purchases averaged $250 per unit in U.S. 2023
- Camping gear spending per trip $189 in 2023
- Glamping stay costs average $350/night in 2023
- Sleeping bag market average price $120, sales 5 million units 2023
- Campground fees averaged $45/night for tent sites 2023
- Coolers and accessories spending $78 per camper annually 2023
- Portable stoves average $85, 70% of campers own one 2023
- Hammocks cost $50-150, sales up 25% to 1.2 million 2023
- Lanterns and lights spending $42 per household 2023
- Backpacks average $140 for daypacks, $250 overnight 2023
- RV fuel costs averaged $1,200 per long trip 2023
- Camp chairs $35 average, 4 per household 2023
- Water filters/purifiers $60 average spend 2023
- Dutch oven cookware $45-100 range, popular 2023
- Solar generators average $450, sales 800k units 2023
- Apparel for camping $112 annual spend 2023
- Food costs per camping trip $156 average 2023
- Tarps and shelters $55 average 2023
- Fishing gear spend $89 for campers who fish 2023
- Bikes for camp average $400, 22% own 2023
- First aid kits $28 average 2023
- Camping apps subscription $15/year average 2023
- Kayak rentals $60/day, popular 2023
Equipment and Spending Interpretation
The modern camper navigates a financial wilderness where a $250 tent sits under a billion stars, but getting to those stars requires a $50,000 RV, a $450 solar generator to power the espresso machine, and a $15 app to remind them what stars are.
Market Size and Growth
- The U.S. camping industry generated $57 billion in revenue in 2022
- Global camping equipment market size reached $22.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $35.8 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.8%
- U.S. camping market valued at $12.6 billion in 2021, expected to reach $22.1 billion by 2028
- RV camping segment accounted for 42% of total camping revenue in North America in 2023
- Camping industry in Europe grew by 15% year-over-year in 2022, reaching €8.2 billion
- U.S. glamping market size was $2.5 billion in 2022, projected to hit $5.6 billion by 2030
- Tent camping market share was 35% of the global camping industry in 2023
- North American camping participation drove $46 billion economic impact in 2022
- U.S. outdoor recreation economy, including camping, totaled $689.6 billion in 2022
- Camping gear rental market grew 12% to $1.8 billion globally in 2023
- Australian camping market valued at AUD 3.2 billion in 2023
- U.S. campground revenue increased 20% to $4.5 billion in 2023
- Global RV market, key to camping, hit $68 billion in 2023
- Backcountry camping equipment market expanded to $4.2 billion in 2022
- U.S. family camping trips generated $8.7 billion in 2023
- Camping tourism in Canada contributed CAD 2.1 billion to GDP in 2022
- Luxury camping (glamping) grew 18% annually, reaching $3.8 billion globally in 2023
- U.S. public land camping fees generated $500 million in 2022
- Eco-friendly camping products market size $1.2 billion in 2023
- Camping app market revenue $450 million in 2023
- U.S. RV park industry revenue $8.3 billion in 2023
- Global camping tent market $5.6 billion in 2023, CAGR 5.2% to 2030
- Youth camping market in U.S. $2.1 billion in 2022
- International camping trade fair attendance drove €1.5 billion in sales leads 2023
- U.S. camping retail sales up 14% to $15.2 billion in 2023
- Cabin camping segment $3.4 billion in North America 2023
- Digital booking platforms for camping $900 million revenue 2023
- U.S. adventure camping market $6.8 billion projected by 2027
- Camping insurance market $1.1 billion globally in 2023
- U.S. camping franchise revenue $2.7 billion in 2023
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
It seems our collective yearning to "get away from it all" is, ironically, building a rather enormous "it" all of its own, with the global camping industry proving that roughing it is a surprisingly polished business.
Trends and Preferences
- 45% of campers prioritize eco-friendly gear in 2023
- Rise in van life camping up 30% since 2020 to 3 million vans 2023
- Overlanding popularity surged 40% in 2023
- Tech integration like Starlink in campsites used by 18% 2023
- Plant-based camp foods 25% market share growth 2023
- Leave No Trace adherence 82% among campers 2023
- Social media influences 67% of gear purchases 2023
- Wellness retreats via camping up 35% 2023
- EV RV charging stations at 5,000 sites in 2023
- Minimalist camping gear preferred by 39% millennials 2023
- Night sky viewing drives 55% site choices 2023
- Subscription box services for gear 1.5 million subs 2023
- Women-led camping groups up 50% 2023
- Drone usage for scouting campsites 12% adoption 2023
- Foraging classes at camps 28% participation rise 2023
- Hybrid work-camp stays average 14 days 2023
- Biodegradable products 60% preference 2023
- Podcast listening while camping 44% 2023
- Stargazing apps downloads 10 million 2023
- Cultural immersion camping 22% growth 2023
- Cold plunge tubs at sites 15% new installs 2023
- Yoga in nature events 2.1 million attendees 2023
Trends and Preferences Interpretation
The modern camper is now a paradox of high-tech van life and low-impact ethics, whose subscriptions for biodegradable gear arrive by drone while they stream a podcast on plant-based wellness under a pristine, app-navigated night sky.
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