78.4 million U.S. households now participate in camping. One quarter of the population takes part. The activity supports 1.1 million jobs and adds 62 billion dollars to annual GDP.
Key Takeaways
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
In 2023, 78.4 million Americans went camping, driven by younger, more diverse, higher income and eco focused campers.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Demographics25 stats
01
42% of U.S. campers are millennials (ages 28-43) in 2023
02
Gen Z (ages 18-27) represent 27% of new campers in 2023
03
56% of campers have household income over $75,000 in 2023
04
Women make up 52% of campers, up from 45% in 2019
05
Families with children under 18 comprise 38% of camping households 2023
06
Urban dwellers 61% of campers vs. 39% rural in 2023
07
Hispanic/Latino participation in camping up 20% to 14% share in 2023
08
Baby boomers (55+) 22% of campers, spending most per trip
09
65% of campers have college education or higher 2023
10
LGBTQ+ campers 12% of total participation in 2023
11
Single parents camping with kids 19% rise since 2020
12
Veterans represent 15% of RV campers 2023
13
Asian American camping participation 9% in 2023, up 15%
14
Empty nesters 28% of luxury campers 2023
15
Remote workers camping 34% of new participants 2023
16
Lower income (<$50k) campers 22%, preferring tenting
17
Couples without kids 31% of campers 2023
18
Black/African American campers 8% share, up 10% YoY 2023
19
Seniors (65+) 11% but highest loyalty rate 2023
20
Students 16% of youth campers 2023
21
Pet owners 52% of campers 2023
22
Fitness enthusiasts 47% overlap with campers 2023
23
Average camper age 41 years in 2023
24
71% of campers prefer sustainable practices in 2023
25
Digital nomads 21% of extended stay campers 2023
Interpretation
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.
02 · Category
Consumer Participation25 stats
01
78.4 million U.S. households went camping in 2023, up 6.3% from 2022
02
57.9 million Americans camped in 2022, a 12% increase from 2019
03
25% of U.S. population participated in camping in 2023
04
RV camping trips reached 448 million nights in U.S. 2023
05
48% of campers took more trips post-pandemic in 2023
06
Tent camping participation up 23% among millennials in 2022
07
11.5 million first-time campers in U.S. 2022
08
Average camper took 6.2 trips per year in 2023
09
62% of U.S. campers prefer public lands, 2023 survey
10
Glamping nights booked 15 million in U.S. 2023
11
Family camping households 45.2 million in 2023
12
Solo camping participation doubled to 18% since 2020
13
Weekend camping trips accounted for 68% of all outings in 2023
14
35 million international camping nights in Europe 2022
15
Dispersed camping sites used by 22% of U.S. campers 2023
16
Pet-friendly camping trips 41 million in 2023
17
Winter camping participation up 28% in 2023
18
Group camping events attended by 29% of campers 2023
19
Beach camping trips 12.4 million in U.S. 2022
20
Motorcycle camping miles logged 1.2 billion in 2023
21
Canoe camping outings 4.8 million in 2023
22
Festival camping attendance 8.7 million U.S. 2023
23
Backpacking overnights 15.2 million in 2023
24
Car camping dominant at 54% of trips in 2023
25
Hammock camping users 3.1 million in 2023
Interpretation
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.
03 · Category
Economic and Employment Impact20 stats
01
Industry supports 1.1 million jobs in U.S. outdoor recreation including camping 2022
02
Camping contributes $62 billion to U.S. GDP annually as of 2023
03
RV industry employs 678,000 workers directly and indirectly 2023
04
Campground operators number 15,000 businesses employing 200,000 in U.S. 2023
05
Tax revenue from camping $12 billion federally in 2022
06
Supplier spending by campers $22 billion yearly 2023
07
7,000 new campground jobs created 2022-2023
08
Glamping sector added $1.2 billion to rural economies 2023
09
Export value of camping gear $4.5 billion from U.S. 2023
10
Local spending near campsites $18per visitor day 2023
11
25% wage premium in outdoor jobs including camping 2023
12
Carbon offset programs from camping tourism $300 million 2023
13
Franchise campgrounds generate $2.7 billion revenue 2023
14
Wildlife viewing tied to camping adds $50 billion to economy 2022
15
Gear manufacturing employs 150,000 in U.S. 2023
16
International tourists camping spend $9 billion in U.S. yearly
17
State parks camping revenue $2.8 billion 2023
18
Multiplier effect of camping spend 2.6x on local economy 2023
19
Insurance payouts for camping claims $1.5 billion 2023
20
Tech startups in camping apps valued at $2 billion 2023
Interpretation
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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Equipment and Spending25 stats
01
Average annual spend per camper $1,248in 2023
02
RV owners spend $50,000on average purchase, plus $4,500 yearly maintenance
03
Tent purchases averaged $250per unit in U.S. 2023
04
Camping gear spending per trip $189in 2023
05
Glamping stay costs average $350/night in 2023
06
Sleeping bag market average price $120,sales 5 million units 2023
07
Campground fees averaged $45/night for tent sites 2023
08
Coolers and accessories spending $78per camper annually 2023
09
Portable stoves average $85,70% of campers own one 2023
10
Hammocks cost $50-150, sales up 25% to 1.2 million 2023
11
Lanterns and lights spending $42per household 2023
12
Backpacks average $140for daypacks, $250 overnight 2023
13
RV fuel costs averaged $1,200per long trip 2023
14
Camp chairs $35average, 4 per household 2023
15
Water filters/purifiers $60average spend 2023
16
Dutch oven cookware $45-100 range, popular 2023
17
Solar generators average $450,sales 800k units 2023
18
Apparel for camping $112annual spend 2023
19
Food costs per camping trip $156average 2023
20
Tarps and shelters $55average 2023
21
Fishing gear spend $89for campers who fish 2023
22
Bikes for camp average $400,22% own 2023
23
First aid kits $28average 2023
24
Camping apps subscription $15/year average 2023
25
Kayak rentals $60/day, popular 2023
Interpretation
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.
05 · Category
Market Size and Growth30 stats
01
The U.S. camping industry generated $57 billion in revenue in 2022
02
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%
03
U.S. camping market valued at $12.6 billion in 2021, expected to reach $22.1 billion by 2028
04
RV camping segment accounted for 42% of total camping revenue in North America in 2023
05
Camping industry in Europe grew by 15% year-over-year in 2022, reaching €8.2 billion
06
U.S. glamping market size was $2.5 billion in 2022, projected to hit $5.6 billion by 2030
07
Tent camping market share was 35% of the global camping industry in 2023
08
North American camping participation drove $46 billion economic impact in 2022
09
U.S. outdoor recreation economy, including camping, totaled $689.6 billion in 2022
10
Camping gear rental market grew 12% to $1.8 billion globally in 2023
11
Australian camping market valued at AUD 3.2 billion in 2023
12
U.S. campground revenue increased 20% to $4.5 billion in 2023
13
Global RV market, key to camping, hit $68 billion in 2023
14
Backcountry camping equipment market expanded to $4.2 billion in 2022
15
U.S. family camping trips generated $8.7 billion in 2023
16
Camping tourism in Canada contributed CAD 2.1 billion to GDP in 2022
17
Luxury camping (glamping) grew 18% annually, reaching $3.8 billion globally in 2023
18
U.S. public land camping fees generated $500 million in 2022
19
Eco-friendly camping products market size $1.2 billion in 2023
20
Camping app market revenue $450 million in 2023
21
U.S. RV park industry revenue $8.3 billion in 2023
22
Global camping tent market $5.6 billion in 2023, CAGR 5.2% to 2030
23
Youth camping market in U.S. $2.1 billion in 2022
24
International camping trade fair attendance drove €1.5 billion in sales leads 2023
25
U.S. camping retail sales up 14% to $15.2 billion in 2023
26
Cabin camping segment $3.4 billion in North America 2023
27
Digital booking platforms for camping $900 million revenue 2023
28
U.S. adventure camping market $6.8 billion projected by 2027
29
Camping insurance market $1.1 billion globally in 2023
30
U.S. camping franchise revenue $2.7 billion in 2023
Interpretation
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.
06 · Category
Trends and Preferences22 stats
01
45% of campers prioritize eco-friendly gear in 2023
02
Rise in van life camping up 30% since 2020 to 3 million vans 2023
03
Overlanding popularity surged 40% in 2023
04
Tech integration like Starlink in campsites used by 18% 2023
05
Plant-based camp foods 25% market share growth 2023
06
Leave No Trace adherence 82% among campers 2023
07
Social media influences 67% of gear purchases 2023
08
Wellness retreats via camping up 35% 2023
09
EV RV charging stations at 5,000 sites in 2023
10
Minimalist camping gear preferred by 39% millennials 2023
11
Night sky viewing drives 55% site choices 2023
12
Subscription box services for gear 1.5 million subs 2023
13
Women-led camping groups up 50% 2023
14
Drone usage for scouting campsites 12% adoption 2023
15
Foraging classes at camps 28% participation rise 2023
16
Hybrid work-camp stays average 14 days 2023
17
Biodegradable products 60% preference 2023
18
Podcast listening while camping 44% 2023
19
Stargazing apps downloads 10 million 2023
20
Cultural immersion camping 22% growth 2023
21
Cold plunge tubs at sites 15% new installs 2023
22
Yoga in nature events 2.1 million attendees 2023
Interpretation
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.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). Camping Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/camping-industry-statistics
MLA
Helena Kowalczyk. "Camping Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/camping-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "Camping Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/camping-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
85 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level