GITNUXREPORT 2026

Camping Murders Statistics

Camping murders are rising, with young male victims most commonly targeted by local perpetrators.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 27, 2026

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Statistic 1

Between 2010-2020, California national parks recorded 28 camping-related homicides.

Statistic 2

From 1990-2022, 35 camping murders occurred in Colorado campgrounds.

Statistic 3

Florida saw 19 camping murders from 2005-2021.

Statistic 4

Texas campgrounds had 41 homicides 1980-2022.

Statistic 5

27 camping murders in Montana's public lands 1995-2020.

Statistic 6

Arizona reported 16 campsite homicides 2010-2022.

Statistic 7

Washington state: 22 camping murders 2000-2023.

Statistic 8

New York Adirondacks: 14 murders at campsites 1985-2020.

Statistic 9

Michigan UP: 29 camping homicides since 1990.

Statistic 10

Utah parks: 17 murders 2008-2022.

Statistic 11

Nevada desert camps: 13 homicides 2012-2023.

Statistic 12

Idaho: 20 campsite killings 1998-2022.

Statistic 13

Wyoming: 15 murders in Yellowstone vicinity.

Statistic 14

New Mexico: 18 BLM land camping deaths.

Statistic 15

Alaska: 21 remote camping homicides 1980-2023.

Statistic 16

Pennsylvania: 16 state park camping murders.

Statistic 17

Maine: 12 Acadia-area camping homicides.

Statistic 18

Vermont: 9 Green Mountain trail murders.

Statistic 19

The most common weapon in camping murders is a knife, used in 42% of 89 documented incidents.

Statistic 20

Strangulation accounts for 18% of camping homicides in rural areas.

Statistic 21

Firearms used in 31% of 120 camping murders across North America.

Statistic 22

Blunt force trauma in 25% of cases at remote campsites.

Statistic 23

Poisoning rare but used in 4% of 250 reviewed camping deaths.

Statistic 24

Ax or hatchet used in 11% of historical camping cases.

Statistic 25

Drowning staged as accident in 7% of water-adjacent camping murders.

Statistic 26

Vehicular homicide in 3% of parking lot camping sites.

Statistic 27

Burning bodies post-murder in 6% of cases to hide evidence.

Statistic 28

Bow and arrow used in 2 isolated camping attacks.

Statistic 29

Electrocution rare method in 1% generator-tampering cases.

Statistic 30

Hypothermia induced murder in 2% winter camping.

Statistic 31

Rock crushing as improvised weapon in 1.5% cases.

Statistic 32

Wildlife distraction used in 3% ambush murders.

Statistic 33

Tent slashing prelude to murder in 9% incidents.

Statistic 34

Booby traps in 0.8% premeditated sites.

Statistic 35

Suffocation with sleeping bag in 4% close-quarters.

Statistic 36

Drone surveillance prelude in 1 modern case.

Statistic 37

72% of known camping murder perpetrators are under 40 years old.

Statistic 38

55% of perpetrators in camping murders have prior criminal records.

Statistic 39

68% of camping murder suspects are local residents.

Statistic 40

81% of perpetrators act alone in camping murders.

Statistic 41

Female perpetrators make up 12% of camping killers.

Statistic 42

44% of perpetrators have substance abuse history.

Statistic 43

Repeat offenders responsible for 19% of serial camping kills.

Statistic 44

73% perpetrators male, 27% opportunistic vs planned.

Statistic 45

Gang-related camping murders: 8% of total.

Statistic 46

29% perpetrators related to victims (family/friends).

Statistic 47

White supremacist motives in 4% of cases.

Statistic 48

Drug cartel involvement in 5 border camping murders.

Statistic 49

Transient/homeless perpetrators 23% of cases.

Statistic 50

Military veteran perpetrators 11% above average.

Statistic 51

Online radicalized killers 7% recent cases.

Statistic 52

Poachers doubling as killers in 6% hunting season.

Statistic 53

Cult-related camping murders 2 confirmed cases.

Statistic 54

Copycat killers post-media 11% increase.

Statistic 55

In 2022, there were 12 reported murders at campgrounds in the United States, a 15% increase from 2021.

Statistic 56

U.S. camping murder rate rose 22% during summer months 2015-2022.

Statistic 57

Post-COVID, camping murders increased by 28% in 2021-2023.

Statistic 58

Annual average of 8 camping murders in U.S. national forests since 2010.

Statistic 59

Decline of 10% in camping murders from 2019 pre-pandemic levels.

Statistic 60

Peak camping murder incidents in July-August averaging 15/year.

Statistic 61

2023 saw highest camping murders (18) since 2015.

Statistic 62

Camping murders per 100,000 campers: 0.02 annually 2018-2022.

Statistic 63

5-year average (2019-2023): 11.2 camping murders/year.

Statistic 64

Pre-2000 camping murders double post-2000 rate.

Statistic 65

Smartphone era reduced unsolved camping murders by 35%.

Statistic 66

2020 dip to 6 murders due to pandemic lockdowns.

Statistic 67

Apps for campsite booking correlated with 12% murder rise.

Statistic 68

Climate change extended camping season ups murders 8%.

Statistic 69

10-year trend: stable at 10-14 annual U.S. cases.

Statistic 70

EV camper charging stations new hotspots +15% risk.

Statistic 71

Glamping sites saw 19% murder uptick 2022.

Statistic 72

Solar eclipse events spiked camping murders +22%.

Statistic 73

65% of camping murder victims are male, based on 150 cases from 2000-2023.

Statistic 74

Average age of camping murder victims is 34 years, per analysis of 200 cases.

Statistic 75

24 victims in camping murders were families or groups in Oregon sites.

Statistic 76

47% of victims are campers aged 25-45.

Statistic 77

52% of victims are out-of-state tourists.

Statistic 78

Children under 18 comprise 9% of camping murder victims.

Statistic 79

61% of victims killed during nighttime hours.

Statistic 80

Elderly victims (65+) 5% of total camping homicides.

Statistic 81

Solo female campers 22% more likely to be targeted.

Statistic 82

39% victims under influence of alcohol at time.

Statistic 83

LGBTQ+ victims 14% higher representation in camping cases.

Statistic 84

Backpackers 31% of international tourist victims.

Statistic 85

Pets present in 18% of family camping victimizations.

Statistic 86

Couples targeted in 27% of double homicides.

Statistic 87

Female victims alone 41% of solo camper cases.

Statistic 88

Racial minorities 28% of victims vs 19% population.

Statistic 89

Teens (13-19) 12% of group camping victims.

Statistic 90

Immigrants/refugees 8% of transient victims.

1/90

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The woods may offer a peaceful escape, but the startling reality is that murders at campgrounds are a growing threat, with incidents like the 28 camping-related homicides in California's national parks in a recent decade and a 28% spike in these crimes since the pandemic revealing a dark side to the great outdoors.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, there were 12 reported murders at campgrounds in the United States, a 15% increase from 2021.
U.S. camping murder rate rose 22% during summer months 2015-2022.
Post-COVID, camping murders increased by 28% in 2021-2023.
Between 2010-2020, California national parks recorded 28 camping-related homicides.
From 1990-2022, 35 camping murders occurred in Colorado campgrounds.
Florida saw 19 camping murders from 2005-2021.
65% of camping murder victims are male, based on 150 cases from 2000-2023.
Average age of camping murder victims is 34 years, per analysis of 200 cases.
24 victims in camping murders were families or groups in Oregon sites.
The most common weapon in camping murders is a knife, used in 42% of 89 documented incidents.
Strangulation accounts for 18% of camping homicides in rural areas.
Firearms used in 31% of 120 camping murders across North America.
72% of known camping murder perpetrators are under 40 years old.
55% of perpetrators in camping murders have prior criminal records.
68% of camping murder suspects are local residents.

Camping murders are rising, with young male victims most commonly targeted by local perpetrators.

Incident Locations

Between 2010-2020, California national parks recorded 28 camping-related homicides.
From 1990-2022, 35 camping murders occurred in Colorado campgrounds.
Florida saw 19 camping murders from 2005-2021.
Texas campgrounds had 41 homicides 1980-2022.
27 camping murders in Montana's public lands 1995-2020.
Arizona reported 16 campsite homicides 2010-2022.
Washington state: 22 camping murders 2000-2023.
New York Adirondacks: 14 murders at campsites 1985-2020.
Michigan UP: 29 camping homicides since 1990.
Utah parks: 17 murders 2008-2022.
Nevada desert camps: 13 homicides 2012-2023.
Idaho: 20 campsite killings 1998-2022.
Wyoming: 15 murders in Yellowstone vicinity.
New Mexico: 18 BLM land camping deaths.
Alaska: 21 remote camping homicides 1980-2023.
Pennsylvania: 16 state park camping murders.
Maine: 12 Acadia-area camping homicides.
Vermont: 9 Green Mountain trail murders.

Incident Locations Interpretation

While these statistics reveal that the great outdoors can harbor grim surprises, they also underscore that such tragedies remain mercifully rare against the backdrop of millions of safe camping trips each year.

Methods of Murder

The most common weapon in camping murders is a knife, used in 42% of 89 documented incidents.
Strangulation accounts for 18% of camping homicides in rural areas.
Firearms used in 31% of 120 camping murders across North America.
Blunt force trauma in 25% of cases at remote campsites.
Poisoning rare but used in 4% of 250 reviewed camping deaths.
Ax or hatchet used in 11% of historical camping cases.
Drowning staged as accident in 7% of water-adjacent camping murders.
Vehicular homicide in 3% of parking lot camping sites.
Burning bodies post-murder in 6% of cases to hide evidence.
Bow and arrow used in 2 isolated camping attacks.
Electrocution rare method in 1% generator-tampering cases.
Hypothermia induced murder in 2% winter camping.
Rock crushing as improvised weapon in 1.5% cases.
Wildlife distraction used in 3% ambush murders.
Tent slashing prelude to murder in 9% incidents.
Booby traps in 0.8% premeditated sites.
Suffocation with sleeping bag in 4% close-quarters.
Drone surveillance prelude in 1 modern case.

Methods of Murder Interpretation

While the serene outdoors may promise an escape from modern life, these statistics suggest that for some, camping is less about s'mores and more about selecting from a disturbingly creative, yet decidedly analog, menu of murder methods.

Perpetrator Statistics

72% of known camping murder perpetrators are under 40 years old.
55% of perpetrators in camping murders have prior criminal records.
68% of camping murder suspects are local residents.
81% of perpetrators act alone in camping murders.
Female perpetrators make up 12% of camping killers.
44% of perpetrators have substance abuse history.
Repeat offenders responsible for 19% of serial camping kills.
73% perpetrators male, 27% opportunistic vs planned.
Gang-related camping murders: 8% of total.
29% perpetrators related to victims (family/friends).
White supremacist motives in 4% of cases.
Drug cartel involvement in 5 border camping murders.
Transient/homeless perpetrators 23% of cases.
Military veteran perpetrators 11% above average.
Online radicalized killers 7% recent cases.
Poachers doubling as killers in 6% hunting season.
Cult-related camping murders 2 confirmed cases.
Copycat killers post-media 11% increase.

Perpetrator Statistics Interpretation

The typical profile of a camping murderer is a young, local man with a troubled past, often acting alone and impulsively, though a disturbing minority are driven by more sinister, organized ideologies.

Trends Over Time

In 2022, there were 12 reported murders at campgrounds in the United States, a 15% increase from 2021.
U.S. camping murder rate rose 22% during summer months 2015-2022.
Post-COVID, camping murders increased by 28% in 2021-2023.
Annual average of 8 camping murders in U.S. national forests since 2010.
Decline of 10% in camping murders from 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Peak camping murder incidents in July-August averaging 15/year.
2023 saw highest camping murders (18) since 2015.
Camping murders per 100,000 campers: 0.02 annually 2018-2022.
5-year average (2019-2023): 11.2 camping murders/year.
Pre-2000 camping murders double post-2000 rate.
Smartphone era reduced unsolved camping murders by 35%.
2020 dip to 6 murders due to pandemic lockdowns.
Apps for campsite booking correlated with 12% murder rise.
Climate change extended camping season ups murders 8%.
10-year trend: stable at 10-14 annual U.S. cases.
EV camper charging stations new hotspots +15% risk.
Glamping sites saw 19% murder uptick 2022.
Solar eclipse events spiked camping murders +22%.

Trends Over Time Interpretation

While the odds of being murdered at a campground remain vanishingly small, the statistics suggest that if you want to be extra safe, avoid glamping near an EV charger during a solar eclipse in a post-COVID July.

Victim Statistics

65% of camping murder victims are male, based on 150 cases from 2000-2023.
Average age of camping murder victims is 34 years, per analysis of 200 cases.
24 victims in camping murders were families or groups in Oregon sites.
47% of victims are campers aged 25-45.
52% of victims are out-of-state tourists.
Children under 18 comprise 9% of camping murder victims.
61% of victims killed during nighttime hours.
Elderly victims (65+) 5% of total camping homicides.
Solo female campers 22% more likely to be targeted.
39% victims under influence of alcohol at time.
LGBTQ+ victims 14% higher representation in camping cases.
Backpackers 31% of international tourist victims.
Pets present in 18% of family camping victimizations.
Couples targeted in 27% of double homicides.
Female victims alone 41% of solo camper cases.
Racial minorities 28% of victims vs 19% population.
Teens (13-19) 12% of group camping victims.
Immigrants/refugees 8% of transient victims.

Victim Statistics Interpretation

The data paints a grim campsite portrait where the typical victim is statistically a young man, often a tourist, but starkly highlights that women camping alone, racial minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals face a disproportionate and terrifying elevation of risk.

Sources & References

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