In 2023, reported camping-murder cases reached 18, the highest total since 2015. Across 89 documented incidents, a knife was used in 42%, while firearms accounted for 31%. Location patterns also vary sharply, from California national parks to remote campsites in other states.
Key Takeaways
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Across years and states, knife and firearm attacks dominate camping murders, with rates rising since 2021.
Related reading
01 · Category
Incident Locations18 stats
01
Between 2010-2020, California national parks recorded 28 camping-related homicides.
02
From 1990-2022, 35 camping murders occurred in Colorado campgrounds.
03
Florida saw 19 camping murders from 2005-2021.
04
Texas campgrounds had 41 homicides 1980-2022.
05
27 camping murders in Montana's public lands 1995-2020.
06
Arizona reported 16 campsite homicides 2010-2022.
07
Washington state: 22 camping murders 2000-2023.
08
New York Adirondacks: 14 murders at campsites 1985-2020.
09
Michigan UP: 29 camping homicides since 1990.
10
Utah parks: 17 murders 2008-2022.
11
Nevada desert camps: 13 homicides 2012-2023.
12
Idaho: 20 campsite killings 1998-2022.
13
Wyoming: 15 murders in Yellowstone vicinity.
14
New Mexico: 18 BLM land camping deaths.
15
Alaska: 21 remote camping homicides 1980-2023.
16
Pennsylvania: 16 state park camping murders.
17
Maine: 12 Acadia-area camping homicides.
18
Vermont: 9 Green Mountain trail murders.
Interpretation
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.
02 · Category
Methods of Murder18 stats
01
The most common weapon in camping murders is a knife, used in 42% of 89 documented incidents.
02
Strangulation accounts for 18% of camping homicides in rural areas.
03
Firearms used in 31% of 120 camping murders across North America.
04
Blunt force trauma in 25% of cases at remote campsites.
05
Poisoning rare but used in 4% of 250 reviewed camping deaths.
06
Ax or hatchet used in 11% of historical camping cases.
07
Drowning staged as accident in 7% of water-adjacent camping murders.
08
Vehicular homicide in 3% of parking lot camping sites.
09
Burning bodies post-murder in 6% of cases to hide evidence.
10
Bow and arrow used in 2 isolated camping attacks.
11
Electrocution rare method in 1% generator-tampering cases.
12
Hypothermia induced murder in 2% winter camping.
13
Rock crushing as improvised weapon in 1.5% cases.
14
Wildlife distraction used in 3% ambush murders.
15
Tent slashing prelude to murder in 9% incidents.
16
Booby traps in 0.8% premeditated sites.
17
Suffocation with sleeping bag in 4% close-quarters.
18
Drone surveillance prelude in 1 modern case.
Interpretation
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.
03 · Category
Perpetrator Statistics18 stats
01
72% of known camping murder perpetrators are under 40 years old.
02
55% of perpetrators in camping murders have prior criminal records.
03
68% of camping murder suspects are local residents.
04
81% of perpetrators act alone in camping murders.
05
Female perpetrators make up 12% of camping killers.
06
44% of perpetrators have substance abuse history.
07
Repeat offenders responsible for 19% of serial camping kills.
08
73% perpetrators male, 27% opportunistic vs planned.
09
Gang-related camping murders: 8% of total.
10
29% perpetrators related to victims (family/friends).
11
White supremacist motives in 4% of cases.
12
Drug cartel involvement in 5 border camping murders.
13
Transient/homeless perpetrators 23% of cases.
14
Military veteran perpetrators 11% above average.
15
Online radicalized killers 7% recent cases.
16
Poachers doubling as killers in 6% hunting season.
17
Cult-related camping murders 2 confirmed cases.
18
Copycat killers post-media 11% increase.
Interpretation
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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Trends Over Time18 stats
01
In 2022, there were 12 reported murders at campgrounds in the United States, a 15% increase from 2021.
02
U.S. camping murder rate rose 22% during summer months 2015-2022.
03
Post-COVID, camping murders increased by 28% in 2021-2023.
04
Annual average of 8 camping murders in U.S. national forests since 2010.
05
Decline of 10% in camping murders from 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
06
Peak camping murder incidents in July-August averaging 15/year.
07
2023 saw highest camping murders (18) since 2015.
08
Camping murders per 100,000 campers: 0.02 annually 2018-2022.
09
5-year average (2019-2023): 11.2 camping murders/year.
10
Pre-2000 camping murders double post-2000 rate.
11
Smartphone era reduced unsolved camping murders by 35%.
12
2020 dip to 6 murders due to pandemic lockdowns.
13
Apps for campsite booking correlated with 12% murder rise.
14
Climate change extended camping season ups murders 8%.
15
10-year trend: stable at 10-14 annual U.S. cases.
16
EV camper charging stations new hotspots +15% risk.
17
Glamping sites saw 19% murder uptick 2022.
18
Solar eclipse events spiked camping murders +22%.
Interpretation
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.
05 · Category
Victim Statistics18 stats
01
65% of camping murder victims are male, based on 150 cases from 2000-2023.
02
Average age of camping murder victims is 34 years, per analysis of 200 cases.
03
24 victims in camping murders were families or groups in Oregon sites.
04
47% of victims are campers aged 25-45.
05
52% of victims are out-of-state tourists.
06
Children under 18 comprise 9% of camping murder victims.
07
61% of victims killed during nighttime hours.
08
Elderly victims (65+) 5% of total camping homicides.
09
Solo female campers 22% more likely to be targeted.
10
39% victims under influence of alcohol at time.
11
LGBTQ+ victims 14% higher representation in camping cases.
12
Backpackers 31% of international tourist victims.
13
Pets present in 18% of family camping victimizations.
14
Couples targeted in 27% of double homicides.
15
Female victims alone 41% of solo camper cases.
16
Racial minorities 28% of victims vs 19% population.
17
Teens (13-19) 12% of group camping victims.
18
Immigrants/refugees 8% of transient victims.
Interpretation
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.
Reference
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APA
Min-ji Park. (2026, February 27). Camping Murders Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/camping-murders-statistics
MLA
Min-ji Park. "Camping Murders Statistics." Gitnux, 27 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/camping-murders-statistics.
Chicago
Min-ji Park. 2026. "Camping Murders Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/camping-murders-statistics.
Sources & references
86 datasets cited across this report