Millennials now constitute 40 percent of campers in North America/KOA, Dan Armstrong

Enthusiasm for camping continues to increase, driven largely by a new generation of campers who are ethnically diverse, physically active, and willing to try new camping accommodations.

Millennials, defined as someone born between 1981 and 1997, now constitute 40 percent of campers, according to the 2018 North American Camping Report, the fourth annual survey conducted by Cairn Consulting Group and sponsored by Kampgrounds of America.

“As millennials start to have children, they’re more reflective of Gen X in their camping habits and seeing the value of getting their children outside,” said Toby O’Rourke, president of KOA.

More broadly, the number of camping households increased for the fourth consecutive year. The total number of camping households in the U.S. is estimated at more than 77 million, an increase of more than 6 million since 2014. The number of campers who camp three times or more each year – the most avid campers – has grown by 64 percent in the same timeframe.

The generational shift toward younger campers coincides with a decrease in camping among baby boomers and a surge in new campers with diverse backgrounds. Half of all new campers are non-white.

About 1-in-5 camping nights in 2017 were spent at a national park campground. Hispanic campers spent the highest percentage of nights in national parks, followed closely by campers of Asian descent. O’Rourke credits groups like Latino Outdoors and Outdoors Afro for their efforts to get more people outside, as well as the National Park Service for hiring more diverse employees.

“The national parks are becoming more welcoming,” she said.

Although activities such as sightseeing and fishing remain popular, campers have shown more interest in active recreation such as hiking, kayaking, and biking.

“I think the millennials are the ones that are starting to shift the type of recreation people are engaging in when they’re outdoors,” O’Rourke said.

More active recreation activities, such as hiking and kayaking, have increased in popularity since 2014/KOA

Both younger and non-white campers seek out different outdoor experiences compared with their older counterparts. Nearly all millennials and Gen Xers (93 percent) say they would like to try a new type of camping experience in 2018, including unique accommodations or a “glamping” experience. O’Rourke listed canvas tents, yurts, teepees, covered wagons (think the Oregon Trail), and even treehouses as types of sites offered by KOA.

“Single millennials and how they camp may not be private campgrounds. It might be more backwoods, it might be more tents, it might be more that altruistic view of camping,” she said. “And then as you have children, your habits tend to change. You don’t want to give up that lifestyle, but you’re doing it differently. You might be trying cabins. You might be looking to purchase RVs. You might be trying private campgrounds where you didn’t before.

“I think people don’t want to give up that outdoor connection, they’re just doing it differently.”

O’Rourke offered two examples of how KOA is adapting its campgrounds in national park gateway communities based on increased demand and new trends.

In Moab, at the doorstep of Arches National Park in Utah, KOA recently acquired more land and is designing a new model of site for small RVs – such as vans and pop-up trailers – that are popular with younger campers and families. The layouts incorporate a lot of group space and different landscaping.

“We’re turning away RVs right and left because we’re full,” O’Rourke said.

The KOA in West Glacier, outside Glacier National Park in Montana, has found success by having RV sites with pads for tents, noting that they are among the first spots to fill.

“They can put the kids out in the tent and they can have the parents in the RV. Or maybe they’re coming with multiple people – that some people are coming with their car and their tents, and some people are coming with the RV,” O’Rourke said.

Nearly all campers (97 percent) bring devices like smartphones or tablets on their camping trips. However, about half viewed this technology as a distraction, and simply want to have access in order to gather information, post to social media, or in case of emergency.

“They are putting down their phones and engaging with each other and the outdoors, which I think is a really promising trend to see,” O’Rourke said.

Big picture, camping is viewed as an accessible and affordable way to relax, reduce stress, and spend time with family and friends.

“I don’t see the enthusiasm slowing down in the near future,” O’Rourke said.

The results are based on 2,903 responses to an online survey, including about 600 from each of four U.S. regions and 501 from Canada. Overall, the sample of U.S. residents has a margin of error of +/- 1.99 percent. The sample of households was statistically balanced to ensure that the results are in line with overall population figures by age, gender, and ethnicity.