Advanced bookings for reservations at privately owned campgrounds this year show demand is up more than 50 percent for the 2021 camping season, according to CampgroundViews.com. A quarter of the respondents reported bookings up more than 80 percent, the company added.

Social distancing and changes in consumer travel habits stemming from the coronavirus pandemic launched a rush for the outdoors and campgrounds last year, and the trend appears to be continuing this year. CampgroundViews.com surveyed nearly 2,700 campgrounds and RV parks, and received responses from 381 operations.

"The outdoors and camping provide a safer alternative to other forms of travel and vacations," said Mark Koep, founder and CEO of CampgroundViews.com. "We expect 2021 to be the year of camping with record numbers of Americans camping in tents, RVs and glamping accommodations."

RV park and campground owners expect a surge in new campers in their parks and are already adapting to provide for this audience.

"We are sold out every weekend through the middle of July," said Marcia Neese, owner of Riverwalk RV Park in Jonesville, North Carolina. "Our guests are excited and happy to have a place to bring their RV."

The survey results mirror data released by RVIA showing record RV sales and confirm that more people are buying and planning to use their RVs to go camping in 2021. 

National park campgrounds are expected to be busy, as well, and more and more parks are moving their campground reservations to recreation.gov. Demand for the busiest periods of summer overshadows campsite availability.

CampgroundViews.com helps campers find their next perfect campsite. The CampgroundViews.com Virtual Campground Tours will allow campers to virtually tour a campground, see the roads, see the sites, get information on the sites and click to book a specific site.