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For this week’s news I wanted to cover The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks, which offers some eye-opening insights into how the outdoor travel landscape is changing.
From rising demand for campsites to the habits of retired campers, this year’s report captures the latest trends shaping where and how Americans camp.
I’ve pulled together some of what I thought were the most interesting highlights from the report, which you can also view in full at thedyrt.com.
Campers Commit: Fewer No-Shows and Cancellations Mark a Shift in 2024 Camping Behavior
In 2024, campers were more likely to follow through with their plans. Every type of cancellation and no-show declined compared to the previous year. For example, cancellations made more than two days in advance dropped to 25.8%, down 3.3 points, and no-shows fell to 4%, a 1-point decrease. Additionally, more campers reported actually using all their reservations – 70.7% did so in 2024, compared to 58.9% in 2023. Overall, there was a 16.7% reduction in cancellations and no-shows. This shift is likely influenced by growing awareness within the camping community about the impact of holding spots without using them, along with new state legislation encouraging timely cancellations.
Campground Crunch Returns: Booking Gets Tough Again in 2024
In 2024, 56.1% of campers reported difficulty booking campsites, a sharp rise from 2023 and close to the 2022 peak. After a temporary dip thanks to added inventory from private campgrounds, demand surged again, especially in public campgrounds with limited space. The growing struggle to find available sites reflects persistent interest in camping and highlights ongoing challenges with availability in high-demand areas.
Camping Holds Strong as Inflation-Proof Travel Option
Despite rising costs across many sectors, camping remained largely unaffected by inflation in 2024. Four out of five campers reported that inflation either didn’t change their camping habits or actually led them to camp more. Only 20.4% said they camped less due to economic pressures. This stability reinforces the idea that camping is viewed as a budget-friendly way to travel, even when other costs go up.
Retired and Ready: Campers Over 55 Embrace RV Life and Free Stays
Campers over 55 are leaning into RV and trailer travel, with 61% listing it as their primary camping style, 50% above the average. They’re also more likely to camp for free, with 62.8% doing so in 2024. Financially, this group stands out too: they’re twice as likely to report a net worth over $750,000 and four times more likely to exceed $2 million. Many have big post-retirement plans, with national parks, road trips, and free camping topping the list. One-third of all campers are over 55, and two-thirds of them are already retired.
Top 5 National Parks Campers Can’t Wait to Visit in 2025
National parks remain a top destination, with 4 out of 5 campers planning to visit one in 2025. Yellowstone tops the list of most-anticipated parks, followed by Glacier, Great Smoky Mountains, Acadia, and Yosemite. Among those heading to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 36.2% are returning visitors, showing strong repeat interest in that location. The data reflects continued enthusiasm for iconic outdoor experiences across the country.
Good to see that campers are actually using their reservations. But bad that its still difficult, and getting harder, to get a campground reserved!
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