2026 Camping Report: Executive Summary

Insights into one of the most accessible and high-value outdoor activities in the U.S.

Camping is one of the most accessible and affordable ways Americans get outside, and it remains a reliable front door into the wider outdoor industry. The 2026 Camping Report gives brands and retailers a clear view of where the camping community is growing and where the next opportunities are.

In 2025, 42.3 million Americans camped close to their vehicles, and the number keeps climbing, with more than 2 million new campers added in a single year and 6.2 million since 2020. But camping is really two stories. Vehicle-accessible camping is growing steadily while RV camping has slipped back to pre-pandemic levels, and a clear participation gap has opened up among teens and young adults. For brands and retailers, the opportunity is to reach the casual campers driving the growth and win back the younger adults who have drifted away.

Inside the executive summary, you'll find the numbers and insights behind camping's growth, including these highlights.

  • Steady growth in vehicle-accessible camping, reaching 42.3 million participants in 2025, up more than 5% in a single year and 6.2 million since 2020
  • A gateway to the whole outdoor economy, with 93% of campers also hiking, fishing, birding, or taking part in other outdoor activities
  • Casual campers leading the momentum, which keeps widening the pipeline of new outdoor consumers
  • A tale of two segments, as RV camping fell 6.4% year over year and casual RV camping dropped nearly 11%, held back by ownership and rental costs
  • A clear opening with younger adults, where a participation gap among ages 13 to 24 points to room for affordability, community, and social connection
  • Distinct demographic targets, from older women as the strong core of RV camping to untapped potential among people of color and women who want safer, easier access, with participation strongest in the Pacific, South Atlantic, and East North Central regions

Download the Executive Summary to get a clear picture of camping participation, frequency, cross-activity behavior, and demographics, and to see where the biggest opportunities are for product, marketing, and long-term growth.