Camping Grew in Popularity During the Pandemic

The North American Camping Report gives results on the growth of camping, experiences of camping and what the future holds. Source is from North American Camping Report website. 

By Emily Harris 

JRN 100 Staff Reporter 

 

Camping grew increasing popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the recently released North American Camping Report.

“Covid-19 likely contributed to their increased camping in 2021 (36 percent) and they are inclined to say that avoiding crowds is a benefit of camping. Additionally, besides COVID-19 economic conditions are pushing more of these guests into camping, including 44 percent who plan to replace a leisure trip with a camping trip in 2022,” said the North American Camping Report. The report is done annually and gives details on the habits and preferences of campers. 

Karen Fillian, manager of Campers Haven RV Resort in Dennis Port, said camping was an easier way to travel in a safe way during the pandemic. 

“Most of our guests never want to leave! I have had multiple guests end up with a seasonal site. You have your own little piece of heaven without breaking the bank. RV camping is freeing, most folks did not want to wear masks outdoors. The pandemic was very different here than in other environments,” said Fillian. 

The annual North American Camping Report (NACR) found that camping increased in 2021 and it predicted that the trend would continue with an increased interest in new experiences such as trips in Recreational Vehicles (RV’s) or glamping, which is a form of camping with more accommodation and more luxury than traditional camping, said NACR. 

“Over the last year, more than half of all campers (55 percent) said that camping offered a safer option compared to other forms of travel and 37 percent replaced a leisure trip with a camping trip,” the report said.

Outdoorsy, which rents RV’s, motorhomes, trailers, and campervans, said customers logged 250 million miles. 

The Annual North American Camping Report says that the interest in RVs and the RV lifestyle is at an all-time high. Continuing a growing trend, more people identify as RV campers and more people are interested in buying or upgrading their RV in 2021. 

Toby O’Rourke, president, and CEO of Kampgrounds of America said many people found they could camp for longer periods during the pandemic and extended their stays. 

“More than 80 percent of campers changed their camping habits last year, including working and schooling from the campground, turning RVs for travel safety and security, and adding more weekdays to their trips which coupled with the influx of first-time campers, solidifies that many Americans turned to camping and the outdoors to make it through a challenging year,” said Toby O’Rourke President and CEO of Kampgrounds of America. 

Fillian said the RV resort was nearly booked solid for 2020 and 2021. 

“Guests were booking for this year when they arrived for last year’s stay. Some were disappointed because their chosen dates or favorite sites were already taken. I would say 60-70 percent are repeat guests,” said Fillian. 

She noticed that many people who have never camped before started during the pandemic. She said many had rental campers or brand new campers and accessories still in the packaging. 

Jaclyn Colgan who was the activities assistant at Campers Haven RV Resort, also noticed a lot of first-time campers. 

“There were many people who were first-time campers who decided to start camping because of the pandemic. It was the safest way to still be able to travel and take a vacation, especially during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Colgan.

 

She said she believes that many people who were first-time campers are more likely to return to the RV resort because of their positive experiences of camping and the attractions in Cape Cod. 

Colgan said that campers said they enjoy Cape Cod because of its beaches and activities, such as fishing, hiking, and boating. 

“Many of the new campers seemed to really enjoy themselves. They were so thrilled to be out of their house and someplace new,” said Colgan. 

The North American Camping Report found that overall, 40 percent of campers stated they camped more in 2021 after leaving or changing jobs. 

“Following a three year decline in distanced traveled, campers are somewhat more likely to travel a little farther in 2020. Where previously most campers stayed within 50 miles, this year more ventured 100 to 150 miles from home. Older campers are biggest driver of this change,” said the North American Camping Report. 

The report found that in 2021, with the overall increase in the number of camping households, there was a corresponding increase in usage of all forms of accommodation, including an additional two million RVers. 

“With a large proportion of campers working while camping it appears that the camping experience offers the benefit of improved overall well-being and emotional wellness,” said the North American Camping Report. 

Fillian said that it is important to make people feel welcome, offer local information, and assist with the logistics of setting up at a site, including hooking up to sewer, electricity, and the internet. 

Colgan said in some ways the pandemic offered scheduling flexibility to campers that they have not had in the past. 

Many people were able to extend their stay because they were able to work remotely. Parents were booking trips through September and October because they knew their children would be doing new school via zoom and would still be able to go to class from the camper. This allowed families to book with us after our summer months were already fully booked at a lower rate than they would have needed to pay during July and August,” said Colgan. 

The report said the RV camping showed the greatest increase in popularity. 

“This past year, almost 15 million households went RVing at some point, including 11 million RV owners. The RV rental market also exhibited healthy growth, adding over two million new renters in 2021. Camping includes a much higher percentage of RV owners (77 percent) compared to the past when many RVers would rent or borrow the RV they used,” said the North American Camping Report. 

Fillian said she expects this upcoming camping season to be even busier as people have become more comfortable with the COVID-19 vaccines and are traveling further from home. 

Fillian said specifically Canadian guests are the ones that will return to the RV resort.