Campers are more diverse than ever.

That’s the first key finding from the 2021 North American Camping Report, and in some ways, it’s probably not surprising. As you know, camping is one of those special, communal activities that appeal to people from all cultures and backgrounds. But this growing diversity is vital to note.

As all the key findings in the latest report, the growth in diversity will be important to keep in mind as you plan for the future of your campground.

Key Findings

More people are camping, and people are camping more often.
The rate of first-time campers in 2020 was five times greater than the rate in 2019
Couples with children are camping’s most enthusiastic advocates: 63% indicate they would recommend camping to others as a way to have fun with the whole family
Interest in the RV lifestyle is at an all-time high

Fast Stats

According to the report, there are more than 86 million active camper households in the U.S.
Further, 48.2 million households camped at least once in 2020.
That same year, more than 10 million households camped for the first time.

You may be thinking that the increase in camping interest has direct ties to the pandemic — and you’d be right. But not to worry: There are plenty of signs that camping interest will not wane even as the pandemic does.

In fact, the frequency of camping has been on a marked incline since 2014. Take a look:

If those numbers don’t get you excited about the future of camping, we think this will: From 2014 to 2020, the number of people who go camping three or more times per year skyrocketed by 121%. This significant increase in camping frequency is all the more reason to ensure you have the best, most seamless payment system in place and that you remain responsive to the needs of different kinds of campers.

Who are these new campers?

Over half of the folks who went camping in 2020 have children in their households. Moreover, 41% of these folks were millennials. This tracks with recent trends: Since 2017, anywhere from 40 to 45% of campers have been millennials. As mentioned above, diversity is also on the rise.

In 2020, 61% of new campers were people of color. But that’s just one facet of what we know about this big group of first-time campers:

Nearly 60% are under the age of 40
One-fourth are Black
41% have a household income of $100,000 or more
Three-fourths are households with children
Two-thirds stayed at campgrounds with at least some amenities and services

That last bullet point will be critical to remember. Given the increase of camping families and the clear allure of amenities, you’ll want to ensure you have the services your campers crave.

For example, couples with children are more likely to rent an RV. Glamping has also become more popular, so consider what unique accommodations you can add to your campground. Are you renting large tents, heaters, and grills already, and if so, should you add more? Likewise, the availability of cabins and yurts will also make your campground more enticing. After all, your goal — and ours, too — is to ensure your campers have a truly great experience, which brings us to our favorite graph.

As you can see, the folks who work while camping are less likely to have a great experience than, say, those who camp with their families. This is to be expected, but it also presents an exciting opportunity.

Consider what perks people at work might need — perks like coffee and snacks. Likewise, consider what campers might need if they’re being dragged along by their friends or family on their very first camping trip. What will make their experience even more enjoyable?

As you ask and answer these questions for your particular campground, you may make subtle changes to the way you manage your operations. That’s OK. In fact, that’s more than OK. It means you’re adapting and staying attuned to your audience, and with a platform like Bonfire, staying current gets a whole lot easier.

If you want to know more about Bonfire's easy-to-use, all-in-one campground management, and reservation software, please reach out to us at howdy@letsbonfire.com. To learn even more about campground management and some do’s and don’ts, read our blog on that very topic.

Read and/or download the full 2021 North American Camping Report here >