According to the latest camping report published by The Dyrt, the number one app for checking availability, browsing photos, and reading reviews of campgrounds, a staggering 84.8 million Americans went camping in 2023, with 5.5 million of them being first-time campers. Since 2021, the number of new campers has increased by over 20 million.
This drastic increase in camping popularity has led to a surge in demand. In 2023, 45.5% of campers had difficulty finding a camping spot as they were all sold out. Comparing this to 2019, when only 10.6% of people had trouble with reservations, it can be concluded that finding available camping spots has become four times more difficult. However, there has been a slight decrease in this issue compared to 2022 when a whopping 58.4% of individuals faced difficulties in booking. This is due, in part, to campground owners responding to the growing demand by adding new camping sites.
“We are in a new golden era of camping,” says Kevin Long, CEO of The Dyrt. “The demand for camping has never been greater, but thanks to technology, it’s easier to find a camping spot, and campground owners are rapidly expanding. As a result, campers now have more choices than ever before.”
Camping with trailers has also gained significant interest. A remarkable 46.8% of survey respondents chose trailers or RVs as their primary accommodation during camping, representing a 10.9% increase compared to 2022. There is also a growing interest in off-road camping and using off-road vehicles, as 7.3% of respondents indicated it as their preferred form of camping.
Another trend that continues to grow is free camping. The report reveals that nearly two-thirds of campers set up their tents or RVs in free locations in 2023, whereas in 2019, it was only one-third. The Dyrt app has introduced a range of features to help campers find free camping spots, including maps of overnight parking areas, RV dump stations, water access points, and a curated collection of 5,000 car-accessible free camping sites.
“It’s incredibly fascinating to observe the simultaneous rise in popularity of free camping, trailer camping, and off-road camping,” says Sarah Smith, founder of The Dyrt. “It shows that there are many different ways to camp, and campers are still discovering new methods of enjoying the outdoors.”
The Dyrt’s 2024 Camping Report, presented in collaboration with All-New Toyota Tacoma, also includes information on camping vehicles. According to surveyed campers, the most suitable type of vehicle for camping is an SUV, closely followed by trucks. However, the majority of respondents stated that they plan to purchase a camping vehicle within the next five years.
“Camping is an evolving field,” says Angie White, Senior Media Manager at Toyota Motor North America. “We look forward to seeing how media and organizations in the outdoor, travel, automotive, and other industries analyze this data and share insights on Americans’ camping habits.”
The complete report, The Dyrt’s 2024 Camping Report Presented by the All-New Toyota Tacoma, can be read on The Dyrt’s website.
About The Dyrt:
The Dyrt is a unique and comprehensive camping information resource with over 12 million users who provide reviews, share photos, and offer tips for every type of campground, from RV and tent sites to glamping and cabin rentals. The Dyrt also serves as a platform for campers to search, save, and book campsites across the United States. With The Dyrt PRO feature, campers can reserve campsites even if they are already sold out, access detailed maps, and receive discounts on camping and more. The Dyrt is the number one camping app, visited by over 30 million users annually. With The Dyrt app, users can expect a complete package of information for all their camping needs.
FAQ Section based on the main topics and information presented in the article:
1. How many Americans went camping in 2023?
According to The Dyrt’s report, a staggering 84.8 million Americans went camping in 2023.
2. How many were first-time campers in 2023?
Among the 84.8 million Americans who went camping, 5.5 million were first-time campers.
3. How much has the number of new campers increased since 2021?
The number of new campers has increased by over 20 million since 2021.
4. How many campers faced difficulties finding camping spots in 2023?
In 2023, 45.5% of campers had difficulties finding camping spots as they were all sold out.
5. How does this compare to the number of people facing reservation issues in 2019?
Compared to 2019, when only 10.6% of people faced reservation problems, it can be concluded that finding available camping spots has become four times more difficult.
6. How many people had reservation difficulties in 2022?
In 2022, a staggering 58.4% of individuals had difficulties with reservation.
7. What are the main reasons for the increased popularity of camping?
According to The Dyrt’s CEO, the increased popularity is due to a greater choice of camping spots and rapid development by campground property owners.
8. What are the preferred forms of accommodation during camping?
The report reveals that 46.8% of survey respondents chose trailers or RVs as their primary accommodation during camping.
9. What other forms of camping are gaining popularity?
There is a growing interest in off-road camping and using off-road vehicles. 7.3% of respondents indicated this as their preferred form of camping.
10. How significant is the increase in popularity of free camping?
The report shows that nearly two-thirds of campers choose free locations to set up their tents or RVs in 2023, whereas in 2019, it was only one-third.
11. What role does The Dyrt app play in finding free camping spots?
The Dyrt app provides features that help campers find free camping spots, such as maps of overnight parking areas, RV dump stations, water access points, and a curated collection of 5,000 car-accessible free camping sites.
12. What are the most popular types of camping vehicles?
According to surveyed campers, SUVs are the most suitable type of vehicle for camping, followed closely by trucks.
13. What are most respondents’ plans regarding camping vehicle purchases?
The majority of respondents stated that they plan to purchase a camping vehicle within the next five years.
14. What is the purpose of The Dyrt’s 2024 Camping Report?
The report aims to provide data and insights into camping that can be analyzed by media and organizations in the outdoor, travel, automotive, and other industries.