The word “trends” often feels like a buzzword, thrown around to catch attention, but at its core, it simply means shifts in behavior, preferences, and innovations that shape the way we operate. For campground owners, trends aren’t just fleeting ideas—they’re insights into what campers want, how the industry is evolving, and where opportunities for growth lie. Understanding these trends helps you adapt, stay competitive, and meet the changing needs of your guests in a meaningful way.

In this post, we provide a sneak peek at some of the key findings revealed in our latest free resource—2025 Camping Trends Outlook: Insights for Campground Owners. Inside the Outlook, we go beyond a list of hot topics to supply actionable tips and ideas for how to apply the insights to your business strategy in 2025. 

The 2025 Camping Landscape 

According to the survey results, the appetite for camping in 2025 is still strong—with 93% planning to spend the same or more on camping in 2025. But we also observed some interesting shifts in the reason campers are booking their trips.

  • 94% see camping as a form of stress relief from today’s pressures 
  • 80% believe camping helps them reconnect with what matters most in life 
  • The younger the camper, the higher the likelihood they want to escape to a simpler time
    • 94% of Gen Z 
    • 93% of Millennials 
    • 92% of Gen X 
    • 84% of Boomers 

The No. 1 2025 Camping Trend: Nostalgia is a National Mood 

As we reviewed the data, one message rang true loud and clear. Campers are feeling nostalgic. In today’s chaotic world, 88% of campers wish they could escape to a more carefree era, and 72% say a desire for simpler times will significantly impact their 2025 travel-planning. That’s why we’ve dubbed 2025 the year of the Re(creation) Vacation.

How to Apply This Insight 

  • Use imagery and language in your marketing materials that speak to classic camping amenities and experiences evoking nostalgia (e.g. picnic tables, charcoal grills, etc.).
  • Level up the campfire experience, an iconic symbol of connection and slowing down.
  • Ideas: Upgrade your fire pits and the surrounding area, offer complimentary s’mores kits or cooking equipment, provide lanterns for ambience. 

A sense of nostalgia isn’t the only thing the data revealed. Grab your free report below to discover the elements most appreciated at campgrounds, the feelings and types of trips campers are most looking to recreate, and the rest of our trends, insights, and tips for 2025. 

Get Your Free Copy of 2025 Camping Trends