A new national camping survey supported recent RVIA data finding the pandemic is not the primary reason campers are active.
Nearly 45% of respondents to Campspot’s survey, summarized in its 2021 State of Camping Report, said they were likely to go camping because they believed it was safer than staying at a hotel or indoor travel. Nearly 40%, however, said “missing nature” was their top reason for camping.
In a recent RVIA online survey, new buyers cited “restriction on other travel due to Covid” fourth from last as their reason for buying an RV.
Campspot found family vacation time was the top reason campers cited for camping, coming in at 27%. Relaxation was second on the list at 25%.
Respondents cited family (52%) and friends (22%) as the top camping companions. Respondents asked how they want to feel while camping said peace and quiet in the outdoors (35%) followed by a wonder and appreciation of nature (29%).
Respondents most often said they would lodge in tents (56%) but staying in an RV (16%) outpaced cabins (14%) and other lodging (6%) in the survey. Among amenities that mattered most at a campsite, quality showers/bathhouses ranked first (36%) followed by family activities (32%).
Finally, the survey found fall advance reservations increased 24% from the fall of 2020. Top camper destinations after Labor Day include Ocean City, Maryland; the Pacific Coast and Cascades; the Smoky Mountains; Paso Robles wine country and Moab, Utah.
