The Dyrt's 2025 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks

CAMPING REPORT thedyrt.com

Prototype shown with options.

THE DYRT’S 2025 CAMPING REPORT PRESENTED BY TOYOTA TRUCKS

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OUTLAST. OUTLIVE.

Whether you’re conquering off-road trails, towing your home-away-from-home, or seeking the versatility of an SUV, there’s a Toyota Truck that’s just right for you.

Off-roading is inherently dangerous and may result in vehicle damage. Toyota encourages responsible operation to help protect you, your vehicle and the environment. Seatbelts should be worn at all times. Do not allow passengers to ride in cargo area. Prototypes shown with options. Production models may vary.

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SARAH SMITH, THE DYRT

FOUNDER’S NOTE In a wild year of economic and political uncertainty, it heartens me to think: We will always camp. Some trends may come and go, but the need to connect with nature — and to connect with one another in nature — is what helps humans stay grounded. In 100 years, will people still trade Bitcoin and play pickleball? Who knows.

But they will camp — at least in some form.

up at campgrounds faster than any other amenity (page 18).

For the first time since the pandemic ushered in a new era of camping, we saw the total number of campers in the U.S. decline slightly.

That said, the overall size of the camping public is still much larger than pre-2020 levels.

In fact, 2023 and 2024 are the top two years on record according to our survey. Growth among first-time campers remains strong, inching up from last year’s levels.

Increasing access to the outdoors is a key part of our mission here at The Dyrt. My favorite stat in this year’s report: Cancellations and no-shows dramatically decreased last year (page 6), which means there was less wasted campsite inventory and more people enjoying the great outdoors. Less waste and more enjoyment is a trend we can all get behind. So, here’s to a great year of camping in 2025!

Indeed, how people camp continues to evolve rapidly. In this year’s Camping Report, presented by Toyota Trucks, we see some clear trendlines. Camping on farms is growing like a cash crop (page 15) while glamping appears to be cooling off after its meteoric rise (page 17). And, yes, pickleball courts are popping

CAMPERS BY THE NUMBERS AMERICANS CONTINUE TO DISCOVER THE JOYS OF CAMPING 2024 saw the second-highest total number of campers on record, down slightly from 84.8 million in 2023

81.1 million 5.8 Americans camped in 2024*

First-time campers in 2024*

25

million+

First-time campers since 2021* *estimated

CUMULATIVE FIRST-TIME CAMPERS 26.8 million 21 million 15.5 million 8.3 million 2021

4 out of 5 American

adults have been camping at least once.

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Pickleball, anyone?

2022

2023

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Erika Campground: Upper Pines Campground, Yosemite National Park, California

WHAT WE’VE PACKED INTO THIS YEAR

million

2024

nights camped last year on average.

S’MORE WITH SARAH THE DYRT FOUNDER

2 Campers By The Numbers

9 Camping And The Economy

19 Campers By Region

"The camping boom we’ve experienced in recent years is about so much more than sheer numbers.

6 Campers Increasingly Show Up

10 Campers Of All Ages

23 Camping Vehicles

There’s now an awareness, approachability and familiarity with camping that didn’t exist five years ago. This is why, despite the overall dip in 2024, new camper growth is strong and the current camping population is still about 15-20% larger than it was pre-pandemic."

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8 Getting A Reservation 13 Camping Trends 1

27 The Dyrt Details

CAMPERS BY THE NUMBERS

CAMPERS BY THE NUMBERS

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Jennifer Campground: Needles Outpost Cmpaground, Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Stephanie Campground: Robbers Cave State Park, Oklahoma

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Evelyn Campground: Cherry Hill Park, Maryland

CAMPERS BY AGE GROUP

BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ CAMPERS

Camping appeals to all ages, but especially early middle-age

Campers are increasingly diverse

10.5%

% OF FIRST-TIME CAMPERS WHO IDENTIFY AS BIPOC

Ages 18 to 24

20.4%

Ages 35 to 44

16.2%

Ages 55 to 64

16.7%

identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).

57.3%

2020-2023

18.8%

30.7% of the overall camper population

52.5%

2024

42.2% of U.S. population identifies as

24.2%

Before 2020

BIPOC.*

*According to the 2020 Census

Ages 45 to 54

Ages 65+

% OF FIRST-TIME CAMPERS WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQIA+

17.3%

Ages 25 to 34

45.1% of campers 18 to 34 say their interest in camping has increased in the last decade, more than double the rate of older campers.

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3 out of 10 adults who

camped for the first time in 2024 were under 35.

2020-2023 Before 2020

12.4% of the overall camper population

27.1%

2024

identifies as LGBTQIA+.

17.3%

7.2% of U.S. population identifies as

10.2%

LGBTQIA+.*

*According to 2022 Gallup poll

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CAMPERS BY THE NUMBERS

CAMPERS INCREASINGLY SHOW UP

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Ivette Campground: Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona

CANCELLATIONS & NO-SHOWS

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Denise Campground: McKinney Falls State Park, Texas

Every type of cancellation and no-show decreased in 2024 Canceled 2+ days ahead of time 25.8% (-3.3%)*

FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS

49.7% camped with dogs.

”

4.8% camped with cats.

Left campsite 1 or more days early 12.8% (-3.9%)* THE DYRT CAMPER KYRA FROM GEORGIA

"I can’t wait to see how she reacts to crossing state lines, stepping paw into real snow for the first time (not Georgia slush), or feeling the rush of wind through the open car window as we cruise down long stretches of highway. She’s not just a passenger; she’s my adventure partner, my co-pilot, and my biggest reason to make every journey count."

Campers also reported camping with horses, rabbits, parrots, bearded dragon, minipig and fish.

70.7% of campers say they used

Canceled with less than 2 days notice 6.9% (-3.8%)*

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Carmen Campground: Madison Campground, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

all their reservations in 2024, up from 58.9% in 2023.

No-show 4% (-1%)*

16.7

There was a % decrease in cancellations and no-shows last year.

Arrived 1 or more days late 3.7% (-.5%)* *change from 2023

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Michael Campground: Westport Union Landing State Beach, California

S’MORE WITH SARAH THE DYRT FOUNDER

"I think there’s increasing awareness of the fact that it hurts other campers to reserve a campsite and leave it empty and that the camping community is stepping up to do better.

CAMPING COMPANIONS Spouse/ Partner Friend(s) Children

54

73.2% 39.3% 30.8%

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New legislation in California and Washington to incentivize advanced cancellation might be helping as well."

CAMPERS INCREASINGLY SHOWING UP

GETTING A RESERVATION IT GOT HARDER TO FIND A CAMPSITE TO BOOK. AGAIN. After a decrease in 2023, the portion of campers who said they had a difficult time booking is once again near its 2022 peak

Campground: Wilson State Park Campground, Kansas

58.4%

56.1%

CANCELLATIONS & HIGHER INCOMES Wealthier campers are more likely to no-show

Sold Out

Campers who earn more than $100k per year are 2x more likely to no-show than campers with incomes under $50k.

5.8%

More than $250K

56.1% of campers said they

had a difficult time booking a site in 2024 because campgrounds were full.

10.6% 2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

4.4%

$101K - $250K

3.2%

$50K - $100K $50K

26.9%

45.5%

30.2%

2.1% S’MORE WITH SARAH THE DYRT FOUNDER

SNAG A SOLD-OUT CAMPSITE Dyrt Alerts notify you when sold-out campsites open up.

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GET THE DYRT MOBILE APP

"We really want to see less friction in the campsite marketplace.

The camping community is happier and healthier when people can find a site to book with relative ease. While increased inventory from private campgrounds helped bring this number down in 2023, interest remains extremely high in competitive public campgrounds with a fixed number of sites."

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CAMPING & THE ECONOMY IS CAMPING INFLATION PROOF?

CAMPERS OF ALL AGES

INFLATION’S IMPACT ON CAMPERS

Turns out, mostly yes

12%

4 out of 5 campers said that

Camped more

20.4%

inflation either caused them to camp more or did not affect their camping activities.

Camped less

67.6%

Camped the same

S’MORE WITH SARAH THE DYRT FOUNDER

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Samantha Campground: Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Isabelle Campground: Lincoln Creek Dispersed, Colorado

YOUNG CAMPERS (18 - 34)

"For years, I’ve been saying camping is an inflation-proof activity.

Last year, that was really put to the test. While some campers saved money by camping less, others increasingly turned to camping as a more affordable travel option. To see that 80% of campers either camped more or the same amount shows how resilient our industry and community really are!"

Prefer tents and camping with friends

60.3% say tent camping

57.7% camped with friends in 2024, compared to 39.3% on average.

is their primary camping type, twice the average.

RISING RATES Increases in campsite pricing cooled off slightly.

”

38.9% of properties increased rates last year, compared to 45.3% in 2023.

78.7% of camping properties

that raised rates say inflation was a factor — the No. 1 reason cited.

34.4% of camping properties say they plan to raise rates in 2025.

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Photo by The Dyrt Community member Linda Campground: Missoula KOA Holiday, Montana

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Janet Location: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota

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THE DYRT CAMPER JANET FROM MINNESOTA

"Camping was a big part of my life ever since I was a baby. I was into the Outdoor Recreation program in college and married a similarly outdoorsy fellow student. Our kids, who are now in their 30s, are even more adventurous than we are — in fact, both kids and their spouses summited, climbed and camped on Mount Whitney just this past summer! So it is quite a legacy."

CAMPERS OF ALL AGES

CAMPERS OF ALL AGES

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Becca Campground: Anchor Down RV Resort, Tennessee

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Lance Campground: Mammoth Cave Campground, Kentucky

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Frank Campground: Fort De Soto Campground, Florida

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Ian Campground: Denali RV Park and Motel, Alaska

MIDDLE-AGED CAMPERS (35 - 54)

CAMPERS OVER 55

Bring their kids and dogs to the campground

Prefer RVs, camping for free, and have a higher net worth

Almost twice as likely to camp with kids.

More likely to go back to the same campground year after year.

61% of campers over 55 list RV or trailer as

2x more likely than

Most likely age group to camp with dogs.

Seek out campgrounds with swimming pools or hot tubs, tennis courts and dog parks.

62.8% of retired campers camped for free

4x more likely to report

primary camping type, 50% higher than average.

in 2024, 11.4% higher than average.

average to report net worth above $750k.

net worth above $2 million.

Most likely to work while camping...

Ages 18 - 34

50% more likely to do remote

32.6%

Ages 35 - 54 Ages 55+

Campers over 55 have big camping plans for after retirement

21.5%

work while camping.

21.5%

79.1%

National parks Open-road exploration

73.6% 63.7%

Free camping

... and have higher incomes

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60.9% more likely to report

Middle-aged campers are % more likely than average to report income above $100k.

income above $250k.

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Visit family Trip w/ grandkids

36.5%

1/3 of campers are over the age of 55.

2/3 of campers over

the age of 55 are retired.

28.9% 12

CAMPING TRENDS

CAMPING TRENDS SOLO CAMPING

24%

29.8%

30.6%

2023

2024

18.8%

Solo camping increases for the 3rd straight year

2021

2022

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Xavier Campground: Ohanapecosh Campground, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Vanessa Campground: Hidden Valley Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, California

PRIMARY CAMPING TYPE FOR SOLO CAMPERS VERSUS OVERALL Solo campers are more likely to prefer tent, camper van, truck camping and overlanding Photo by The Dyrt Community member Kelsey Campground: Hoodview Campground, Oregon

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Kris Campground: BLM Middle Fork Shafer Canyon, Utah

Solo campers are less likely to prefer RVs and glamping

17.3%

RV

45.1% 36.2%

Tent

TOP REASONS FOR CAMPING ALONE I like the solitude 69%

Camper Van

”

Friends and family aren’t always available 50.6% I like to camp last minute 28.4% Camping as part of a larger solo road trip 25.9% 13

31%

THE DYRT CAMPER KRIS FROM COLORADO

"While the safety a dog provides on a solo camping trip in the wilderness is nice, the best part is the constant morale boost they provide. Whether we’re hiking, going to a lake or creek, taking a scenic drive or just lounging around the campsite eating hot dogs, there’s never an activity my dog doesn’t enjoy."

Truck Camping Overlanding Rooftop Tent Glamping

12% 8.3% 5.1% 3.6% 5.5% 3.2% 3.5% 2.4% 0.2% 0.4%

Solo Campers 14

Overall

CAMPING TRENDS

CAMPING TRENDS

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Steven Campground: Bertling Family Farm, California

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Dave Campground: Bowman Lake Campground Glacier, Montana

FARM CAMPING

CAMPERS ARE MOST EXCITED TO VISIT THESE NATIONAL PARKS

Farms are increasingly popular with campers 14.1% 11.1%

4.2% 2019

5% 2020

7%

2021

a farm last year, more than 3x the rate in 2019.

2022

2023

2 Glacier

4 Acadia

5 Yosemite

National Park

1 in 7campers camped on

8.5%

1 Yellowstone

National Park

National Park

Mountains National Park

National Park

2024 #2

Farm campers are more likely to identify vehicles as their primary camping type...

51.4% of farm campers prefer RVs

and trailers compared to 45.1% overall.

42.4% of farm campers camp in

the winter compared to just 28.5% of overall campers.

#4

#1

13.6% of farm campers

#5

prefer camper vans, compared to 8.3% overall.

... and more likely to camp during the winter and alone

”

3 Great Smoky

36% of farm campers also camp alone, compared to 30.6% overall.

#3

36.2% of campers

planning to camp at Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year have done so before.

4 out of 5 campers

plan to camp in a national park in 2025.

Young campers are the most likely to plan on camping in a national park THE DYRT CAMPER GENESIS FROM TEXAS

"It was a small farm, just a few feisty goats and several happy chickens whose delicious eggs I enjoyed the entire time I spent on the land. There were also working dogs to keep coyotes away, free-roaming cattle and curious horses that stopped by my camp to investigate my presence. It was a new experience for me but quite enjoyable."

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Ages 18 - 34

91.7%

Ages 35 - 54

82%

Ages 55+

78.9%

27.1% of campers planning to camp in a

national park say they’ll revisit one they’ve camped in before.

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CAMPING TRENDS

CAMPING TRENDS

Campground: The Oasis at Bear Run Farm, West Virginia

Campground: Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes RV Resort, California

GLAMPING

PICKLEBALL

Has glamping lost it’s glamor? 50% drop in glamping in one year

Pickleball courts are the top amenity campgrounds added

76.2% plunge from 2022 peak

21.1% less glamping sites added to

4.3% of campers went glamping in

1.8% of campers tried glamping for the

of campers who say glamping is their primary camping type.

17% of private campgrounds

camping properties than last year.

2024, down from 9% in 2023.

first time in 2024, down from 3.8% in 2023.

MID-LIFE APPEAL

ON THE PLUS SIDE

Campers ages 35-54 — typically the age group with the highest earning potential — are 50% more likely to list glamping as their primary camping type.

Glamping is the type of camping with the most availability. Campers who favor glamping reported 34.4% less difficulty than average finding an available campsite to book.

S’MORE WITH SARAH THE DYRT FOUNDER

”

Campground: Sailor Springs Glamping, Wisconsin

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WI-FI, which was the secondmost-added amenity.

LLOYD LAULAND PRESIDENT OF RVC OUTDOOR DESTINATIONS

"Our Gulf Shores Resort was the host site for an RV Rally in December 2024. As part of the event, we held pickleball clinics and concluded the week with a tournament. One of the most highly ranked professional pickleball players in the U.S. conducted the clinics and helped organize the tournament. It was a huge success."

WILDFIRES Wildfires increasingly affect camping

"We’ve seen tremendous growth in glamping since the pandemic, with some truly mind-blowing properties emerging for campers.

But some of the pricing associated with them has been quite high. Glamping is here to stay, but with travel back to pre-pandemic levels, it makes sense that we’d see the market balance out some this year."

9.8% of campgrounds added

added pickleball courts as an amenity in 2024.

21.6% 18.1% 11.6%

18.3%

11.2%

1 in 5 campers had to alter their

6.1% 2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

plans last year due to wildfires and natural disasters.

2024 18

CAMPERS BY REGION

CAMPERS BY REGION TROUBLE BOOKING Campers who had trouble booking a site because campgrounds were full

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Cathy Campground: Turkey Run State Park, Indiana

66.1%

Pacific

DISRUPTED BY WILDFIRES

52.4%

Mountain Central

HARDEST: PACIFIC

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Megan Campground: Hood Creek Campground, Montana

Campers whose camping plans were disrupted by wildfires or natural disasters

46.1%

Midwest

54.3%

Southeast

55.3%

Northeast

55.1%

31.7%

Pacific

EASIEST: CENTRAL

24.7%

Mountain 17%

Central Midwest

NO-SHOW CAMPERS

11.3% 21.8%

Southeast

Campers who admitted to no-showing a reservation

MOST: MOUNTAIN

4.3%

Pacific

Central

4%

Midwest

4.2%

Southeast

3.2%

Northeast

3.3%

10.2%

LEAST: NORTHEAST

REGIONAL PASSIONS

4.4%

Mountain

Northeast

MOST: PACIFIC

Campers in this region love ____ more than any other Vanlife

LEAST: SOUTHEAST 19

Pacific

Mountain

Hiking

Hunting

Kayaking

Fishing

Biking

Midwest

Southeast 20

Central

Northeast

MIDWEST & NORTHEAST We crunched the numbers and paired each Toyota truck with the camping region that captures its soul

Campers in the Midwest and Northeast regions are most likely to camp with children and say that the ideal camping setup includes an SUV Toyota Truck:

Sequoia

PACIFIC Pacific Region campers are most likely to camp solo and need flexibility in the hardest region in the country to get a campsite reservation Toyota Truck:

4Runner In a word:

Capable

In a word:

Family

34% of campers in the

Midwest and Northeast camp with kids, more than 5% higher than average.

CENTRAL

Campers in this region are 20% more likely to prioritize off-road capability in a new vehicle.

From the Badlands to Big Bend, Central Region campers love dispersed camping and winter camping Toyota Truck:

Tundra

MOUNTAIN

In a word:

Rugged

Campers in the Mountain Region are most likely to leave the asphalt in the dust Toyota Truck:

Land Cruiser In a word:

Versatile

52% of campers in this

region say AWD/4WD is the most important feature in a vehicle — 10% more than average.

SOUTHEAST Campers in the Southeast Region are up for anything with the most year-round campers Toyota Truck:

Tacoma Off-roading is inherently dangerous and may result in vehicle damage. Toyota encourages responsible operation to help protect you, your vehicle and the environment. Seatbelts should be worn at all times. Do not allow passengers to ride in cargo area. Prototypes shown with options. Production models may vary.

Never tow beyond a vehicle’s published towing capacities. Before towing, confirm your vehicle and trailer are compatible, hooked up and loaded properly and that you have any necessary additional equipment. The maximum you can tow depends on base curb weight plus the total weight of any cargo, occupants, and added vehicle equipment. Follow all instructions in your Owner’s Manual.

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In a word:

Campers in this region are 33% more likely to be yearround campers. 38% said they camp in the winter.

Spontaneous 22

62% of campers in this

region own trucks — nearly 10% more than average.

CAMPING VEHICLES CAMPING VEHICLES POPULARITY 3 out of 4 campers have camped in or next to their vehicle

53.3% of campers say a truck

More than half of campers plan to buy a vehicle in the next 5 years.

is the ideal vehicle for camping, followed by SUV at 38.6%.

10.3% are planning to buy one in the next year.

The Dyrt Community sounds off! We asked campers what outdoor activities they would do in a new Toyota Truck:

“Coast-to-coast national park road trip”

“Seek expansive views, secluded dispersed camps and tranquil hot springs”

“Explore the far reaches of West Texas with my dog”

“Cross the National Wild Horse Refuge in Wyoming”

Off-roading is inherently dangerous and may result in vehicle damage. Toyota encourages responsible operation to help protect you, your vehicle and the environment. Seatbelts should be worn at all times. Do not allow passengers to ride in cargo area. Prototype shown with options. Production model may vary.

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CAMPING VEHICLES

CAMPING VEHICLES

Photo by The Dyrt Community member Kristin Campground: Lake Pleasant RV Park, Washington

CAMPING VEHICLES LEAD THE WAY Photo by The Dyrt Community member Berton Campground: Valley of the Gods, Utah

53.4% of campers say their

$58,331 average

preferred type of camping involves a camping vehicle, such as an RV, trailer or camper van.

amount RV campers are willing to spend on a rig.

1/2 of campers have owned a trailer.

CAMPER VANS Camper vans are especially popular among people who:

CAMPING VEHICLES OWNED*

RV

50.6% of respondents say they

49.6%

Trailer

bought a camper van, RV or trailer in the last 5 years.

32.2%

Visit national parks

Enjoy free camping

18.7% of camping properties have

Camper van 20.3%

age limitations on RVs. The average age limit is 12 years old.

*at some point in their lives

S’MORE WITH SARAH THE DYRT FOUNDER

WHAT CAMPERS WHO PREFER RV OR TRAILER LOOK FOR IN A CAMPSITE Electric hookups

Live on the West Coast

"Look around any campground and you’ll see a wide price range and variety of sizes of camping vehicles.

52.3%

Water 13.2%

Camper vans are increasingly decked out with amenities that provide an RV-like experience that can fit in a traditional parking spot. Our van has been back and forth across the country many times since 2021!"

Sewer 10.3% Pull-thru length 8.9% 25

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THE DYRT IS THE MOST DOWNLOADED CAMPING APP IN THE US PRESS RECOGNITION

World Changing Ideas

2024 Inc. 5000

Best Travel Apps for 2024

INC. MAGAZINE

FAST COMPANY

PC MAG

” Best app for

” Extremely

finding camp spots

” No. 1 best

useful

app for adventurers

THE NEW YORK TIMES

UPROXX

” The Dyrt is very cool

TODAY SHOW

OUTDOORS

” The most

” This app will

HOW STUFF WORKS

MENTAL FLOSS

all-encompassing camping app

help you find the perfect camping spot

” A great way to

get an inside look at a site before booking FATHERLY

NEW FEATURE! See recommended camping locations within a specific drive time.

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GET THE DYRT MOBILE APP

MEDIA INQUIRIES Mike Wollschlager pr@thedyrt.com 860.526.1555

BUSINESS INQUIRIES advertising@thedyrt.com

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This report is based on a representative sample of 1,000 U.S. residents in a survey administered by E2E Research Services Pvt. Ltd. in October 2024 and surveys of over 5,000 users of The Dyrt in October and November 2024, as well as a survey of camping hosts and campground managers across all 50 states. Some respondents to our surveys were contacted for additional information and/or interviews after indicating their willingness to be contacted.

OUTLAST. OUTLIVE.

Off-roading is inherently dangerous and may result in vehicle damage. Toyota encourages responsible operation to help protect you, your vehicle and the environment. Seatbelts should be worn at all times. Do not allow passengers to ride in cargo area. Prototype shown with options. Production model may vary.