The December edition of Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Monthly Research Report showed a dynamic camping landscape with a thriving interest in winter camping, notable intent for holiday travel and a significant want for camping gear on Christmas wish lists, it said.
Approximately 33% of campers intend to go winter camping, marking a clear shift towards embracing the outdoors during the colder months. This interest is further underscored by 58% of campers showing some interest in the activity, signaling a broader acceptance of cold-weather camping.
Regarding holiday travel, Christmas stands out as a particularly popular time for camping trips, with 84% of campers planning to travel during this festive season. This trend showcases the integration of camping into holiday traditions, further engraining camping in North American culture.
The inclusion of camping gear on Christmas wish lists is also notable in the December report. A striking 76% of campers share that camping gear is on their holiday lists. Popular items include tents (37%), sleeping bags (35%) and camp kitchen essentials (33%).
“Seeing such a high interest in camping gear on Christmas lists is an encouraging sign for the future of camping,” said Whitney Scott, senior vice president of strategy at Kampgrounds of America. “It also could indicate shifting of camping travel behavior and use.”
Continuing to look to 2024, nearly 6-in-10 campers have secured at least one trip for the new year. This high intent continues to outpace general leisure travelers, of which only 18% have booked in 2024. Among campers, younger guests are most likely to have travel reservations for next year, including two-thirds of millennials (67%) or Gen Z (66%).