Pitchup.com, a global outdoor accommodations booking platform home to 6,000 campgrounds across more than 70 countries, is looking ahead to 2026 with fresh travel predictions that point to a renewed interest in immersive outdoor experiences and sustainable, mindful travel, the company said in a release. Following its biggest summer on record, surpassing one million annual bookings and achieving record-breaking daily traffic, Pitchup.com said it expects 2026 to bring another year of remarkable growth and momentum for outdoor travel.
“The growth we’re seeing across shorter trips, farm stays and solo travel shows a real shift in how people approach time away,” said Dan Yates, founder and managing director of Pitchup.com. “Travelers are no longer waiting for the big vacation — they’re taking advantage of small windows of time to reset outdoors, often closer to home.”
Pitchup.com has conducted a thorough analysis of recent booking data and customer reviews, forecasting the following trends for outdoor travelers in 2026:
Hungary Emerges as Europe’s Next Green Escape
Camping bookings in Hungary rose by 117% in 2025 compared to 2024, positioning it as one of Europe’s fastest-growing outdoor destinations. This shift reflects a growing appetite for discovery in underexplored European destinations, where travelers can experience nature, culture, and affordability all in one place. From forested trails in Bükk National Park to lakeside escapes at Lake Balaton, Hungary’s beautiful natural diversity is calling campers, with campgrounds such as Diós Camping and Csongrád Nagyrét Glamping offering authentic adventures away from the crowds.
Slow Travel Goes Farm-Forward
Two out of five of Pitchup.com’s most-booked campgrounds in 2025 were located on working farms, highlighting the continued appeal of agritourism. As regenerative farming, farm hospitality and sustainability reshape travel, campers are seeking experiences that feel purposeful and grounding, foster connection to the land, and offer a slower pace of life. Campers can stay in a treehouse on an Albariño vineyard in Spain at Enoturismo María Manuela or at an olive grove in Italy at Azienda Agricola Mantenera to get a taste of this rural living experience.
Shorter, Closer, Sooner: Spontaneous Trips on the Rise
Flexibility and spontaneity are shaping how people travel in 2026, with a growing preference for quick, last-minute getaways that are close to home. Same-day bookings accounted for 10% of Pitchup.com’s total stays in 2025, while domestic bookings rose by 3% and the length of the average trip decreased by 4%. People are getting just as much out of a shorter trip than an extensive vacation, with 38% of trips lasting one night alone. As budgets continue to tighten, camping is meeting modern travelers where they are, providing quick, affordable access to a rejuvenating vacation without major planning or significant costs.
Self-cations: The Solo Travel Boom
As more people seek personal renewal and time in nature, Pitchup.com said it has seen a 39% YOY spike in solo travelers in 2025. The “self-cation” movement is driven by digital nomads, adventurous travelers and self-care seekers yearning to reconnect with themselves and find balance beyond the buzz of daily life. Campers can explore moments of solitude in the woods of Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas at Thunder Mountain Camp or indulge in luxurious bell tent glamping at Orchard Blossum in England.
