Thursday, April 10, 2025
Gen Z is at the forefront of the camping boom, particularly driving the demand for glamping, or luxurious camping experiences. As the overall spending on camping rises, Gen Z stands out for their higher daily expenditure compared to older generations.
Kampgrounds of America (KOA) is addressing this surge by expanding its glamping options. What was once a budget-friendly activity, camping is now experiencing a significant rise, with younger campers embracing the trend like never before.
KOA’s 2025 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report reveals that camping is attracting younger demographics, many of whom are seeking affordable travel experiences.Nevertheless, they are not hesitant to allocate a larger budget for their travel experiences. The report highlights that Gen Z and millennials represented 61% of all new campers in the past year, a clear indication of the younger generations’ growing interest in outdoor experiences.
In 2024, camping spending hit an all-time high of $61 billion, with Gen Z leading the charge by spending an average of $266 per day—more than any other generation. Baby boomers, in contrast, spent the least, averaging $134 per day.This difference is probably due to younger campers choosing rentals, engaging in distinctive local experiences, or allocating more of their budget to food.
The camping trend, which saw a major surge during the pandemic, continues to thrive in the post-pandemic world. As the pandemic’s impact lessens, KOA has witnessed a significant increase in camping’s popularity, benefiting both the company and its investors.
Historically, KOA’s customers were mostly baby boomers traveling in RVs, but this has shifted, with younger generations now making up a larger portion of the camping demographic. Many of these younger campers prefer glamping, which offers a high-end camping experience in unique accommodations like yurts, treehouses, or luxury tents.
KOA’s data shows that 72% of campers consider camping to be a cost-effective travel option, especially in times of economic uncertainty. Campgrounds are seen as providing better value compared to resorts or hotels, leading more campers to choose shorter stays or camp closer to home.
The appeal of glamping has grown rapidly, particularly due to Gen Z’s love for upscale outdoor experiences.Glamping usually offers a stay in distinctive, fully furnished accommodations, including options like tents with comfortable beds, cabins, or even treehouses. KOA’s Terramor Outdoor Resort in Maine exemplifies this, offering 64 canvas tents with electricity, Wi-Fi, portable heaters, and even noise machines.
To keep up with this trend, KOA is not only expanding its locations but also upgrading existing ones to include more glamping accommodations or specialized areas for RVs. The company’s focus on modernizing its parks is aimed at meeting the evolving expectations of younger campers, particularly those who are new to camping. KOA is dedicated to improving the camping experience and removing the common frustrations often associated with it, which is central to its growth strategy.
With the rise of glamping and the increasing appeal of camping, particularly among younger generations, the camping industry is adapting to new trends, blending the beauty of nature with the luxury of unique accommodations.
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