How baby boomers camping growth is reshaping premium outdoor hospitality
Baby boomers camping growth is the quiet revolution behind the current camping industry boom. Luxury booking platforms now see baby boomers moving from hotel suites to curated camping outdoor stays, often booking the same way they would choose a five star city property. For couples used to premium travel, the question is no longer whether to camp, but which level of comfort and service feels right for their next camping trip.
Across North American destinations, older travelers are driving a measurable rise in camping households, from coastal American camping resorts to inland lakeside retreats. A recent camping report from a leading industry association indicates that campers aged 65 and older now represent a sharply rising share of all guests, with many counted as new or returning older campers rather than lifelong enthusiasts. This surge in participation is not a nostalgic return to youth; it is a deliberate lifestyle choice shaped by health, time rich retirement, and a willingness to invest in quality outdoor hospitality.
Luxury campsite booking data mirrors this shift, with higher average spending per night and longer stays among this age group. One hospitality report tracking outdoor hospitality notes that Baby Boomers' average daily camping spend is approximately $134 per day, based on survey responses from several thousand active campers across North America in the 2025 Kampgrounds of America (KOA) North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report (methodology summary and full report). That level of spending changes how premium platforms curate inventory, pushing operators to elevate everything from mattress quality in glamping tents to the clarity of online maps for gen campers comparing sites across a region.
Why older campers are arriving now while younger campers hesitate
Several forces sit behind baby boomers camping growth, and they are different from the pressures shaping younger campers in the same parks. Many baby boomers now have the time and income to travel midweek, avoid crowds, and treat each camping trip as a slow, restorative stay rather than a budget escape. They are also motivated by health and wellness, using camping outdoor experiences as low impact ways to stay active, walk more, and spend time with grandchildren in nature.
By contrast, younger campers, especially gen millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly price sensitive in the current travel climate. Industry association data and every major camping report point to declining participation among younger campers, even as the overall share of people who camp at least once a year rises across North American markets. Millennials gen travelers still love glamping and rving, but many now limit trips to once a year or borrow equipment, which aligns with survey findings that around 21 percent of travelers recently reported borrowing recreational vehicles instead of buying them, according to consumer polling summarized in the 2025 KOA report.
Baby boomers, on the other hand, are often the ones purchasing the RVs that anchor multi generational camping households. The KOA North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report and a parallel camping report from Kampgrounds of America both highlight that “Baby Boomers are increasingly participating in camping activities,” based on multi year tracking of tens of thousands of camper interviews. That single line captures the pivot; older adults have become the stabilizing force in the camping industry, while younger campers experiment at the edges, often choosing short glamping weekends or highly programmed stays that, as this analysis of over programmed campgrounds shows, can miss what many people actually seek from nature.
From hotel suites to glamping tents : what boomers really want
For luxury and premium booking platforms, the most important question is what baby boomers actually expect when they swap a hotel corridor for a forest trail. Baby boomers camping growth is not driven by a desire to rough it; these campers want the emotional payoff of outdoor immersion with the physical ease of a well run resort. That means glamping tents with proper insulation, high thread count linens, and bathrooms that feel closer to a spa than a shared block.
Compared with younger campers, this age group is less interested in loud communal events and more focused on quiet, well spaced pitches and clear rules that keep camping outdoor spaces calm after dark. Many older campers still enjoy social contact, but they prefer small scale hosted aperitifs, guided walks, or fireside talks over late night music. When couples in this age group browse a luxury booking site, they scan for details that younger campers might ignore, such as step free access, firm mattresses, and proximity to medical services within a reasonable travel time.
Premium operators that understand this demographic shift are redesigning their content and filters accordingly. They highlight age friendly walking loops, yoga decks with railings, and wellness cabins with adjustable beds, rather than only pushing adrenaline activities aimed at gen campers. For travelers comparing options, editorial style guides such as this piece on togetherness focused camping trips help clarify which properties genuinely support connection and rest, and which simply rebrand standard camping industry offerings with luxury language.
The RV and glamping equation : renting, buying, and the KOA effect
Rving sits at the heart of baby boomers camping growth, and it is here that generational differences become most visible. Millennials gen travelers show strong interest in RV rentals, especially when combined with glamping style amenities at arrival, yet they remain cautious about ownership. Baby boomers, by contrast, are the ones signing purchase contracts, turning rving into a rolling second home that supports longer travel arcs across North American routes.
Data from Kampgrounds of America and other outdoor hospitality brands shows that while roughly half of Millennial glampers express interest in RV rentals, the majority of new RV owners belong to the baby boomers age group. This pattern aligns with broader camping industry trends, where a growing share of camping households report at least one member over 60 as the primary decision maker, based on longitudinal survey panels used in the KOA North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report. For luxury booking platforms, that means integrating RV friendly filters, from full service hookups to concierge style assistance with parking, leveling, and on site maintenance for older campers who value support.
Glamping, too, is evolving under the influence of baby boomers camping growth. Early glamping products often targeted younger campers with Instagram ready décor and communal fire pits, but the new wave focuses on privacy, acoustic insulation, and premium bedding that appeals to both older campers and discerning gen campers. When a KOA report or another hospitality report notes a 257 percent rise in people camping at least once a year since 2019, based on repeated annual surveys of North American households with sample sizes in the tens of thousands (KOA trend data and technical notes), much of that growth is captured by flexible products that let guests choose between RV pads, glamping tents, and cabins, sometimes within the same property, as seen in refined mountain retreats like those featured in elevated cabin escapes.
Designing luxury campsites for an aging yet active age group
Baby boomers camping growth is forcing a quiet redesign of high end campgrounds, especially those listed on premium booking platforms. Operators who once optimized for younger campers and gen millennials now study every new camping report and KOA report to understand how older bodies move through space. The result is a wave of subtle but meaningful changes that make camping outdoor stays more comfortable without diluting the sense of place.
Paths are being widened and resurfaced so that campers using trekking poles or light mobility aids can reach viewpoints and shared facilities safely. Lighting strategies are shifting, with low level, warm toned fixtures guiding people back to their tents or RVs without flooding the night sky, a detail that matters to both older campers and younger campers who care about dark sky preservation. Inside glamping units, designers are raising bed heights, adding grab bars that look like sculptural rails, and specifying lever handles instead of knobs, all of which support baby boomers while remaining invisible to younger guests.
Luxury booking websites now highlight these features in the same way they would showcase spa menus or wine lists at an urban property. Filters might include step free access to key facilities, distance in metres to the nearest washroom, or the share of pitches with private bathrooms, all of which speak directly to the needs of this expanding older demographic. For couples planning a romantic camping trip, these details can be the difference between a stay that feels like a wellness retreat and one that feels like a logistical challenge, especially when traveling as part of multi generational camping households.
Community, mentorship, and the new social fabric of american camping
One of the most underestimated effects of baby boomers camping growth is the way it reshapes campground culture. In many American camping destinations, older campers now act as informal hosts, greeting new arrivals, sharing route tips, and quietly setting the tone for respectful shared spaces. This mentorship dynamic is especially visible in mixed age group parks where gen campers and younger campers arrive with rental gear and limited experience.
Industry association observers note that baby boomers often become the social anchors of outdoor hospitality communities, organizing low key walks, sunrise coffee circles, or impromptu maintenance tutorials for new RV owners. At one lakeside park in the Pacific Northwest, for example, a retired couple now known on site as “the map people” spend part of each season helping first time RVers back into tight spots and pointing them toward quieter trails. Their presence stabilizes occupancy across the year, as many travel outside school holidays and shoulder the early and late season weeks that once saw empty pitches. For luxury and premium booking platforms, this means that baby boomers camping growth is not only a revenue story but also a quality of stay story, because a well balanced guest mix can reduce noise complaints and improve perceived safety for all people on site.
For couples considering a first or second act in camping, this evolving social fabric matters as much as the thread count on the bed. A camping industry shaped by baby boomers is one where respect for quiet hours, shared resources, and the land itself is often modeled by those who have camped across more than one economic cycle. When a hospitality report or camping report from an industry association highlights rising satisfaction scores among older age brackets, it reflects not only better infrastructure but also the intangible value of experienced neighbors who know how to make a camping trip feel both independent and quietly supported.
Key figures behind baby boomers camping growth
- Baby boomers now represent a rapidly increasing share of campers aged 65 and older, with one dataset from the 2025 KOA North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report indicating that around 22 percent of all campers fall into this bracket, based on a large scale survey sample of active campers across the United States and Canada.
- Across North American markets, there has been a reported 257 percent increase since 2019 in people camping at least once a year, a surge that aligns closely with the rise in camping households led by baby boomers, according to multi year trend analysis in KOA’s annual camping report series.
- Baby Boomers' average daily camping spend is approximately $134 per day, a figure drawn from self reported expenditure data in the 2025 KOA report that positions this age group as a high value segment for luxury and premium outdoor hospitality operators.
- Recent travel data shows that about 21 percent of travelers have borrowed RVs, yet ownership trends skew toward older campers, underscoring the role of baby boomers as asset holders within the rving ecosystem, based on consumer behavior findings summarized in KOA and RV industry association publications.
- Timeline data from RV industry news sources indicates that the share of campers aged 65 and older rose from roughly 12 percent to about 22 percent within a short multi year window, confirming that baby boomers camping growth is not a marginal trend but a structural shift in the camping industry.
FAQ about baby boomers camping growth and luxury campsite bookings
Why are Baby Boomers camping more now than before ?
Baby boomers are camping more because they have greater time flexibility in retirement, higher discretionary spending, and a renewed focus on health and wellness. Many are also motivated by the chance to travel with grandchildren and reconnect with nature in a more intentional way. As one expert summary in the KOA North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report notes, “Why are Baby Boomers camping more? Seeking outdoor recreation and travel experiences,” based on responses from thousands of surveyed campers.
How much do Baby Boomers typically spend on a camping trip ?
Available data shows that Baby Boomers' average daily camping spend is approximately $134 per day, which is significantly higher than many younger campers. This level of spending often goes toward upgraded glamping units, serviced RV sites, and wellness oriented activities. For luxury booking platforms, this makes baby boomers a key segment for premium inventory and tailored services, as highlighted in the 2025 KOA North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report.
How has Baby Boomer participation in camping changed in recent years ?
Baby Boomer participation in camping has increased sharply, with the share of campers aged 65 and older rising from low double digits to around 22 percent in a short period. One verified answer from RV industry coverage summarizes it clearly: “How has Baby Boomer camping participation changed recently? Increased significantly, with 22% of campers aged 65 and older in 2025,” citing consumer data compiled from national camper surveys and reported by RV News.
What do Baby Boomers look for in luxury or premium campsites ?
Baby boomers prioritize comfort, accessibility, and calm over high energy programming. They look for glamping tents or cabins with quality beds, private or semi private bathrooms, step free access, and clear information about distances and gradients on site. Many also value quiet hours, respectful campground culture, and proximity to walking trails rather than extreme sports.
How should couples new to camping choose a site that suits this age group ?
Couples in the Baby Boomer age group should use booking platforms that provide detailed filters for accessibility, on site services, and wellness amenities. It is wise to read recent reviews from older campers, check the share of sites with private facilities, and confirm that staff can assist with RV setup if needed. Booking in advance, considering RV rentals for added comfort, and choosing shoulder season dates can all enhance the overall experience.