The State of Camping in 2026 – What the KOA Report Really Tells Us

Camping isn’t slowing down—but it is changing. In this episode, Kenny and Sean break down the latest findings from the 2026 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report by Kampgrounds of America and talk through what these shifts actually mean for RVers, campground trends, and the future of the industry. This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about how—and why—people are choosing to camp today. Read the Full KOA Report  http://koa.uberflip.com/i/1544394-2026-koa-camping-and-outdoor-hospitality-report/57? What We Cover in This Episode Camping Is Still Huge—But Stabilizing Over 50 million households are camping The post-pandemic surge didn’t collapse Is this the new normal for the industry? Why People Camp Has Changed Shift from budget travel → mental reset Rise of “unstructured outdoor wellness” Are RVers actually unplugging… or just relocating their lifestyle? The Rise of Glamping Nearly 1 in 3 campers are glamping Many new campers start here Is glamping feeding RV ownership—or replacing it? Renting vs Owning More campers are choosing rentals over ownership Flexibility is becoming more important than commitment What this could mean for RV sales long-term Slower, Longer Travel Fewer trips, longer stays Shift toward more intentional travel Impact on campgrounds, fuel, and how people use their RVs A Generational Divide Younger campers: Experience-driven Renting and glamping Older campers: Ownership-focused Returning to camping Are we looking at two completely different camping worlds? Campgrounds Are Changing More resort-style amenities Higher prices across the board Less middle ground between budget and luxury Is this pushing more RVers toward boondocking? What This Means for the RV Industry Are manufacturers building for the right buyer? Does the future lean toward: Smaller rigs? More flexible setups? Rental-friendly designs? Key Takeaway Camping isn’t declining—it’s evolving. The biggest shift isn’t how people camp…it’s why they camp. Join the Conversation Are you seeing these changes where you camp? Are campgrounds getting more expensive? Are you noticing more glamping setups? Would you rent an RV instead of owning one? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear what you’re seeing out there. Listen & Follow If you enjoy episodes like this, be sure to: Subscribe to Beyond The Wheel Share with a fellow RVer Leave a review—it helps more people find the show The post The State of Camping in 2026 – What the KOA Report Really Tells Us appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.The post The State of Camping in 2026 – What the KOA Report Really Tells Us appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.