Glamping options such as yurts, domes and treehouses now match tents as campers’ top accommodation choice in the U.S., according to the 2025 State of Outdoor Hospitality Report from RMS, a popular platform for hotels, serviced apartments, vacation rentals and outdoor accommodations.
Based on insights from more than 550 campers nationwide, the study shows that 29 percent of respondents now select glamping as their first-choice stay, a five-point increase over 2024 and the first time the category has equaled tents.
Baby boomers still prefer RVs
Nearly one-third of Gen Z campers prefer glamping, Millennials continue to favor tents, and Gen X and Baby Boomers lean toward RVs. Most respondents are occasional campers, taking one or two trips a year, yet 58 percent say they would camp more often if time and money allowed.
Financial pressures and concerns about reduced government staffing in national parks are influencing camping plans. Forty-five percent of respondents say economic uncertainty may limit trips in the coming year, while 43 percent worry about how staffing cuts will affect the national park experience.
Adam Seskis, CEO of RMS, said the findings show that expectations have shifted permanently: “The fact that glamping has now matched traditional camping as a top accommodation choice is a clear sign that comfort and convenience are no longer just nice-to-haves, they’re now expected.”
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I might believe this survey if they had surveyed 50,000 campers instead of only 500 of the millions who camp. “Nearly one-third of Gen Z campers prefer glamping” does not make “glamping popularity now equal to traditional camping.”. Not if 2/3 of Gen Z campers, plus millennials, Gen X, and boomers do not prefer glamping. Just shows that a survey can determine anything you want to prove if you have a small enough sample.
Yep ! Surveys usually only prove the point you want them to make..
Thank you for the news, RV Travel! Seems pretty funny that their survey went this way. Must have been a stratified sample if it only had 550+ (551?) respondents. Failing that, then could have equal credibility as the reknowned 1936 Literary Digest survey that showed Landon would beat Roosevelt. I do see yurts and somewhat comparable accommodations at campgrounds. There was even a geodesic dome at a campground where we recently spent a few days, Cheam Fishing Camp and Campground in Agassiz, BC. Have a great day and safe travels!
We stayed in a camping pod on our UK trip since we didn’t have our RV. Ugh. Nice enough, but not very comfortable. And it seemed smaller than our B size camper! Nice bathroom, though…
“…Glamping options such as yurts, domes and treehouses now match tents as campers’ top accommodation choice in the U.S…”
So, if it’s the TOP choice, tied with tents, wouldn’t that mean that 58% of campers are staying in tents?
I don’t know about all of you, but even in state parks I don’t see anywhere near those proportions of people in tents, not to mention private camps. Of course I’m not including Yurt-type only campgrounds, open public lands camping in tents, USFS campgrounds, etc. But tbose results just seem very hard to believe. 🤔 In addition, “I prefer” doesn’t equate to number of nights stayed ( which was mentioned).