Every year, OHI releases their Generational Camping Report, documenting camping trends across the US. For campsite owners and operators, this report is a goldmine of info, especially when it comes to the habits of younger campers. 
So how can campsites stay on top of these changing trends? It all comes down to adaptability. 

How the Camping Landscape is Changing

One of the biggest generational differences OHI found is that Millennials and Gen Z are camping less frequently than their older counterparts. When asked how many times they’ve been camping, RVing or “glamping” in the past 12 months, Boomer/Silent Generation respondents averaged five times, while Millennial and Gen Z respondents averaged four.

While this may not seem like a huge difference at first glance, that’s 20% fewer yearly camping trips for this cohort. And for campsite operators, that discrepancy poses long-term challenges, especially for businesses still reeling from losses related to the pandemic.

The good news: OHI’s report paints a clear picture of what campgrounds can do to win more business with younger visitors. 

Young People Want More Amenities

While the data doesn’t define exactly why younger generations are camping and glamping less, the report does outline the factors driving Millennial and Gen Z camping destination decisions. 

Among all generations, things like location and proximity to attractions, campground atmosphere, and quality and types of sites available are top markers of a successful campsite. Where younger folks diverge from their older counterparts is in onsite recreation, activities, and amenities. While only 34% of Boomer and Silent Generation (and 45% of Gen X) respondents cite amenities as an influencing factor, 65% of Millennials and Gen Z prefer to choose campsites with strong amenities. 

Findings like these aren’t much of a surprise. In the past decade or so, trends like Van Life and the Covid-inspired shift to remote work have shown that, for more and more young people, the great outdoors isn’t just a place to vacation – it’s a setting upgrade for their normal lives. Wherever these folks travel, there’s a greater-than-ever chance that they’ll need to be able to cook, shower, and get online once they arrive.

Simply put, young people want more from their outdoors experience – and they’re not going to budge from those preferences. For many travelers, the rustic nature of camping is the very thing that attracts them to outdoor travel – but that’s not as safe an assumption as it once was. Campgrounds need to adapt, and as CEO of RVshare Jon Gray explains, leaning into these different preferences can give operators the leg up they need to survive and thrive. 

“Adapting to the changing demographic and preferences is crucial industry-wide. We are coming off the biggest tailwind this industry has ever seen, and to maintain category interest, we need to meet the customers where they are.”

Why Yurts are the Perfect Choice for the Future of Glamping

It might seem like a tough task to win over the next generation of campers, but campground owners and operators don’t have to completely change their business model. A few strategic changes can give younger campers exactly what they want. Yurts, for example, are inherently better equipped to provide the kind of amenities Millennials and Gen Z are looking for, including:

  • WiFi and electrical outlets
  • Showers and bathrooms
  • Lighting
  • Kitchens
  • Temperature control

Because yurts are much quicker and easier to install than traditional cabins – and have a much lower impact on the land – you can get them up and running without subjecting your site to an intensive landscaping effort. This makes yurts much more gentle to nature and the environment, which is just one more thing that makes them attractive to younger generations who, statistically, feel more concern over climate change than their elders do.

Even though they’re an ancient form of lodging, yurts make it easy to offer all of the resources and amenities younger campers desire. In that way, they’re the outdoor hospitality industry’s ticket to a thriving future. 

Transform Your Business With Yurts

Let’s make one thing clear: While trends are changing, the outdoor travel industry isn’t going anywhere. In fact, a report from Grand View Research projects a growth rate of 8.7% for the glamping industry over the next six years. It’s safe to say we’re in a golden age of glamping, and yurts are leading the way forward.

Want to get ahead of the curve? Start designing your custom yurt in our 3D Yurt Builder, or chat with one of our expert customer service reps.