People flew abroad in droves this year, eager to see the world and cross destinations off their bucket list after being confined for the last few years. But campground booking site Pitchup.com predicts that in 2024, more people will be camping, disconnecting from technology, and treating themselves to nature’s ‘spa,’ even if they don’t ordinarily think of themselves as outdoors people. The company has created a list of five outdoor travel trends for next year based on customer data and reviews—let’s take a look at them.
1. Car-less camping is on the rise
It’s always easy to throw your tent and cooler in the car and go “car camping” with your vehicle at the campsite. But Pitchup saw a 17 percent increase in searches for campgrounds people can get to via public transportation. Either people have ditched their car (or never had one), or they’re working on being more sustainable in their efforts to reach their destination. And probably, they’re hoping to find more wild backcountry spaces, that you can’t get to any other way than on foot.
2. Glamping is becoming more affordable
While the ultra-luxe, opulent glamping accommodations were once something people really warmed to (chandelier in the woods, anyone?), in 2023 campers were looking for more rustic, inexpensive options. In fact, glamping pods accounted for 40 percent of all glamping bookings. These tent-like structures let you stand up inside and have space for two adults who often bring their own sleeping bags (although some pods do offer beds and linens). These can even be as low as $20 a night, about the same as the cost to pitch your tent at a car campground.
3. Americans are heading to Europe to camp
Camping is the best way to see some of that spectacular scenery overseas! And many destinations saw an incredible uptick in bookings, such as Italy’s San Marino, which saw a 250 percent surge in 2023 over 2022. Other countries that Americans are choosing include Austria (+157 percent), Hungary (+146 percent, Netherlands (+132 percent) and Switzerland (+128 percent).
4. Campers are leaving behind their phones
What good is settling down under the stars if you’re watching reels instead of gazing in awe at the dark skies? There’s been a 17 percent rise in searches for “wild camping,” where campers go so far off the grid that cell phones become useless. Two of Pitchup’s recommendations for campgrounds with wild camping sites are The Hummingbird Center in New Hampshire's White Mountains with a working permaculture farm (yes, you can book farm experiences!) and The Farm Campground in the Ozark hills of Eureka Springs, Arkansas near the Mark Twain National Forest.
5. People want to camp into the autumn
It seems that the standard camping season has been extended past summer. More people are choosing cooler weather in the fall to enjoy nature’s slide into winter. Bookings for autumn rose 25 percent in 2023 since 2022—and even 192 percent since 2019. This year already, the trend is continuing.
Hope you find yourself in a wild and beautiful location in 2024!