"Micro-cations" are taking over winter travel as Americans plan shorter trips

Long vacations are losing their grip and winter travel is getting shorter, cozier and far more spontaneous. This season, travelers are embracing micro-cations, swapping weeklong getaways for two- or three-night escapes that feel indulgent without the planning fatigue. 

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Based on Kampgrounds of America's research study with travelers nationwide, the shift is especially pronounced among campers, with a growing number opting for short, cold-weather trips instead of waiting for summer. Nearly half of winter campers say they’re planning brief stays, signaling a broader change in how people are approaching time off. Rather than saving travel for one big annual trip, travelers are carving out smaller moments of escape that feel doable, affordable and restorative.

What’s especially striking is who’s driving the trend. First-timers are showing up in force, with nearly two-thirds of winter campers saying this is their first time camping in colder months. Gen Z is leading the charge, with more than three-quarters of young winter campers trying it for the first time, while millennials remain the most likely generation to camp in winter overall. 

Winter camping styles are evenly split between backcountry experiences and RV stays, underscoring how varied these short trips can be. Some travelers want snow-dusted solitude and quiet trails; others want heat, wifi and a bed that doesn’t require survival skills. RV travel, in particular, continues to gain momentum, with more than half of campers planning an RV trip in the next year.

Regionally, winter campers are gravitating toward the south and the northeast, a combination that speaks to different definitions of “winter.” For New Yorkers, that can mean a brisk Adirondack weekend near Lake Placid or a quick drive to coastal New England destinations like Mystic, where maritime charm feels especially atmospheric in the off-season. Others are heading south for mild-weather escapes, trading snow boots for river views and marshland sunsets.

The rise of micro-cations reflects a bigger mindset shift. Travel doesn’t need to be epic to be memorable, and winter no longer feels like a season to endure rather than explore. With shorter stays, flexible accommodations and a growing comfort with off-season adventures, travelers are redefining what a getaway looks like one long weekend at a time.