Those who camp generally do so year after year. The 2014 American Camping Report showed that 99% of those who camped said they were like “likely” or “very likely” to camp the following year. Most campers who were surveyed said they planned an average of almost five camping trips a year, with two-thirds saying they were planning at least three trips. Whether you’re exploring Canadian campgrounds or campgrounds closer to home, early fall camping trips or a family camping trip during the summer can be a place to make many memories with those you love. Most people camp and do other activities as well, such as hiking, exploring the local area, or participating in water sports. So let’s talk about what to look for in a campground, why camping is such a popular choice for getaways, and who you might expect to see while camping.
What Do Camping Demographics Look Like?
In 2013, over 40 million Americans over the age of six went camping, according to the American Camper Report in 2014 and on average, spent around 15 days camping, regardless of whether they stayed in a tent, an RV, or a bivy or a yurt. Interestingly enough, of those who are currently camping, 85% went on their first camping trip between birth and the age of 15. After they turned 15, they were less likely to be exposed to camping.
And almost 60% of campers were also quite active, participating in regular outdoor activities as kids. Most kids are introduced to camping by their parents, which makes sense, as family camping vacations are one of the most popular types of trips to take for Americans, whether they visit Canadian campgrounds or domestic campgrounds. All told in 2011, they spent a little over 525 million days camping together.
What Should I Look For In a Campground?
Your needs for a campground may depend heavily on what kind of experience you’re looking to have. If you’re with kids who need to be constantly in motion, looking for campgrounds that offer a splashpark, adjacent water activities like kayaking or swimming, or places to hike are a good idea. It’ll keep them entertained and busy, as well as exploring new things out of doors. Access to Wi-Fi might also be important — if not throughout the campground, at least having a central location that offers Wi-Fi can be nice.
You want to make sure, of course, that the campground is clean, well laid out, and that there are “quiet hours” in place, to ensure a restful vacation. If you’re bringing an RV, look for a campground that offers RV parking spots in addition to places to pitch a tent. Some families may also prefer the comfort of cabins, rather than staying in a tent, and some campgrounds — both Canadian campgrounds and American ones — offer that option on premises as well.
Some campgrounds only offer unisex bathrooms and showers, so if that makes you squeamish, or you’re uncomfortable with it, since you have young children in tow, look for campgrounds that have separate facilities.
Why Look Into Camping for a Vacation?
One interesting fact about camping? Most people find that just wanting to camp is their biggest motivation for packing their bags and heading to a campground. Almost half of adults camped simply because they liked it. Almost 15% of adults went camping as a way to spend increased time with their families.
Camping provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s hard to not take in the natural beauty all around you when you’re camping, and you have the opportunity to really explore nature as never before. And, you may have more limited access to the Internet or not great cell service, which means you can untether yourself from e-mail and social media for awhile and focus on your loved ones.
Whether you visit Canadian campgrounds or ones closer to home, enjoy the experience of camping with your significant other or family members and make memories that are sure to last you a lifetime.
