The May long weekend is the official start of the camping season for many.

Kampgrounds of America expects it to be a booming spring, summer and fall.

According to the 2023 KOA North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report, more than half a million new Canadian households ventured out to experience camping in 2022 for the first time.

In addition to the influx of new campers, 2022 also saw a shift in the age of Canadian campers, with a younger demographic of Gen Z. They made up 18 per cent of all campers last year, compared with eight per cent in 2021. Millennials came in at 46 per cent versus 31 per cent in 2021.

Thirty-eight per cent of all campers say it’s all about their love for the great outdoors, while younger campers said their camping interest stemmed from family vacation experiences.

The study found that Canadian campers are eager to try various travel experiences this year. The most popular is taking trips to experience natural events such as eclipses, migrations, stargazing, and meteor showers. Following close behind was interest in more food tourism experiences and visiting small towns.

Additional Canadian key findings from the 2023 North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report include:

Fifty per cent of new campers said they worked during their camping trips, doubling the rate from 2021. As a result, access to quality Wi-Fi became an important amenity for campers, with twice as many saying that access significantly impacted being able to camp more often and for longer.

You can view all of the findings of the report HERE.