Luxury outdoor stays like yurts, domes and treehouses now match tents as campers’ top accommodation choice in the U.S., according to the RMS* 2025 State of Outdoor Hospitality Report.
Based on insights from more than 550 campers nationwide, the study shows that 29 percent of all respondents now select glamping as their first choice stay—an increase of five percentage points over 2024, and the first time this category equals the proportion who choose traditional tents.
The report also highlights changing demographics and booking behavior.
Nearly one-third (31 percent) of Gen Z campers prefer glamping, Millennials continue to favor tents and Gen X and Baby Boomers lean toward RVs. Most surveyed respondents are occasional campers, taking one or two trips a year, yet 58 percent said they would camp more often if time and money were available.
Financial pressures and concerns about reduced government staffing in national parks are influencing camping plans. Forty-five percent of respondents said economic uncertainty could limit the number of trips in 2026, while 43 percent are concerned about how staffing cuts will affect the national park experience.
Adam Seskis, CEO of RMS North America, said the findings show that expectations have shifted permanently: “The fact that glamping has now matched traditional camping as a top accommodation choice is a clear sign that comfort and convenience are no longer just nice-to-haves, they’re now expected.”
*RMS North America is a cloud-based reservation and property management system designed for the outdoor hospitality industry. Backed by over 40 years of experience, RMS collaborates with hundreds of properties across the Americas and Canada, utilizing technology designed to meet the unique needs of campgrounds, RV parks and resorts, national and state parks, glampgrounds, and marinas. Download the full report here.
Image courtesy Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, Vancouver Island
