Amid the ongoing pandemic and shifts toward outdoor recreation, campgrounds and RV parks report a major surge in bookings, a trend that is likely to continue for many years to come. A recent survey of 2,100 campgrounds and RV parks nationwide performed by CampgroundViews.com found that 39% of locations report a 20-49% increase in advanced bookings for late summer and early fall. An additional 23% of locations report an increase of more than 50%. The results of the survey confirm that camping will remain one of the most popular forms of travel during 2021, with no signs of letting up.

"We are up 36% in forward bookings, with many still booking for this September and October, and for 2022 already," said Billie McNamara, general manager of Loon's Haven Family Campground in Maine. "Our weekends are fully booked until the week after Labor Day and hardly any weekdays are available, as well."

The continuing surge in camper participation is tracking directly with the record RV sales and shipments reported by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). Vacationing in the outdoors – particularly camping and RV travel – has become the hottest travel trend in 2021. Even prior to COVID shutdowns, the industry was experiencing rapid growth in participation; and the pandemic has super charged this cycle.

"In an uncertain world, the outdoor hospitality industry has served as a viable escape for hundreds of millions of travellers around the world," said Mark Koep, Founder and CEO of Laramie-based CampgroundViews.com. "We expect the industry to continue its record pace well into 2022."