Canada Camping Statistics

Updated

Camping has long been one of Canada's favorite ways to get outdoors, and it grew sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are the latest figures on how many Canadians camp, who they are, where they stay and how their habits are changing.

At a Glance

  • Just under 6.3 million Canadian households camped in 2023, 28% more than in 2019 but 8% fewer than at the 2022 peak of 6.8 million1.
  • 44% of Canadian campers were under 35 in 20231.
  • Tent camping led with 3.01 million households in 2023, while glamping and cabin stays (1.47 million) overtook RV camping (1.43 million)1.
  • Privately owned campgrounds hosted 31% of camping nights in 2023, ahead of provincial park campgrounds (18%) and national park campgrounds (12%)1.
  • Canadian campers spent about $190 a day in 2024, against $202 for U.S. campers2.
  • In 2025, 1 in 4 Canadians chose international travel over camping, and 45% of Canadian campers say economic uncertainty is delaying their 2026 bookings3.

How many people go camping every year in Canada?

Just under 6.3 million Canadian households (6.25 million active camping households) went camping in 2023.1

  • That was 28% more than the 4.9 million households in 2019, but 8% fewer than the 2022 peak of 6.8 million.1
  • Newer counts cover Canada and the U.S. together: 52.2 million North American households camped in 2025, nearly level with 52.5 million in 2024.3
Canada camping statistics - camping households by year 2014-2023Camping householdsActive camping households2M4M6M8M10M12M2014201520162017201820192020202120222023Year
Latest available: 2023. KOA has not published a Canada-only count of camping households since.

How often do people go camping each year in Canada?

  • KOA doesn't report this for Canada alone. Across North America, including Canada, campers spent an average of 7.3 nights camping in 2025, up from 6.7 in 2023.3

How much do campers spend on their camping trips in Canada?

  • In North America, campers spent an average of $203 per person per day, excluding accommodation, during camping trips in 2025, up from $156 in 2023.3
  • Canadian campers spent $190 a day in 2024, against $202 for U.S. campers2. KOA doesn't say whether these figures are per person or exclude accommodation.

One in four Canadians chose international travel over camping in 2025, according to KOA's 2026 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report, which surveyed 1,254 Canadian households.3

  • 45% of Canadian campers say economic uncertainty is making them put off their 2026 bookings, and only about one in four Canadians have confidence in the economy.3
  • 50% of Canadian campers say they are less likely to travel to the U.S. than two years ago, and nearly six in ten would likely choose a domestic camping trip over a hotel or resort stay.3
  • The idea of exploring off-the-beaten-path places in Canada raises the likelihood of camping to 58%.3
  • Looking ahead to 2026, 34% of Canadian campers want to visit small towns, 31% want to visit historically significant sites and 21% say a road trip that includes camping is a new experience they want to try.3
  • New Canadian campers are a diverse group: one in four are Asian.3

Who goes camping in Canada?

Younger Canadians make up a growing share of campers: 44% of campers in Canada were under 35 in 2023.1

  • Campers aged 25 to 34 made up 26%, up from 18% in 2014.
  • The share aged 18 to 24 rose to 18%, up from 10% in 2014.
Canada camping statistics - camper age demographics 2014 vs 202318 to 2425 to 3435 to 4445 to 5455 to 6465+20%40%60%80%100%Camping By Age — 2014Camping By Age — 2023Category

Where did Canadians camp most in 2023?

Privately owned campgrounds accounted for 31% of camping nights in Canada in 2023, making them the most popular choice among campers.1

  • Provincial park campgrounds came next with 18% of camping nights, followed by national park campgrounds at 12%.
  • Other locations included privately owned land at 13% (plus 7% on private land booked through a listing), public land other than campgrounds at 4%, and backcountry or wilderness areas at 5%.
  • The remaining 10% included camping in municipal campgrounds, state park campgrounds and street camping, such as in parking lots or roadside areas.
Canada camping statistics - camping nights by location type 2023Privately owned campgrounds · 31%Provincial Park campgrounds · 18%Privately owned land · 13%National Park campgrounds · 12%Privately owned land that is part of a… · 7%Other · 19%

Tent camping has long been the most popular way to camp in Canada, with 3.01 million camping households in 2023.1

  • RV camping attracted 1.43 million households in 2023, down 20% from 1.79 million in 2022 and 17% from 1.72 million in 2021.1
  • Glamping or cabin stays reached 1.47 million households in 2023, up 5% from 1.4 million in 2022 and 146% from 596,000 in 2021.1 Interest in glamping and cabin stays is clearly growing.
Canada camping statistics - camping households by camping type2018-2023TentRVGlamping/CabinOther2M4M6M8M201820192020202120222023Year

How COVID-19 changed camping in Canada

COVID-19 brought a wave of first-time campers.

  • New camping households rose to 784,613 in 2020, more than four times the 195,038 households in 2019 — a 302% increase.1
  • Growth continued in 2021, when new camping households peaked at 1,058,976, up 35% on 2020.1
  • The pandemic also influenced work habits, with 50% of Canadian campers in 2022 working remotely while camping, up from 27% in 2021 and 29% in 2020.1 Although this percentage dropped to 28% in 2023, the trend shows a shift toward combining work and leisure time.
Canada camping statistics - new camping households by year 2014-2023200K400K600K800K1M1.2M148,8921.06M2014201520162017201820192020202120222023YearNew Camping Households
Canada camping statistics - campers working while camping 2020-202310%20%30%40%50%27%50%2020202120222023YearPercentage Who Worked While Camping (%)

More camping statistics

RV rental in Canada

FAQs

Is there 2024 or 2025 data on how many Canadians go camping?

Not for Canada on its own. KOA's latest Canada-only count is for 2023, when 6.25 million households were active campers1. Its 2026 report gives only a combined figure for Canada and the U.S.: 52.2 million households camped in 20253.

Is RV camping declining in Canada?

It fell in 2023: 1.43 million Canadian households went RV camping, down 20% from 1.79 million in 20221. That left RV camping just behind glamping and cabin stays, which reached 1.47 million households.

Do Canadian campers spend less than U.S. campers?

Slightly. KOA's 2025 report puts Canadian campers' daily spend at $190 in 2024, against $202 for U.S. campers2. The report doesn't say whether the figure is per person or excludes accommodation.

References

  1. 2024 KOA Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report — Camping in Canada (Cairn Consulting Group for Kampgrounds of America) · koa.uberflip.com ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q
  2. 2025 KOA Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report (Cairn Consulting Group for Kampgrounds of America) · koa.uberflip.com ↑ b c
  3. 2026 KOA Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report (Cairn Consulting Group for Kampgrounds of America) · koa.uberflip.com ↑ b c d e f g h i j k
  4. North American Camping Report · koa.com
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