Camping ranked as the third-most-popular outdoor group activity among Americans in 2025, trailing only walking and swimming, according to new national survey data released in The Dyrt’s 2026 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks.
The ranking highlights camping’s continued mainstream appeal and positions it ahead of hiking and gardening in group participation.
The findings come from a survey of 1,000 United States residents and were compiled by The Dyrt, a camping app and campground directory serving the RV and camping community. Respondents were asked which outdoor activities they participated in last year as part of a formal or informal group.
Walking ranked first among group activities, followed by swimming and camping. Hiking and gardening completed the top five. The remaining activities in the top 10 were running, biking, boating, canoeing or kayaking, and rock climbing.
“I was initially surprised to see that camping was more popular than hiking last year,” Kevin Long, CEO of The Dyrt, said in a press release.
“While you do need some gear to go camping — anything from a sleeping bag and tent to an RV — it still is, ultimately, very accessible. You can drive right up to most public and private campsites, and many are ADA accessible,” Long added.
The Dyrt report also found that 2025 recorded the second-highest total number of campers on record at 82.4 million, behind only 2023, which logged 84.8 million campers. The survey estimates that 2.6 million people camped for the first time in 2025. Respondents reported a median of six camping trips during the year.
According to the report, 85% of adults in the United States have gone camping at least once in their lifetime, underscoring the activity’s broad reach across demographics and experience levels.
Accessibility was a recurring theme in survey feedback. The Dyrt identifies whether campgrounds offer drive-in campsites and whether sites meet ADA accessibility standards.
One respondent, identified as Madeline M. of Colorado, said the highlight of her camping year was “finding our new regular camping spot! It’s beautiful, and just level enough that my husband can get around in his wheelchair.”
The report positions camping as both a high-participation and repeat-participation activity, supported by infrastructure, vehicle access and inclusive site design.