Campspot, an online marketplace for booking camping and RV trips, has identified the (Re)creation Vacation as the biggest travel trend for 2025. This concept combines traditional outdoor recreation with the re-creation of past experiences, offering travelers a nostalgic retreat.
Data from Campspot’s recent survey reveals a significant portion of Americans are motivated by nostalgia when planning their vacations. Nearly 88% of participants expressed a yearning to disconnect from the complexities of the current area, with 72% of those surveyed indicating that this desire will heavily influence their travel plans for the upcoming year.
Moreover, 82% reported that camping offers them a refuge from the overwhelming aspects of modern life, aligning with findings from past trends like the 2023 ‘Calm-cation’ and the 2024 ‘Great Summer Slowdown.’
According to Erin Stender, Campspot’s chief marketing officer, the trend isn’t merely about taking a break. It’s about reconnecting with one’s roots and revisiting the joy of past experiences.
“They’re seeking a meaningful way to reconnect with their roots and relive the joyous moments of their childhood. The (Re)Creation Vacation is about more than nostalgia — it’s about actively seeking solace and simplicity in an increasingly complex world,” Stender explained.
The rise of the (Re)creation Vacation comes from society’s accelerated pace. Campspot’s survey underscores these concerns, with respondents citing the political climate and financial pressures as primary sources of stress.
In the survey, camping has emerged as a preferred form of escape, with 94% of those surveyed viewing it as a way of stress relief. Furthermore, the economic appeal of camping is evident, as 76% of respondents noted that financial factors significantly impact their decision to choose camping over other vacation options.
For many travelers, camping also offers a chance to unplug from digital devices, with 61% indicating that they value a tech-free environment. This sentiment is further reflected in the 32% of respondents who expressed a desire to recapture the screen-free experiences of their childhood.
Campspot’s survey also highlights the affordability of these trips. As the cost of traditional vacations continues to rise, camping offers an appealing alternative, with daily rates averaging $59 for tent sites and $67 for RV sites at private campgrounds with amenities in 2025.
“From marketing materials to on-site experiences, there’s a lot that campground owners and operators can do to appeal to this national sense of nostalgia. Campspot released a resource for campgrounds that unpacks the insights and offers creative ways to apply them to your 2025 business strategy,” the press release added.
To download the free 2025 Camping Trends Outlook report, click here.