Kampgrounds of America (KOA) has released its 2024 Accessibility Report, a part of the annual Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report series, highlighting camping as a favorable and inclusive travel option for individuals of all abilities.
The report underscores the growing recognition of accessible travel and camping, showcasing how making outdoor adventures available to everyone can enhance the business and sustainability of the industry. KOA’s findings reflect a shift in how outdoor travel is viewed and prioritized, emphasizing the need for improved accessibility measures.
One of the report’s key insights focuses on families camping with children, revealing that households are more likely to include someone with a physical disability. In addition, Gen Z campers are identified as having the highest overall incidence of camping with a person who faces accessibility challenges.
Neurodivergent individuals also find camping appealing, according to the KOA report. It shows that nearly half of all camping groups include someone who is neurodivergent, a rate significantly higher than that of other leisure travelers.
Furthermore, 45% of campers view camping as a favorable travel option for neurodivergent individuals, with a much smaller portion, 13%, considering it a less viable option.
KOA President and CEO Toby O’Rourke emphasized the KOA’s commitment to inclusivity, stating, “At KOA, we strongly believe that camping and the outdoors should be welcoming to all. We know there is an intrinsic benefit to spending time outdoors, and we want to ensure everyone has opportunities to have those experiences.”
Accessibility at campgrounds also remains a critical area of focus, with seven out of 10 individuals who have a disability or travel with someone who has one stating that campgrounds and outdoor resorts are welcoming to those with disabilities. However, there is room for improvement, as only 36% of respondents described these facilities as “very welcoming.”
For many campers, the greatest barrier to participation is not a lack of desire but the difficulty in finding campgrounds that can meet their specific needs. The report reveals that campers with disabilities mentioned this as their challenge. An additional one in five cited transportation as a significant obstacle.
Visual information plays a crucial role in helping those with disabilities choose a campground that suits their needs. More than half of the respondents (57%) stated that having images or pictures of the campgrounds was instrumental in their decision-making process.
Almost 48% also noted that having a prominent display of disability designations at the campgrounds would help them make informed choices.
In an era when technology is essential for both personal and professional use, the report highlighted the importance of Wi-Fi access for campers with disabilities. More than half (53%) of the respondents said that access to reliable technology directly impacts their ability to camp more often.