A new report from The Dyrt, a camping app, reveals that 61% of campers aged 55 and older prefer RVs or trailers, a rate 50% higher than the average camper. The 2025 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks offers new insights into retirement-age Americans’ outdoor habits and aspirations.
The report, based on surveys of The Dyrt’s user community, a representative sample of U.S. residents, and camping property managers in all 50 states, highlights a shift in how retirees view leisure. Visiting national parks topped the list of post-retirement camping plans, cited by 79.1% of respondents in this age group.
Older campers are also turning to long-distance travel and budget-friendly options. The report notes that 73.6% of those 55 and over plan to explore the open road, while 63.7% aim to discover more free camping opportunities. In 2024, 62.8% of retired campers had already camped for free, outpacing the national average by more than 11 percentage points.
“Upon retiring, I made perhaps one of the best purchases of my life: I bought a class B camper van that has provided an opportunity for outdoor experiences that has far exceeded even my most optimistic expectations,” The Dyrt camper Bob G. of Utah said in a press release.
Bob G., who described himself as an ardent supporter of public lands, shared that he has traveled more than 50,000 miles throughout the western United States and spent over 100 nights per year in his camper van. “I have seen the big attractions, our spectacular national parks, and give my endorsement that everyone should see them,” he said.
According to the report, nearly one-third of all campers — 32.9%— are 55 and older. In addition to national parks, respondents said they plan to camp with family members (36.5% and take trips with their grandchildren (28.9%), pointing to a multigenerational appeal.
“Camping was a big part of my life ever since I was a baby, because both my parents were very outdoorsy,” said Janet R., a camper from Minnesota. She noted that her children, now in their 30s, continue the family tradition through mountaineering and camping adventures across the U.S.