The Black RV camping movement in the United States has gained momentum in recent years, with the number of Black campers more than doubling in less than a decade. This growth reflects broader changes within the RV industry, where new demographic trends are emerging, including younger and more diverse campers.
According to the RV Industry Association, the median age of first-time RV buyers has dropped sharply from 41 in 2020 to 32 by 2022. Kampgrounds of America (KOA) also reports that Black campers now make up 11 percent of the U.S. camping population.
Toyin Ajayi, a 37-year-old full-time RV traveler from Sandy Springs, Georgia, is among the growing number of Black women embracing the nomadic lifestyle.
Since leaving her apartment three years ago, Ajayi has explored 24 states in her camper and has no plans to return to a stationary life. For her, the experience has provided both emotional and spiritual freedom, offering her a deeper connection to nature.
Recognizing the need for a community where Black women could share their experiences and advice about RV living, Ajayi founded Outdoorsy Black Women, a social network that has quickly grown to over 8,000 members. The group connects members with recommendations for campsites, RV tips, and even organizes trips.
According to National Geographic, this rise in Black RV life is being supported by a wave of new resources for Black campers, including crowdsourced directories of Black-owned campsites.
These directories, often shared among members of various online groups, provide critical information about safe spaces for Black campers.
Ajayi refers to these directories as a modern-day “Green Book,” a nod to the historic travel guide that helped Black travelers find safe accommodations during the Jim Crow era.
One example of a Black-owned campground benefiting from this growing community is Warthen RV Park, located in rural Georgia. Josh Gordy, who purchased the land in 2011, has seen his business thrive thanks to the support of Black RV communities.
Gordy, whose grandfather worked the land as a sharecropper, has transformed the park into a popular destination for Black campers. The park offers a range of amenities, including full hookups for RVs, and has hosted several Black RV events, encouraging social gatherings, cookouts, and stargazing.
Other popular Black-owned campgrounds include Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard in North Carolina, offering wine tastings alongside RV camping, and Rosario Camp & RV in Washington, which provides a stunning natural backdrop for outdoor activities.
Community building remains a key aspect of this movement. Online groups such as Black Folks Who Camp/RV, which boasts over 45,000 members, serve as crucial spaces for advice, meetups, and networking.
ShaRon Jones, who recently purchased her first RV, is a newcomer to this community but has quickly immersed herself in it.
Living full-time in her RV, Jones has found a new sense of peace and is looking forward to attending RV meetups across the country, including a major gathering at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February.
Warthen RV Park and other Black-owned campgrounds across the U.S. are welcoming the growing demand for spaces where Black campers can connect, relax, and enjoy the outdoors safely.
