Campground bookings up but inflation, high gas prices keeping Canadian campers closer to home

With Ottawa’s Canada Day celebrations moving off Parliament Hill this year due to construction taking place on Centre Block, it looks as if Canadians are looking for other ways to ring in the country’s birthday.

And camping seems to be among the popular choices.

According to the 2022 North American Camping Report that was released on Thursday, June 16, campground bookings are up from last year’s holiday weekend numbers as the report shows reservations are up 10 per cent.

Meanwhile, camper nights are up two per cent and registrations are up almost nine per cent for June.

However, the report also found that many campers are making adjustments to their travel plans as a result of rising gas prices that include staying closer to home and making fewer trips, as well as delaying trips.

Meanwhile, 35 per cent of campers say inflation is what’s doing them in, and forcing them to stay closer to home for their trips.

Among those who definitely plan to camp this year and have already booked some of their trips, 46 per cent have cancelled other types of trips (i.e. flying, resort stays, etc.) as a result.

Overall, 81 per cent of campers are making some type of adjustment to their travel plans due to the increase in prices.

But higher prices aren’t just keeping people closer to home, 24 per cent of travellers say they’re also limiting the amount of money they spend on food and entertainment for their upcoming camping trips.

The report commissioned by Kampgrounds of America Inc., in its eighth edition, provides a detailed accounting of the U.S. and Canadian camping markets. This year, the survey involves the feedback from 4,145 respondents, 1,200 of which are from Canadian campgrounds.