Gen Z and millennial campers are more and more ditching franks and beans and sleeping luggage for gourmand meals and feathertop beds on their adventures into the nice outdoor, reshaping tenting tradition with their choice for glamping (glamorous tenting) and the entire luxuries and facilities that make an tour into the wild removed from roughing it.
There’s a present spike in curiosity in tenting and glamping amongst these generations, who wish to go wayfaring into the woods to join with nature and their journey companions. Be taught why the age-old pastime is resurging as an interesting trip choice for younger folks, and uncover some wonderful spots to go glamping.
Gen Z and millennials search ‘consolation and comfort’ whereas tenting
In accordance with Kampgrounds of America’s (KOA’s) 2025 Tenting and Out of doors Hospitality Report, “Gen Z and Millennial campers make up 61% of all new campers.” Moreover, Gen Z seeks “consolation and comfort” whereas tenting, and over half of recent campers “want areas that provide a full vary of facilities.”
Toby O’Rourke, KOA’s president and CEO explains that members of those generations “are in search of campgrounds and glamping resorts with pleasant employees who can help them onsite, with high quality Wi-Fi to allow them to share their experiences and alternatives to socialize, whether or not round a group campfire or taking part in a gaggle exercise.”
Digital creator and new fan of glamping Meg Reily says “having a comfortable mattress, air-con, an actual lavatory—all whereas nonetheless being surrounded by the outside—takes away the stress and allows you to really chill out and soak all of it in…. Glamping offers you all the wonder and journey of tenting, simply with slightly extra consolation—and actually, when you attempt it, it’s laborious to return!”
Why Gen Z and millennials are selecting tenting and glamping over different kinds of holidays
There are numerous kinds of holidays out there to vacationers, nevertheless it’s laborious to prime a foray into nature that permits you to actually depart life’s stresses behind.
Danny and Danie Johnson, aka The Touring Dans, are millennial full-time vacationers and digital creators who’re at present driving the longest street journey in America. They are saying that “tenting reminds us that you simply don’t want a number of materials issues to be glad and survive. The simplicity of tenting and having fun with the outside helps us clear our minds and really feel extra refreshed when returning to our day-to-day lives, and this sense simply can’t be replicated at a resort or resort for us.”
“I believe lots of people in my technology are craving experiences that really feel actual and intentional. Tenting and glamping allow you to decelerate, disconnect slightly and truly be current—which may really feel actually uncommon with how fast-paced and on-line life is now,” Reily says. “As a substitute of being surrounded by crowds and vacationer traps such as you would at a resort or resort, you get vast open areas, quiet mornings, sunsets, campfires—issues that really feel easy however significant,” she provides.
What Gen Z and millennials like most about tenting and glamping
Tenting is an inexpensive but priceless journey expertise
Prices will rise in case you go for a elaborate glamping trip, however there are many tenting and glamping alternatives which are straightforward on the pockets, too.
KOA’s report discovered that “72% of campers take into account tenting a cheap journey choice.” O’Rourke says that “even when journey budgets are decreased, tenting journeys shall be altered, however not cancelled. For any traveler in search of a simple escape, each vacation spot and group has a campground close by…. This makes tenting an… inexpensive and accessible choice for many individuals, whether or not they’re planning to discover nationwide icons or expertise the great thing about their very own backyards.”
Past affordability, going tenting or glamping offers vacationers an off-grid expertise and a priceless alternative to decompress. “Not solely is tenting/glamping extra inexpensive, however we expect this technology actually values time outdoor greater than different generations…. This can be as a result of touring within the states, having fun with nature and tenting is cheap but in addition so priceless for unplugging and lowering display screen time from the units that this technology loves and makes use of continually,” the Johnsons clarify.
Tenting creates memorable household traditions
Tenting is a basic American custom that’s synonymous with household bonding. Many have fond childhood reminiscences of this no-frills journey choice that would flip an unusual day into an epic journey by tossing a pair sleeping luggage into the again of the station wagon and driving to the woods.
O’Rourke says, “Our previous analysis has proven that kids who develop up tenting are way more more likely to proceed the custom as adults—and, in flip, to share these experiences with their very own households. Child boomers, a technology recognized for his or her love of tenting and the outside, have shared their ardour with a lot of their Gen Z and millennial kids, laying the inspiration for a lifelong love of tenting for these generations.”
Reily is already passing alongside her love of glamping to her child. “[For] my daughter’s first little journey, we went glamping once more at Cameron Ranch Glamping in Coldspring…. Having these additional comforts made it a lot simpler touring with a child. We nonetheless received to make s’mores, sit by the fireplace and be surrounded by nature, however with a comfortable, protected place to come back again to. I really love that glamping lets you will have the journey and the comforts—the most effective of each worlds!”
Tenting is a pure gateway to out of doors actions
In accordance with KOA’s report, “Gen Z campers favor extra energetic and adventure-filled holidays.” O’Rourke elaborates, “Gen Z… need to expertise pure occasions like astrotourism and wildlife migration…. Whereas touring, they’re in search of bodily actions like water-based experiences (swimming and water sports activities), backpacking journeys, canoe/kayaking and mountaineering or path operating.”
Campfire experiences, mountaineering and nature walks are the “prime three sought-after experiences” campers hope to have in line with KOA’s report. The Johnsons take pleasure in this tenting trifecta. “Once we camp or glamp, our favourite factor to do is have a fireplace so long as hearth restrictions permit! We like to cook dinner over the fireplace when attainable and simply love the final ambiance it brings. We additionally wish to put our telephones away and luxuriate in card video games, learn and discover the realm we’re tenting or glamping in by discovering native trails.”
Tenting boosts general well-being
The straightforward act of immersing your self in nature may be uplifting and put you in a greater temper. Metropolis dwellers might not get to spend sufficient time outdoor to expertise nature’s therapeutic properties, so a tenting getaway can really be therapeutic.
“Youthful campers are predominantly coming from city areas and in search of experiences that may assist enhance their psychological well being and bodily well-being. Tenting provides a pure alternative to chill out, disconnect and deal with spending high quality time with family and friends,” O’Rourke shares.
4 wow-worthy glamping spots within the U.S.
Backland in Williams, Arizona
A wide ranging fusion of nature and luxurious, glamping at Backland means cozying up in a fully-furnished climate-controlled tented suite full with beds, a toilet and housekeeping companies, in addition to panoramic views and skylights to afford you fixed immersion in your environment. Your keep consists of day by day breakfast in a glass-walled restaurant and nightly s’mores by the fireplace pit, with the choice so as to add gourmand lunches and dinners constructed from scratch. On-site actions embrace frisbee golf, kayaking and stargazing.
Minam River Lodge in Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon
The Johnsons say that Minam River Lodge is their “all-time favourite place to glamp.” Positioned within the scenic Wallowa Mountains, campers can sleep among the many timber within the forest wilderness in a collection of wall tents, cabins or lodge rooms that provide various levels of luxurious. Campers can take pleasure in mountaineering and fishing or yoga in an open-air barn. Breakfast, lunch and a family-style dinner made utilizing elements which are wild-foraged or harvested from the location’s wilderness backyard can be found day by day on the Lodge.
One other prime tip from the Johnsons: They “use Hipcamp to search out glamping websites and iOverlander to search out tenting websites.”
Zion Wildflower Resort in Virgin, Utah
KOA discovered that 61% of millennials and 51% of Gen Z campers carry their canine tenting, and Zion Wildflower Resort is dog-friendly. Lodging embrace tents, bungalows and luxurious coated wagons that makes visitors really feel like they’ve stepped again in time. The Grand Mesa tents function a personal lavatory, feathertop mattress and a deck to absorb the views of the encircling Zion Nationwide Park. There’s additionally a pool, sizzling tub, hearth pits and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Spoon Mountain Glamping in Wimberley, Texas
Reily loved her babymoon at Spoon Mountain Glamping in Wimberley, declaring that her keep there “was completely excellent.” This adults-only luxurious retreat in Texas Hill Nation is designed for romantic escapes. Select between three climate-controlled glamping tents which have soaking tubs, non-public swimming pools, kitchenettes, king-size beds and beautiful decor.
Photograph by Melinda Nagy/Shutterstock.
