All data points to a truth: More people are making time to hit the outdoors.
Data nationally and from the Minnesota state parks system reflects a heightened interest in camping in 2020 that has kept pace this year:
3.9M
Number of new U.S. households in 2020 that identified as campers.
48.2M
Households that camped at least once in 2020.
10.1M
First-time camper households in 2020, many driven by the pandemic.
60
Percentage of first-time campers in the United States from nonwhite groups.
28, 26
Percentage, respectively, of the newest members to camping in 2020 among GenZ and millennials.
4,600+
Campsites and cabins available in the Minnesota state parks system
61.3
In percent, the overnight average occupancy for July 2020, a 19 % leap from July 2019.
70.6
In percent, the overnight average occupancy on weekends thus far this July systemwide.
Sources: 2021 North American Camping Report; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
It’s too soon to tell how much the immigration crackdown is to blame.
