Discover Why Portland Is Shaping The Future Of Outdoor Recreation In America

Discover Why Portland Is Shaping The Future Of Outdoor Recreation In America

Discover Why Portland Is Shaping The Future Of Outdoor Recreation In America

The Dyrt, an app that helps people find campsites all over the country, has its headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Recently, the Dyrt published its 2026 Camping Report, which analyzes and studies the trends in camping, one of the most popular outdoor activities. The Dyrt conducted multiple surveys for camping in 2025, and it found that camping was the third most popular outdoor activity after walking and swimming. Camping remains incredibly popular, especially considering that 82.4 million people went camping in 2024. Along with the rise in popularity, it shows how people are spending more time outdoors and how simple it is to find campgrounds.

Camping: America’s Third Favorite Outdoor Activity

The report collected and analyzed the responses of 1,000 people, which made it possible to determine the popularity of all camping and outdoor activities for the entire country. Of course, walking was the most popular outdoor activity, and swimming was the activity that followed. This left camping in third place.

The most surprising outcome of this survey was that camping was ranked higher than hiking. Most people think of hiking as one of the most essential activities. However, hiking is one of those activities that is more targeted toward outdoor enthusiasts. The plethora of camping options is also a big contributing factor to the hike in overnight options. Camping is for everyone. Most campsites offer a large range, running from primitive camping to those that are just a little more fancy, premium RV camping.

Accessibility Is The New Focus For Camping In The U.S.

The survey shows participants appreciate the diversity among different types of campgrounds. Variety makes camping more accessible to those with less gear or who cannot hike to the campsites. The Dyrt helps users find campsites that are drive-in and ADA-accessible campsites. The Dyrt makes camping more accessible for all differently-abled campers.

Camping is less difficult and therefore, more accessible. Madeline M. of Colorado states, “Finding a new camping spot that was wheelchair accessible for my husband was my favorite camping experience.” Survey participants praised the increase in camping and road accessibility.

Most Notable Findings from The Dyrt’s Camping Report 2026

From the data, 2025 was camping’s second-best year with 82.4 million participants. This is just behind the best year, 2023, with 84.8 million participants. The 2025 survey shows that 2.6 million of the 82.4 million participants are new to camping, showing camping’s growing popularity.

The camping data shows an average of six trips for each camper. This is a positive indicator for camping as an activity, and repeat visitors and first-time campers show an increased interest in escaping city life and spending time in nature.

The Healthy Outdoors survey shows that interest in camping is widespread. With 85% of US adult respondents reporting that they have camped, it’s fair to state that camping is an activity that is no longer reserved for adventure enthusiasts.

The Top 10 Outdoor Group Activities

Camping is a favorite American pastime, and as the survey results show, it’s also just as popular to partake in other group outdoor activities, namely:

Walking

Swimming

Camping

Hiking

Gardening

Running

Biking

Boating

Canoeing/Kayaking

Rock Climbing

The results affirm that outdoor activity is a priority for all age groups. They enjoy the health, wellness and relaxation benefits that come with spending time outdoors. Gardening has been growing in popularity and offers a slower, nature connection and a fun hobby that offers therapy.

The Effect Camping Has on Practitioners of Outdoor Activities

Even though camping has always been an activity that promotes family bonding and helps individuals refresh and restore themselves, recently, the activity has been attracting a growing number of people who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, even if it is only for a few days. First-time campers have become numerous, and the increased ease of access to camping sites has shown that people are exploring the great outdoors for the first time.

The deliberate pace camping affords enables a more complete appreciation of the natural world and offers campers an opportunity to have a more profound relationship with the natural world than what the activity of just hiking would allow.

What Outdoor Activities Will Look Like In America Going Forward

The growing number of patriots who want to go camping is evidenced and documented well by The Dyrt’s 2026 Camping Report. The Dyrt’s Camping Report shows that many are seeking the activity of camping because it is an outdoor activity that is easy to do with a diverse group of people. As more campgrounds become equipped with drive-in and ADA-compliant restroom facilities, the hope is that camping will become the preferred outdoor activity for many more people.

Data from the survey show that urban residents are increasingly identifying the mental health benefits offered by the outdoors. More people are expected to seek out the tranquility offered by outdoor settings as the stress of modern urban living and the density of city living conditions worsen.

Conclusion

Camping, along with fishing, has the most enthusiasts as outdoor activities across the nation. Its promise of a unique, exhilarating experience, as well as its affordability and accessibility, will continually pull new enthusiasts. The Dyrt’s reports show the evolving preference of people toward nature from private, drive-in camps to inclusive nature access points. The outdoors will continue to be a favorite passage of the American people for years to come, with the increasing number of people finding delight in camping.

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