If you’ve noticed that your bookings look a little different this year, you’re not alone. Across North America, travel and camping demand has been uneven in 2025, with some Hosts seeing growth and others experiencing fewer reservations compared to previous years.
We want to reassure you: this isn’t unique to you, nor to Hipcamp. These shifts reflect broader economic and travel trends affecting the entire outdoor hospitality industry.
What’s happening across travel right now?
- Travel spending is shifting. Families are being more careful with budgets. A Financial Times report found US airline and hotel bookings have dropped compared to last year, especially among middle-income travelers. [Read more]
- Major travel companies are seeing the same thing. Expedia reported a 7% decline in US bookings earlier this year. Airbnb and Hilton have also noted softer demand. [Read more]
- Trips are shorter and more last-minute. Travelers are opting for road trips closer to home, and many are leaving bookings until the last minute. This can pose a challenge for Hosts with “request to book” settings turned on.
- Cross‑border travel from Canada is down. Canadian visitation to the US—a major source of campers for many states—has fallen in 2025. US Travel reported a 26% yearly decline in overnight land trips from Canada in March, with Statistics Canada later noting a decline of 37% in Canadian return trips from the US in July. [US Travel snapshot] [StatsCan July update]
What about camping specifically?
- Economic caution is showing up at campgrounds. KOA’s 2025 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report found that the number of people concerned about the cost of camping has doubled this year—clear evidence that campers are watching their budgets. [Read more]
- Even iconic camping destinations are seeing fewer visitors. Local news outlets report that visits to Yosemite National Park are down 10% in 2025, according to Visit Yosemite. This shows that softer demand is being felt across the outdoor sector, not just at smaller campgrounds. [Read more]
- Camping remains resilient. KOA also reports that most campers still plan to take trips in 2025, but they are often choosing shorter trips and more local getaways. This shows that while spending patterns are shifting, outdoor travel continues to be a strong and affordable option.
What Hipcamp is doing to help
We’re not standing still. Here are some of the ways Hipcamp is working to bring more campers to your listing:
- Investing in marketing. We’re running paid campaigns on Google, social media, and other channels to inspire more people to book camping trips.
- Expanding partnerships. We’re teaming up with outdoor brands and platforms like AllTrails, Ruffwear, and REI to inspire more people to get outside and discover Hipcamp. These partnerships put your listings in front of millions of outdoor enthusiasts—helping bring more campers to your land.
- Improving the app and website. We’re making it faster and easier for campers to find and book your listing, whether they’re searching last minute or planning ahead.
- Telling Host stories. Through PR campaigns, social media, and newsletters, we’re highlighting the unique experiences Hosts offer—encouraging more campers to try Hipcamp and visit different locations.
- Always-on promotion. Every 30 seconds, a booking is made on Hipcamp. We’re constantly working behind the scenes to keep that momentum going and grow the community.
What this means for you as a Host
- Fluctuations in bookings this year aren't a sign you’re doing anything wrong.
- These trends are affecting everyone in the industry; from airlines and hotels to campgrounds nationwide.
- Many Hosts are experiencing declining bookings this year, and the Hipcamp team is here to support you through it.
Tips for navigating uneven demand
- Capture last‑minute bookings. Campers are booking closer to their trip dates than before. Keeping availability open and enabling Instant Book can help you secure those spontaneous travelers.
- Offer midweek value. With weekend demand softening in some regions, consider highlighting midweek availability or offering a discount to attract flexible guests.
- Showcase affordability. Campers are watching their budgets closely. Calling out free or low‑cost extras (like firewood, kid‑friendly activities, or pet‑friendly policies) can make your listing stand out as great value.
- Promote locally. Economic caution means many campers are staying closer to home. Share your Hipcamp listing in local community groups, tourism boards, or nearby networks to reach regional travelers.
- Refresh your listing. New photos and updated descriptions can help you shine in search results.
- Stay encouraged. Camping remains one of the most affordable and beloved ways to travel. While this year has been uneven, the long‑term outlook is very strong.
Travel and camping demand has fluctuated in 2025, but you’re not alone and you’re not doing anything wrong. These shifts reflect broader industry-wide patterns and economic sentiment.
We’ll continue to share insights, tips, and tools to help you succeed. For more ways to boost your bookings, check out our Host marketing resources where you’ll find tips, templates, and tools to promote your listing.