Solo Camping on the Rise: Turn Going Solo into Solid Revenue
Solo camping has grown steadily over the past five years, driven by flexibility, personal development, and the freedom to travel without waiting on others (Global Rescue, 2024). The solo camper isn’t just a backpacker. It’s a massive, growing demographic with specific needs and significant spending power. This travel trend in general has gained immense popularity over the last five years, and outdoor space is its new frontier.
Who is the Solo Traveler/Camper
Solo travel is defined as traveling alone with the purpose of visiting a destination, whether or not the traveler has been there before (Yang et al., 2023). The contemporary solo traveler is not just someone who is alone, but often an individual of any age or gender – though notably dominated by women – who is proactively seeking “personal growth and transformative experiences” (Pitanatri et al., 2025). This solo traveler prioritizes “self-care and mental health improvement” (Yahoo Finance, 2025).
The New Wave: Meet the Modern Solo Camper
Today’s solo camper is young, urban, connected, and ready to spend, not the lone-wolf survivalist we knew in the past.
- They’re New and Eager: About 1 in 5 campers took their first solo trip in 2024 and are already planning their next one (KOA, 2025).
- They’re Young and Urban: A staggering 69% of solo campers are Gen Z, and 60% are Millennials. 63% come from urban areas, seeking an escape (KOA, 2025).
- They’re Connected: 34% are “work-from-anywhere” professionals, blending work and travel. For them, reliable Wi-Fi isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity (KOA, 2025).
- They Bring a plus one: 46% of solo campers bring their dog along for the adventure (KOA, 2025).
- They’re Diverse Campers: This group isn’t locked into one style. 56% are tent campers, while 55% have camped in an RV, showing they are flexible and will use the accommodation that best suits the trip (KOA, 2025).
While men currently lead the trend at 61%, it is notable that the solo female traveler market is one of the fastest-growing segments in the entire travel industry.
The Solo Camper's Mindset: It's Not Just About Solitude
Here is the most critical point for business owners to understand: While solo camping is an opportunity for personal and unique experiences, it does not diminish the desire for social connections.
The solo campers’ motivations are a powerful mix of independence and community. They want flexibility and control- the convenience of making their own decisions without compromise. They are also equally motivated by the chance to make old and new connections- to meet new people during their trip and use their solo time to conveniently visit existing friends or family nearby.
Since they want the option of solitude and the opportunity for community, your business can be the hub for both. This camper is looking for communal fire pits, group event spaces, and a friendly atmosphere just as much as a quiet, private campground.
Beyond the Tent: What Solo Campers Seek (And How to Provide It)
Solo campers don’t just sit by the fire. They are significantly more adventurous than other campers, with a high interest in overlanding, backcountry exploration, and “bucket list” experiences (KOA, 2025). They are actively planning trips to experience natural events (like meteor showers or fall colors) and check things off their bucket list. They use their campsite as a “basecamp” for these larger adventures.
More importantly, they are scheduling trips specifically to improve their mental and physical well-being. This is where your business can move from being a simple commodity (a plot of land) to a high-value service (a partner in their well-being), especially since the health benefits of this travel style are well-documented.
But this adventurous, well-being-focused traveler faces one major vulnerability: safety.
Their Safety, Your Business Opportunity
Imagine, a tent in a 40-degree rainstorm is miserable for a group. For a solo camper, it’s a safety hazard. This is their biggest pain point, especially during the cold, wet, or unpredictable shoulder seasons – and it’s your single biggest opportunity.
Solo campers need a safe, warm, and secure basecamp to return to after their long day of hiking, overlanding, or kayaking. They need a hard-sided, lockable, all-weather solution. They need a cabin.
The All-Weather Solution: Cabins Are Your #1 Solo-Camper Asset
While 56% of solo campers use tents, their biggest concerns are personal safety and weather. A lockable, climate-controlled cabin eliminates both problems instantly.
This is the perfect way to attract the 34% who work remotely (they need a desk and a secure place for their laptop) and the 46% with dogs (who can’t be left in a hot tent) (KOA, 2025).
For park owners, adding rental cabins is the fastest way to:
- Attract High-Value Solo Campers: They will pay a premium for safety, comfort, and convenience.
- Escape Seasonality: Cabins turn your unpredictable shoulder seasons (March-May, Sept-Nov) into a prime booking window.
- Increase ADR: A cabin rental commands a significantly higher average daily rate than a tent or RV site.
The Turn-Key Solution for Your Business
Vacavia’s park model cabins are perfect to meet this demand. Our cabins offer the rustic, authentic feel campers want, with the modern amenities they need – like the climate-controlled interiors, full bathrooms, kitchenettes, and solid, secure construction.
Aside from their low upfront cost, our cabins, and even our tiny homes, are engineered for easy and low-cost maintenance, ensuring a rapid and lasting return on your investment.
To further help campgrounds, RV parks, and other outdoor business owners capitalize on this solo camper trend, Vacavia Cottages and Cabins continue to offer 10 cabins for only $250k.
Our 280 sq-ft Suwanee River cabin is the ideal solo-traveler or couples’ cabin. t’s compact, efficient, and provides the safe, comfortable basecamp this growing market is actively searching for. This promotion is the fastest way to add 10 new, high-revenue streams to your park before the next season. See Suwanee River’s full list of features here.
Conclusion: The Future is Solo
The solo camper is a massive, digitally native, and adventurous market that is actively looking for unique experiences. They crave flexibility but also community. They seek adventure but require the safety and comfort of secure accommodations.
Don’t let another rainy shoulder season pass you by. Upgrading your property with low-maintenance, high-return cabins is a direct investment in attracting this powerful new generation of campers. They are out there right now, planning their next solo adventure. The only question is, will they be booking with you?
References:
Global Rescue. (2024). YOLO Travel Means More Solo Travel. https://www.globalrescue.com/common/blog/detail/yolo-travel-means-more-solo-travel/
Yang, Elaine Chiao Ling & Liang, Austin & Lin, Jie. (2023). A Market Segmentation Study of Solo Travel Intentions and Constraints. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research. 49. 109634802311635. 10.1177/10963480231163517.
Pitanatri, Putu Diah & Adnyani, P & Kartini, N & Valeri, L. (2025). Travel motivations, preferences, and characteristics of women solo travelers in Bali. Journal of Applied Sciences in Travel and Hospitality. 8. 63-78. 10.31940/jasth.v8i1.63-78.
Yahoo Finance. (2025). Solo Travel Market to Hit USD 1.07 Trillion by 2030, Fueled by Gen Z and Millennial Wanderlust. https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/solo-travel-market-hit-usd-090100203.html
Kampgrounds of America (KOA). (2025). 2025 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report. http://koa.uberflip.com/i/1534018-2025-koa-camping-outdoor-hospitality-report-vlr/41