Market Pulse Dashboard

The latest travel intention survey shows that 28 million Americans plan to RV this winter, a 33% year-over-year increase. This trend highlights a shift towards cost-effective and controlled travel options.

Travel Intention Winter Survey

In the latest Quarterly Shipments forecast, RV shipments show steady growth as consumer demand for the RV lifestyle continues to expand. Volumes are projected to climb 3.7%, rising from 337,000 units in 2025 to 349,300 units in 2026. The industry remains stable, resilient, and well-positioned to meet evolving buyer demand throughout the coming years.  

Quarterly Shipment Forecast

The RVs Move America Economic Impact Study reveals that the RV industry generates $140 billion in annual economic impact across the U.S., supporting nearly 680,000 jobs and contributing $48 billion in wages—a 23% increase in economic output over three years. This growth spans manufacturing ($73.7B), campgrounds and travel ($35.7B), and sales and service activities ($30.5B), while delivering $13.6 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue. As Americans increasingly choose RVs for outdoor recreation and lifestyle freedom, the industry's economic footprint continues to expand across every state and congressional district. 

Economic Impact Study

RV shipments have grown significantly over four decades, expanding from approximately 100,000 units in 1980 to a historic peak of 600,200 units in 2021. The industry weathered market contractions during the early 1990s recession and 2008 financial crisis, which saw shipments decline to 165,700 units in 2009. 

Post-recession recovery marked dramatic growth through the 2010s, accelerating sharply during 2020-2021. Recent years reflect market normalization, with 2024 shipments stabilizing around 340,000 units. This trajectory underscores the RV industry's resilience and evolution from niche recreational market to mainstream lifestyle choice, supporting substantial economic activity and employment nationwide.

Historical RV Data

RV shipments have shifted significantly over four decades. Towable RVs expanded from approximately 75% of shipments in 1980 to consistently representing 88-90% of the market since the mid-2000s, while motorhomes declined from a peak of nearly 40% in the mid-1980s to 10-12% currently. This shift reflects consumer preference for more affordable and versatile towable units—travel trailers, fifth wheels, and conventional RVs—which appeal to a broader range of households. The motorhome segment maintains a stable niche serving premium buyers seeking integrated living and driving experiences. 

Breakdown of RV Shipments

The 2025 RV Owner Demographic Profile reveals that RV ownership now encompasses 8.1 million U.S. households, with a median owner age of 49—reflecting a diverse base of working-age adults and families beyond the traditional retiree demographic. Owners use their vehicles a median of 30 days per year, demonstrating strong engagement with outdoor lifestyle experiences. These trends signal sustained growth opportunities as the industry attracts both committed enthusiasts and prospective buyers.

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According to the 2021 North American Camping Report sponsored by KOA, camping demand has expanded significantly over the past seven years. Camping households grew at a 3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), while active camping households increased at 7.1% CAGR—more than double the overall rate. This acceleration reflects both broader market reach and deeper engagement among participants. Camping trips rose from 68.5 million in 2014 to 105.6 million in 2020, representing a 7.5% CAGR. To meet this sustained demand trajectory, campground infrastructure would need to expand at approximately 7% annually, signaling critical investment opportunities for the RV and outdoor hospitality sectors.

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The RV Industry Association Campground Industry Market Analysis reveals distinct regional patterns between public and private campground supply. Public campgrounds concentrate heavily in the West (49%), driven by federal and state-managed lands, with the Midwest (27%), South (20%), and Northeast (4%) holding smaller shares. Private campgrounds distribute more evenly nationwide: South (37%), West (30%), Midwest (21%), and Northeast (12%). 

This geographic imbalance underscores the critical role private campgrounds play in meeting demand across the South, Midwest, and Northeast, signaling the need for regionally tailored development and investment strategies to support growing camping participation.

Industry Market Analysis

The RVIA Campground Industry Market Analysis reveals distinct public-private supply dynamics. While public agencies operate 55% of campgrounds, private operators provide 71% of campsites—a 2.5-to-1 advantage that widens to 5-to-1 for RV-specific sites. Within the public sector, state facilities substantially outpace federal RV capacity; federal agencies would need to nearly double their inventory to match state supply. Public campgrounds function primarily as demand generators, driving visitation that supports private development in gateway communities, revealing   strategic opportunities for state partnerships and private investment.

Industry Market Analysis

The 2021 North American Camping Report reveals that camping demand in 2020 distributed across diverse settings, with privately owned campgrounds (23%), state park campgrounds (22%), and national park campgrounds (21%) capturing nearly two-thirds of all camper nights. Beyond traditional campground settings, significant demand occurred through dispersed camping, boondocking, and private land arrangements.

 Accommodation preferences reflect varied camping styles: tent camping leads at 64%, followed by RV (25%), cabins (10%), and alternative options (1%). This demand profile underscores the critical role both public and private sectors play in meeting camper needs and highlights the importance of diverse site types to accommodate evolving camping preferences across recreational settings.

Industry Market Analysis