This year, Hipcamp predicts several trends that will shape the future of outdoor hospitality, offering insight into shifting consumer preferences and evolving market demands.
Among the predictions, family glamping, on-the-go booking via mobile apps, and agritourism are set to play pivotal roles in the coming year. These predictions come backed by extensive data and reflect changes that are expected to impact campgrounds, and RV parks.
Hipcamp forecasts that family glamping bookings will double in 2025, driven by a growing segment of budget-conscious families seeking alternatives to traditional hotels and bed-and-breakfasts.
“Families are the fastest growing segment of the glamping market, with bookings increasing 50% faster than glamping trips without kids,” Hipcamp said in a press release.
A key driver behind this trend is the increasing demand for amenities and add-ons, such as hammock rentals and sauna experiences, which are now becoming standard for many campers.
In fact, searches for luxury amenities have increased 87% year-over-year, signaling a shift towards more comfortable, engaging camping experiences.
Hipcamp’s data also points to the increasing role of mobile technology in shaping travel habits, with over 500,000 users expected to make bookings via their phones in 2025.
The rise of mobile app usage marks a shift from desktop searches to highly personalized, on-the-go trip planning. Mobile apps provide campers with the flexibility to book on the spot, allowing for quick decisions and greater ease in discovering new campsites tailored to their preferences.
“With over 1 million app downloads per year, the majority of Hipcamp bookings now take place offline via the Hipcamp mobile app,” said the company.
The ability to make same-day bookings is also becoming more popular, with such reservations growing 33% year-over-year.
In 2025, weather-related uncertainty is expected to become less of a deterrent for campers, thanks to the growing uptake of weather insurance. Hipcamp predicts that weather insurance will double.
The move to protect against inclement weather represents a broader trend of confidence-building in the industry. “Prior to the launch of Hipcamp Weather Guarantee, bad weather was responsible for up to 40% of cancellations,” Hipcamp noted.
A study by Sensible Weather revealed that 76% of customers feel more confident booking trips when a weather guarantee is included. In addition, 82% of those customers would continue with their plans, even if a refund was issued due to poor weather.
In addition, the agritourism sector is poised to become a key growth area in 2025, with more farmers opening their land to campers. Hipcamp predicts that a significant number of new farmstays will emerge next year, driven by favorable policies and increasing interest in rural, nature-based experiences.
“50% of trips in the US and 75% of trips in AU are currently hosted on working lands,” said Hipcamp. From California’s Santa Barbara to New South Wales in Australia, policies supporting agritourism activities are gaining traction, creating a fertile ground for expansion.
Farm-based tourism, including activities like guided farm tours and onsite fossicking and foraging, is already seeing substantial growth. In the past year, farm tours increased by 49%, and foraging experiences grew by 44%.
Hipcamp also predicts that skywatching, or “astrotourism,” will soar in popularity in 2025. Interest in celestial events like solar eclipses and meteor showers has been steadily growing, with 60% more campers expected to book trips to witness astronomical phenomena next year.
The peak of the sun’s 11-year solar cycle and a total lunar eclipse in March 2025 are expected to drive a significant spike in bookings. “Searches with Hipcamp’s Dark Sky Map Layer increase over 300% during meteor showers and astronomical events,” said Hipcamp.
The growing interest in astrotourism also reflects broader societal trends, with people increasingly looking to disconnect from technology and reconnect with the natural world. With a predicted 52% higher engagement rate for content related to celestial events, skywatching is set to be a driving force for camping bookings in 2025.
For more information about Hipcamp, visit their website here.
