New survey of more than 2,500 campers finds 3 in 4 have returned from vacation needing another vacation—and 88% want a 2027 trip with no itinerary
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The most appealing trip of 2027 may be the one that accomplishes absolutely nothing.
Campspot, a leading booking platform for RV parks, campgrounds, cabins, glamping stays, and outdoor accommodations, today released its 2027 Outdoor Travel Trend Report, identifying the Unproductive Vacation as the defining outdoor travel trend for the year ahead.
After years of optimizing everything from work and exercise to sleep and parenting, travelers appear ready to stop treating their time off like another performance metric. The Unproductive Vacation is a trip intentionally designed around having nowhere to be and nothing in particular to accomplish.
It is not simply slow travel or a lighter itinerary. It is the deliberate removal of the hidden work that has accumulated around modern vacations: less research before booking, fewer choices and reservations to coordinate, and—once the trip begins—less moving around, fewer logistics to manage, and less pressure to make every moment count.
Campspot's survey of 2,521 campers across the United States and Canada found that:
- 73% feel pressure to optimize or "make the most of" every part of their lives.
- 60% feel overwhelmed by everything they need to manage day to day.
- 52% agree that planning and coordinating a vacation can feel like work.
- 3 in 4 travelers (75%) have returned from a traditional vacation feeling like they needed another vacation.
- 7 in 10 (71%) would rather miss a few things and come home rested than see and do everything and come home exhausted.
"Travelers are telling us that the work of vacation now starts long before they leave home," said Jeff Bettin, General Manager, Marketplace at Campspot. "The researching, comparing, and coordinating can turn time off into another project to manage. The Unproductive Vacation reflects a deeper shift: people are beginning to judge a great trip less by how much they accomplished and more by how little of the experience felt like work."
The Vacation Scorecard Is Changing
The data points to a different definition of a trip well spent—one measured less by how much travelers fit in and more by how the time actually feels.
When asked what makes a vacation feel successful, 74% chose quality time with people they care about, while 66% selected memorable, spontaneous moments. Just 28% pointed to seeing the main attractions or "must-sees."
That shift is also changing how travelers want to structure their time away:
- 88% find a 2027 vacation with no formal itinerary or scheduled activities appealing.
- 80% intentionally leave a full vacation day open on at least some trips.
- 65% say their favorite vacation memories often come from things they did not plan.
Why Camping Is Built for the Moment
Camping gives travelers something even the most carefully designed itinerary cannot: permission to stay put.
Among campers surveyed, 84% are likely to spend an entire vacation day at a campground without leaving in 2027. Seven in 10 say camping gives them more freedom than other vacations to do nothing without feeling like the trip was wasted.
The difference is not only emotional; it is practical:
- 58% make fewer decisions after arriving at a campsite than they do on other vacations.
- 68% find it easier to let the day unfold without a schedule while camping.
- 68% say simple activities feel like enough more often while camping.
- 66% believe one completely obligation-free day outdoors would leave them more restored than a scheduled spa or wellness day.
The decision relief is particularly pronounced among women. 63% of female campers say they make fewer decisions after arriving at a campsite, compared with 52% of male campers. Female travelers are also more likely to feel overwhelmed by everything they manage in everyday life—67%, versus 51% of men.
For families, staying put can change the experience for everyone. Among campers who typically camp with children under 18, 71% still feel "on duty" managing everyone else's vacation. Yet 80% say they are more patient when they do not have to move their family from place to place, and 79% say a campground with everything on-site makes it easier for them to relax.
Three Ways Travelers Will Take an Unproductive Vacation
Campspot identified three forms of the Unproductive Vacation, each removing a different kind of work from the trip.
The Campground Cocoon: Less Moving Around
Travelers choose a campground where everything—from water and activities to food and nature—is already within reach, then plan not to leave.
69% are likely to take a Campground Cocoon trip in 2027, rising to 86% among family campers. The behavior is already taking hold: 66% have spent nearly an entire camping trip at the campground, with few or no off-site plans.
Site-Seeing: Less Searching for Things to Do
Instead of building a trip around nearby attractions, travelers choose a scenic campsite that is compelling enough to become the destination itself.
93% are likely to take a Site-Seeing trip in 2027. Waterfront locations lead the wish list, with 78% choosing lakefront, oceanfront, or beach settings, followed by forests and mountains at 65% and riverfront sites at 62%.
The Repeat Retreat: Less Research and Uncertainty
Rather than continually chasing somewhere new, travelers return to a campground, region, or exact campsite they already know.
92% are likely to take a Repeat Retreat in 2027, while 83% have already returned to a familiar camping destination partly because it made planning easier. The leading reason familiarity wins is knowing the layout, site, and surrounding area, selected by 77% of respondents.
"From resort-style pools and waterparks to waterfront access, food, entertainment, and organized activities, many of today's campgrounds give families more to do on-site than ever before," Bettin said. "But the real value may be the opposite: those amenities remove reasons to leave. When swimming, food, nature, and activities are already on-site, families can stop managing the day and simply have one. That is a different kind of luxury—and one camping is uniquely positioned to provide."
The full 2027 Unproductive Vacation Trend Report, including generational insights, family findings, and the complete infographic, is available at https://www.campspot.com/about/unproductive-vacation.
Methodology
Campspot fielded this survey among its camper audience in late summer 2026. A total of 2,521 respondents completed the survey across the United States and Canada. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number, and multi-select totals may exceed 100%.
About Campspot
Campspot is the go-to booking platform for RV, tent, and glamping sites across North America. With a simple and user-friendly app, campers can discover and reserve sites at thousands of parks, from family-friendly spots to secluded getaways. Whether you're looking to plan a weekend trip or an epic adventure, Campspot helps you find your perfect destination and book your stay with ease.
Media Contact
Carolin Fuller, Campspot, 1 (616) 226-5500, [email protected], campspot.com
SOURCE Campspot
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