Data nationally and from the Minnesota state parks system reflects a heightened interest in camping in 2020 that has kept pace this year:
By the numbers: In Minnesota and around the nation, camping stays hot
All data points to a truth: More people are making time to hit the outdoors.
3.9M
Number of new U.S. households in 2020 that identified as campers.
48.2M
Households that camped at least once in 2020.
10.1M
First-time camper households in 2020, many driven by the pandemic.
60
Percentage of first-time campers in the United States from nonwhite groups.
28, 26
Percentage, respectively, of the newest members to camping in 2020 among GenZ and millennials.
4,600+
Campsites and cabins available in the Minnesota state parks system
61.3
In percent, the overnight average occupancy for July 2020, a 19 % leap from July 2019.
70.6
In percent, the overnight average occupancy on weekends thus far this July systemwide.
Sources: 2021 North American Camping Report; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
None of the boat’s occupants, two adults and two juveniles, were wearing life jackets, officials said.