Since the pandemic, camping and outdoor pursuits have grown. According to the 2023 Kampgrounds of America (KOA) annual North American Camping report, more than 6.4 million households camped for the first time in 2022; in 2020 that figure was 10 million during the height of the pandemic.
While tent camping and RVing remain popular, there is a hunger for new outdoor experiences, whether it’s a specific type of camping or a trip that includes a new or unique experience.
Year-to-year, about 80% of campers try a new form of camping; in 2023, the average camper will seek out three new or unique camping experiences. Trips for natural events such as eclipses, meteor showers and animal migrations are the most common type of trips campers are looking for with other trips focused around food tourism and small towns visits. 3
Interest in experiential travel and new adventures is fueling momentum for glamping, a portmanteau of “glamorous” and “camping,” along with unique outdoor adventures. Glamping allows for immersion into nature without having to forego luxuries such as electricity, indoor plumbing and a comfy bed. However, not all those seeking unique experiences require five-star amenities as long as it’s a one-of-a-kind experience.
Kansas offers a variety of glamping choices, from riverside tents and yurts with calming views of green, grassy pastures, to Gothic pods that feature air conditioning and free WiFi. www.glampinghub.com and www.KOA.com promote experiences in Kansas that are far from cookie-cutter camping trips, as does www.hipcamp.com that defines itself as a “growing community of good-natured people and the most comprehensive resource for unique outdoor stays.”
A few unique camping/glamping experiences in Kansas include:
- The Hippie Chic Oasis and The 5 Acre, located near Colby, Kansas. The 5 Acre offers the adventurous traveler a night of solitude and a peaceful place to connect with nature. The Hippie Chic Oasis is big, bright and open with “a lot of plants,” says owner Benjamin Jurek. “I always wanted a place that still felt like summer during those long winter months.” Visit www.benflyin.com.
- The C2T Ranch on the Saline River near Plainville, was named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023. It is a working regenerative cattle ranch with more than 4 miles of the Saline River running through it. The property boasts a variety of activities including hiking, fishing, bird watching and fossil hunting to partake in while staying at one of its primitive or powered campsites or glamping tents on the property.
- For a Flint Hills experience near Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, the Dry Creek Post offers glamping tents and a chance to view wildlife, with one reviewer sharing their experience about sighting a buffalo herd passing through the area.
The hunger for new camping experiences will also drive the need for more landowners interested in earning money to host all types of camping. To become a host, visit www.hipcamp.com/en-US/host.