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If the thought of a fast-paced vacation in a bustling city makes your head spin, it might be time to recharge with a “calm-cation” instead.
Campspot, an online booking resource for campgrounds across the country, popularized the term in a 2024 report, describing a trend that’s focused on nature, closer to home and more affordable than far-flung options.
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Science backs up the idea of nature as a soothing balm. One study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that 20 minutes connecting with nature can lower stress hormone levels. Another study of nearly 20,000 people, including older adults and people with chronic health problems, found that at least two hours a week in nature benefits physical health and well-being.
Spending the night in the great outdoors may also help you feel good. Ninety-three percent of customers surveyed for the Campspot trend report said they felt more relaxed or mentally refreshed after camping. Why? Fresh air, affordability, access to water, dark skies and a quiet atmosphere all helped campers feel more at ease.
Some campgrounds today offer resortlike amenities, from pickleball courts, swimming pools and shuffleboard tables to hot tubs, laundry facilities and on-site general stores. “If you haven’t been camping in a while, that surprises a lot of people. [Some are] on par with hotels but with significant cost savings in comparison,” says Carolin Fuller, director of public relations and partnerships for Campspot.
She adds that RV campgrounds hold particular appeal among travelers who are retired. “Many have spent their lives working and building up a bucket list of places they want to see and experience,” she says, noting that some buy an RV that allows them to see a wide variety of places, visit family and create community.
Tessa McCrackin, chief marketing officer of Northgate Resorts, a company that operates campgrounds and RV parks across the U.S., agrees. “There’s this piece of being outdoors that’s inherently relaxing, kind of [a] more old-fashioned experience and simpler in some ways,” she says.
But rather than folks pitching their own tents or trekking into the backcountry, campground operators are seeing an increase in multigenerational groups who want to book cabins, according to McCrackin. “It’s still a lot different than staying at a hotel,” she says, adding that “there’s more of a community vibe, and it’s much more accessible.”
Need some suggestions for calm-cation camping destinations? Here are a few spots to consider for peaceful getaways near the water in the great outdoors.
