New data reveals Americans who ‘crave closeness’with others turning to popular outdoor activity

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Woman fails at chance of tasty breakfast while camping

Watch the moment that Fiona MacBain of Inverness, U.K., spills pancake batter all over herself while camping near Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands.“I’d literally cry,” wrote one TikTok viewer of the viral food moment.

Many Americans are searching for ways to feel more connected to other human beings today — with a new study suggesting that a certain outdoor activity holds promise for accomplishing just that. 

For some, camping inthe great outdoorshas become a way to step away from daily pressures and spend time in open-air environments that encourage not just balance, but connection.

Campspot’s 2026 Travel Trend Outlook reported recently that 75% of travelers seek astronger sense of community, according to the Michigan-headquartered online marketplace.Travelers blame work-life imbalance, fewer shared experiences and increased screen time for the way they feel, the study noted.

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Jeff Bettin, general manager of marketplace at Campspot, said in a release, “We’re seeing travelers crave not just quiet, but closeness — whether it’s with family, friends or complete strangers around a campfire.”

Mental health and relationship expert Argie Allen-Wilson, Ph.D. 

Group of older adults relaxing at a forest campsite, sitting in a circle of camping chairs, chatting and drinking hot beverages near a tent and a small fire pit.

Many Americans have turned to camping as a way to connect with others — and leave behind their everyday pressures. (iStock)

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“When we step into a temporarycommunity like a campground, the social rules shift,” said Allen-Wilson, based in Philadelphia. 

“People show up with fewer labels, fewer expectations and less pressure to ‘perform’ the roles they hold in their day-to-day lives.”

She said this shift “levels the playing field” — making people more willing to engage with one another. 

explore, unplug and restcan create what she described as a natural sense of psychological safety.

People may feel more at ease creating small but meaningful moments of connection that can ease feelings of isolation, she suggested.

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Group of campers setting up a tent together in a forest campsite with backpacks, chairs, and gear on the ground.

The shared purpose of being outdoors to explore, unplug and rest can create what one mental health and relationship expert described as a natural sense of psychological safety.(iStock)

People make an average offour new friendsduring camping trips, Campspot said — a reflection of how social connections can form in these environments.

Also, as the National Park Service (NPS) noted on its website, outdoor activity canreducedepressive thoughtsand help reset natural sleep rhythms, both of which support better mental and physical health.

nervous systemto settle and reset.

Group of hikers walking along a mountain trail overlooking a wide valley filled with autumn trees.

Once the noise of daily life quiets down, many campers find themselves more open to interaction and community, said a mental health professional. (iStock)

As a result, once the noise of daily life quiets down, many campers find themselves more open to interaction and community.

“Camping reminds us that humans are wired for connection,” she said.

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“When you strip away distractions, people tend to lean toward one another instead of away.”

On a Reddit site devoted exclusively to camping topics, one user drove home the sentiment in a recent message. 

“It’s been a long time since something that simple made me feel that relaxed.”

“Camping with friends is unbeatable,” the person titled the post. 

“We went camping this weekend, and it ended up beingone of those tripswhere everything goes slightly wrong but somehow makes the whole thing funnier,” the person wrote. 

woman outdoors in nature

“When you strip away distractions, people tend to lean toward one another instead of away,” said one expert. (iStock)

For example, the user went on, “one friend brought a tent that literally sagged inward like it was trying to give up on life.”

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However, once the person and the whole group “finally got everything set up … thewhole night felt easyin a way I haven’t felt in a while,” the individual added. 

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“Waking up cold and stiff wasn’t ideal, but it was still worth it, since it’s been a long time since something that simple made me feel that relaxed.”

Another person wrote, “We had rain, gear failure (my stove broke) and a surprise swarm of bees, but honestly, it was one of the most memorable trips of the year.It sounds crazy, butbattling the elementsbrought everyone closer, and the problem-solving was tons of fun.It made me realize that a ‘bad’ trip often produces the best stories.”

 

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