The Rise of Long-Stay Camping: From Weekend Trip to Way of Life

Camping trips are getting longer…a lot longer. According to Campspot data, 28+ night bookings increased 10% year over year in the latter half of 2025 compared to 2024, signaling a shift in how people are using campgrounds. What used to be a vacation is now, for many travelers, a temporary way of life.

This rise in extended stays reflects bigger changes happening beyond camping: more people working remotely, rethinking traditional housing, and embracing flexible, experience-driven living. People aren’t going to campgrounds and RV parks just to unplug. They’re settling in, even if only for a month or two.

So what’s behind the long-stay shift, and why are so many campers choosing to stretch their trips well past the weekend?

Remote Work Turns Campgrounds Into Home Base

Remote work has unlocked something campers have always dreamed about: the freedom to stay longer without burning PTO. With a majority of U.S. workers now able to work remotely at least part-time, and 26% of U.S. jobs being exclusively remote, many travelers are realizing they don’t have to choose between earning a paycheck and exploring new places.

Instead of packing up after a long weekend, campers can log in during the week, explore nearby trails and towns after work, and enjoy quieter midweek campground vibes.

For remote workers, a 28-night stay offers the perfect balance. They get enough time to settle into a routine, build familiarity with the area, and still feel like every weekend brings a new adventure.

Housing Costs Are Pushing People to Think Differently

Rising rent and housing costs are also playing a role. In many parts of the country, monthly rent has climbed to record highs, prompting people to explore alternatives that offer both flexibility and affordability. Consider how national median single-family home prices rose by 48% between 2019 and 2024. 

For some campers, extended RV stays are a practical lifestyle choice. Monthly campground stays can offer:

• Predictable costs
• Fewer utilities to juggle
• The ability to live in scenic, outdoor-forward locations

Especially for those between leases, relocating, or downsizing, long campground stays provide breathing room without giving up comfort or mobility.

READ NEXT: Long-Term Camping: Pros, Cons, and What to Expect

RV Life Is More Comfortable (and Connected) Than Ever

Today’s RVs are built for long-term living. Reliable connectivity, improved layouts, and smart design features have transformed RVs into legitimate temporary homes. Add in campground amenities like laundry facilities, walking trails, and nearby outdoor recreation, and it’s easy to see why extended stays feel increasingly doable.

What’s changed most isn’t just the equipment, it’s the mindset. RV life is no longer viewed as “all or nothing.” Campers are embracing:

• One-month stays between destinations
• Seasonal campground living
• Hybrid lifestyles that blend travel, work, and routine

Trips feel less rushed and far more rewarding.

READ NEXT: What Amenities to Look for at Monthly RV Parks

Community Is a Big Part of the Appeal

Long-term stays also unlock something weekend trips rarely do: connection. With the Together-Trip as a major camping trend for 2026, this comes as no surprise. When you stay for a month or more, you naturally fall into campground rhythms with familiar faces, shared sunsets, casual conversations by the fire.

This falls right in line with how 1 in 3 campers say they value spontaneous interactions with strangers while camping, and 80% of campers are specifically interested in meeting other campers, according to Campspot data.

Many long-stay campers get to enjoy:

• Friendly, low-pressure social interactions
• Communal spaces that make it easy to linger
• Campgrounds where it feels normal to stay awhile

For solo travelers, families, and remote workers alike, extended stays often bring a sense of belonging that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.

What This Means for Campers Considering a Long Stay

For campers, the long-stay shift is about choice and flexibility. Extended trips allow you to slow down, save on nightly rates, and experience destinations more deeply…without committing to anything permanent.

If you’re curious about trying a 28+ night stay, consider:

• Choosing destinations with nearby outdoor recreation and day trips
• Looking for campgrounds that support longer stays with essentials like Wi-Fi, laundry, and easy access to town
• Treating your campsite like a home base, not just a stopover

Whether it’s a month of working remotely from the road, a seasonal escape, or a way to live more intentionally for a while, long-stay camping offers travelers freedom without urgency. A stay at the right campground can feel just like home.

Find the Right Long-Term Stay for You

Image Credit: Adobe Stock users Anna, edb3_16, Philip Schubert, Drazen