By RVShare
RVShare has ranked the Grand Canyon as the nation’s top outdoor destination for 2025 in its most recent RV Travel Trends Report.
In addition to being one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, along with marvels like the Great Barrier Reef and the Aurora Borealis, Grand Canyon National Park is the second most visited park in the U.S., welcoming over 4.7 million visitors in 2023.
As a popular destination for RVers, Grand Canyon National Park has several RV-friendly campgrounds, including a designated RV campground with full hookups open year-round.
Beyond identifying the most popular destinations for RV travel, RVshare’s latest report points out a growing interest in RV traveling overall, which plays into the need for more RV storage facilities nationwide. Read on to see why Americans view RV travel favorably, and why the industry is prime for continued growth.
RVshare Travel Trends
RVshare surveyed travelers to find out what types of trips, activities and destinations Americans are excited about right now. Are travelers craving adventure? Looking to splurge or save? Is international travel still beckoning? How is flexible work affecting travel behavior? We’re thrilled to see Americans’ interest in RV travel continues to grow.
More than half (60%) of people planning to travel next year are considering a road trip or vacation in an RV. Notably, hobbies and passions will fuel major travel decisions in 2025, as travelers report planning future trips around their love for food, music, history, sports teams, books and more.
RVshare’s 2025 Travel Trend Report is predicting another compelling year for travel. According to new data conducted by Wakefield Research, 90% of Americans planning to travel in 2025 will do so at least as much as they did the year prior, with nearly half planning to increase their travel plans. Continuing to grow, RV travel interest has jumped again for 2025, both as a means of transportation and accommodation. Among those planning to travel next year, 60% are planning to take a road trip or vacation in an RV.
Three–quarters of Americans have also highlighted their intentions to splurge on travel in 2025, particularly spending more on dining, attractions and shopping while on vacation. Speaking of vacation, Americans are working hard for those splurge–worthy experiences — nearly 80% of people who are allowed to work remotely plan to work from vacation next year, rather than taking official leave from work. Survey insights also reveal that American travelers continue to turn to AI tools for help when travel planning — hoping for a quicker planning process and more affordability.
Trend No. 1: RV Travel Increases
In a four-year trend, 90% of travelers are planning to travel at least as much this year as last. Among those intending to travel this year, 60% are planning a road trip or vacation in an RV, similar to the past two years. In a continued trend, RV trips continue to be popular among Millennials and Gen Z, and they have returned to popularity for Gen X travelers with a 12 percentage point increase this year.
When compared to flying a short to moderate distance, travelers see a variety of benefits to using an RV, especially:
Trend No. 2: Quality
The majority of American travelers (63%) will be focused on quality over quantity this year, planning for fewer vacations overall, but designating a larger budget to each trip. Perhaps accordingly, 41% plan to take longer trips this year than they did in 2024. Annual travel has become a valued part of Americans’ lives, with 90% planning to travel at least as much in 2025, compared to last year. With quality at the forefront of travelers’ minds, it’s no surprise that they’re excited to focus their travels around their passions, hobbies, and interests and spend top dollar to make it happen.
Trend No. 3: Passion-Driven Travel
Passions and hobbies are no longer a secondary thought for people as they have become more of a focal point for many Americans making their travel plans. A direct example is the millions of passionate “Swifties” across the world who centered their travel plans around which Eras Tour destination they wanted to experience. Nearly all (94%) of travelers would consider basing a trip around a passion, and many are willing to travel extensively for these experiences. Among all survey respondents, food, history, and music are the top three passions driving travelers.
While Boomers are predominantly interested in planning trips around history, dining is the most popular category among younger generations. 73% of Gen Z respondents would consider planning a trip around culinary experiences, compared to just 49% of Boomers. While 43% of Millennials would consider planning a trip around a beloved movie or TV show, a trend known as “set–jetting.” 1 in 4 (25%) of Millennials would consider planning a trip around a favorite book or novel next year. 3 in 5 people say they would book a trip around food as well as history. While travel experts have recently touted wellness tourism 
as the future of the industry, surprisingly, just 1 in 5 people claim they would book a trip around wellness.
Trend No. 4: Splurging
If there’s ever a time to really “live a little,” it’s on vacation. Whether it’s indulging in epicurean adventures or once–in–a–lifetime experiences, Americans are reveling in the idea that travel isn’t always just about the destination. In fact, 75% of travelers are likely to splurge on travel in 2025 for various reasons — from upping the enjoyment factor to creating more memories and opportunities to bond with family and friends. Americans ranked dining, attractions, shopping and outdoor adventure as the categories they are most likely to spend top dollar for — outranking accommodations and events.
Trend No. 5: Nomadic and Restful
When it comes to the types of trips enticing Americans in 2025, 65% are prioritizing travel 
for quality time with family — an 8–point increase over 2024. However, family time doesn’t have to mean visiting family at home or at the same places as usual. Travelers reported an 8–point increase in the desire to explore and discover new places (54%). While 1 in 5 travelers are looking to meet new people and be more physically active, over half are looking for laid–back trips focused on relaxation.
Having recently surpassed 5 million nights of sleeping under the stars, RVshare is the first and largest online community for RV renters and owners offering a diverse selection of vehicles to accommodate any outdoor adventure and help travelers experience the unbridled freedom of RV travel. Ready to find out where travelers are heading, learn the latest travel trends and who is looking to splurge or save this year? Read the full report.
