Camping in the United States is entering a new phase where campfires and trail maps now share space with artificial intelligence, satellite internet, and remote work setups. New findings released by The Dyrt show that 33.6% of campers say they trust AI to recommend a campground, a clear sign that digital tools are becoming part of how travelers choose where to escape next. Even so, actual usage still trails behind trust. Only 10.3% of campers said they have used AI to plan a camping trip so far, while another 9.7% said they intend to try it during 2026. That gap suggests many outdoor travelers are curious, but still testing how much technology belongs in a traditionally unplugged experience.
The data comes from the 2026 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks, based on surveys of thousands of campers, U.S. residents, and campground managers across all 50 states. According to The Dyrt CEO Kevin Long, the combination of millions of campground reviews, photos, and user tips gives platforms with strong community data an edge as AI travel planning expands.
Connectivity is also reshaping the camping experience. More than half of respondents said they would consider using satellite internet services such as Starlink in 2026. One in three campers reported using satellite internet in 2025, up from one in four in 2024. For many travelers, especially longer-stay campers and RV users, reliable internet has shifted from luxury to practical necessity. Remote work remains part of the outdoor lifestyle as well. More than a quarter of campers said they worked from a campsite in 2025, showing that the “work from anywhere” movement still has momentum. Mountains, beaches, forests, and national park gateways are increasingly doubling as temporary offices — not a sentence people expected a decade ago.
The bigger story may be that travelers no longer see technology and nature as opposites. Many now want both: quiet mornings outdoors, afternoons online, and smarter tools to plan the next stop. Camping is still about getting away, sure, but for a growing number of people it no longer means disconnecting completely.