The 1980s are back.
According to Campspot, leading software provider and online
marketplace for RV resorts, family campgrounds, cabins and glamping options,
nostalgia is fueling travel in 2025. Outdoor
destinations that were extremely popular in the 1980s are making a major
comeback due to travelers’ desire to reconnect with the past and seeking a
sense of escape.
"The sense of nostalgia our data reveals is
powerful," says Erin Stender, CMO of Campspot. "As we look ahead to
2025, it's clear that travelers are gravitating toward places that remind them
of simpler times, whether it's revisiting a national park they visited in the
'80s or discovering the same outdoor treasures their parents once
enjoyed."
Campspot created the '80s (Re)vival Rankings, identifying
the top five destinations in each U.S. region that have captured the attention
of campers for the coming year which include:
West:
- West Yellowstone, MT - Yellowstone National
Park, WY/MT/ID
- Grand Canyon, AZ - Grand Canyon National Park,
AZ
- Yosemite, CA - Yosemite National Park, CA
- Estes Park, CO - Rocky Mountain National Park,
CO
- Moab, UT - Arches National Park, UT
Midwest:
- Traverse City, MI - Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI
- Mackinaw City, MI - Mackinac Island, MI
- Cleveland, OH - Cuyahoga Valley National Park,
OH
- Rapid City, SD - Badlands National Park, SD
- Duluth, MN - Voyageurs National Park, MN; Lake
Superior Shoreline, MN/WI
South:
- Miami, FL - Everglades National Park, FL;
Biscayne National Park, FL
- Gatlinburg, TN -Great Smoky Mountains National
Park, TN/NC
- Mammoth Cave, KY - Mammoth Cave National Park,
KY
- Asheville, NC - Blue Ridge Parkway, VA/NC
- South Padre Island, TX - Nearby 1980s hotspot:
South Padre Island, TX
Northeast:
- Bar Harbor, ME - Acadia National Park, ME
- Lake George, NY - Adirondack Mountains, NY
- Boston, MA - Cape Cod National Seashore, MA;
Berkshires, MA
- North Conway, NH - White Mountains, NH; Mount
Washington, NH
- Stowe, VT - Green Mountains, VT
The growing appeal of these destinations is rooted in both
personal memories and a broader longing for simpler experiences.
According to
Campspot's data, 7 in 10 respondents are willing to trade modern conveniences
for a chance to experience life as it was in the '80s, with camping providing
the perfect opportunity to unplug and recapture the magic of childhood trips.
In fact, 94 percent of respondents reported seeing camping as a key form of
stress relief, and another 80 percent agree that camping trips reconnect
families free from the stress of modern life.
“As travelers embrace the (Re)Creation Vacation trend, we're
seeing these 1980s-era hotspots come back to life for a new generation of
campers," Stender adds. "Their timeless appeal, combined with modern
updates, offers the best of both worlds—a nod to the past and an authentic
outdoor experience that still resonates today."
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
