Do RVers really want to be around other people? Or do they hit the road to escape the crowd? A new survey reveals if RVers actually enjoy company — and the answer is more interesting than you might think. With 34.6 million Americans planning to travel by RV this spring in 2026 — a whopping 23% jump from spring 2025 — the RV community is booming [2]. So the big question is: are all those people happy to share the campfire, or do they prefer their own quiet corner of the wilderness?
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Key Takeaways
- 🏕️ Most RVers prefer solo or small-group camping — only 7% want large groups of 6+ RVs.
- 👫 Couples and solo travelers make up 62% of preferred camping styles combined.
- 🐾 Over half of RV travelers bring their pets along for the ride.
- 📈 RV travel is growing fast — 34.6 million Americans plan to RV this spring 2026 [2].
- 🤝 Social connection still matters — RVing is loved for bringing family and friends closer together [3].
What the Poll Results Actually Show
The poll asked one simple question: “What’s your preferred RV social group size?” Here’s what RVers said:
| Group Size | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 🙋 Solo camping | 35% |
| 💑 Couple camping | 27% |
| 👨👩👧 Small group (3–5 RVs) | 31% |
| 🎉 Large group (6+ RVs) | 7% |
The numbers tell a clear story. Solo camping came in first at 35%. That means more than one-third of RVers love hitting the road alone. Right behind that, small groups of 3–5 RVs earned 31% — almost as popular as going solo!
Couple camping grabbed 27%, which makes sense. Many RVers are retirees or couples looking for a romantic getaway. And large groups? Only 7% said they enjoy rolling with 6 or more RVs. Big rallies and group events are fun, but they are clearly not everyone’s cup of tea.
💬 “Travelers continue to choose RVing as a top travel option because of its affordability and ability to bring family and friends closer together.” — RVIA President Craig Kirby [3]
Why Solo and Small-Group RVing Wins the Crowd
The Solo RVer: Freedom Is Everything 🛻
Solo RVers are not lonely — they are intentionally free. When you camp alone, you pick the campsite, set the schedule, and go wherever the road takes you. No waiting on anyone else. No group debates about where to eat dinner.
Solo RVing has grown a lot in recent years. More women are hitting the road alone. More retirees are exploring on their own terms. It is a lifestyle built on independence and self-discovery.
Small Groups: The Sweet Spot 🔥
The 31% who love small groups are onto something special. A group of 3–5 RVs gives you the best of both worlds:
- ✅ Built-in social time around the campfire
- ✅ Help if something breaks down
- ✅ Shared meals and memories
- ✅ Still enough space for quiet alone time
Small groups feel like a traveling neighborhood. You know everyone. There is no chaos. It is easy to coordinate. Many RV families and friend groups prefer this size for weekend trips and longer adventures.
Why Big Groups Are Not for Everyone 🎪
Only 7% of RVers enjoy large groups of 6 or more RVs. That might seem low, but it makes sense. Large groups can be:
- 🔊 Noisy and hard to manage
- 🅿️ Tricky to find campsites that fit everyone
- 🗓️ Difficult to coordinate schedules
- 💸 More expensive when reservations fill up fast
Big RV rallies and club events are still popular, but for everyday camping preferences, most RVers keep it small.
The New Survey Reveals If RVers Actually Enjoy Company — Beyond Group Size
Group size is just one part of the story. The survey data shows that who you bring matters just as much as how many you bring.
Pets Are the #1 Travel Companion 🐶
Here is a fun fact: over 51% of RV travelers plan their trips around their pets [2]. Dogs, cats, and even birds hit the road with their owners. For many RVers, their pet is their favorite travel buddy — no drama, no complaints, just happy tail wags at every new campsite.
Gen X travelers showed the strongest love for pet travel [2]. If you see a golden retriever hanging out of an RV window, there is a good chance a Gen X camper is behind the wheel.
Families With Kids Are on the Rise 👨👩👦
Millennial RVers are most likely to travel with children [2]. This makes sense — Millennials are now in their prime parenting years. RVing with kids is a great way to make memories without the cost of hotels and flights.
Kids in an RV learn to:
- 🌲 Appreciate nature
- 🗺️ Read maps and explore
- 🤝 Get along in small spaces
- 🌟 Unplug from screens
Spring Is the Season of RV Social Life 🌸
With 73% of current RV owners planning a spring trip in 2026 [2], the campgrounds are about to get busy. The top reasons people choose spring RVing include:
- 🌤️ Better weather — not too hot, not too cold
- 🌿 Fewer crowds — compared to summer peak season
- 💰 Affordability — spring rates are often lower
Spring is also when RV clubs and groups tend to kick off their season. Rallies, meetups, and caravans all start popping up. Even RVers who prefer solo travel often join one or two group events per year.
What This Means for the RV Community in 2026
The data from this new survey reveals if RVers actually enjoy company — and the answer is: it depends on the type of company.
Most RVers are not antisocial. They love their families, their friends, and their pets. But they also value freedom and flexibility. The ideal RV trip for most people is one where they can choose when to socialize and when to enjoy the quiet.
Here is a quick breakdown of what different RVers want:
| Type of RVer | What They Value Most |
|---|---|
| Solo camper | Freedom, peace, self-reliance |
| Couple camper | Romance, shared adventure |
| Small group camper | Community, fun, safety |
| Large group camper | Parties, clubs, events |
The RV industry is growing fast [1], and campground designers, app developers, and gear makers are all paying attention. More campgrounds are now offering both private sites and group areas so everyone gets what they want.
Conclusion: Find Your Perfect RV Vibe 🏕️
The results are in. Solo and small-group camping rule the RV world in 2026. But no matter your preferred style, the most important thing is that you are out there enjoying the open road.
Here are some actionable next steps to make the most of your RV social life:
- Know your style. Are you a solo explorer or a small-group socializer? Plan trips that match your energy.
- Try a small group trip if you have never done one. Three to five RVs is the sweet spot for fun without chaos.
- Bring your pet! Over half of RVers do — and it makes every trip better.
- Plan a spring trip. Weather is great, crowds are smaller, and costs are lower [2].
- Join an RV club or online community to find like-minded travelers who match your group-size preference.
Whether you park alone under the stars or pull up next to your best friends, RVing is about living life on your own terms. And that is something every RVer can agree on. 🌟
References
[1] Survey Respondents Forecasting Modest Growth In 2026 – https://rvbusiness.com/survey-respondents-forecasting-modest-growth-in-2026/
[2] Rvia Survey 34 6 Million Americans To Rv This Spring – https://www.rvnews.com/rvia-survey-34-6-million-americans-to-rv-this-spring/
[3] Rv Roundup Hot Picks For 2026 – https://magazine.frva.com/2026/01/01/rv-roundup-hot-picks-for-2026/
