Hiking and Tent Camping

South Carolina 2001 Tourism Report Series

An overview of the demographics, economics and trends of hiking, tent and primitive camping and related adventure tourism activities in South Carolina and the United States.

Published by the Marketing Office of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Columbia, SC, in order to support the development and operation of tourism and recreation businesses.

Economics of Hiking and Outdoor Camping

Tent camping is the seventh most popular recreation activity of the U.S. population age 6 and older, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA). Similarly, day hiking is the ninth most popular recreation. According to the SGMA, 42.2 million Americans camped in tents and 39 million enjoyed day hikes. According to another study, the 2000 Nationwide Survey on Recreation and the Environment, a total of 73.1 million people participated in hiking, and 23.4 million went backpacking at least once during the year 2000.

Regardless of the estimated number of participants, what is indisputable is that the popularity of these activities has grown throughout the 1980s, 1990s and now 2000s, and the amount of expenditures on these activities has rapidly increased as well. Equipment for camping and hiking is a $1.755 billion industry in the United States, while camping and hiking apparel ring up an additional $259 million in sales annually.

There are over 200,000 miles of trails in the United States, with more being added all the time. Well-managed trails running through communities can foster sustainable economic activity through business development and tourism. Trail users need food, lodging, campgrounds, special clothes, shoes and equipment. Many also buy souvenirs and other items during the trip. Catering to hiking tourism supports various “clean” industries and businesses, such as cafes, bike shops, rental stores, and bed and breakfasts. Studies related to various trails have found that they created $300,000-$1.9 million in new money for the adjacent communities.

South Carolina Resident Participation

According to the 1999 South Carolina Recreation Participation and Preference Study, 18.9 percent of South Carolina’s residents age 12 and older enjoyed hiking in 1999, making it the 31^st most preferred recreational activity out of 46 activities. Nearly 25% participated in camping, which ranks 25^th among 46 activities. In addition, 28.5% of South Carolina’s residents enjoy visiting an unusual natural feature, 24.5% enjoy guide nature trails and studies, 38.8% enjoy cycling, 8% enjoy horseback riding, and 3.9% enjoy the more strenuous outdoor activities of rappelling and rock climbing (42^nd ranking out of 46). Camping, hiking, and guided nature trails all show substantial gains in participation since the previous 1994 survey.

Also according to the 1999 South Carolina Recreation Participation and Preference Study, over 15% of the state’s residents reported that they camped in a tent in a developed campground and 11% reported using a primitive campsite. Almost 15% camped in a South Carolina State Park. While 78% reported camping inside the state, almost 22% camped in other states. Over 76% of the campers camp over 25 miles from home, 55% stay 2-3 nights (28% camp four or more nights), and they report their average camping party size as 7. The Appalachian region attracts nearly one-third of the South Carolina residential campers, followed by 15% in the Myrtle Beach (Waccamaw) region. The Central Midlands and Upper Savannah regions also each attract over 10% of the residential campers.

South Carolina campers tend to be ages 12-45. Thirty-two percent of the white residents enjoy camping, while less than 9% of African-Americans do. Approximately one out of three families with incomes of $35,000 and above enjoy camping. Thirty percent of the male residents enjoy camping, compared to 19.5% of the females. Camping is almost evenly split among various educational levels—less than high school, high school degree, some college, and college degree. Camping is most popular with rural residents, followed by suburban and urban.

The Participation and Preference Study shows that nearly 17% of South Carolina’s residents participate in day hikes, while less than 3% go on overnight hikes. Over 65% hiked inside the state, while over 34% hiked in other states. The Appalachian region attracts nearly half of the state’s residential hikers, followed by the Central Midlands with 13.5%. The study also found that nearly half the hikers hike in the region they live in, meaning that hiking enthusiasts in South Carolina are clustered in the upstate area.

Hiking is most popular with South Carolina residents ages 12-17 and 30-45 (parents and their teenage children). Twenty-four percent of white residents enjoy the activity, while less than 6% of African-Americans do. Hiking tends to appeal to upper income families; approximately one out of three making $50,000 or more enjoy hiking. Interest among males stands at 21%, compared to nearly 17% for females. Thirty percent of campers have a college degree. Hiking appeals most to suburban residents.

Tourism Camping in South Carolina

TravelScope, the national travel survey coordinated by the U.S. Travel Data Center, collects data on tourists who travel for outdoor recreation, including RV and tent camping. According to TravelScope, over 1 million visitors camp in South Carolina annually (compared to 900,000 in 1998), spending a total of over $82 million in the state. The average length of stay is 5 days, and the average party size is 2-3 persons. The top five states of camper visitor origin are South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio and Florida. There has been a substantial increase in camping tourists from Ohio since 1998.

Also according to TravelScope, April is the most popular camping month in the state, attracting 18% of overall participation, followed by August, September, June and July. Over 60% of the camping tourists travel to South Carolina primarily for the recreation experience, followed by 18% who are also visiting friends and relatives. Only 1% of the campers are African-American. Ninety-four percent arrive by car. In addition to camping, these tourists enjoy hunting, fishing and hiking (38%); lakes and beaches (38%), shopping (27%), and national and state parks (25%).

In camping parties, the median age of the head of household is 46, according to TravelScope. The median household income is $40,000-$42,499.

National Demographics for Hiking and Outdoor Camping

Surveys in 2000 by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) show that tent camping is the 7^th most popular recreational activity of the U.S. population age 6 and older and day hiking the 9^th most popular activity. According to the SGMA, 42.2 million Americans camped in tents and 39 million enjoyed day hikes. Day hiking also ranks as one of the most popular sports for seniors, according to the SGMA. Over 1,524,000 Americans age 55 and older hike at least 15 days a year.

Research in 2000 by Roper Starch Worldwide Inc. for the Outdoor Recreation in America 2000 report published by the Recreation Roundtable found that 19% of Americans hiked in the previous 12 months, 17% camped in tents in campgrounds, 9% backpacked, and 8% camped in the wilderness. Since 1994, the participation in campground camping has ranged from 12% to 21%, increasing some years, decreasing others. Backpacking has followed similar up and down patterns, ranging from 7% to 13% participation.

Participation in hiking and camping generates considerable side benefits for the outdoor equipment industries. The SGMA estimates that shipments of tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, coolers and cooking equipment grew 6% in 2000 to a $1.755 billion industry and is on track to expand a further 5% in 2001. In a similar study the NPD Group found that consumers spent $259 million in 2000 for camping and hiking clothing and shoes.

The SGMA also reports that both hiking and camping are clearly family affairs, with fairly even participation from all age groups under age 55. Females comprise 44% of tent campers and 50% of day campers.

One of the premier backpacking-camping experiences is the Appalachian Trail. The American Recreation Coalition reports that each year approximately 2,500 hikers attempt to backpack the entire 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail in one continuous journey. It takes 5-6 months, and most hikers start from the Southern end in the early spring.

The South Carolina Trails Program

The South Carolina State Trails Program is working to create a network of trails and greenways so extensive that all South Carolinians can reach a trail or greenway within 15 minutes of their home, school or workplace for pleasure-walking, cycling or horseback riding. One major trail, the Palmetto Trail, has been designated as a Millennium Legacy Trail. It begins at Oconee State Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains and traverses 15 counties and 425 miles to end north of Charleston, SC, on the coast. It includes several connecting passages that showcase the unique history, culture and geography of the state. The South Carolina State Trails Program maintains an extensive Internet site with county trails information, site maps and directions (www.sctrails.net).

The Organized Summer Camp Market

Organized summer camps are a special niche of the recreation camping market, which employ more than 500,000 adult workers. The American Camping Association is the major professional body for the camp profession and includes members who work with youths, adults, independent camps, religious camps, fraternal camps, and public/municipal camps. The ACA is a partner in Secretary of State Colin Powell's America's Promise--The Alliance for Youth program.

ACA estimates that over 9 million young people had summer camping experiences in 2000. The number of summer camps in the United States is estimated at 8,500-10,000. Approximately 60% of the camps are resident overnight camps, 24% are day camps, and 16% offer both day and resident programs. Three-fourths of the camps are operated by nonprofit organizations such as churches, Scouts, the YMCA and YWCA. The other 25% are privately owned and operated, often by multiple generations of individual families. Recent new programming trends at camps include adventure programming (such as rock climbing and kayaking), fine arts (performing arts, photography), in line skating, and travel camp. For instance, travel camps often transport campers by car or bus to geographic and topographic places of interest.

Summer camps are presently running at about 91% capacity. For eight years, annual nationwide camp enrollment has increased 8-10%. Surveys show that parents enroll their children in camps to build self-confidence and self-esteem, provide a safe environment, and build social skills and make friends. Camp enrollment, overall, is 55% female, 45% male. Camp fees vary widely, from $15 to $100 per day for resident camps and $10 to $50 per day for day camps

Building a Hiking & Outdoor Camping Industry

Hikers and campers want these priorities from their local hosts:

· Information, including parks, campsites, trails, guides to special formations, site histories, and up-to-date checklists with wildlife abundance information.

· Access via rights-of-way, roads, trails, boardwalks, boats and so on.

· Value

Suggestions for making communities more “camper and hiker friendly” include:

· Establish hiking and camping corridors, or greenbelts, with local community help.

· Provide detailed maps of trails and local campgrounds.

· Enlist local hikers/campers as host contacts to visitors.

· Post current information on the Internet.

· Support local summer day camp operations.

· Support local recreation equipment stores.

· Publish a list of places that are open early and late, where gas, coffee, box lunches, breakfast, film, sunscreen, bug repellent, hats, waterproof clothing, footgear, and camping equipment can be bought and where equipment repairs can be made.

· Welcome hikers and campers with street signs, banners and festivals.

· Host information sessions and field trips for local officials on the importance of hiking and camping and show them local nature attractions of interest.

Recommended Resources

· South Carolina Recreation Participation & Preference, 1999 Summary of Major Findings, South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, 2000, 18 pp

· South Carolina Recreation Participation & Preference Study, 1999 Technical Report, Institute of Public Affairs, 2000, approx. 200 pp

· Outdoor Recreation in America 2000: Addressing Key Societal Concerns, The Recreation Roundtable and Roper Starch, September 2000, 50 pp

· ACA Fact Sheet and various news media releases, American Camping Association, 1999-2000, approx. 20 pp, www.acacamps.org/

· Various market reports and press releases, Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, 2001, www.sgma.com/press/2001/

· “The Economic Benefits of Hiking” Fact Sheet, American Hiking Society, www.americanhiking.org

· South Carolina State Trails Program, www.sctrails.net

· Hiking South Carolina, John Clark and John Dantzler, 1998, 301 pp.

Sources and Methodology

In addition to the above sources, selected South Carolina and United States visitation, demographic and travel characteristics were obtained from profiles of visitors compiled by South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism's Office of Tourism Marketing from TravelScope, a national travel survey coordinated by the U.S. Travel Data Center. TravelScope is based on a monthly sample of 20,000 U.S. households selected from NFO Research Inc.'s consumer mail panel of 450,000 households. Respondents record details of up to three trips of 50 miles or more one-way or overnight in the previous month. Responses are sample-balanced to match the US population. To enhance the sample size, analysis is based on two years of data, and there is a margin of error associated with the reported statistics due to sampling variability.