Recent evidence points to four developments in vehicle-supported camping: more ways to sleep and shelter around a vehicle, more gear for spending time at camp, reported growth in sales of selected vehicle-camping products, and rising participation in camping close to vehicles. It does not establish four changes against a specific historical starting point: the supplied title ends at “Since The,” so the comparison it intended is unknown.
1. Campers have more vehicle-integrated sleeping and shelter options
Traditional frontcountry camping usually means driving to an established campground and setting up at a designated site. The National Park Service calls this “frontcountry camping (car camping)” and notes that campground facilities vary. A vehicle can simply get a camper and their gear to the site, or it can play a more direct role in the setup.
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REI’s July 2022 examples span car shelters, sleeping platforms inside vehicles, rooftop tents, and racks. These are different ways to arrange shelter or sleeping space, not interchangeable products or a checklist every camper needs. A vehicle sleeping platform also has to fit the particular vehicle; the source does not establish that one setup performs better than another.
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2. The vehicle can support more than getting to the campsite
REI’s examples also include gear for spending time at camp: coolers, sleeping bags, chairs, and cookware, alongside vehicle-specific items. Together, those examples suggest a broad range of ways to use a vehicle-supported campsite, from a basic tent-and-sleeping-bag arrangement to one with extra storage, seating, or shelter.
These are assortment examples from one retailer, not evidence that the products are new or that most campers use them. A cooler, chair, or vehicle shelter may be useful for a particular trip, but none is a requirement for car camping. The National Park Service’s frontcountry description is a useful reminder that campground amenities differ, so what you need to bring depends partly on the site.
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3. REI reported growth in sales of selected vehicle-supported gear
In a July 2022 release, REI said its sales of vehicle-supported camp items—including car shelters, refrigerators, and rooftop tents—had risen 45% since 2019. That figure describes REI’s sales of the named category, as reported by the retailer. It is not a measure of total camping participation, sales across the whole retail market, or how many people adopted any one type of setup.
REI senior merchandising manager for camp Melissa Paul described the customer trend this way: “This camper is a bit more spontaneous, is interested in being more self-sustained, and goes out a bit further off the grid to camp.” That is one retailer representative’s characterization, not a finding that applies to every camper.
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REI Co-op’s July 2022 report on vehicle-supported adventure
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.4. Participation in camping close to vehicles has grown, according to OIA
The Outdoor Industry Association’s 2026 Camping Report executive summary says 42.3 million Americans camped close to their vehicles in 2025. It also reports more than 2 million additional campers in one year and 6.2 million more since 2020. These figures belong to OIA’s “camping close to their vehicles” category; they should not be read as counts of rooftop-tent users, people sleeping inside vehicles, or campers at National Park Service frontcountry sites alone.
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- SPACIOUS FAMILY CAMPING: The 13' x 10' SUV tent fits up to five campers with space for two air mattresses or five sleeping bags; its 87-inch center height allows easy movement, blending the joys of car camping with the comforts of home
- SCREEN PORCH & AWNING: The large SUV tent includes a 6 x 8 ft screened porch and awning for added comfort and organization; perfect for storing shoes, coolers, and chairs while keeping your space tidy
- SEAMLESS VEHICLE CONNECTION: Designed for convenience, this SUV tent connects easily to your car trunk, providing quick access to your items—even during rain
- ALL-WEATHER VENTILATION: Stay comfortable with double doors and windows; the PU2000 polyester fabric blocks rain, while mesh panels ensure ventilation in dry conditions
- VERSATILE OUTDOOR USE: This SUV tailgate tent fits various vehicles, including SUVs, CUVs, minivans, and pick-up trucks; it can also stand alone as a camping tent for flexible outdoor adventures
That distinction matters because “car camping” can describe different experiences. The National Park Service uses it for camping at an established campground reached by vehicle; OIA’s stated category is camping close to vehicles. Neither label, on its own, specifies where someone sleeps or which equipment they use.
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What these figures do—and do not—show
The available sources document product examples, one retailer’s sales trend, and a broader participation measure. They do not establish four measured changes from a common earlier period, and they do not identify what event or date the unfinished “Since The” in the supplied title was meant to refer to. The four developments above are therefore a grounded snapshot of recent vehicle-supported camping, not a quantified before-and-after account.
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