Study: Campers travel about 200 miles to destination

A recent study by the Coleman Company and the Outdoor Foundation suggests the future of camping in the U.S. looks bright, although overall camping numbers nationwide have dropped.

The study found that 42.5 million Americans went on a camping trip in 2011 — about 15 percent of the population over the age of six. But that number dipped to 38 million in 2012.

On average, campers packed up their gear and travelled more than 200 miles to their final destination in 2012, and each averaged 13.6 days camping — a full day more than the previous year.

The greatest loss in camping numbers was in America’s youths. The study found that about 17 percent of youths went on a camping trip in 2011 but the number fell to 13 percent in 2012.

Montana and similar states have the most avid campers. Mountain states posted the highest camping rates in the U.S., and hiking is the most popular activity while camping. The most popular purchase by campers was propane or liquid fuel.

In Glacier National Park, camping numbers were robust in 2013. About 140,200 Park visitors stayed either in auto campgrounds or the backcountry this year. That’s about 6 percent of all visitors who came to Glacier Park.