Campgrounds & RV Parks in Canada: Market Size, Businesses & Forecast 2026

The campgrounds and RV parks industry in Canada encompasses businesses that provide accommodations for recreational vehicles, tents, and camping activities across Canada's diverse landscapes. The industry experienced steady growth through the mid-2010s, particularly benefiting from domestic tourism trends and the increasing popularity of outdoor recreational activities, though comprehensive recent official statistics are limited. As of 2019, the accommodation sector (which includes campgrounds) contributed $6.2 billion to Canada's GDP (Statistics Canada, 2019).

Industry snapshot

Key public data points

Historical & forecast

Get in touch and our analysts will be happy to help with custom market sizing, deeper segmentation, supplier detail or a bespoke study built for you.

What does the Campgrounds & RV Parks in Canada industry cover?

The Canadian campgrounds and RV parks industry includes businesses that provide overnight accommodations primarily for recreational vehicles and tent campers, often with facilities such as hookups for water, electricity, and sewage. These operations may be commercial, municipal, provincial park operations, or privately owned campgrounds that typically operate seasonally from spring through fall, with some year-round operations in warmer regions.

• •Industry establishments provide sites with varying amenities from basic tent pads to full-service RV hookups (water, sewer, electricity)
• •The sector includes both for-profit commercial campgrounds and public campgrounds operated by provincial and municipal governments
• •According to the Canadian Camping and RV Council (CRVC), there are approximately 2,000+ commercial campgrounds across Canada

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The Canadian campground and RV park industry features a mix of small independent operators, larger campground chains, and public sector operations. The market is characterized by numerous small businesses with limited geographic reach, alongside a few larger operators that maintain multiple locations across different provinces.

• •Small independent operators form the backbone of the industry, typically operating single-location seasonal businesses
• •Provincial parks systems manage a significant portion of campground accommodations, with each province having its own crown corporations or agencies
• •Some larger campground chains operate under franchise models or brand partnerships across multiple provinces

What drives demand in the industry?

Demand for campground and RV park accommodations is primarily driven by domestic tourism trends, increased outdoor recreational activities, and the rising popularity of RV ownership and travel. Seasonal factors strongly influence demand, with peak periods occurring during summer months and school holidays.

• •Domestic tourism growth, particularly following the pandemic, has increased demand for outdoor accommodations and RV travel
• •According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association of Canada (RVIC), RV shipments to dealers reached approximately 12,000 units in 2021
• •Canada's extensive natural landscapes and provincial park systems support a robust camping and outdoor recreation culture

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

The competitive landscape includes public sector operators (provincial park systems) alongside private campground chains and independent operators. While there are several regional players, the industry remains relatively fragmented with no single dominant national operator controlling a significant market share.

• •Parkland Campground & RV Resorts operates multiple locations in British Columbia and Alberta
• •KOA Campgrounds (Kampgrounds of America) has locations across several Canadian provinces as part of its North American network
• •Sun Outdoors (formerly known as Thousand Trails) operates RV resorts and campgrounds in British Columbia
• •Ontario Parks, managed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, operates numerous campgrounds within provincial parks

What are the recent trends and outlook?

Recent trends show growing interest in outdoor recreation following the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased domestic tourism supporting campground demand. The industry has also seen modest investment in improved amenities and technology adoption for reservations and check-in processes.

• •The pandemic accelerated domestic tourism, with campgrounds experiencing record occupancy rates in 2020 and 2021
• •Technology adoption has increased, with many campgrounds implementing online booking systems and contactless check-in options
• •Some operators are expanding amenities to include glamping options and year-round accommodations to extend operating seasons

How is the industry regulated?

Regulation of campgrounds and RV parks in Canada is primarily at the provincial and municipal level, with each jurisdiction establishing its own health, safety, and environmental standards. Public health regulations related to COVID-19 also influenced operations during recent years.

• •Provincial health authorities set food service standards for campground restaurants and facilities
• •Building codes and fire safety regulations apply to permanent structures within campgrounds
• •Environmental regulations govern waste disposal, water quality, and land use in campground operations
• •Municipal zoning bylaws determine where campgrounds can be established and their operating conditions

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• Statistics Canada - Canadian System of National Accounts 2019 ·
• Canadian Camping and RV Council - Industry Facts and Figures 2022 ·
• Recreation Vehicle Industry Association of Canada - Market Reports 2021 ·
• Ontario Parks - Provincial Park Operations Standards ·
• Saskatchewan Parks - Campground Regulations 2022