Camping Occupancy and Climate at Southeast United States Parks after the Realization of COVID

Authors

  • Christopher A. Craig Murray State University
  • Siyao Ma University of Arkansas
  • Bert Seither University of Tampa
  • Richard Oxarart Murray State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2025-12861

Keywords:

extreme value theory, weather, extreme weather, climate, climate change

Abstract

Camping is a form of outdoor hospitality and tourism. We hypothesized that (i) camping occupancy will significantly increase after the realization of COVID, (ii) decadal changes will be observed in camping climate favorability, and (iii) climate and seasonality will be predictive of campground occupancy. The study is operationalized at United States National Park Service-managed campgrounds in the Southeast United States. Dependent variables are campground occupancy, and independent variables the Camping Climate Index (CCI) and its categories. Results indicate that camping occupancy significantly increased for most but not all parks after the realization of COVID. Generally, parks above 35° latitude observed more favorable CCI changes than lower-latitude parks. Retrospective models indicated there was at least one climate predictor for campground occupancy aside from RV camping at two parks. Seasonality was significant at all locations. Managerial implications are of consequence to the realms of staffing, employee safety, guest safety, and resource allocation. 

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Published

2025-11-20

Issue

Online First

Section

Research Papers

License

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