#United States #Portland #Pickleball #The Dyrt #camping

Pickleball Courts Dominating Campground Amenities in 2024

In a groundbreaking revelation from The Dyrt, the comprehensive camping app, pickleball courts have emerged as the most sought-after amenity at private campgrounds across the U.S. in 2024. This trend is highlighted in The Dyrt's annual report, which leverages extensive survey data from campers and campground managers nationwide.

According to the report, a remarkable 17% of private campgrounds that introduced new amenities this past year opted for the installation of pickleball courts. This statistic is particularly striking when compared to the second-most popular addition, Wi-Fi, which only saw a 9.8% implementation rate among campgrounds. It's interesting to note that while Wi-Fi remains the most widely available amenity—present at a staggering 71.5% of all private campgrounds—the introduction of pickleball courts shows a significant shift in camper preferences.

Lloyd Lauland, the president of RVC Outdoor Destinations, remarked that the decision to incorporate pickleball courts stemmed from direct feedback collected during previous surveys. He noted, “Each year, we send out a survey to our guests, and the installation of pickleball courts started after we received feedback from our 2020 survey.” As a result, RVC has successfully added these courts at several of its resorts, including Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort in Tennessee, Gulf Shores RV Resort in Alabama, and Sandusky RV Resort in Ohio.

The addition of pickleball facilities has proven to be a crowd-pleaser, drawing guests of all ages. Lauland mentioned that they even provide the necessary equipment for guests to use at no additional charge, creating an inclusive environment for all who stay at their establishments.

In a special event held at Gulf Shores RV Resort in December, the campground hosted an RV Rally that featured pickleball clinics conducted by one of the top-ranked professional players in the U.S. The clinics were so popular that they culminated in a tournament, which became a highlight of the event, showcasing the growing interest in this sport among the camping community.

The sharp rise in pickleball court installations indicates that campgrounds are increasingly looking to diversify their amenity offerings to attract a wider audience. Properties that added pickleball courts in 2024 were found to be 29% more likely to choose this option compared to traditional amenities like swimming pools, hot tubs, dog parks, and equipment for kayak or canoe rentals.

As the camping industry continues to evolve, the insights provided by The Dyrt's 2025 Camping Report, presented in collaboration with Toyota Trucks, offer valuable perspective on trends that resonate with today’s campers. With platforms like The Dyrt leading the way in data collection, campgrounds can better align their services with camper desires and needs.

Looking forward, The Dyrt remains committed to serving the camping community with comprehensive resources including campground reviews, reservations, and tools for planning the perfect camping trip. With the rising interest in unique experiences such as pickleball, it will be exciting to see how campgrounds adapt to meet the ever-changing preferences of their guests.

For those seeking an all-in-one platform for their camping adventures, The Dyrt continues to be the go-to solution, combining extensive offerings from state and national parks, RV parks, glamping options, and user-generated camp reviews. The future of camping looks bright, especially with amenities that foster community engagement and active living like pickleball.