A major new study has revealed how camping in the great outdoors improves people’s well-being and mental health. The Outjoyment Report was commissioned by The Camping and Caravanning Club and undertaken by a team of academics at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and Sheffield Hallam University. The study included a survey of nearly 11,000 campers and non-campers, assessing their attitudes towards the benefits of all types of camping, such as pitching up in a tent, caravan, or motorhome, or going glamping. camping benefits

The report was published 11 years after the ground-breaking Real Richness Report, also commissioned by the Club and researched by LJMU, which provides a comparison to findings from more than a decade ago.

Why Camping Makes People Happier

One of the most striking findings from the report is how strongly camping is linked with happiness.

According to the survey, 97% of campers say happiness is their main motivation for going camping. That alone says a lot. But the numbers go further.

Nearly 48% of campers report feeling happy almost every day, compared with 35% of non-campers. That difference might not sound dramatic at first glance, but across a population it represents a significant shift in daily well-being.

Researchers believe the reason is partly psychological. Camping removes people from everyday routines, digital distractions, and work pressures. Instead of rushing between tasks, people slow down, spend time outdoors, and focus on simple activities.

For many people, that change in pace can be surprisingly powerful.

Sabina Voysey, The Camping and Caravanning Club’s Director General, said: “The findings of The Outjoyment Report have never been so relevant as they are today. Camping in all its different forms puts us on the doorstep of the great outdoors and provides a clear pathway to a healthier and happier lifestyle – one in which people appreciate nature more and are active outdoors. Given the many negative events that have been happening in recent times at home and abroad, anything that helps people to feel better about themselves and each other is vitally important.”

A Stronger Connection With Nature

Another key takeaway from the report is how strongly campers value being in nature.

According to the study, 93% of campers say enjoying nature is one of their main motivations for camping, making it the second most important reason after happiness itself.

Spending time outdoors appears to help people feel more grounded and connected to their surroundings. This sense of “nature connection” is increasingly studied in psychology and environmental research because it plays a role in mental health, emotional stability, and long-term well-being.

In other words, when people step outside their daily environment and immerse themselves in natural landscapes, it changes how they feel and think.

Camping offers a particularly direct way to experience this connection. Whether someone is pitching a tent in a forest, parking a campervan near the coast, or glamping in a remote countryside location, the experience naturally shifts attention toward the natural world.

Lower Stress and Better Well-Being

Perhaps unsurprisingly, campers also report significantly lower levels of stress.

The study found that 88% of campers are motivated to go camping specifically to escape everyday pressures and take a break from routine life.

In practice, this means stepping away from work emails, traffic, crowded cities, and the constant noise of digital life. Even short outdoor trips can provide a psychological reset.

The research also revealed that 93% of campers value camping because of its positive impact on health and well-being. That number has increased from 85% in the earlier Real Richness Report published in 2011, suggesting that people increasingly recognise the importance of outdoor experiences.

For many participants, camping acts as a simple but effective form of mental recovery.

Dr Kaye Richards, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University, said:

“Camping connects people – to the outdoors, to nature, to each other, and most importantly to themselves. Positive emotions generated from outdoor enjoyment help to alleviate everyday stressors and promote feelings of life satisfaction. It is no surprise then, that the more people camp the more this can improve happiness and well-being.”

Dr Adele Doran, Principal Lecturer in Tourism Management at Sheffield Hallam University, added:

“Campers really enjoy an outdoor lifestyle. They pursue a range of outdoor activities while camping, which fuels their sense of adventure, keeps them physically active, and connects them to nature. In fact, campers are more connected to nature than non-campers.”

The study includes a survey of nearly 11,000 people

The Outjoyment Report also examined subjects such as the importance of children going camping as part of their formal education and how survey respondents felt about healthcare professionals prescribing spending time in natural settings as a remedy for poor mental health.

83% of respondents felt positive about health professionals prescribing spending time in nature as an effective remedy for poor mental health, a significant rise from 58% in our previous study. And 94% believe children should learn outdoors, while 93% think pupils should camp as part of their formal education—a big rise from the 59% of the 2011 report. camping benefits

Sabina added:

“Our vision is for a society in which camping and memorable outdoor experiences can play a full part in building a happier, healthier nation. Our goal is to raise the profile of camping and the countryside and to urge policy-makers in government to harness the findings of our report to shape people’s outdoor enjoyment—especially through camping—as it will ultimately help to make them healthier and happier people.”

Why This Matters Today

In an age where many people spend most of their time indoors, staring at screens and juggling busy schedules, the idea that something as simple as camping can improve mental health feels refreshingly straightforward.

You don’t need expensive equipment or complicated plans. Sometimes all it takes is stepping outside, pitching a tent, and letting nature do the rest.

The research suggests that even small moments outdoors can have a measurable impact on happiness, stress levels, and overall well-being.

And judging by the results of this large study, more people may start rediscovering that simple truth.