A look inside the growing Black RV camping movement

Toyin Ajayi was 37 years old when she packed up her camper and left her apartment in Sandy Springs, Georgia, for good. She has visited 24 states in the past three years and has no plans to return to a more stationary life.

“There is a feeling of spiritual freedom. For me, this is an opportunity to spend more time in nature. I pay more attention to stars, animals and the like. I have definitely found different types of freedom in my personal journey… emotional freedom, spiritual freedom, all of that,” Ajayi says.

Even as a solo RV camper, Ajayi knows she’s not alone in wanting to spend more time on the open road. She sees more black women and young people joining her on a regular basis.

Ajayi created a Facebook group for black women interested in the outdoors. It grew so fast; she turned it into a website. There are now more than 8,000 participants on Black women outdoors Connect online to recommend campsites, get together on road trips, and share RV tips.

The rise of the Black RV life movement

Data from the RV Industry Association shows that the demographics of RV owners are becoming younger and more diverse. Although the average age of motorhome owners is 53, the average age of first-time motorhome buyers in 2020 fell to 41, before falling again two years later to 32.

The number of black campers has doubled in less than 10 years and now makes up 11 percent of the U.S. camping community, according to Kampgrounds of America (KOA).

“I think the van living movement has changed the trajectory of the van living movement. At the moment they are intertwined because everyone knows the van life, but it all falls under the umbrella of “nomadic lifestyle,” Ajayi says.

A list of Black-owned campgrounds is one of the largest resources she shares with members of Outdoorsy Black Women. Other groups in the black backpacking community are putting together similar catalogs, highlighting the need for safe outdoor spaces. While these crowdsourced lists are openly available to community members, they are carefully guarded from outside interference to protect the peace and safety of both campground owners and their black patrons.

Ajayi calls the lists the “Black Campers Green Book” and says they are necessary, especially during tense political cycles like 2024. presidential race.

(Related: How Black Travelers Are Taking Portugal Back.)

A safe place to be outdoors

One of the Black-owned campgrounds listed in many of these directories is Worthen RV ParkA rural, fully hooked, 49-site park located midway between Macon and Augusta, Georgia.

Josh Gordy bought land in his hometown in 2011. This was his first venture into entrepreneurship, continuing the legacy that runs in his family. The former NFL player is related to Motown legend Berry Gordy on his father’s side.

But this land was most significant to his maternal grandfather’s legacy. When Grandpa Gordy was young, he farmed the land as a sharecropper. He wanted to buy land, but he was never allowed to fulfill this dream.

“Knowing the many obstacles he had to go through,” Gordy says. “I think when he initially wanted to try to get the land, they (gave him) the runaround, but again, God has a way of working things out.”

It wasn’t until Gordie connected with the existing Black RV and camping communities that he realized he would have long-term success on the land his grandfather cared for. Most of the short-term campers at Warthen RV Park are black, and he is starting to see more black families, his main customer base, moving into campgrounds full-time.

“It was like I found this secret door that I didn’t even know existed, but then one day I joined a group and I saw exactly how many people… how many of us do it. It’s like we have a big enough market to really capture,” he explains.

Groups like Black people who camp/van have over 45,000 members on Facebook. But there are many others who specialize in getting started, buying and renting RVs, and connecting with others at RV meetups.

Warthen RV Park has hosted several Black RV events, arranging for groups to camp close to each other. It also gives campers a place to cook, play cards and enjoy music, as well as the opportunity to take advantage of the park’s nature trails and dark skies for stargazing.

(Related: 13 Places for African American History And culture.)

Black campers seek community and advice

In September, Sharon Jones’ inheritance allowed her to buy the Class C van she had always dreamed of. Before setting off from Jacksonville, Florida, on his first trip out of town, Jones draws wisdom from more experienced campers in the same Black RV and camping groups.

“I’ve actually been living in my camper since I got it three weeks ago. I was at home. I go home, wash my clothes, get fresh clothes, throw off the dirty clothes and leave,” she says. “My house is beautiful and quiet, but this camper and this RV park is a different world.”

She was overwhelmed by the size of the Black RV community and looks forward to participating in as many RV meetups as possible.

“My wish list? I want to meet all the people I’ve met from these groups. They are found in certain places. They have been dating for many years, and I just found out about it,” she said. “I see a lot of women traveling on their own, driving their own cars, and what I’m saying is these sisters get it, have been doing it for years, working full-time RV jobs.”

Jones’ first big meet will be at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February. Melanated Kampot event.

From there, she plans to spend the weekend traveling alone or with a trusted friend, visiting as many states as she can. The Florida resident has never been further than Valdosta, Georgia, but with the help of her fellow Black RVers, she plans to spend the rest of her life seeing as much of the country as possible.

(Related: What I Learned as a Black Traveler.)

Black-owned campgrounds across the US

For Black RV campers looking for a safe place and community, here are a few Black-owned campgrounds to consider when planning your next camping trip.

Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard (Norlina, North Carolina): Located about an hour north of Raleigh, this family-owned farm offers wine tastings from its own vineyard. They offer year-round RVing and camping on their farm.

Camp Rosario & van (Anacortes, WA): Surrounded by stunning forest and lake views of Deception Pass State Park, this 16-acre hotel offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, fishing and kayaking.

Worthen RV Park (Worthen, GA): This South Georgia campground hosts social events for groups in a large pavilion, with plenty of space to hook up RVs.

TripL RV Parking (Brazoria, TX): Near Houston, RV parks are just one type of housing available for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors. Tiny houses, container houses and cottages complete the offer.

G & R Tent camp (Houston, DE): The campground’s outdoor pool, hammock park, and lawn games provide casual fun between hikes and nights around the campfire. Visitors can choose from RV camping, cabins, glamping and primitive tent camping.