As high fuel prices are causing many to stay home or travel closer to home, the camping industry is wondering if they can expect more spots to be opened up this summer due to camping cancellations.

That's what we talk about in this week's Episode 397 of the RV Podcast as we share lots of feedback from RVers who say inflation and record-high fuel prices are changing their summer travel plans.

You can watch the entire podcast by clicking the video player below.

To listen to an audio version, check out the RV Podcast on your favorite podcast app or click the player below to hear it right now on whatever device you are using to read this post.

Everyone agrees we need more open camping spots

Even before COVID, campgrounds were getting filled. But since COVID, RVing has exploded in popularity and with it has come unprecedented pressure on campgrounds. Many popular dates, weekends, and holidays have been sold out for months. It is not unusual that reservations have to be made six months in advance. Even longer for some spots.

Last week, the camping app called the Dyrt, issued a report that claimed dispersed camping doubled between 2020 and 2021 because of campground overcrowding. People who could not get a reservation in a campground turned to dispersed camping, the app announced in a press release,

That shows how crowded it was last year,

But this year, the travel industry and tourism officials across the country are worried that people are canceling their travel plans because of those spiraling field costs.

Last week, we talked on the podcast about how there may be diesel shortages and rationing this summer.

Will fuel prices keep going up?

Fuel prices keep going up

A survey by a TV Station in Detroit last week found that 45.4% of their viewers said they are totally canceling their Memorial Day weekend trip altogether because of the gas prices. An additional 15.3% of respondents said they might cancel their plans, and that they’re considering changing them.

The price for regular gas is approaching $5 a gallon nationwide, with many areas at more than $6. Diesel is steadily climbing to near $6 and on its way to $7 by mid-summer, according to predictions made by many in the fuel industry.

Are camping cancellations the inevitable result?

It’s reasonable to assume that many RVers planning long, cross-country trips are now in the process of changing those plans, again turning to shorter trips closer to home.

Here's just a sampling of the email we have received from our community.

Vince: We are in Kentucky, on our way to Wisconsin for the Summer. I think storage in Wisconsin will save us hundreds of dollars.

Mindful Kayaker: I retired and bought a small RV to make my dream Road Trip around North America but I will have To postpone this dream up to 2024 to see if things change in this Country

Peter: We have canceled 3 of our 5 trips this year be...