The assessment is based on a combination of two datasets. On the one hand, it takes into account current traveler interest; on the other, it analyzes booking statistics that show people’s real behavior when planning trips. This approach makes it possible to compare aspirations with real-world behavior and filter out destinations that are actively discussed but are less often chosen for trips with a large group.
The Togetherness Index and how the “togetherness” effect is measured
The ranking was prepared by Campspot, a company operating in the campground booking market. The index description emphasizes the idea of togetherness: camping is framed as a type of experience that brings people back to the habit of spending time together, cooking together, sharing responsibilities, and planning the day as a shared itinerary rather than a set of individual tasks.
At the same time, the index does not claim to be a definitive nationwide guide to camping quality in the U.S. It reflects specifically those destinations that showed up more strongly in Campspot’s data and in demand signals, which means potential blind spots—for example, undercounting campgrounds that operate outside major platforms, or regions where other booking channels are popular.
How the Ranking Was Calculated—and What Was Left Out
The methodology relies on a mix of interest signals and hard data, not just opinions. The calculation included metrics that are tied to group behavior and to a willingness to stay longer than a typical weekend, which is treated as an indicator of shared time.
The report included the following evaluation components:
- active traveler interest, captured via current demand signals
- actual bookings in 2025
- group size (i.e., the volume of group trips)
- length of stay
- booking growth trend, reflecting accelerating interest in the destination
The index’s logic is fairly straightforward. Larger groups and longer stays raise the final score because they indicate that people are building into the trip not a brief stop, but substantial time together, sometimes with multigenerational groups and family reunions in mind.
Warm Winters and the Colorado River—Why Yuma Stood Out
Yuma ranked first in the Western U.S. thanks to a combination of climate and leisure options that are easy to share with others. Warm winter weather reduces weather-related risks, and proximity to the Colorado River adds simple, accessible activities that don’t require complicated logistics. In this setup, it is easier to plan trips where the pace of conversation and connection matters more than a checklist of attractions.
The format of unhurried getaways is also noted, as they often extend beyond a short weekend. For groups, this is essential, because it is precisely an extra day or two that makes it possible to accommodate different interests within the group—from walks and water activities to quiet relaxation at the campground—without turning the trip into a race from one stop to the next.
Camping in Yuma as a Place to Unwind
These types of vacations are the most valuable for city residents, because they make it possible to focus specifically on connection and a calm pace that big-city life so often lacks. At the same time, you never get bored at a campground—there are plenty of activities that make leisure time engaging. This includes active recreation during the day, including walks and sports games. In the evening—cards or unhurried board games. Camping enthusiasts note that by the second day of this kind of time, you stop reaching for your smartphone, even if the internet connection is decent.
In the city, a person’s life revolves around a smartphone—it is used both for everyday tasks and for entertainment. In the evening, the average city resident either scrolls through a news feed, or watches videos on YouTube, or plays mobile games. In the latter case, they usually choose something simple and dynamic—often arcade-style crash games such as Aviatrix, Lucky Jet, Aviator, JetX. Their popularity is fueled by numerous bonus offers from top brands in the market.
We verified this ourselves after open site with a review of promo codes for the Aviatrix crash game. There are many of them, and all of them are designed to attract new players. In an urban setting, doing this really is not difficult, but the pace of life at a campground effectively distracts from digital entertainment. This is one of the factors Yuma is banking on.
Two Properties Highlighted by the Study’s Authors
In the index materials, among places to stay in Yuma, Desert Holiday RV Resort and Rivers Edge RV Resort are named. They are mentioned as options that aligned with the ranking’s key trends, primarily in terms of the group structure of trips and length of stay.
Such properties often win not only because of infrastructure, but also because of the social setup of the stay. When the space is convenient for shared daily life and for common areas, it supports the scenario the index is designed for: the trip becomes a space for connection, rather than just an overnight stop between activities.
Other U.S. Regions That Value Group Getaways
Along with Yuma, the Togetherness Index 2026 also highlighted leaders in other parts of the country. In each case, these are places where natural conditions and local infrastructure help groups spend long days together rather than splitting up into separate plans.
The list of regional leaders looks like this:
- the Midwest, Waterville, Minnesota. Lakes and walking routes create a backdrop for shared days outdoors, which is convenient for multi-family trips and meetups where simple, everyday togetherness matters
- the South, Jekyll Island, Georgia. Beaches and bike paths support a calm pace in which the group has more time between plans, rather than only for sticking to a schedule
- the Northeast, Lake George, New York. Adirondacks scenery and time on the water often lead to multi-day stays, where it is easier to reset in company and not cut the plan short after one night
Comparing the regions shows an overall trend: the index favors destinations where togetherness is built into the geography and the pace of the trip. At the same time, the interpretation remains dependent on booking data and on how exactly different groups plan trips, which leaves room for alternative rankings based on independent sources.
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