As the outfitting industry gears up for the summer season, we have heard a mix of concern and excitement based on geographical region, environmental factors, and the ability to adjust pricing to meet inflation. To provide a glimpse into the upcoming season, we asked a variety of outfitters from around the country to report their current trends for 2023.
As you will read, anticipated visitation numbers seem to be down from 2022 for the most part, but they may still trend higher than in pre-pandemic levels. Read on to learn more about what's in store for the industry in the months ahead, and feel free to comment below with your own expectations for the year.
Wildland Trekking in Flagstaff, Arizona
Single & multi-day guided trips | Hiking, Backpacking, Multi-sport tours
Q: How are your advanced bookings for the summer season?
A: We are seeing that 2023 is bookings are trending about 8% below 2022, 23% below 2021, and 17% above 2019
Q: Please share any other information about 2023 season trends you have noticed
A: We are seeing continued, increased demand for trips outside the USA compared with softer demand for trips inside the USA.
Note: Photo above belongs to Wildland Trekking.
Kern River Outfitters in Kernville, California
Single & multi-day guided trips | Rafting
Q: How are your advanced bookings for the summer season?
A: They're average.
Q: Please share any other information about 2023 season trends you have noticed
A: Haven't had a "regular" season since 2019. I think once we get past high water then we'll be very busy, I think that will happen in mid-July. People tend to book later and later nowadays.
White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona
Multi-day guided trips | Dude Ranch
Q: How are your advanced bookings for the summer season?
A: 25% down
Q: Please share any other information about 2023 season trends you have noticed
A: Our high season, October 2022-May 2023 has been the best in our history. International travel is still down significantly.
Santa Barbara Adventure Co, in Santa Barbara, California
Single & multi-day guided trips | Paddlesports, wine tours, team building
Q: How are your advanced bookings for the summer season?
A: Looking good -- we have a great mixture of booked ahead & last-minute bookings but things look good for the summer ahead! We expect to exceed 2019 but not 2022 in gross revenue with a higher cost of labor, this will still be a good year.
Q: Please share any other information about 2023 season trends you have noticed
A: Q1 was really bad for us but that was due to the weather out here being really bad. Our April was incredible. We did better in April than we did all of January-March. We are still down YTD but have tons of optimism. We are fully staffed but we hired the youngest folks we have ever hired before -- tons of fresh-out-of-college kiddos which is a bit scary that they are just doing 1 season with us & then will be off to "real jobs". We are also struggling to find mid-line/entry-Management staff.
Ocoee Inn Rafting in Benton, Tennessee
Single-day guided trips | Rafting
Q: How are your advanced bookings for the summer season?
A: Below average
Q: Please share any other information about 2023 season trends you have noticed
A: Lodging booking is also below average.
SNS Outfitter & Guides in Wyoming and Montana
Multi-day guided trips | Big game hunting
Q: How are your advanced bookings for the summer season?
A: No summer offerings strictly spring black bear and fall big game hunts. Bookings for those seasons were strong until about late March then has really slowed down. We sold out for 2023 early before it slowed down. Bookings for 2024 and 2025 have slowed but are coming in.
Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting and Adventure Company in Buena Vista, CO
Single and multi-day guided trips | Rafting & Backpacking
Q: How are your advanced bookings for the summer season?
A: Stronger than normal. We have very strong bookings for our multi-day backpacking trips and day river trips.
Keweenaw Adventure Company in Copper Harbor, MI
Single & multi-day guided & unguided trips | Kayak, Bike Tours & Rentals, & Paddlesports Rentals
Q: How are your advanced bookings for the summer season?
A: Overall on par with 2022 but as we are still recovering from the wild business swings of the pandemic, we find that the customer mix is still evolving. The mountain bike side of our business has matured over the past two decades and leveled off since regionally there are more new trails and more folks have invested in purchasing higher-end bikes during the pandemic which has reduced the demand for our rentals. We have seen greater interest in one-of-a-kind experiences that can't be found elsewhere that people are willing to travel across the country to participate in. These customers tend to skew older with more income.
Q: Please share any other information about 2023 season trends you have noticed
A: We continue to see an increase in new customers who are unfamiliar with our services and as such require a greater time investment. Additionally, we are having to work harder to entice past customers to return as there seems to be an increased desire for new experiences, so these folks are heading elsewhere.
Missouri River Outfitters in Fort Benton, Montana
Single & multi-day guided & unguided trips | Paddlesports
Q: How are your advanced bookings for the summer season?
A: Going to be a busy year with steady upward trends for the last 7 years.
Q: Please share any other information about 2023 season trends you have noticed
A: Lack of support from BLM and other agencies that are understaffed.
Change in customers. People seem to be a little less laid back.
Upper Canyon Outfitters in Alder, Montana
Single and multi-day guided & unguided trips | Fly Fishing, Horseback Riding, 4x4 Tours, Hiking, Equine Facilitated Wellness, Hunts
Q: How are your advanced bookings for the summer season?
A: 85% booked!