Top Performing Camping Stocks

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Contributor, Benzinga
October 6, 2024

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Camping allows you to unplug and take a break from the stresses of day-to-day life. But did you know camping stocks can be great for investors?

The number of people who go camping is steadily increasing. That just might mean greater returns for investors in the near future and maybe even long-term. If you want to learn how to invest in camping stocks, this guide is for you.

Quick Look at the Top Performing Camping Stocks:

Deep Dive

Here are several camping stocks to consider.

1. YETI Holdings Inc. (NYSE: YETI)

You probably know YETI as a manufacturer of quality travel cups and coolers. It hasn’t been publicly traded for very long — its IPO was in 2018. But thanks to an impressive profit margin, it should definitely be on your radar.

2. Camping World Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CWH)

Camping World is probably the most famous camping stock, and the corporation also makes RVs. Between 2021 and 2022, its annual revenue grew by $53.3 million, and it shows no signs of slowing. Camping World is continually opening new store locations and purchasing new companies to add to its brand family.

3. Winnebago Industries Inc. (NYSE: WGO)

Winnebago has been able to maintain profitability despite RV sales slumping recently. It’s also expanded into the boating industry, making it more stable. Winnebago is well-established, so most experts regard it as a stable option with good growth potential.

4. REV Group Inc. (NYSE: REVG)

REV Group is another RV manufacturer, although it is a smaller one than Winnebago. It makes buses and RVs. If you want to invest in a smaller company with great potential for long-term growth, this up-and-coming stock could be one to keep in mind.

5. Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII)

Polaris makes more than just RVs — the company offers several different kinds of recreational vehicles for use on the road, off the road and in the water. As more people become interested in the outdoors, Polaris’s earnings per share have grown, rising by 37% every year over the past three years.

6. Columbia Sportswear Co. (NASDAQ: COLM)

Columbia’s sales and stock took a major hit during the pandemic. But before and after, it’s shown promising growth.

7. Johnson Outdoors Inc. (NASDAQ: JOUT)

If you have a high risk tolerance, JOUT might be the right camping stock for you. Because it makes gear for camping, diving, fishing and boating, it’s one of the most diverse companies on the list.

JOUT is poised for growth, especially since camping and boating have grown in popularity. However, because it’s a small-cap stock, JOUT can be volatile.

8. Thor Industries Inc. (NYSE: THO)

Thor is a big name in the RV industry. It’s the massive company behind Airstream, Heartland RV and other big-name RV brands. Like most other established companies, its profits are steady and growing, offering moderate dividends. THO can be a solid investment, even if you have a low risk tolerance.

9. Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. (NYSE: DKS)

Of all the stocks on the list, Dick’s probably sells the widest range of equipment, which gives it an advantage over some companies. Its willingness to adapt to the digital world might be the most important factor in its growth. Share prices have steadily risen, and it looks like they’ll continue to do so.

Pros

In 2014, 71.5 million people in the U.S. camped at least once. In 2021, there were approximately 93.8 million campers.

Clearly, more people are discovering the outdoors. That can mean more profits for camping companies and rapid growth for camping stocks.

It also helps that camping companies are much more diverse than you might think. Most of them manufacture a wide range of outdoor gear, and some sell boating and sports equipment as well.

Where to Buy

Once you set your sights on a particular camping stock, finding a trustworthy broker is the next step. If you’re not sure how to find one, here are some Benzinga-recommended brokers to check out

How to Choose

Camping stocks can be a great low-effort investment, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your homework. Here are some things to look at.

Market Analysis

Expert analysis can be helpful when investing, but doing your own research can help you truly understand the market and your investments. Start by looking at a few points for each stock you consider, including:

  • The stock’s trendline over time
  • If and when it pays dividends
  • Points of support and resistance and when they happen

If you need some guidance, there are plenty of available resources to help you get started.

Financial Performance

When you look at the financial performance of camping stocks, it can be helpful to know important ratios like price-to-earnings (P/E), earnings per share (EPS), debt-to-equity (D/E) and price-to-sales (P/S).

Brand Reputation and Customer Loyalty

If a camping company has a devoted following, it will probably do better than others if there’s a market downturn. Keeping track of news and events in the camping world can help give you an idea of how customers see a company.

Competitive Landscape

Make sure you have a solid understanding of how a brand stacks up against the competition before you buy a stock. For example, Thor Industries is the largest RV manufacturer in the world, and it sells several brands. As a result, it could be more stable than other RV stocks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

Are any RV companies publicly traded?

A

Many RV companies are public, including Thor Industries, Camping World Holdings and Winnebago Industries.

Q

Is Camping World a good stock?

A

It can be. It’s one of the most prominent camping and RV companies, and it’s expanding.

Q

Is Bass Pro Shops publicly traded?

A

Bass Pro Shops is a privately held company, so you can’t buy shares on the stock market.

Best Camping Stocks Methodology

The stocks listed above were chosen based on a number of different factors, such as:

  • Performance over time
  • How the stock has performed recently
  • How diverse the company’s products are
  • How investors generally feel about how the stock is doing
  • The stock’s P/E ratio 
  • The stock’s EPS

It’s wise to do your own research before buying.

Sarah Edwards

About Sarah Edwards

Sarah Edwards is a finance writer passionate about helping people learn more about what’s needed to achieve their financial goals. She has nearly a decade of writing experience focused on budgeting, investment strategies, retirement and industry trends. Her work has been published on NerdWallet and FinImpact.