According to Airbnb, 2026 is the year Americans will really get outside. The platform just released its 2026 Travel Trends Report and the survey shows that searches for stays near national parks in the U.S. are up 35 percent, a bigger jump than any urban hot spot or beach escape. Travelers are looking for fresh air, quiet trails and to reconnect with nature.
We suspect that the country’s 250th anniversary and milestone birthdays for some of the biggest parks have something to do with the increased interest in the destinations. Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah and Grand Teton all hit major anniversaries, and searches for nearby cabins show that Americans are ready to celebrate.
A good bit of the momentum is also coming from the TikTok-fueled "touch grass" movement, as users post scenes of themselves stepping away from screens and getting out in nature. The tag has tens of thousands of posts, inspiring travelers to explore the great outdoors and remember what fresh air really feels like.
There's more: travelers aren't just looking to stay near national parks, but they seem to be interested in full packages, as nature-related and outdoor activities are the most booked category of experiences on Airbnb.
According to the report, the most popular parks on the platform are Acadia, Yosemite, Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains. Jackson Hole, which sits right outside Grand Teton National Park, is trending, too. Stays near the parks mean easy access to trails with a comfortable place to relax at the end of the day.
Airbnb’s broader predictions show that 2026 is about more than wide open spaces. Major events are shaping travel, including the Winter Olympics, Carnival and the World Cup. Cities like Houston, Milan, Toronto and Rio are already seeing an increase in searches. Gen Z is driving a surge in short but hardcore international trips, and solo travel continues to grow.
According to Airbnb, travel in 2026 will remain rooted in meaningful cultural experiences, but escapes to nature are surging as travelers look to unplug from information overload and the rush of modern life.
Read more:
• The best Christmas Markets in the USA