Home Discussion Topics Dictionary Almanac

Signup Login

Campsite

Overview

A campsite (UK camping pitch) is a place

Location (geography)

In geography, Location is a position or point in physical space that something occupies on the Earth's surface, the Solar System, or mankinds physically reachable universe...

used for overnight stay in the outdoors. The term 'campsite' usually means an area where an individual, family, group or military unit might camp. There are two types of campsites:

an impromptu area (as one might decide to stop while backpacking
Backpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines hiking and camping in a single trip. A backpacker hikes into the backcountry to spend one or more nights there, and carries supplies and equipment to satisfy sleeping and eating needs.-Definition:A backpacker packs all of his or her gear into a backpack...

or hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking have been confirmed in studies...

)
a dedicated area with improvements and various facilities (see below).

A campground is a group of dedicated campsites with common amenities.

The term "camp" comes from the Latin

Latin

Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Roman conquest, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe...

word campus, meaning field.

Discussion

Ask a question about 'Campsite'

Start a new discussion about 'Campsite'

Answer questions from other users

Full Discussion Forum

Encyclopedia

A campsite (UK camping pitch) is a place

Location (geography)

In geography, Location is a position or point in physical space that something occupies on the Earth's surface, the Solar System, or mankinds physically reachable universe...

used for overnight stay in the outdoors. The term 'campsite' usually means an area where an individual, family, group or military unit might camp. There are two types of campsites:

an impromptu area (as one might decide to stop while backpacking
Backpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines hiking and camping in a single trip. A backpacker hikes into the backcountry to spend one or more nights there, and carries supplies and equipment to satisfy sleeping and eating needs.-Definition:A backpacker packs all of his or her gear into a backpack...

or hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking have been confirmed in studies...

)
a dedicated area with improvements and various facilities (see below).

A campground is a group of dedicated campsites with common amenities.

Description

The term "camp" comes from the Latin

Latin

Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Roman conquest, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe...

word campus, meaning field. Therefore, a campsite consists typically of open pieces of ground where a camper can pitch a tent

Tent

A tent is a shelter consisting of sheets of fabric or other material draped over or attached to a frame of poles or attached to a supporting rope. While smaller tents may be free-standing or attached to the ground, large tents are usually anchored using guy ropes tied to stakes or tent pegs...

or park a camper

Camper

Camper can be one of several things:* A trailer or vehicle accessory used for camping, see recreational vehicle, travel trailer or camper shell.* A Campervan - a self-powered van converted for camping.* a person who engages in camping....

. More specifically a campsite is a dedicated area set aside for camping and for which often a user fee is charged. Campsites typically feature a few (but sometimes no) improvements.

Dedicated campsites usually have some amenities. Common amenities include, listed roughly in order from most to least common:

Fireplaces or fire pit
Fire pit
Fire pits have been in existence for a very long time and despite many technological advancements since the advent of man's use of fire, they have remained a popular item because of their versatility. A fire pit can physically vary from a pit dug into the ground to an elaborate gas burning...

s in which to build campfire
Campfire
A campfire is a fire lit at a campsite, usually in a fire ring. Campfires are a popular feature of camping, particularly among organized campers such as Scouts or Guides. Without proper precautions they are also potentially dangerous. A certain degree of skill is needed to properly build a...

s (this can be a circle of rocks, a metal enclosure, a metal grate, a concrete spot, or even just a hole).
Pit toilets (outhouse
Outhouse
An outhouse is a type of toilet in a small structure separate from the main building which does not have a flush and is not attached to a sewer.- Terminology :...

s)
Road
Road
A road is an identifiable route, way or path between places. Roads are typically smoothed, paved, or otherwise prepared to allow easy travel; though they need not be, and...

access for vehicle
Vehicle
A vehicle is a mechanical means of conveyance, a carriage or transport. Most often they are manufactured , although some other means of transport which are not made by humans also may be called vehicles; examples include icebergs and floating tree trunks.Vehicles may be propelled or pulled by...

s
Picnic
Picnic
In contemporary usage, a picnic can be defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors , ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open air theatre performance,...

tables
Piped
Plumbing
Plumbing is the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for drinking water systems and the drainage of waste. A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment such as water heaters...

potable water
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water of sufficiently high quality that it can be consumed or used without risk of immediate or long term harm...
Sinks and mirrors in the bathrooms
Flush toilet
Flush toilet
A flush toilet is a toilet that disposes of human waste by using water to flush it through a drainpipe to another location. Flushing mechanisms are found more often on western toilets , but many squat toilets also are made for automated flushing...

s and shower
Shower
A shower is a device for washing, typically consisting of an enclosed area and an overhead nozzle. To use a shower, a person stands in the enclosed area while the nozzle sprays water down on the body...

s
Utility hookups, such as gas, propane
Propane
Propane is a three-carbon alkane, normally a gas, but compressible to a transportable liquid. It is derived from other petroleum products during oil or natural gas processing...

, water
Water
Water is an ubiquitous chemical substance that is composed of hydrogen and oxygen and is essential for all known forms of life.In typical usage, water refers only to its liquid form or state, but the substance also has a solid state, ice, and a gaseous state, water vapor or steam. Water covers 71%...

, electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term that encompasses a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge...

and sewer
Sanitary sewer
A sanitary sewer is a type of underground carriage system, , for transporting sewage from houses or industry to treatment or disposal...

, primarily for the use of Travel trailer
Travel trailer
A travel trailer or caravan is towed behind a road vehicle to provide a place to sleep which is more comfortable and protected than a tent . It provides the means for people to have their own home on a journey or a vacation , without relying on a motel or hotel, and enables them to stay in places...

s, Recreational vehicle
Recreational vehicle
In North America the term recreational vehicle and its acronym, RV, are generally used to refer to a vehicle equipped with living space and amenities found in a home; they are sometimes called motorhomes. A recreational vehicle normally includes a kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom and a living room...

s, or similar
A small convenience store
Convenience store
A convenience store is a small store or shop that sells items such as candy, ice-cream, soft drinks, lottery tickets, newspapers and magazines, along with a selection of processed food and perhaps some groceries. Stores that are part of gas stations may also sell motor oil, windshield washer fluid,...
Raised platforms on which to set up tent
Tent
A tent is a shelter consisting of sheets of fabric or other material draped over or attached to a frame of poles or attached to a supporting rope. While smaller tents may be free-standing or attached to the ground, large tents are usually anchored using guy ropes tied to stakes or tent pegs...

s
Shower facilities (with or without hot water)
Marked spaces indicating a boundary for one camper or a group of campers
Reservations to ensure there will be available space to camp
Wood for free or for sale for use in cooking or for a campfire
Campfire
A campfire is a fire lit at a campsite, usually in a fire ring. Campfires are a popular feature of camping, particularly among organized campers such as Scouts or Guides. Without proper precautions they are also potentially dangerous. A certain degree of skill is needed to properly build a...
A gravel or concrete pad on which to park a vehicle
Garbage cans or large rubbish bins in which to place refuse

Rental units available

Camping outside a designated campsite is often forbidden by law. It is thought to be a nuisance, harmful to the environment, and is often associated with vagrancy

Vagrancy (people)

A vagrant is a person in a situation of poverty, who wanders from place to place without a home or regular employment or income. Many towns in the Developed World have shelters for vagrants. Common terminology is a tramp or a 'gentleman of the road'....

. However some countries have specific laws and/or regulations allowing camping on public lands (see Freedom to roam).

In the US

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, many national and state park

State park

State parks are parks or other protected areas of the United States and in Mexico for an area of land preserved on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, recreation, or other reason, and under the administration of the government of a U.S. state or one of the states of Mexico. State...

s have dedicated campsites and sometimes also allow impromptu backcountry camping by visitors. U.S. National Forests often have established campsites, but generally allow camping anywhere, except within a certain distance of water sources.

RV parks/caravan parks

In North America many campgrounds have facilities for Recreational Vehicle

Recreational vehicle

In North America the term recreational vehicle and its acronym, RV, are generally used to refer to a vehicle equipped with living space and amenities found in a home; they are sometimes called motorhomes. A recreational vehicle normally includes a kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom and a living room...

s and are also known as RV park

RV park

A recreational vehicle park or caravan park is a place where people with recreational vehicles can stay overnight, or longer, in alloted spaces known as pitches...

s . Similar facilities in the UK are known as Caravan Parks. The Kampgrounds of America

Kampgrounds of America

Kampgrounds of America is a franchise chain of nearly 450 campgrounds throughout North America based in Billings, Montana, USA. The current CEO of Kampgrounds of America Inc. is James D. Rogers. The COO is Pat Hittmeier. - History :...

(KOA) is a large chain of commercial campgrounds located throughout the US

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

and Canada

Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

. Many travellers prefer to use KOA

Kampgrounds of America

, or similar campsites, as an alternative to hotel

Hotel

A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...

s or motel

Motel

A motel is a hotel designed for motorists, usually having direct access to an open parking area.Entering dictionaries after World War II, the word motel, a portmanteau of motor and hotel or motorists' hotel, referred initially to a type of hotel consisting of a single building of connected rooms...

s.

Both commercial and governmental campgrounds typically charge a nominal fee for the privilege of camping there, to cover expenses, and in the case of an independent campground, to make a profit.

Trailer parks

Frequently confused with Campsites, Campgrounds and RV Parks, Trailer Parks are made up of long term or semi-permanent residents occupying Mobile Homes, Park Trailers or RVs.

Backcountry camping

In the U.S., backcountry camping is common in National Park

National park

A national park is a reserve of natural or semi-natural land, declared or owned by a national government, set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, and protected from most development...

s and these areas can only be reached on foot, canoe or on horseback. The camping areas are usually established "zones", which have a predetermined maximum number of persons that are allowed to stay in the section per night. Strict regulations are imposed regarding food storage and resource protection. In most cases, open fires are not permitted and all cooking must be done with small portable stoves. Usually these backcountry campsite zones require a free permit obtainable at visitor centers and ranger stations.

Most National parks do not have as many amenities as the state and private parks.

Movies and documentaries on a campsite