| Camping is an outdoor recreational | | | | all campsites offer similar levels of |
| activity, in which the campers get away | | | | development. Campsites can range from a |
| from civilization and enjoy nature by | | | | bare piece of grass to a level, paved |
| spending one or more nights at a | | | | pad with sewer and electricity. These |
| campsite. They may use a tent, a | | | | latter are often designated for the use |
| primitive structure, a travel trailer or | | | | of handicapped campers. For more on |
| recreational vehicle, or no shelter at | | | | facilities, see the campsite article. |
| all. Camping is often restricted by law | | | | Rugged campers believe that provisions |
| to designated sites in order to prevent | | | | for comfort detract from the experience |
| campers from damaging the environment. | | | | of being out-of-doors, but comfortable |
| Camping as a recreational activity | | | | camping avoids some hazards of outdoor |
| became popular in the early 20th | | | | activities. |
| century. Campers frequent national parks | | | | The most comfortable form of camping |
| and other publicly owned natural areas. | | | | uses recreational vehicles (RVs), |
| Camping describes a wide range of | | | | essentially wheeled houses. Many RVs are |
| activities. Survivalist campers set off | | | | quite luxurious, featuring air |
| with little more than their boots, | | | | conditioning, bathrooms, kitchens, |
| whereas recreational vehicle travelers | | | | showers, satellite TV and even Internet |
| arrive equipped with their own | | | | connections. RV campers often choose |
| electricity, heat, and patio furniture. | | | | these devices because they consider tent |
| Camping may be an end unto itself, but | | | | camping uncomfortable and inconvenient. |
| often it is done in conjunction with | | | | In the United States, some campgrounds |
| other activities, such as hiking, | | | | offer "full hookups" where motorhomes |
| swimming or fishing. It may be combined | | | | are supplied with electricity, water and |
| with hiking either as backpacking or as | | | | sewer services. Some retirees and |
| a series of day hikes from a central | | | | self-employed people sell their homes |
| location. | | | | and live nomadically in their RVs, often |
| Some people vacation in permanent camps | | | | moving with the seasons. |
| with cabins and other facilities (such | | | | Those who seek a rugged experience in |
| as hunting camps or children's summer | | | | the outdoors prefer to camp with only |
| camps), but a stay at such a camp is | | | | tents, or no shelter at all ("under the |
| usually not considered 'camping'. The | | | | stars"). Tent camping commonly employs |
| term camping (or the slightly sarcastic | | | | an automobile to transport equipment to |
| camping out) may also be applied to | | | | an established campground (this practice |
| those who live outdoors out of necessity | | | | is called "car camping"). Other vehicles |
| (as in the case of the homeless) or for | | | | used for camping include touring |
| people waiting overnight in very long | | | | bicycles, boats, and even bush planes, |
| lines (queues). It does not, however, | | | | although backpacking and using pack |
| apply to cultures whose technology does | | | | animals are popular alternatives. Tent |
| not include sophisticated dwellings. | | | | camping attracts young families because |
| Camping may be referred to colloquially | | | | the children tend to enjoy it, and |
| as roughing it. | | | | because gear is inexpensive and rugged. |
| Campers span a broad range of ability | | | | Tent camping sites often cost less than |
| and ruggedness, and campsites are | | | | campsites with full amenities, and most |
| designed accordingly. Many campers | | | | allow direct access by car. Some |
| prefer to use sites with special | | | | "walk-in" sites lie a short walk away |
| facilities such as fire rings, barbecue | | | | from the nearest road but do not require |
| grills, bathrooms and utilities, but not | | | | full backpacking equipment. |