| There are thousands of campgrounds that extend | | | | less crowded and often more private. They also |
| throughout the vast wilderness of our nation, | | | | are apt to have a smaller sticker price and are |
| each one unique, ranging from mere spots of flat | | | | typically smaller. They can be found in the Yellow |
| dirt to luxurious cabins with accommodating | | | | Pages of the telephone book. Private |
| facilities. All of these public campgrounds are run | | | | campgrounds are the alternative option to publicly, |
| and managed by federal, state, or local agencies. | | | | government run sites. These can end up being |
| Most of these campgrounds are geared towards | | | | little more than rest stops off the highway that |
| tent camping, but many also offer setups for RV | | | | are geared towards the overnight traveler. Some |
| vehicles and a few offer cabins and showers. | | | | are stringently RV parks and do not provide for |
| There are a few features that almost all | | | | or allow tent camping. |
| campgrounds provide. Bathrooms with electrical | | | | Deciding which type of campground you are going |
| lighting are usually provided, often in addition to | | | | to lodge in should be based on individual and family |
| port-a-potties. Almost all campgrounds also have | | | | priorities, because not everyone is looking for the |
| workers that patrol the grounds enforcing strict | | | | same camping experience and a campground that |
| quiet hours and overseeing camp activity. This is a | | | | is right for one person may be wrong for another. |
| plus for people who worry about noisy neighbors. | | | | For campers who are new to camping or going |
| These patrollers also help keep the grounds clean | | | | on their first camping adventure, insecurity and |
| and organized. As a bonus, at some campgrounds, | | | | fear may be a factor, due to primitive facilities |
| the park rangers lead hikes or organize group | | | | and general lack of technology, and they may |
| campfires. | | | | prefer a more facilitated and well equipped |
| Two downsides to national park campgrounds are | | | | campground to a patch of dirt. Some people may |
| the high sticker price and their popularity. During | | | | not be looking for any sort of nature experience |
| summer months, they will quickly fill, usually daily, | | | | at all and simply wish to park their RV, pull out |
| with smaller grounds usually being first come, first | | | | their barbeque and relax. |
| serve, while larger grounds may offer | | | | There are many factors to consider when |
| reservations. During these times, one can often | | | | choosing a campground and it is often helpful to |
| find overflow campgrounds located outside park | | | | sit down and make a list of what kind of |
| borders, built for campers who arrive late for | | | | experience you want and what kind of |
| them to be able secure a campsite at the park. | | | | campground would best facilitate that experience. |
| Also, because of concerns of erosion, the grounds | | | | Other things to consider are the surrounding |
| are often far from natural water and the scenic | | | | scenery and hiking features as well as the terrain |
| views that hikers seek. | | | | and weather in the area you are looking at. There |
| To contrast nationally kept campgrounds, | | | | is a campground for everyone; all you have to do |
| municipality, township, and county campgrounds | | | | is a little research. |
| are usually unmarked on maps and are therefore | | | | |