Campsite
A campsite (or campground) is a place used for camping. The term 'campsite' usually means an area where an individual or family might camp, either:
- an impromptu area (as one might decided to stop while backpacking or hiking, or
- a dedicated area with improvements and various facilities (see below).
The term 'campground' usually implies a dedicated area set aside for camping and which typically charges a fee for use. Campgrounds consisting of dedicated campsites typically feature a few (but sometimes no) improvements, and many just consist of open pieces of ground where a camper can pitch a tent or park a camper.
Dedicated campsites usually have some amenities for campers. Common amenities include, listed roughly in order from most to least common:
- Fireplaces or fire pits in which to build campfires (this can be a circle of rocks, a metal enclosure, a metal grate, a concrete spot, or even just a hole.
- Pit toilets (outhouses)
- Road access for vehicles
- Picnic tables
- Piped potable water
- sinks and mirrors in the bathrooms;
- Flush toilets and showers
- Utility hookups, such as gas, propane, water, electricity and sewer, primarily for the use of RVs
- A small convenience store
- Raised platforms on which to set up tents
- 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;
- A gravel or concrete pad on which to park a camper or car so as not to get stuck in the mud;
- a gravel, paved, and/or marked road so one knows how to get a vehicle to and from the campsite;
- garbage cans or large rubbish bins in which to place refuse;
- a set of rules governing how loud noise is handled, what hours one may enter and leave the campground, rules governing nudity, the use of local wood, how to dispose of garbage, etc.
Camping outside a designated campsite is often forbidden.
In the US, many national and state parks have dedicated campsites and sometimes also allow impromptu camping by visitors. U.S. national forests often have established campsites but generally allow camping anywhere, except within a certain distance of water sources.
There are many private, commercial campgrounds as well as those on public lands. The Kampgrounds of America (KOA) is a large chain of commercial campgrounds located throughout the US and Canada. Many travellers prefer to use KOA, or similar campsites, as an alternative to hotels or motels, independent campsites, or parks.
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.
