Types of Camping. Developed camping, Dispersed Camping, Dry Camping

This is the HOW-TO-CAMP guide
Information for tent and RV camping

TYPES OF CAMPING

Setting up camp at a U.S.
Corps of Engineers
camping site

Warm Springs Ranger
District U.S. National
Forest

Whether you are tent camping or
camping in a rv, there are
different types of camping. Find
which type is best for you.

There is much confusion as to what
the difference is between the
various terms for camping such as
developed camping, dry camping,
dispersed camping, boondocking,
and primitive camping. Here is a
brief description of each:

Developed Camping - - Campgrounds specifically
designed for the RV or tent camper. Each site can have
its own water, electric, and sewer hook-up as well as on
site amenities such as flush toilets,shower, laudry, store,
playgrounds, and planned activities. Developed
Campgrounds can range from the five star resorts and
commercial RV parks, to upgraded sites in the National or
State Parks. D eveloped Camping, more info

Dry Camping - - This form of camping is also for the tent
or RV camper. At a dry camp site, the campground is
somewhat developed with designated camping sites that
are level and graded but the facilities are very limited.
There is no running water or electric at each site.
However, at most dry camping campgrounds there is at
least a single source of potable water,flush or vault toilets,
and trash disposal containers. Most dry camp sites also
have fire rings or pits and picnic tables. There are
thousands of dry camping campgrounds throughout the
National Forests, National Parks, and other Federal and
State lands. Dry Camping, more info
Boondocking - - This term deals primarily with the
RVer. Camping at a location in a recreational vehicle
without any facilities is considered boondocking. The
camper must use what is on board the rv such as
generator or battery, water from the tank in the rv, on
board toilets, etc. Many rvers boondock on Federal lands
which are accessible to motorized vehicles but well away
from established camping sites. Quartzite in Arizona and
Slab City in California are examples of boondocking
locations that attract thousands of rvers each year.
Boondocking, more info

Dispersed Camping - - A term originated by the US
Forest Service to describe camping in an undeveloped
area. Primarily for tent campers (although a rv or trailer
boondocking along a Forest Service road would be
considered dispersed camping), a dispersed site could
have been used previously by other campers, have a fire
ring, and perhaps a picnic table. There is no water, toilets,
or waste dump facilities at a dispersed camping site.
Dispersed camping is allowed on all federal parklands (with
some exceptions), and the camper must be at least 1/4
mile from any developed campsite. This is also known as
Primitive Camping. Learn more about dispersed
camping

Wilderness Camping - - If you are far from a road,
have to pack in all your camping supplies, and severly
limited to the conveniences offered by other forms of
camping, the your are at a primitive campsite. This form of
camping is recommended only for the experienced
camper. Learn more about Wilderness camping

If you have camped at a State Park, National Forest, or National Park, in a tent; chances
are you have dry camped before. Every State in the country has both Federal and State
parks, lakes, or recreation areas set aside for camping. Should these campgrounds
have limited facilities but still designed with the camper in mind, they are considered as
dry camp sites. Find a State Park near you

The great advantage of dry camping is that many sites are in fairly remote locations and
offer the camper a chance to get away from the everyday routine and enjoy the beauty of
what nature has to offer. Note, however, that even though they may be remote, chances
are there is a dry camping site a short distance from where you live. It is your
responsibility to protect the environment in these remote camping locations. Take a
minute and read the Leave no Trace Guidelines.

FEES: This government web site explains the costs and features of various fees for the
National Parks and Monuments. It also contains a direct link for application of passes.

Free Camping

You do not have to go to primitive campsite to enjoy the benefits of free camping.
Thousands of National Forest, BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corps of
Engineers campsites are free of charge. There may be some restricitions such as
length of stay or number of campers at a single site, but all in all these sites are ideal for
the family or individual looking for a great outdoor experience on a limited budget.
Though these campgrounds are free, many have graded sites, fire pits, vaulted toilets,
and picnic tables. If you enjoy fishing and swimming, the many campsites along the
shores of a lake or reservoir managed by the Corps of Engineers or Bureau fo
Reclamation would be just the choice for you. You will find one of these campgrounds
close to your home.