Definition of "Primitive" vs "Tent Only"
I recently got into quite a discussion with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) personnel at Canyon Lake, TX, over what the word "primitive" means in describing a campground. I've always felt that "pri...
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my personal take on the word "primitive" with camping in mind, and after fifty years of camping in national forests ...
Primitive means no hook-ups, minimal facilities = maybe outhouse, maybe not. Generally means pack out what you bring in - no trash removal. Primitive camping also means no paved roads ... sometimes just a dirt path ...
We've done a lot of it over the years, first in a tent, then a PU with Cap, then a Van, now a truck camper. The definition never changes when we change vehicles.
Some NF sites indicate "tent only", but it does not exclude truck campers, it only means the road in and site parking is minimal as well. Some 'tent only' sites require hiking in, and those has no drive trails at all.
Primitive means no hook-ups, minimal facilities = maybe outhouse, maybe not. Generally means pack out what you bring in - no trash removal. Primitive camping also means no paved roads ... sometimes just a dirt path ...
We've done a lot of it over the years, first in a tent, then a PU with Cap, then a Van, now a truck camper. The definition never changes when we change vehicles.
Some NF sites indicate "tent only", but it does not exclude truck campers, it only means the road in and site parking is minimal as well. Some 'tent only' sites require hiking in, and those has no drive trails at all.
