Forum Discussion

wxtoad's avatar
wxtoad
Explorer
Apr 03, 2016

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 "primitive" merely meant there were no hookups and few, if any, amenities such as water or toilets. Over the many years we have been camping, we have taken our Class C motorhome to many "primitive" campgrounds with no problems.

However, the Canyon Lake USACE folks are upset that RV's are showing up at North Park and Canyon Park. The USACE websites for both state that they are "primitive" campgrounds. Nowhere does it say they are "Tent only". But the USACE insists that "primitive" means "tent only" and say I am totally wrong to think otherwise.

I'd be interested to hear what others think the word "primitive" means in describing a campground.

WxToad
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2016
    Sounds to me all that they need is a new sign that says 'tents only'.

    But then again.... that would mean a requisition to the requisition department to authorize a requisition and then if the requisition was approved at the requisition approval department then it would go out to government bids office for approval to approve it going out for a government bid and on and on and on and on.

    That is Your tax dollars at work just to get a new sign printed saying 'tent camping only'. Which is why it probably has not happened! :B
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Apr 03, 2016
    wxtoad wrote:
    However, the Canyon Lake USACE folks are upset that RV's are showing up at North Park and Canyon Park.
    Then there are others who obviously do not assume primitive means tent only. I guess the USACE folks better make their signage clear.
  • 4runnerguy's avatar
    4runnerguy
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2016
    Crodad wrote:
    Tent only - has electricity and water.
    :h

    This is a regional thing. In our experience, tent only sites in the west virtually never have either electricity or water.

    But back to the OP's point, based on our experience, primitive means no water, electricity, or sewer. In some places, we've seen primitive sites with fire rings, but not outhouses. Tent only is just what it says, tents only.

    Here is an example where the NFS uses the word "Primitive" in the campground description, but still lists camping trailers as potential users.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2016
    wxtoad wrote:

    I'd be interested to hear what others think the word "primitive" means in describing a campground.


    Pointless discussion because the circumstances that you described plainly indicate that it means whatever the owner/operator of each individual campground wants it to mean.

    If I had an idea to stay at a place marked "primitive", I would ASK.

    Having said that, I think the management that you were dealing with is stubborn and brain dead. They have observed a problem and the fix it simple: Just add the words "tent only" to all of their literature; problem solved. Electronic changes propogate instantly. Paper brochures might require a rubber stamp or pencil.
  • Crodad's avatar
    Crodad
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2016
    Primitive - No Water, no electricity and no sewer. May or may not be tent only IE National Parks
    Tent only - has electricity and water.

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