Generally speaking, primitive camping is defined as having no neighbors, no electricity, no running water, no sewer, and often no cell phone service.
Primitive camping is the form of camping that aims to create the most authentic experience of being immersed in nature as possible. This means that it typically occurs far away from developed campgrounds and without electricity or water supplies. Campers also forego the use of modern technologies.
Primitive camping usually means camping in remote areas without standard camping facilities such as bathrooms or running water. Primitive or indoor camping involves camping on tents or ledges deep in the woods far from civilization.
This type of campsite offers little to no amenities such as running water, electricity, picnic tables or toilets. Backcountry camping is a type of camping that takes place in remote areas away from developed campsites with bathrooms, offices and running water. Rustic campsites include a campfire site and a campsite designated as primitive sites, but they also have a picnic table, a shared toilet, access to water, and a garbage disposal area for camping. Primitive campsites usually do not have toilets, or if they do, they only offer portable or vaulted toilets.
What Primitive Campsites Look Like
In primitive campsites, there are no amenities such as tables, toilets, water or trash chutes. Approved primitive campgrounds can be found in state and national parks (among others) with little or no camping facilities. Primitive campgrounds are licensed campgrounds located in national and state parks (and elsewhere) with little infrastructure or amenities. Often designated primitive campgrounds are parts of a state park or forest that are far from traditional campgrounds.
Many state and national parks have designated pristine camping sites, which may be located near freshwater sources such as ponds, lakes, streams or rivers. In general, national forests are more tolerant of primitive camping than national parks, which is why they are often the first places to look for camping.
In addition to the backcountry campsites commonly referred to as primitive campsites, many full-service campsites also offer more remote hiking/primitive/tent-only sites. Most of the campsites designed for primitive campers are for hiking and are different from the rest of the campgrounds in the area. Typically, a campsite has an area reserved for semi-primitive campers. Some parks may refer to their unconnected sites as “primitive fields” or “scattered” (we call this “semi-primitive camping” below!).
Many Domains Permit Primitive Camping
Primitive camping is allowed in many DEC domains, including areas of the forest reserve in the Catskills and Adirondacks and public forest holdings outside the reserve. In general, primitive camping refers to remote locations where basic amenities such as electricity, cell phone reception, flush toilets, and running water are lacking. Although primitive camping does not necessarily mean no access to water or electricity, it often involves camping with other families, while dry camping means camping on public lands without the use of facilities.
Relying solely on the items you carry with you, true primitive camping requires you to get to camp without the use of technology. When it comes to real, real, primitive camping, you have to go to a place without the use of technology.
If you love car camping but want to get away from the crowds that often crowd traditional campsites, it might be time to start exploring primitive campsites. Primitive camping is a great option for the backpacker who likes to shake things up, get away to nature and have all the equipment or skills to handle it without modern conveniences. A motorhome is a great tool that allows you to camp in primitive campsites, but still have a lot of amenities that tourists love, especially a bathroom.
Primitive Camping Lacks Modern Amenities
The two biggest benefits of camping in a modern campsite are modern facilities with toilets, sinks and showers, and motorhome amenities such as electricity and sewerage. The main difference between the two styles of camping is that at organized primitive campsites one can usually expect full bathroom and shower facilities, which are not usually available in hiking areas.
Primitive campsites do not have toilets, water taps, and so on. You rarely book, so while you run the risk of places getting full, if you take one, you’ll be isolated from the crowds, better able to connect with nature and your camping mates.
Many Pennsylvania State Park campgrounds have tent-only walkways that are more private than paved campgrounds. Some parks have shelters or sites along hiking trails, which can be in very remote areas, but visitors must still camp in designated areas. If you are planning to camp in one of these parks, be sure to visit the site’s website to read the park ranger’s advice and check the rules for backcountry campers. If you are informed and prepared, you can go on a pretty epic hike through these places.
Remeeber to Bring a Backpack!
Backpacking usually refers to camping with only what fits in a backpack. Primitive camping is defined as overnight camping where all equipment is carried on limited trips by non-motorized means, including water skiing, biking, or horseback, and when a vehicle is not nearby or part of the campsite. Motorized camping is defined as spending the night in or near a vehicle when the vehicle is used for storage or transportation. Primitive camping also requires you to pack all the gear, food, clothing, toiletries and bedding (sleeping bag, tent and mat) you will need during your stay.
Camping is free in many National Forests, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas, Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), and National Grasslands. Established primitive tent sites tend to be flatter than elsewhere and have deeper, firmer soils that are less subject to use and erosion, minimizing the impact of camping.