A campsite is a place used for overnight stay in the out of doors. The term 'campsite' usually means an area where an individual, family, group or military unit might camp. There are two types of campsites:

• an impromptu area (as one might decide to stop while backpacking or hiking)
• a dedicated area with improvements and various facilities (see below).

A campground is a group of dedicated campsites with common amenities.

Description

The term "camp" comes from the Latin word campus, meaning field. Therefore, a campsite consists typically of open pieces of ground where a camper can pitch a tent or park a camper. More specifically a campsite is a dedicated area set aside for camping and for which often a user fee is charged. Campsites typically feature a few (but sometimes no) improvements.

Dedicated campsites usually have some amenities. 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 Travel trailers, Recreational vehicles, or similar
• 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 vehicle
• Garbage cans or large rubbish bins in which to place refuse

Rental units available

Camping outside a designated campsite is often forbidden by law. It is thought to be a nuisance, harmful to the environment, and is often associated with vagrancy. However some countries have specific laws and/or regulations allowing camping on public lands (see Freedom to roam).

In the US, many national and state parks have dedicated campsites and sometimes also allow impromptu backcountry camping by visitors. U.S. National Forests often have established campsites, but generally allow camping anywhere, except within a certain distance of water sources.

RV parks/caravan parks

In North America many campgrounds have facilities for Recreational Vehicles and are also known as RV parks . Similar facilities in the UK are known as Caravan Parks. 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.