Map of Newark New Jersey

Primitive Campsites versus Primitive Campgrounds

More than a little confusion is provided by different uses of the word primitive as in primitive camping, primitive camping areas, primitive campsites, and primitive campgrounds.

It’s not unusual to see literature from a park or preserve which informs the reader that primitive camping is available, with no further explanation. At such locations camping might be restricted either to camping areas or a primitive campground, or on the other hand it may be allowed freely almost anywhere.

A primitive or undeveloped campground is usually a normal campground, reachable by car, which doesn’t have electrical hook-ups or modern facilities. When literature is referring to a campground, a statement that primitive campsites are available means that the campground has some less developed sites.

As it’s commonly used, primitive camping is sometimes meant to be more or less synonymous with wilderness camping. At other times, however, the former is applied specifically to camping in a not-very-wild-or-pristine area, in contrast to camping in a true wilderness.