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What is the difference between back country camping and front country camping?
I heard two terms 'back country camping' and 'front country camping' but I don't know what the difference between the two is. How are they different.
camping terminology
edited Jan 7 at 18:07
James Jenkins
18.3k1065169
asked Jan 6 at 6:06
AriAri
441
add a comment |
I heard two terms 'back country camping' and 'front country camping' but I don't know what the difference between the two is. How are they different.
camping terminology
edited Jan 7 at 18:07
James Jenkins
18.3k1065169
asked Jan 6 at 6:06
AriAri
441
add a comment |
I heard two terms 'back country camping' and 'front country camping' but I don't know what the difference between the two is. How are they different.
camping terminology
edited Jan 7 at 18:07
James Jenkins
18.3k1065169
asked Jan 6 at 6:06
AriAri
441
I heard two terms 'back country camping' and 'front country camping' but I don't know what the difference between the two is. How are they different.
camping terminology
camping terminology
edited Jan 7 at 18:07
James Jenkins
18.3k1065169
asked Jan 6 at 6:06
AriAri
441
edited Jan 7 at 18:07
James Jenkins
18.3k1065169
asked Jan 6 at 6:06
AriAri
441
edited Jan 7 at 18:07
James Jenkins
18.3k1065169
edited Jan 7 at 18:07
James Jenkins
18.3k1065169
edited Jan 7 at 18:07
James Jenkins
18.3k1065169
18.3k1065169
asked Jan 6 at 6:06
AriAri
441
asked Jan 6 at 6:06
AriAri
441
asked Jan 6 at 6:06
AriAri
441
441
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Front country is when you go camping in an established campground that is usually reached by car. While backcountry camping is when you go camping in the backcountry getting to the non established campground by foot or horseback carrying your stuff with you.
So this would be an example of a front country campground with a fire ring and picnic table and a car.
Source
and this would be an example of a backcountry campsite which I backpacked many miles into and there were no human created fixtures of any sort besides the trail.
Of course, you can have camps that fall between such as designated backcountry tent campsites in National Parks with provided bear storage.
answered Jan 6 at 6:26
Charlie BrumbaughCharlie Brumbaugh
46.8k16130260
add a comment |
Charlie has given you an excellent summary of the difference between the two, focused on the difference in exertion and time to reach them, and the amenities to be found at each.
There is another important difference: front-country camping gives you very little, if anything, of the feeling of wilderness. You are in a campground with many other people, usually within sight of their tents and cars and food, and within sound of their conversations and whatever noise they are making. You have very little privacy, often no privacy. If you have forgotten something essential, you just hop in your car and go to the nearest store, which is usually pretty close.
In backcountry camping, it is not unusual for there to be no one at all anywhere near your campsite especially if you are on a little-used trail or have left the trail and are hiking cross-country. If you hike cross-country, you may see nobody at all for days once you have left the trail. There is nobody to help you if you need help, and nowhere to get whatever you forgot. You are in wilderness, and know it from the vast silence, broken only by the singing of coyotes, the magnificent vistas empty of human presence (and litter), and the night sky with more stars than you have ever seen before, unobscured by artificial lights.
You need experience to do backcountry camping safely, which you acquire gradually. First do some front-country camping to make sure you thoroughly understand your equipment. Then, go one day in along a trail, then, several days along a trail, then some modest cross-country backpacking. You probably should go with a group on your early trips.
answered Jan 6 at 14:58
ab2ab2
12.6k340107
I wouldn't say you need experience front-country camping first. Starting at back-country is fine if you're in a group and have someone to help you prepare. Backcountry should never be done without experienced people in the group, though.
– Loren Pechtel
Jan 7 at 0:28
1
@Loren Pechtel I understand your point, but I still don't think a back-country trip is a good idea for someone who has never camped. He may find he hates camping. Moreover, even with a group and experienced people in the group, the newbie camper needs familiarity with his equipment or he will be, at best, a PIA. And then, there are those for whom going in a group blights the entire experience.
– ab2
Jan 7 at 1:36
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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active
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2 Answers
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active
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Front country is when you go camping in an established campground that is usually reached by car. While backcountry camping is when you go camping in the backcountry getting to the non established campground by foot or horseback carrying your stuff with you.
So this would be an example of a front country campground with a fire ring and picnic table and a car.
Source
and this would be an example of a backcountry campsite which I backpacked many miles into and there were no human created fixtures of any sort besides the trail.
Of course, you can have camps that fall between such as designated backcountry tent campsites in National Parks with provided bear storage.
answered Jan 6 at 6:26
Charlie BrumbaughCharlie Brumbaugh
46.8k16130260
add a comment |
Front country is when you go camping in an established campground that is usually reached by car. While backcountry camping is when you go camping in the backcountry getting to the non established campground by foot or horseback carrying your stuff with you.
So this would be an example of a front country campground with a fire ring and picnic table and a car.
Source
and this would be an example of a backcountry campsite which I backpacked many miles into and there were no human created fixtures of any sort besides the trail.
Of course, you can have camps that fall between such as designated backcountry tent campsites in National Parks with provided bear storage.
answered Jan 6 at 6:26
Charlie BrumbaughCharlie Brumbaugh
46.8k16130260
add a comment |
Front country is when you go camping in an established campground that is usually reached by car. While backcountry camping is when you go camping in the backcountry getting to the non established campground by foot or horseback carrying your stuff with you.
So this would be an example of a front country campground with a fire ring and picnic table and a car.
Source
and this would be an example of a backcountry campsite which I backpacked many miles into and there were no human created fixtures of any sort besides the trail.
Of course, you can have camps that fall between such as designated backcountry tent campsites in National Parks with provided bear storage.
answered Jan 6 at 6:26
Charlie BrumbaughCharlie Brumbaugh
46.8k16130260
Front country is when you go camping in an established campground that is usually reached by car. While backcountry camping is when you go camping in the backcountry getting to the non established campground by foot or horseback carrying your stuff with you.
So this would be an example of a front country campground with a fire ring and picnic table and a car.
Source
and this would be an example of a backcountry campsite which I backpacked many miles into and there were no human created fixtures of any sort besides the trail.
Of course, you can have camps that fall between such as designated backcountry tent campsites in National Parks with provided bear storage.
answered Jan 6 at 6:26
Charlie BrumbaughCharlie Brumbaugh
46.8k16130260
edited Jan 6 at 6:38
answered Jan 6 at 6:26
Charlie BrumbaughCharlie Brumbaugh
46.8k16130260
answered Jan 6 at 6:26
Charlie BrumbaughCharlie Brumbaugh
46.8k16130260
answered Jan 6 at 6:26
Charlie BrumbaughCharlie Brumbaugh
46.8k16130260
46.8k16130260
add a comment |
add a comment |
Charlie has given you an excellent summary of the difference between the two, focused on the difference in exertion and time to reach them, and the amenities to be found at each.
There is another important difference: front-country camping gives you very little, if anything, of the feeling of wilderness. You are in a campground with many other people, usually within sight of their tents and cars and food, and within sound of their conversations and whatever noise they are making. You have very little privacy, often no privacy. If you have forgotten something essential, you just hop in your car and go to the nearest store, which is usually pretty close.
In backcountry camping, it is not unusual for there to be no one at all anywhere near your campsite especially if you are on a little-used trail or have left the trail and are hiking cross-country. If you hike cross-country, you may see nobody at all for days once you have left the trail. There is nobody to help you if you need help, and nowhere to get whatever you forgot. You are in wilderness, and know it from the vast silence, broken only by the singing of coyotes, the magnificent vistas empty of human presence (and litter), and the night sky with more stars than you have ever seen before, unobscured by artificial lights.
You need experience to do backcountry camping safely, which you acquire gradually. First do some front-country camping to make sure you thoroughly understand your equipment. Then, go one day in along a trail, then, several days along a trail, then some modest cross-country backpacking. You probably should go with a group on your early trips.
answered Jan 6 at 14:58
ab2ab2
12.6k340107
I wouldn't say you need experience front-country camping first. Starting at back-country is fine if you're in a group and have someone to help you prepare. Backcountry should never be done without experienced people in the group, though.
– Loren Pechtel
Jan 7 at 0:28
1
@Loren Pechtel I understand your point, but I still don't think a back-country trip is a good idea for someone who has never camped. He may find he hates camping. Moreover, even with a group and experienced people in the group, the newbie camper needs familiarity with his equipment or he will be, at best, a PIA. And then, there are those for whom going in a group blights the entire experience.
– ab2
Jan 7 at 1:36
add a comment |
Charlie has given you an excellent summary of the difference between the two, focused on the difference in exertion and time to reach them, and the amenities to be found at each.
There is another important difference: front-country camping gives you very little, if anything, of the feeling of wilderness. You are in a campground with many other people, usually within sight of their tents and cars and food, and within sound of their conversations and whatever noise they are making. You have very little privacy, often no privacy. If you have forgotten something essential, you just hop in your car and go to the nearest store, which is usually pretty close.
In backcountry camping, it is not unusual for there to be no one at all anywhere near your campsite especially if you are on a little-used trail or have left the trail and are hiking cross-country. If you hike cross-country, you may see nobody at all for days once you have left the trail. There is nobody to help you if you need help, and nowhere to get whatever you forgot. You are in wilderness, and know it from the vast silence, broken only by the singing of coyotes, the magnificent vistas empty of human presence (and litter), and the night sky with more stars than you have ever seen before, unobscured by artificial lights.
You need experience to do backcountry camping safely, which you acquire gradually. First do some front-country camping to make sure you thoroughly understand your equipment. Then, go one day in along a trail, then, several days along a trail, then some modest cross-country backpacking. You probably should go with a group on your early trips.
answered Jan 6 at 14:58
ab2ab2
12.6k340107
I wouldn't say you need experience front-country camping first. Starting at back-country is fine if you're in a group and have someone to help you prepare. Backcountry should never be done without experienced people in the group, though.
– Loren Pechtel
Jan 7 at 0:28
1
@Loren Pechtel I understand your point, but I still don't think a back-country trip is a good idea for someone who has never camped. He may find he hates camping. Moreover, even with a group and experienced people in the group, the newbie camper needs familiarity with his equipment or he will be, at best, a PIA. And then, there are those for whom going in a group blights the entire experience.
– ab2
Jan 7 at 1:36
add a comment |
Charlie has given you an excellent summary of the difference between the two, focused on the difference in exertion and time to reach them, and the amenities to be found at each.
There is another important difference: front-country camping gives you very little, if anything, of the feeling of wilderness. You are in a campground with many other people, usually within sight of their tents and cars and food, and within sound of their conversations and whatever noise they are making. You have very little privacy, often no privacy. If you have forgotten something essential, you just hop in your car and go to the nearest store, which is usually pretty close.
In backcountry camping, it is not unusual for there to be no one at all anywhere near your campsite especially if you are on a little-used trail or have left the trail and are hiking cross-country. If you hike cross-country, you may see nobody at all for days once you have left the trail. There is nobody to help you if you need help, and nowhere to get whatever you forgot. You are in wilderness, and know it from the vast silence, broken only by the singing of coyotes, the magnificent vistas empty of human presence (and litter), and the night sky with more stars than you have ever seen before, unobscured by artificial lights.
You need experience to do backcountry camping safely, which you acquire gradually. First do some front-country camping to make sure you thoroughly understand your equipment. Then, go one day in along a trail, then, several days along a trail, then some modest cross-country backpacking. You probably should go with a group on your early trips.
answered Jan 6 at 14:58
ab2ab2
12.6k340107
Charlie has given you an excellent summary of the difference between the two, focused on the difference in exertion and time to reach them, and the amenities to be found at each.
There is another important difference: front-country camping gives you very little, if anything, of the feeling of wilderness. You are in a campground with many other people, usually within sight of their tents and cars and food, and within sound of their conversations and whatever noise they are making. You have very little privacy, often no privacy. If you have forgotten something essential, you just hop in your car and go to the nearest store, which is usually pretty close.
In backcountry camping, it is not unusual for there to be no one at all anywhere near your campsite especially if you are on a little-used trail or have left the trail and are hiking cross-country. If you hike cross-country, you may see nobody at all for days once you have left the trail. There is nobody to help you if you need help, and nowhere to get whatever you forgot. You are in wilderness, and know it from the vast silence, broken only by the singing of coyotes, the magnificent vistas empty of human presence (and litter), and the night sky with more stars than you have ever seen before, unobscured by artificial lights.
You need experience to do backcountry camping safely, which you acquire gradually. First do some front-country camping to make sure you thoroughly understand your equipment. Then, go one day in along a trail, then, several days along a trail, then some modest cross-country backpacking. You probably should go with a group on your early trips.
answered Jan 6 at 14:58
ab2ab2
12.6k340107
edited Jan 6 at 16:18
answered Jan 6 at 14:58
ab2ab2
12.6k340107
answered Jan 6 at 14:58
ab2ab2
12.6k340107
answered Jan 6 at 14:58
ab2ab2
12.6k340107
12.6k340107
I wouldn't say you need experience front-country camping first. Starting at back-country is fine if you're in a group and have someone to help you prepare. Backcountry should never be done without experienced people in the group, though.
– Loren Pechtel
Jan 7 at 0:28
1
@Loren Pechtel I understand your point, but I still don't think a back-country trip is a good idea for someone who has never camped. He may find he hates camping. Moreover, even with a group and experienced people in the group, the newbie camper needs familiarity with his equipment or he will be, at best, a PIA. And then, there are those for whom going in a group blights the entire experience.
– ab2
Jan 7 at 1:36
add a comment |
I wouldn't say you need experience front-country camping first. Starting at back-country is fine if you're in a group and have someone to help you prepare. Backcountry should never be done without experienced people in the group, though.
– Loren Pechtel
Jan 7 at 0:28
1
@Loren Pechtel I understand your point, but I still don't think a back-country trip is a good idea for someone who has never camped. He may find he hates camping. Moreover, even with a group and experienced people in the group, the newbie camper needs familiarity with his equipment or he will be, at best, a PIA. And then, there are those for whom going in a group blights the entire experience.
– ab2
Jan 7 at 1:36
I wouldn't say you need experience front-country camping first. Starting at back-country is fine if you're in a group and have someone to help you prepare. Backcountry should never be done without experienced people in the group, though.
– Loren Pechtel
Jan 7 at 0:28
I wouldn't say you need experience front-country camping first. Starting at back-country is fine if you're in a group and have someone to help you prepare. Backcountry should never be done without experienced people in the group, though.
– Loren Pechtel
Jan 7 at 0:28
1
1
@Loren Pechtel I understand your point, but I still don't think a back-country trip is a good idea for someone who has never camped. He may find he hates camping. Moreover, even with a group and experienced people in the group, the newbie camper needs familiarity with his equipment or he will be, at best, a PIA. And then, there are those for whom going in a group blights the entire experience.
– ab2
Jan 7 at 1:36
@Loren Pechtel I understand your point, but I still don't think a back-country trip is a good idea for someone who has never camped. He may find he hates camping. Moreover, even with a group and experienced people in the group, the newbie camper needs familiarity with his equipment or he will be, at best, a PIA. And then, there are those for whom going in a group blights the entire experience.
– ab2
Jan 7 at 1:36
add a comment |
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