If you are new to camping, you may not be aware that there is more than one type of camping experience. So, before you plan your outdoor adventure, it’s important to learn more about the different options available to you so you can get the most out of your upcoming camping trip.
Frontcountry camping, for example, is a type of camping where you can drive to the site that you’re going to stay at.
Let’s see what other types of camping there are, as well as what you need to know specifically about frontcountry camping.
The Different Types of Camping
The camping experience can be divided into several landscapes, including frontcountry, backcountry, designated, and dispersed. Understanding which of these camping experiences are offered at your local State Park or National Forest will help you determine what supplies you need to bring along as well as what you can expect during your trip.
Backcountry and designated campsites are located in remote areas.
These campsites do not provide access to modern necessities such as electrical outlets or running water. However, they typically have designated campsites for you to stay at and outhouses and lean-to shelters.
While staying in these areas, you will likely need a small backpack tent and minimal supplies since you will be carrying everything a long distance. It’s best to bring along your own filtered water and take precautions to protect yourself and your food from wildlife.
With dispersed camping, there are no lean-to shelters or designated areas for each camper. You set up camp wherever you like in an area that is far away from reserved campsites.
It involves camping deep in the wilderness where you are completely surrounded by nature and have no access to any amenities. When camping in these areas, it is best to leave no trace behind so that future campers can enjoy the site in its natural state.
What You Need to Know About Frontcountry Camping
Frontcountry camping refers to a type of camping at a site you can drive to. It is often at a campground inside a park or national forest and features various amenities that make staying in the great outdoors more tolerable for many individuals.
This form of camping is typically the most popular among those who have very little experience camping or those who want to experience the great outdoors without giving up too many modern conveniences.
You can find these campsites in well-established campgrounds where guests have access to amenities such as running water, public restrooms, showers, and electricity. Either state or federal agencies often manage these campsites.
You can reserve your campsite in advance by calling the state park or national forest you have in mind or by going online.
Most frontcountry campsites have extras such as electric or water hookups for campers and RVs. They provide access to disposal facilities and dumpsters. Each campsite will usually have a fire pit, picnic table, and space for one or more tents and parking.
Those located inside state parks are situated close-by playgrounds, swimming pools, hiking trails, ball fields, and other recreational areas. Pets are often allowed on the premises, but the rules often vary from one location to the next.
There are no limits to what you can bring along with you while frontcountry camping in most cases.
You can have your choice of shelter, including an RV, camper, van, car, or tent. It’s best to bring food that is easy to prepare using a campfire or camping stove and snacks that don’t require refrigeration.
Sleeping bags, air mattresses, and blankets will provide you with a peaceful night’s rest, and while there may be potable water available at the campsite, you will still need to bring along your drinking water.
What Amenities to Expect at a Frontcountry Campsite?
When you decide to go frontcountry camping at a well-known and established campsite, you can expect to have the following amenities available to you.
Restrooms
Unless you are camping in an RV or camper van that has a restroom built-in, finding a frontcountry campsite with access to toilets is essential. All frontcountry campsites will have, at the bare minimum, port-a-potties or pit toilets available.
However, most will have better public restroom setups with running water, indoor bathroom stalls with functional plumbing and shower stations. One of the main advantages of frontcountry camping is that it allows many people who would be unable to go camping at all due to restrictions, handicaps, or disabilities to enjoy the great outdoors.
Access to Trash Bins and Dumpsters
Most frontcountry sites will provide you with access to either trash cans or dumpsters. It helps to reduce the amount of litter left behind by campers and enforces the leave no trace principles.
It’s a common courtesy among campers to leave the campsite cleaner than they found it so that the next camper can enjoy their experience. That is true no matter if you are frontcountry or backcountry camping.
If there are no trash services or dumpsters available at the campground you are staying at, it is a good idea to plan ahead and bring along a small trash can or bucket to use to dispose of trash. Or, if nothing else, bring a roll of garbage bags with you and dispose of them at the nearest public dumpster or junkyard once you leave.
Running Water
If you are camping in the United States, most campgrounds will provide access to running water and potable water. That means the water is safe to drink. If the water is not safe to drink, there will be a clear sign that it isn’t.
If you have any doubts about the water at a campsite being unsafe to drink, you should plan ahead to bring your own. You can find 5-gallon jugs of purified water at your local grocery store, or if you are trying to minimize your plastic usage, you can also use a reusable water container.
How to Prepare Food at a Frontcountry Campground
Frontcountry campsites often provide multiple options for cooking, such as a fire pit or a charcoal grill. Be sure to check about local fire restrictions in the area you are staying in before starting an open fire at your campsite.
Even if the site has a fire pit or grill, there could still be temporary restrictions in the area. Anytime fire danger is high such as, during a dry period, you may not be allowed to have an open campfire. If you plan to go camping regularly, you may want to invest in a camping stove that uses propane in areas where fire restrictions may occur.
Coleman two-burner camping stoves are affordable and ideal for taking along on camping trips. They can be helpful even if you can have a campfire if you want to prepare something that may be difficult to cook over an open flame, such as scrambled eggs.
The burners give off 20,000 BTUs that will cook your food perfectly. They also have a three-sided wind block that even allows you to cook in windy conditions. They are easy to carry and are lightweight. If you use a 1lb. propane tank, it will generally last around an hour.
There are also two-burner propane stones and gas stoves available that allow you to prepare larger meals.
What Type of Camping is Allowed at Frontcountry Campgrounds?
All types of camping are allowed at frontcountry campsites. That includes everything from tent camping to large RVs. Just keep in mind that a fee is generally required, and you must camp in a designated space.
You aren’t allowed to park and camp anywhere you want.
You can also backpack into a frontcountry campsite with a tent if you prefer. Some campers will stay at a frontcountry site overnight while travelling and sleep in their car or hang hammocks to sleep in a while, taking advantage of the amenities the site has to offer. These sites often provide a flat area to pitch your tent and space for parking and a picnic table.
Should You Be Concerned About Wild Animals at Frontcountry Campsites?
No matter how or where you choose to camp, there will always be a risk of coming into contact with wild animals.
While frontcountry campers typically do not have to worry about serious threats such as bears, it is possible to have skunks, raccoons, and foxes roam around your campsite at night. Making sure you keep your campsite clean and all food is disposed of correctly and put away at night will help you avoid any issues.
You should never store any food in your tent. If you do a good job cleaning up the campsite, animals shouldn’t bother you at night.
How Much Does Frontcountry Camping Cost?
The cost of frontcountry camping varies from one location to the next. It all depends on the amenities offered at the campground, the duration of your stay, and where you are staying. You can expect a campground that has the very best amenities and extras will be more expensive.
The rates for frontcountry camping can range between as little as $5 per night up to $35 or more per night. During the peak season, you may need to pay even more to stay in some areas.
And some locations offer free overnight stays during off-season dates. You can check rates, amenities, and availability for National Parks, National Forests, and Bureau of Land Management campgrounds by visiting Recreation.gov.
What are the Key Differences Between Frontcountry and Backcountry Camping?
Frontcountry and backcountry camping are very different. The main difference between the two is that frontcountry camping is accessible by car while backcountry is remote, and you will have to hike a reasonable distance to get to your campsite.
With frontcountry camping, you are not far away from civilization and have access to many amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. You will likely stay in a state park or national forest that provides extras such as hiking trails, swimming pools, or even gift shops.
With backcountry camping, you are getting away from civilization and staying in the heart of nature. Some sites may be cleared off or have lean-to shelters available, but for the most part, this type of camping involves survival with just your tent and the supplies you carried along with you on your hike.
Final Thoughts
Frontcountry camping provides you with an excellent way to enjoy the great outdoors, even if you are new to the concept of camping. You can bring along all your necessities from home and enjoy all the amenities provided to you at the campsite.
If this is your first time camping, you should find a campsite that offers many extras such as indoor plumbing, showers, running water at campsites, electricity, and picnic tables. As you start to feel more comfortable with camping, you can consider trying other types of camping, such as backcountry or dispersed camping.
If you have never attempted any type of camping in the past, it is highly recommended that you choose the easiest option first. You need to take time to become more familiar with the concept of camping before plunging into staying at a campsite with very little or no comforts of home.
If you are still interested in it after going frontcountry camping, you can look into how to prepare for a successful backcountry trip.
The more experience you have with camping, and the more often you go, the more prepared you will feel once you try something with fewer amenities and comforts from home. Over time you will start to purchase more camping gear and eventually have a good collection of items to take along so you will be fully prepared no matter what camping excursion you have in mind.