Camping is a wonderful way to get away from the rat race of everyday life in the ‘civilized’ world and just relax and enjoy the solitude of the natural world. Folks who like to go camping are known as campers. Camping describes a whole list of different activities. Hardcore survivalist type campers will set off with little more than the clothes on their backs and the shoes on their feet, whereas ‘campers’ who prefer the use of RVs arrive at a site equipped with all the creature comforts of civilization. Camping may be the primary activity, but many campers also add other activities, such as hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, etc.

Some people take vacations in remote places with cabins and other modern facilities but this is not actually camping. The terms camping, also known as camping out, is sometimes applied to those who live outdoors because they have too or have chosen too, or for people waiting overnight in queues to get tickets for a concert or some other very popular event. Some people also refer to real camping as roughing it.

One style of roughing it type camping is known as Backpacking, which is a mobile variety of tent camping. Backpackers usually have lightweight equipment that can be carried for long distances by foot in a backpack designed specifically for this type of camping. These folks take long hikes across the land and will set up camp at remote or very rural areas. Backpacking equipment may cost a bit more than that for car camping, but the costs are still far less than using a trailer or RV. Backpacking campsites cost very little or nothing at all if you are far enough out in the wilderness.

Going canoing with the intent of camping is similar to backpacking, but uses canoes to get to the campground or site instead of walking. A lot more supplies can be carried in a canoe than in a backpack. Canoe camping is one of the more popular types of camping. One form camping is combined with cycling. The bicycle is used to carry the camping gear and as the basic means of transportation. This allows the camper or campers to cover greater distances than backpacking although there is less area for storage.