Glossary of Camping Terms
Are you new to camping? If you are unfamiliar with the terminology being used by campers, then check below for an explanation of the most common camping terms and phrases.
3-season tent
A tent intended to be used primarily in the spring, summer, and fall.
A tent intended to be used primarily in the spring, summer, and fall.
4-season tent
A tent built to withstand the rigors of winter.
A tent built to withstand the rigors of winter.
A-frame tent
A style of tent that has a pole supporting the middle of the tent while the tent walls drape over the pole in an A shape.
A style of tent that has a pole supporting the middle of the tent while the tent walls drape over the pole in an A shape.
ACE
The Army Corps of Engineers operates over 2,500 recreation areas in the U.S.
The Army Corps of Engineers operates over 2,500 recreation areas in the U.S.
adventure camp
A summer camp where kids learn about the outdoors and partake in adventures like backpacking, camping, canoeing, hiking, kayaking, sailing, and skiing.
A summer camp where kids learn about the outdoors and partake in adventures like backpacking, camping, canoeing, hiking, kayaking, sailing, and skiing.
backcountry
Remote uninhabited areas of public lands, national parks, and forests.
Remote uninhabited areas of public lands, national parks, and forests.
backpacking
Hiking into the backcountry with all of your gear on your back.
Hiking into the backcountry with all of your gear on your back.
bathtub floor
A one-piece (seamless) tent floor where the edges come a few inches up the sides before connecting with the tent walls.
A one-piece (seamless) tent floor where the edges come a few inches up the sides before connecting with the tent walls.
billy can
A coffee can (any clean food can with the lid removed) used to boil water or cook food over a campfire.
A coffee can (any clean food can with the lid removed) used to boil water or cook food over a campfire.
biodegradable soap
A soap that decomposes naturally and is not harmful to the environment.
A soap that decomposes naturally and is not harmful to the environment.
BLM
The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for land, mineral, and wildlife management on millions of acres of US land.
The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for land, mineral, and wildlife management on millions of acres of US land.
box oven
A baking oven made out of a cardboard box lined with foil, wire hanger shelves, and a pan to hold charcoal.
A baking oven made out of a cardboard box lined with foil, wire hanger shelves, and a pan to hold charcoal.
camp coffee
Place enough coffee into a pot of cold water. Place the pot on the stove or campfire. When steam rises from the coffee pot, the coffee is hot and ready.
Place enough coffee into a pot of cold water. Place the pot on the stove or campfire. When steam rises from the coffee pot, the coffee is hot and ready.
camp stove
A portable cooking surface with one to three burners that are fueled by propane or some other cooking fuel.
A portable cooking surface with one to three burners that are fueled by propane or some other cooking fuel.
camping lantern
A portable light with one or two mantels that are fueled by propane or some other fuel.
A portable light with one or two mantels that are fueled by propane or some other fuel.
car camping
When you pack all your gear in the car and head to the campground.
When you pack all your gear in the car and head to the campground.
CCC
The Civilian Conservation Corps hired young men from 1933 to 1942 to revitalize America's forests.
The Civilian Conservation Corps hired young men from 1933 to 1942 to revitalize America's forests.
charcoal chimney
A tool used outdoors to start charcoal for the grill.
A tool used outdoors to start charcoal for the grill.
checkin/checkout procedures
What to expect when you arrive at the campground, and what to do before you leave.
What to expect when you arrive at the campground, and what to do before you leave.
chuckbox
A container for keeping your camp kitchen organized.
A container for keeping your camp kitchen organized.
clips
A way to attach a tent to the poles.
A way to attach a tent to the poles.
clothes line
A rope or line, suspended between two trees or poles, used to hang wet clothes, swim suits, and towels to dry.
A rope or line, suspended between two trees or poles, used to hang wet clothes, swim suits, and towels to dry.
compass
A magnetic device used for orienteering and for finding your way with a map.
A magnetic device used for orienteering and for finding your way with a map.
day camp
A place for kids to enjoy outdoor events and recreation with other kids under parental supervision.
A place for kids to enjoy outdoor events and recreation with other kids under parental supervision.
dehydration
Excessive loss of water from the body.
Excessive loss of water from the body.
ditty bag
A drawstring bag used to carry items.
A drawstring bag used to carry items.
dome tent
A round or oval tent with flexible poles that connect from side to side through the apex of the tent.
A round or oval tent with flexible poles that connect from side to side through the apex of the tent.
double-wall tent
A double wall tent uses a rainfly over the tent, whereas a single wall tent does not.
A double wall tent uses a rainfly over the tent, whereas a single wall tent does not.
Dutch oven
A cast-iron cooking pot (with lid) that you cook with outdoors over charcoals.
A cast-iron cooking pot (with lid) that you cook with outdoors over charcoals.
emergency blanket
A compact lightweight blanket made of super insulating material that can help prevent hypothermia.
A compact lightweight blanket made of super insulating material that can help prevent hypothermia.
factory taped seams
Many quality tents come from the factory with taped seams that have a waterproof material placed between overlapped seams, which are then double stitched.
Many quality tents come from the factory with taped seams that have a waterproof material placed between overlapped seams, which are then double stitched.
family tent
A tent that is large enough to accommodate your entire family.
A tent that is large enough to accommodate your entire family.
fire rings
An iron ring with a grate used to contain campfires.
An iron ring with a grate used to contain campfires.
fly
A sheet of waterproof material that is secured above your tent to act as a barrier against rain and condensation.
A sheet of waterproof material that is secured above your tent to act as a barrier against rain and condensation.
foil dinner
A meal that is wrapped in foil and cooked or reheated on a grill or next to a campfire.
A meal that is wrapped in foil and cooked or reheated on a grill or next to a campfire.
footprint
A custom sized ground cloth for your tent.
A custom sized ground cloth for your tent.
free standing tent
A tent that requires no ropes or stakes to support the tent.
A tent that requires no ropes or stakes to support the tent.
frostbite
Skin that is damaged by exposure to freezing temperatures.
Skin that is damaged by exposure to freezing temperatures.
gear loft
A gear loft is a piece of mesh cloth or net that ties to loops suspended from the top of a tent and serves as a small storage area for lightweight items.
A gear loft is a piece of mesh cloth or net that ties to loops suspended from the top of a tent and serves as a small storage area for lightweight items.
giardia
A microorganism found in un-purified water that can cause diarrhea, cramps, or other health problems.
A microorganism found in un-purified water that can cause diarrhea, cramps, or other health problems.
Gore-Tex
A water-repellant, breathable material that allows body vapor to pass through while keeping rain out.
A water-repellant, breathable material that allows body vapor to pass through while keeping rain out.
GPS
An electronic device known as a global positioning unit that uses satellite triangulation to detemine your longitude and latitude.
An electronic device known as a global positioning unit that uses satellite triangulation to detemine your longitude and latitude.
gray water
Water that has been used in the sink, shower, or laundry.
Water that has been used in the sink, shower, or laundry.
grill brush
A wire brush used to scrape and clean grills.
A wire brush used to scrape and clean grills.
grommet
A reinforced metal eyelet used to secure the ends of tent poles.
A reinforced metal eyelet used to secure the ends of tent poles.
guy-line
A rope used to secure tents and keep them from blowing away.
A rope used to secure tents and keep them from blowing away.
guy-out loops
These are used to attach guy-lines for securing your tent.
These are used to attach guy-lines for securing your tent.
heat stroke
A severe form of heat illness caused by excessive heat and dehydration.
A severe form of heat illness caused by excessive heat and dehydration.
horse camp
A campsite that is specifically intended for use by riders and their horses.
A campsite that is specifically intended for use by riders and their horses.
hypothermia
A condition where your body loses more heat than it produces.
A condition where your body loses more heat than it produces.
iron ranger
A fee collection box used at campgrounds that do not have full time attendants.
A fee collection box used at campgrounds that do not have full time attendants.
kindling
Small pieces of dry wood used to start a campfire.
Small pieces of dry wood used to start a campfire.
lantern mantel
A mesh material that creates a bright white light when it is heated in a gas flame.
A mesh material that creates a bright white light when it is heated in a gas flame.
leave no trace
It simply means that you should clean up your campsite before you leave.
It simply means that you should clean up your campsite before you leave.
mug up
In Canada this is often referred to as the last drink before the campfire is put out.
In Canada this is often referred to as the last drink before the campfire is put out.
mummy bag
A sleeping bag that is tapered at the ends to reduce air space and to conserve heat.
A sleeping bag that is tapered at the ends to reduce air space and to conserve heat.
NFS
The Forest Service maintains land for future water and timber resources, but they also manage them for the recreation benefit of the public.
The Forest Service maintains land for future water and timber resources, but they also manage them for the recreation benefit of the public.
noseeum netting
Normal mosquito netting has 200 holes per inch, whereas noseeum netting has 625 holes per inch.
Normal mosquito netting has 200 holes per inch, whereas noseeum netting has 625 holes per inch.
noseeums
Noseeums are nasty little bugs typically found near the ocean and around rivers, lakes, and swamps.
Noseeums are nasty little bugs typically found near the ocean and around rivers, lakes, and swamps.
NPS
The National Park Service preserves the natural resources of the US for the enjoyment and education of current and future generations.
The National Park Service preserves the natural resources of the US for the enjoyment and education of current and future generations.
poison oak/ivy
Obnoxious plants that can cause a nasty skin rash.
Obnoxious plants that can cause a nasty skin rash.
polyurethane coating
Durable material coating used to waterproof a tent floor and rainfly.
Durable material coating used to waterproof a tent floor and rainfly.
poncho
A hooded water-repelling garment used for a raincoat.
A hooded water-repelling garment used for a raincoat.
post and grommet
A hooded water-repelling garment used for a raincoat.
A hooded water-repelling garment used for a raincoat.
primitive campground
A campground without any amenities like bathrooms, electric, and water.
A campground without any amenities like bathrooms, electric, and water.
private campground
A campground that is a privately owned business.
A campground that is a privately owned business.
propane canister
A portable container that holds about one pound of pressurized propane, which is used to fuel campstoves and lanterns.
A portable container that holds about one pound of pressurized propane, which is used to fuel campstoves and lanterns.
public campgrounds
Public campgrounds are usually run by a government agency and include those found in national parks and forests, bureau of land management areas, army corps of engineer projects, and in state parks and forests.
Public campgrounds are usually run by a government agency and include those found in national parks and forests, bureau of land management areas, army corps of engineer projects, and in state parks and forests.
put up shade
Erect a screen room or tarp so that you can get out of the hot sun.
Erect a screen room or tarp so that you can get out of the hot sun.
quiet hours
Times when campers lower their noise to a whisper.
Times when campers lower their noise to a whisper.
recreational vehicle (RV)
A vehicle used for traveling, camping, and recreation.
A vehicle used for traveling, camping, and recreation.
ring and pin
A corner assembly used on tents where long pins are permanently sewn to the corners of a tent, which are then inserted into the hollow ends of tent poles.
A corner assembly used on tents where long pins are permanently sewn to the corners of a tent, which are then inserted into the hollow ends of tent poles.
ripstop nylon
A fray-proof material used in tent walls.
A fray-proof material used in tent walls.
s'mores
A campfire treat made by placing a piece of chocolate and a roasted marshmallow between two graham crackers.
A campfire treat made by placing a piece of chocolate and a roasted marshmallow between two graham crackers.
screen room
An outdoor structure made of tent material and noseeum screening that provides shade relief from the sun and refuge from bugs.
An outdoor structure made of tent material and noseeum screening that provides shade relief from the sun and refuge from bugs.
seam sealer
Seam sealer is used to waterproof the threads of a tent.
Seam sealer is used to waterproof the threads of a tent.
shock-corded poles
Tent poles that come in sections and are held together by an elastic cord that runs the length of the pole.
Tent poles that come in sections and are held together by an elastic cord that runs the length of the pole.
single-wall tent
A tent without a fly and walls made of non-breathable materials.
A tent without a fly and walls made of non-breathable materials.
sleeping bag
A roll-up bed used for camping that is made of various insulating materials.
A roll-up bed used for camping that is made of various insulating materials.
sleeping pad
An insulating cushion used beneath a sleeping bag.
An insulating cushion used beneath a sleeping bag.
stake puller
A tool used to remove tent stakes from the ground.
A tool used to remove tent stakes from the ground.
stuff sack
A cloth or nylon bag used to carry a tent or other piece of camping gear.
A cloth or nylon bag used to carry a tent or other piece of camping gear.
summer camp
A place where kids go to enjoy supervised recreation.
A place where kids go to enjoy supervised recreation.
tarp
Waterproof canvas or laminated material.
Waterproof canvas or laminated material.
temperature ratings
A sleeping bag term that means you can expect to stay warm in it down to this temperature.
A sleeping bag term that means you can expect to stay warm in it down to this temperature.
tent poles
Aluminum or fiberglass poles that are used to erect tents.
Aluminum or fiberglass poles that are used to erect tents.
tent stakes
Metal or plastic stakes used to anchor tents to the ground.
Metal or plastic stakes used to anchor tents to the ground.
tub floor
A tent floor made from one piece of material, which continues up the walls about six inches before being sewn to the walls.
A tent floor made from one piece of material, which continues up the walls about six inches before being sewn to the walls.
ventilation
A means of removing body moisture to prevent condensation buildup inside your tent.
A means of removing body moisture to prevent condensation buildup inside your tent.
vestibule
A covered area outside a tent door. Vestibules are usually found on backpacking tents and are used to store wet clothes or extra gear.
A covered area outside a tent door. Vestibules are usually found on backpacking tents and are used to store wet clothes or extra gear.
water resistant
The ability to resist, but not completely repel, water.
The ability to resist, but not completely repel, water.
waterproof
The ability to completely repel water.
The ability to completely repel water.