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A WAYFARER′S CAMPSITES
The Campsite Rating System

The CRS Go Down go back
Reason for a Campsite Rating System (CRS)
Probably the main reason for this page is to provide: a means to determine which campsites that I would consider worthy enough for myself to return to camp at again; a list of those many locations where the camping has the most creature-comfort amenities; and those that are particularly to my liking.
Second, by having each campsite rated, I have a means to evaluate and choose which stops along the path accommodate the current gait of my journey, whether I am in a hurry to get to a destination or I am on the slow path desiring to enjoy amenities.
Third, as the number of my years increase, the ability for me to remember stuff is diminishing greatly. In other words, I can′t remember stuff and need a place where I personally know I can return to quickly find the stuff that I can not remember, especially, one in a format I have created for my own personal use.
There y′all have it, the real reason for this CRS is: I Can′t Remember Stuff.

How are the campsites rated?
First of all, included in every rating determination is that the site does include, as part of its amenities, at least water and electric hook ups. Without these two hookups, there will be a XW rating applied.
This rating system has been developed for determining how each campsite rates with emphasis on cost together, the availability and type of shower, drinking water and other amenities, located at or near each campsite. Depending on how each campsite stands on seven separate amenities, this rating system will result in ratings of both positive or negative returns. When all seven returns are tallied, the resulting number is the campsite rating. Any campsite with a rating of more than a whole number will receive the lower whole number as its rating. (example: 6.5 = Rating 6)
At this time, the inclusion of ADA feature (or Handicap (HC) ♿ person) has been added to this rating system, however, since the rating amount is set at +.5 points, this will not effect a widespread increase of campsite rating as a whole. Furthermore, a rating for campsites that have pet friendly camping will not be included due to the fact that most all campsite have allways had this provision.
The rating system was initially implemented for my personal use during the walk of the Appalachian Trail, to give campsites a number on a scale of one to ten with ten being the highest rating. At that time, a random number that just felt right was chosen to determine how each campsite would rate. However, now, with the current parameters of this CRS, the rating bestowed upon a campsite, would seems to be one that the site actually deserves and not just the rating determined by my feelings.
Too, it is now altogether possible to rate a campsite with more than ten points. However, for most commercial and/or government campgrounds today, achieving ten or more for it′s CRS rating is highly unlikely.
Nevertheless, for any campground to get a rating of even close to ten, that campsite will have proven itself to be a campsite to use, even on a regular basis.

Free Campsites
Also, in the Campsite Index, there is a listing for The Free Camping. This list of free campsites, together with the number of days each is limited to and the coordinates of each campsite, are those that do not qualify to be listed in a numbered ratings from Two to Ten. Yes, these campgrounds are free but none of them have much more by the way of amenities. Still, I find even these campsites can be used at the appropriate time.
There are a few other free campsites that do qualify for a rating higher than TWO and these campsites are listed in the appropriate sections of the Index by Rating and/or Index by State pages included in the Campsites Menu. As a general rule, the rating of ONE has not, nor will be used in this CRS because of the immense number of these site throughout North America, with the majority of these campsites having numerous negative amenities and/or features such as (1) high entrance fees, permits, and additions access fees including pay showers, high firewood cost and etc; and/or (2) few if any positive amenities.

Updated
For individual page updated information for each and every page on this website, please find the Page Last Updated feature at the bottom of each website page.

The Campsite Rating System Go Down Go Up
CODE Campsite Type and Utilities ABR.
Undeveloped Campsites (and their utilities provided) UC
BC Backcountry Camping, backpack in (no utilities) BP
DC Dispersed Camping, drive in (no utilities) DC
SC Stealth Camping (no utilities) see stealth camping SC
Developed Campsites (and their utilities provided) DC
EH Electrical Hookup Site (electric, water) EW
FH Full Hookup Site (electric, water, sewer) EWS
XW No Water or Electric, drive in (no utilities) (see below)
PC Primitive Camping Site, walk in (water only) PC
TS Tent Site, drive in (water only) TS
HB Hike-In, Bike-In Site, /person (elect-water) (see below)
Campsite Amenities Options
A: Camping Cost: Choose Multiple Pnts
FV Free Camping for Disabled Veterans +3
FC Free Camping +2
DF Discounted Camping Fees for Veterans and/or Seniors +1
HP Half Price Camping (Federal, Senior or Access Pass) +1
LFC Limited Free Campground, w/ toilet +1
LFX Limited Free Campground, No toilet  0
1C Camping Fee ($10.00 or less per night)  0
2C Camping Fee ($10.01 - $20.00 per night) -1
3C Camping Fee ($20.01 - $30.00 per night) -2
XC Camping Fee ($30.01 and above per night) -3
RG Recreation.gov (reservation fee required) -1
EF Entrance Fee, Out of State Fee (w/ HP-no charge) -1
PA Permit Access Fee -1
B: Shower Options (Free at/near site): Choose One/Two Pnts
HS Steamy Hot Shower (or Hot Spring) 1 +3
MS Medium Hot Shower +2
WS Warm Shower +1
PS Pay Hot Shower (Less than $2.00) +1
P2 Pay Hot Shower ($2.00 or More)  0
CS Cold Shower  0
XS No Shower -1
DS Unkempt, Dirty Shower House -1
XR Unkempt, Dirty, or Disgusting Restroom -2
C: Water Options (provided at/near site): Choose one Pnts
BW Spring Water (bubbling forth) +3
SW Spring Water (slow or seasonal) +2
WW Well water +1
PW Potable Water (Tap water) +1
CW Cistern Water  0
RW River, Creek or Stream Water -1
LW Lake or Tarn Water -1
XW No Water -2
D: Shelter Options (no cost):Choose One/Two Pnts
ES Enclosed shelter +4
LT Lean-to (open one or more sides) +3
CT Covered Picnic table, Fire ring/grill +2
OT Open Picnic table, Fire ring/grill +1
TP Tent Platform (or cleared area for Tent) +1
NT No Picnic table, No Fire ring/grill -1
DP Drive in and Park Only  0
UK Unkempt, dirty, excess weed in Campsite -1
TX No clear area for Tent, or No Tents allowed -1
E: Shelter Features: Choose Multiple Pnts
BK Bunks for sleeping bags +1
FP Fireplace or stove +1
KS Kitchen with sink +1
RF Refrigerator +1
F: Site Access: Choose One Pnts
DA Drive to Access Campsite +1
TA Access directly from Trail +1
1A Walk more than 100 yards from Trail  0
XA Walk more than 1 mile from Trail -1
PX No Overnight Parking -2
G: Site Features and Nearby: Choose Multiple Pnts
TL Above tree-line +4
PB Pristine Beauty +3
IS Isolation, no one nearby +2
SS Superb Night Sky +2
SV Superb View +2
ST Suntouch Viewing +1
DM D-mart located near site +1
KH Kingdom Hall located near site) +1
WF WiFi free access (provided at/near site) +1
WM W-mart located near site) +1
HI Historic area, or Lighthouse +1
IC Ice Service, Firewood Available +1
HO Heated Bath, Outhouse (Not freeze proofing) +1
PF Personal Favorite +1
HB Hiker-Biker Campsite 2 +1
LF Laundry, Free +1
LA Laundry, Coin +.5
BW Bear Bag Wire or Food Lock Box +.5
BB Bird Blind or Good Bird Watching +.5
GF Good Fishing, Boat Ramp, Fishing Pier +.5
GR Garbage Receptacle +.5
SB Swimming Beach, Swimming Pier +.5
TR Trails Nearby +.5
VA Vault Toilet (without Bathroom) +.5
VW View +.5
HC ♿ (access to campsite and restroom) +.5
HX ♿ (more than 200 feet to restroom)  0
NR No Rating  0
AX Airport / air traffic Noise -1
BX Bingo hall Noise -1
BF Forest area Burned -1
CX Crowded campsite (reservation required) -1
DR Unpaved Dusty Road conditions -1
MX Mosquitos or flies in or near a wet area -1
NX Noisy highway or road nearby -1
NP No Phone reception or very poor signal -1
OX Other Noise, (construct, boats, planes) -1
RX Railroad Noise -1
WE Wet overly Swampy area -1

1  
To set an understandable standard in which to determine the meaning of the terms used in Amenity B: Shower Options, the following are the three types of hot showers: (1.) Steamy Hot (HS) is when the hot water is too hot to be used by itself and must needs have a cold water added. (2.) Medium Hot (MS) is when the hot water does not need any cold water for a hot shower. (3.) Warm Shower (WS) is when only the hot water is on and the water is not quite hot enough.
Further, my onsite rating as well as when using other venues to rate campgrounds is based on: (1) Most experts agree that anything below 120° creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater. (2) The Department of Energy recommends setting a water heater to 120° F to save on energy costs. (3) OSHA, however, recommends you keep your water heater at 140° F so your risk of being exposed to microorganisms and Legionella is reduced. (4) 125° F water will scald after 2 minutes.
Therefore, to prevent both the risk of scalding as well as the risk of bacterial growth, I personally prefer and look for those campgrounds who have the water temperature set to 125° F. Also, it is my understanding that these campgrounds recognize that most all campers know how to add cold water so that they will not be scalded.
2  
To receive this rating, the Campground with a Hiker-Biker site should include a level tent site, a covered picnic table for cooking and resting, as well as a facility to lock up their gear and food, charge electronics and e-bikes, fill their water bottles, and perform minor repairs on their bikes, including inflating tires.

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See Ya above the Treeline!

This Page Last Updated: 31 August 2025


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by Thom Buras
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