In a tent I don't mind primitive at all.  I think late spring or early fall I could take the pop up out for primitive camping.  Hey, what's not to love?

I am the first one to lean toward the things that keep me comfortable during a camping trip like an air mattress, coffee maker,etc...but at the same time I can see the appeal of primitive camping.....however, the nice thing about a Campground is you have the OPTION of electricity, showers,campstore,etc......and you can always turn off all the lights and other modern contraptions and sit around/cook over a campfire and look at the stars at night and reconnect with nature when you want.....to the level that you want for how long you want, then go back to being spoiled  😉

I suppose we all do what fits our needs & wants best. As for me, I'm into fly fishing and that comes first, and I favor places that are right next to (or very close by) streams, rivers and lakes. For the most part that takes me to the national forest, sometimes state forests, too, and this can be absolute boon docking with zero facilities, or to minimal C/G's where there are just maybe an outhouse and a central water supply. By far it's usually a national forest C/G and they rarely have electrical, much less water at the site. But the positive side is they have the best rates, the largest more spacious sites and a lot less camper traffic. For example, here's a favorite site in a Nantahala Nat'l Forest C/G, minimal facilities, only ten bucks a night and you cannot see neighbors on either side or across the road. Although you cannot see it, there's a cold mountain creek at the backside of the site that has plenty of those (just right eating size) brook trout.

[img width=640 height=480]http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h226/dww0825/Picture025.jpg[/img]

(And this is what that creek looks like) ~

[img width=640 height=480]http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h226/dww0825/Picture015.jpg[/img]

I'm with Wolfcat1....Went primitive last summer once with 2 young grandsons.  It was 90+ degrees, no AC, pit toilets (flies and horrible smelling), no shower facilities (used a solar shower).  I swore that I'd never do that again.  It was one of the most miserable weekends ever.  On the plus side, we were camped right on a lake where my DH fished and the kids enjoyed playing in the water.  I think it was mostly me who hated it so much!

One of my favorite primitive sites is False Cape SP in VA.  You can get there only by boat or walking or bikes and it's a couple hour walk as I recall.  DW worked there as a maintenance ranger a bizillion lifetimes ago when she was getting her masters degree.

Photos

We mainly camp in the National forest "Boondock".  Our favorite way to camp, is to drive into the forest, using forest roads.  Find a spot next to a stream and base camp.  From there we will hike, canoe or stream fish.  I will say as for as comforts go, we do do not go with out.  Don't get me wrong, in the wilderness you don't need all the creature comforts when at home, but if you have the right type of gear,  you don't have to be without comforts when in the wilderness.

It really comes down to what type of camping you prefer, then gear up to that type of camping. There is no correct way, only the right way for you and your family!

If I didn't want a/c, a fridge and a bathroom, I'd just use a tent.  Besides, I'm paranoid enough that I'd worry we'd run out of power even if I had a solar array that would make NASA envious and a diesel generator that could power a large office building.  We're gonna try it this summer on Skyline Drive though, as soon as I actually have a stand alone water and electrical system.

just trying to clarify my earlier question.

the way i understand it, a campground without hookups but has a table and fire ring and site number, is not Primitive but is called a "developed" campsite.
one with hookups is simply a hookups campsite.

a Primitive site would be typically seen when boondocking. usually they have no assigned campsite number and no fire ring/picnic table. these are usually found in BLM lands, US Forest Service lands and State Forest lands.

so, i wondering exactly what type the OP is asking about.

I like to primitive camp for deer hunting but I would never get dw to go without a/c or running water. I explained to her the water tank can be filled and the pump does work, but its th a/c and not being able to plug in a blow dryer or microwave that makes us camp at sites with full hookups. Plus its nice to have the television if its a rainy trip.