The United States offers many opportunities to get in touch with nature.

There are picturesque primitive areas where you can build a fire, pitch a tent and set your sleeping bag on open ground. That's real camping.

For the less adventurous, there are elaborate campgrounds and RV parks with stores, swimming pools, and recreational attractions. There is a site for any fancy.

The National Park Service provides online up-to-date information on camping areas in National Parks and on federally-owned wilderness acreages. Most are free or rented for modest fees.

Go Camping America is a Website sponsored by The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. It lists a directory of nationwide facilities, along with their amenities and fees. Just enter the state or region that interests you.

If you already know where you will be traveling, most chambers of commerce and area vacation bureaus promote local sites with camping services.

And if you think you have seen everything in a campground, one unique location, the Umpqua Lighthouse State Park in Oregon provides limited beach camping sites in the shadow of a historic lighthouse. Look for other interesting sites in state brochures or online.

Newcomers to camping can find tips for beginners from many Websites just by browsing Google or Yahoo. Then point your mouse in the direction of one that describes the type of camping that interests you, primitive or easy-going.