Abstract: People can enjoy natural landscape, recreation and outdoor education by camping, which has become more and more popular since the 19th century. In the U.S., camping is a traditional outdoor activity engaging every year about 14% of the population. In China, camping is gradually accepted by more and more people, especially young. Outdoor camping in China is still in early development. Unregulated and unorganized camping causes environmental and social problems, and involves relatively few people into outdoor activities. To reach its full potential, camping requires proper planning, regulations, infrastructure, and other support. Outdoor camping needs all kinds of support conditions. In this paper, we review many factors that influence camping. We analyze what can be learned from American camping. First, we review the history and benefits of camping. The early European settlers depended on primal camping for reclamation. At that time, camping got original development. Gradually, people realized that camping was beneficial to education. Organized camping for young people also began in the latter half of the 19th century when a number of educators and church leaders experimented with taking groups of youngsters to live, study, play, and work. Second, we review land systems that support camping in the U.S. At the Federal level, a multiplicity of bureaus and independent agencies are charged with administration of lands, and most of these are, to a greater or less degree, a provider of outdoor recreation lands. Many types of lands are available for campground. Third, outdoor infrastructure, such as toilet, shower room, trash can, power supply are well equipped. The management of campgrounds was well executive, too. Fourth, many other factors, such as, good transport conditions, variety climatic types, popular outdoor activities, reasonable holiday entitlement facilitate camping. Finally, we summarize what can be learned from American camping ideas and applied can be used to foster the development of campgrounds in China.