How to Pick a Good Campsite

Sometimes you will want to camp at a location that is not technically designated as a camping site. You know the site; a place along a remote stream bed or out in the desert, maybe in some privately owned woodland.

Wherever you decide to locate your camp, you definitely don't want problems of finding an ideal site spoil your camping experience.

The ideal site has trees, water, grass-covered ground, gently sloping terrain, protection from severe weather and a really nice view. Chances are you won't be finding these in one camping location. The more of these ideals that you can get in one campsite, the better your camping experience will be.

In general you don't want to pick your campsite where there will the danger of natural hazards. For instance, what's ideal in fair weather may be dangerous in a thunderstorm, i.e. don't pitch your tent under trees.

Nearby trees afford wind protection, wood and shade but overhead trees will continue to drip water after a rain and heavy branches or even whole trees can come down in high winds. It's all about making prudent decisions and using a little common sense.

You may be forced to camp under the trees in the woodlands but maybe take a look around and see if there is a solid oak to pitch your tent by instead of that pine tree.

The biggest thing in selecting your campsite is making sure the ground that you pitch your camping tent on slopes away from the tent and not through it. However, if the ground is too steep you may find yourself outside or at the foot of your tent in the morning.