Picking the right campsite isn't easy. Whether driving through a campground or finishing your day in the backcountry, a little bit of foresight can make for a much more enjoyable camping experience. Here are 20 questions to keep in mind as you decide where to pitch your tent.
- Are there any dead trees or branches above your site?
- Is the site fairly level with room for your tent?
- What is the ground like? Air mattresses can overcome roots and rocks, but you are still better off with soft soil or grass underneath you.
- If you plan on having a fire, is there enough room for it? Fires should be placed in existing fire rings or on bare, mineral soil, safely away from brush and tents.
- Is the site large enough for your group?
- Are there signs of moving water or drainage? If it rains overnight, you don't want a stream running through your campsite.
- What kind of sun and shade does the site get? Morning sun and afternoon shade are bonuses.
- Are there any holes in the ground around the site? Yellow jackets, snakes and ground squirrels are not usually welcomed guests.
- Are you too close to the shoulder of the road? Tires in your tent from a swerving driver are no way to be awakened.
- What is there to do nearby? Sitting around camp swapping stories is relaxing, but it's nice to have trails, waterfalls, cliffs, scenic views, canoe launches or other activities nearby.
- How close are you to any other campers?
- Are there game trails nearby? You don't want to park your tent at a busy intersection for nocturnal critters.
- What kind of cover do you have from wind? Exposed areas like balds in the Smokies have great views, but without trees or boulders they are vulnerable to chilling winds.
- Do nearby campers look like they plan for the same kind of camping experience as you? (i.e. party crowd, quiet crowd, kids, etc.)
- Is there water close by? Babbling creeks can add to the ambiance, but stagnant ponds only add mosquitoes. Minimum impact guidelines suggest camping at least 100 feet from water sources.
- Are fees or reservations required?
- What are the rules about quiet hours, dogs, alcohol, number of vehicles, etc. for the site?
- What kind of wildlife is known to be in the area? Bears and raccoons are notorious supply raiders so you will need to know how to secure your gear from them.
- If you are on a slope, does everything look stable above you?
- Where's the bathroom? If you are at a developed campground, this means your distance to the bathhouse. In the backcountry, this means your proximity to a suitable latrine. Frequent users should be close by, but bathhouses usually mean extra light and noise at odd hours.