by Larry Darter

Created on: February 18, 2010

When looking for good a campsite, there are both practical and aesthetic considerations that go into the selection process.  Site selection is important not only from the perspective of comfort but of safety as well. 

It is always good to choose the most beautiful spot available, for example a site where a tent will be warmed by the sun when it rises and one that offers a nice view from the tent doorway.  As far as practical considerations, a site with suitable pitch, a spot sheltered from wind and not within a dangerous area like a dry creek bed that might suddenly become a rushing torrent during inclement weather are things to be considered. 

Look for a spot that is away from the trail and other campers to maximize enjoyment.  The site should be as level as possible and free of small stones, twigs and other items that would disturb sleep.  It is difficult to sleep with the head either in a significant uphill or downhill position which is why finding a spot that is as close to level as possible is important.  The location for a tent can be groomed before stetting up a tent by removing by hand, small sticks and stones from the location.  Some experienced campers test a tent site first by laying down on it before making a final selection to determine its suitability.  The site should offer sufficient drainage in the event of rainy weather to eliminate the need to disturb the natural state of the location by digging trenches around the tent for water run-off. 

While modern tents are designed to be strong and virtually wind proof, it is always a good practice to choose a site that is not overly exposed.  Choosing a site that offers a windbreak in the way of large rocks or a stand of trees helps minimize the effects of strong, gusty winds. 

Choosing a campsite next to a lake or other body of water is always tempting from an aesthetic point of view, but such locations should be avoided in the interest of comfort as they are typically cold places to camp.  Cool air drops and warm air rises.  Water features are generally in low lying areas which are exactly where the cooler air currents will be drawn. 

Most people who enjoy the outdoors today follow the principles of “leave no trace” camping.  In summary, this important principle means leaving the campsite as close as possible to the condition it was in before use.  To follow the principle, try to choose a campsite that has been used previously and avoid pitching a tent on areas of fragile plant growth that will be damaged or destroyed.

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