How to Choose a Campsite when Backpacking

When backpacking, your choice of campsite can influence how you sleep and how you start your day. In short, campsite selection can make a backpacking trip enjoyable or miserable. There are a few simple things to remember when you're choosing a campsite for your next backpacking trip.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for water. You'll need water for bathing, drinking and food preparation. Pick a campsite within 100 to 150 feet of a water souce.

2. Set your tent up on bare ground. Look for a level spot that is not heavily covered with grass or flowers. By not camping on a heavily grassed area, you won't be harming any plants.

3. Get away from everyone else. Locate your campsite off the trail if you want privacy. However, don't veer far from the trail if you're a beginner.

4. Consider the sun. If you'd want a view of a beautiful sunrise, locate your campsite with that in mind. Maybe you'd like to sleep as long as possible the next morning and would like to not be disturbed by the sun. This is another consideration when locating a campsite.

5. Stay away from wet or damp areas--they breed lots of gnats and bugs.

6. If you can, grab a place that's underneath lots of trees. If it's hot, it'll act as shade. If it rains, you might be able to use a tarp and hang it from the branches.

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