9 Tips For Finding The Best Campsite While Backpacking
Learning the skill of finding the best campsite while backpacking is certainly worthwhile. It is a skill that will reward you on each trip you take.
After a long day of hiking, you’re going to want to rest your head someplace nice. An ideal campsite is a beautiful one that you’ll feel safe and comfortable in. Though it doesn’t sound too complex, there is a lot that goes into finding the best campsite.
In some parks or forests, you need to book a campsite in advance. This means there will be an established site ready for you to set up at without needing much thought. These are great because someone already did the work of finding a decent place for you to set your tent up for the night.
Other times, you won’t have a reserved spot. You’ll have to find a place on your own.
This is where it gets fun. You can find incredible spots when its up to you, but you also need to be strategic and thoughtful of where you set up for the evening. Below are some guidelines for finding the best campsite for backpacking.
Tip #1: Look For Flat Ground
Before you set down your pack for the day, make sure your campsite has some flat ground. If you’re sleeping in a hammock at night, this is less of a concern for you. For anyone who takes shelter in a tent this is an important detail to take notice of.
If you pitch your tent on an incline, you’re going to notice it. Sleeping bags and sleeping pads are made of slippery material. That slope can cause you to slide around throughout the night, especially if your laying sideways against the hill. Even if the decline is slight, the need to constantly readjust throughout the night can be annoying.
If you decide to take on the hill head or feet first, you can reduce how much you slide around. When taking this approach, make sure you position yourself with your head higher than your feet. Sleeping the other way around can cause blood to rush to your head throughout the night, causing you to wake up with a nasty headache.
Tip #2: Stick to Higher Ground
Another must for finding the best campsite is looking for a spot that is higher than the surrounding area. Though you don’t necessarily want to be on the top of a hill, you should avoid low areas.
The main reason for this is to avoid pooling when it rains. Lower areas are where rainwater collect. If your tent is in that low area, you’re going to be sleeping in a puddle. No matter how waterproof your tent floor or footprint may be, it’ll soak right through when enough water collects beneath it.
Make Sure You Have All The Rain Gear You Need For The Trails, Read This!
Tip #3: Choose Shade Or Sun Wisely
A sunny campsite or a shady campsite – which is better?
Well, that depends on your personal needs and preferences. Consider the pros and cons of having your tent in the sun.
Warmth – Sunlight can really heat up the inside of a tent in the morning. This is wonderful on chilly mornings where you want a little warmth as you pack up your sleeping gear. On the other hand, in the peak of summer you might prefer a shaded area. This will help keep your tent cool so you can sleep in a little later without feeling overheated.
Light – Mornings in the woods can get bright fast. This is great if you are on a tight schedule with many miles to cover a day. You have a natural alarm clock keeping you from sleeping in too late. However, if you’re trying to catch up on sleep after a hard day of hiking, you might want to choose a shaded area.
Tip #4: Don’t Be Over Exposed
When it comes to finding the best campsite, balance is key. You want it to be open enough for you to set up your tent, have a safe fire, hang up wet or smelly gear, and still have room to hang out. However, you do still want some vegetation.
If you can help it, try not to set up on any exposed hilltops or ridges. This is especially true if you are unsure what the weather is going to be like. Having some nearby tree and brush coverage can help block or cut back some of the strong winds. They will also keep you from being the tallest thing out there when lightning strikes.
It’s also simply nice to have some privacy. If you’re washing up or changing clothes, you don’t want to be completely out in the open.
Tip #5: Check For Hazards
Before you pitch your tent, make sure you scope out your surroundings thoroughly for potential hazards.
Unhealthy trees or hanging branches that could fall in the wind are things you should look out for. If you’re on a mountain or bluff, be sure to keep distance from any unstable boulders or hills with loose rock. You never know when things are going to start sliding.
Tip #6: Seek Out Nearby Water
Every backpacker has spent a night or two at a campsite that is far from water. Though it’s certainly manageable, it’s a lot more comfortable to camp out near a water source. Just make sure you’re at least 200 feet away from it.
Finding a campsite near a lake, stream, or river provides convenient access to water. You don’t have to think twice about using a couple cups to hydrate a meal or make a cup of coffee in the morning – there’s plenty to go around!
When you don’t have water access, you need to be more strategic with your water usage.
Tip #7: Look For Natural Furniture
If you’re cutting back on weight and don’t want to bring along a hammock or a chair, finding the best campsite means finding one with furniture. I’m not referring to couches or benches, though some may offer picnic tables. Fallen trees, boulders, or large rocks are nature’s furniture.
Sitting criss-cross-applesauce in the dirt is fine for an hour or so but doing it all night will get old. You’ll be far more comfortable if you have something to sit on. Even if it’s a hard, cold rock.
Tip #8: Take Note of Trails
Don’t set up camp until you check out the nearby trails and paths. Pitching your tent then realizing you are 25 yards from a trail you didn’t notice can be frustrating. Avoid that annoyance by scoping out the area first.
Some forests will require you to camp out of sight of trails This is a good rule to follow if you don’t have a designated campsite. It will give you privacy and keep you from disturbing the views of the other hikers.
Be sure to also take note of animal trails. While it could be a treat to see a deer stroll past your tent, a bear may also utilize that trail. Even if you stored your food properly, you don’t want a bear visiting your campsite.
Tip #9: Find One With Views
If you’re going to spend the night somewhere, spend it somewhere beautiful. The best campsites are those that make you take one last look over your shoulder in appreciation when you leave them.
Cover photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
