10 Tips for the Best Campsite

If you want to have the best campsite, you need more than just the right equipment. It’s important to know how to set everything up to work right together.

Your campsite should be comfortable and well organized to ensure you have the gear you need where you’ll use it. Part of your comfort is understanding where the water sources are, the restrooms are located, and any necessary electrical connections. Sometimes these items are what you make them to be; other times, you’ve got a campsite that comes with a full list of amenities. Here are ten tips to make sure you have a great campsite.

1. Location, Location, Location

It’s true in real estate, and it’s also true when selecting the campsite where you’ll spend your time. You want the area to be flat with good drainage that should flow away from your tent and eating areas. Find a spot that has a good view of what you want to see but also offers some trees to protect your temporary home from high winds. Check the trees around your site; avoid camping near dead or dying trees. These trees could come down on your tent during some winds at night.

2. Plan Your Camping Setup At Home

Before you ever head into the woods, practice and prepare for what you’ll face when you get there. If you want to have the best campsite for your time outdoors, you’ve got to know what you’ve got and how you want to set it up. Spend a weekend camping in your backyard and try out different configurations to find the right one to give your campsite the best look and feel. This also allows you to understand the importance of locating the restroom and your water source.

3. Some Sites Require Reservations, Check the Map First

If you’re camping in a place that requires a reservation, choose the site you want and put your reservation in for that location. You might want to have a campsite at the end of the run so you only have one neighbor, or you might want to be close to the water and restrooms. If you have children, you’ll want to avoid sites close to bodies of water or cliffs to help keep your kid safe. This planning can give you the best campsite in the park.

4. Pack the Right Gear

Are you going car camping? If so, don’t leave anything at home that you might need. Remember, the Boy Scout Motto is “Be Prepared,” and if you have room to bring it, you should. Just because you don’t use something during this camping trip doesn’t mean it was a bad idea to bring these items with you. If you’re going backpacking, you’ll need to be a bit more selective about the items you choose to carry in your pack.

5. Make Comfort a Priority

The more comfortable you are, the better your camping experience will be. Setting up the best campsite also means making the area comfortable and useful. When car camping, you’ll want to bring chairs, tables, and cots along for better sitting and sleeping arrangements. If you’re backpacking, a collapsible camp stool could be nice, and an inflatable sleeping pad might make the ground more comfortable than without it. The more comfortable you are, the more likely you’ll want to go camping again.

6. Extra Tents Can Come in Very Handy

How will you keep your kitchen gear dry if it begins to rain? Do you want to track mud and dirt into your sleeping tent? A canopy is a great way to set up a camp kitchen with some rain protection, and an extra tent can be great for storing gear that gets dirty so that you don’t track that dirt into your sleeping tent. Before you head out into the wilderness, you’ll want to waterproof your tends with sealant.

7. Avoid the Crowds and Go During the Week

If you have a flexible job that allows you to work on a weekend and take a few days off during the week, go camping during the week, and avoid the crowds. Most likely, when you do this, you’ll be able to secure the best campsite in the park and enjoy the trails and wilderness without other people bothering you. If you plan your trip this way, you’ll enjoy a more relaxing camping trip and know that you’ve got a great place to enjoy without other people annoying you.

8. Keep the Bugs Away in a Screened-In Tent

Unfortunately, bugs are part of camping in the wilderness. You can put all the repellent you want on your body, but that won’t keep the bugs off of your food. Some screened-in tents are large enough to fit a picnic table inside and offer a great way to keep the flying insects away. Make sure your camping companions know to zip up the screen to avoid allowing bugs to enter.

9. Practice Building Campfires at Home

Part of your weekend home camping experience should be building fires and understanding how they work. You’ll want to start with small items called tinder and patiently work your way up to logs. Learn how hot fires can be and cook your meals over the fire during your home camping weekends. Of course, you should keep a fire extinguisher ready in case of a problem. This is a good item to pack in your camping gear as well.

Pro Tip: Pack a few starter logs in case it begins to rain, and you still need/want a fire for cooking. At least with these logs, you’ll get a fire and can prepare your meals.

10. Bring the Good Coffee

Most of us aren’t used to being out in the wilderness and on the go all day long. If you work an office job and getting into the wilderness is your getaway, you will need a good wake-up call in the morning. Part of having the best campsite is also having good coffee. Practice making coffee during your home-camping weekend so that you’ll be ready when it’s time to make your morning cup of Joe out in the wilderness.

Use these ten tips to have the best campsite in the park. Other people might ask you for some tips, which you can now share with them.