How to pick a campsite and a pitch for beginners

For a first trip, pick a campground close to home with toilets and drinking water. Then pitch your tent on flat, dry, slightly raised ground, away from dead branches and the main path.

Choosing the campground

Pick a place that is easy, not remote. Look for these on the official page:

• A short drive, so you arrive in daylight.
• Toilets and drinking water on site.
• Marked pitches, so you do not wonder where to go.
• Clear rules on fires, quiet hours and food storage.
• A booking system, so you know you have a spot.

Check the official page for fees, closures and fire rules. The National Park Service camping pages are a good start for parks in the United States. For other places, use the authority that runs the site.

Choosing your pitch

Walk the site before you unpack. Look for:

1. Flat ground. Lie down if you are unsure.
2. Slightly raised. Water runs away from a high spot and settles in a low one.
3. No hazards overhead. Dead or broken branches can fall in wind.
4. Space from the path and the toilets, so the tent is quiet but you can still find the toilet at night.
5. Wind in mind. Face the door away from it. Trees or a hedge can help.

One exception

If it is very hot, shade matters more than a perfect view. Pick a pitch with morning shade, so the tent does not cook by 8 am. If rain is likely, high ground matters more than shade.

Common mistakes

• Pitching at the lowest, flattest spot, which floods.
• Pitching close to a stream, which can rise.
• Pitching right next to the toilet block, where lights and noise carry.

For the full plan on gear and setup, read how to set up a tent for the first time and the beginner camping gear checklist. Tell someone your plan and your return time.