Finding the best place to setup camp can be done in two
ways:
1. Find sites at campgrounds near
you. Check out our partner websites for this information.
2. Trek into the backcountry and find
the perfect natural area to pitch your tent. This is what the article below
will discuss.
Whether you are camping at a campground or in the
backcountry, the first thing you must do is plan ahead before leaving home
(reading this is a great start!). Always leave a copy of your camping plan/itinerary
with someone back at home for search and rescue reasons in case you become
lost. Also, always plan to pack out whatever you pack in so the natural beauty
of the environment can stay intact. Printing off the Camping Checklist is good
supplement to the planning process.
Finding your camping area should be determined primarily by
the gear you have. If you plan on sleeping in your vehicle, make sure your camping
area is vehicle-accessible. If you are going to sleep in a tent, you need to
pitch it on a level surface, no closer than 70 yards away from a source of
water (such as a river) and if you are near water, be sure to camp above the
high water mark. The same a
dvice should be followed if you are planning to
sleep out under the stars and however you decide to camp, the subsequent “don’ts”
should be remembered:
·
Don’t camp in a dried wash (it could flood
during a storm).
·
Don’t camp on a ridge (you become a high point
for lightning to strike).
·
Don’t camp under a tree (branches can fall on
you and trees act a good lightning rods)
·
Don’t camp directly next to a road or highway
(out-of-control vehicles may strike your campsite)
·
Don’t camp in an area which appears to be a
bedding area for wild animals.
So, with all of these “don’ts” followed, what are the “dos?”
Well, after creating and implementing your plan and understanding the “don’ts,”
the rest is up to you and what you prefer! Find a camping area which you will
enjoy, one which will take your breath away when you wake up in the morning and
one which is minutes away from other activities you plan on doing.
