You've reached the camping location of your choice. Perhaps you are camping near a lovely lake. Perhaps you are nestled in a beautiful pine forest. Maybe you are located on a picturesque rolling prairie. No matter what camping location you have chosen, there are a few things you should consider when pitching that tent. The wrong location will make camping a miserable experience. The proper location, however, will make this activity more comfortable and enjoyable.
For the most part, try to choose a camping site away from the hustle and bustle of pathways, gathering spots, bathrooms, and garbage cans. While you are trying to sleep, these areas will continue to be full of noisy people and flashlight beams keeping you awake. Away from these detractions, you will sleep more soundly.
There is one exception, however, to this general rule. If you have young children, it may be worth a little extra distraction to be close to the bathrooms. Children tend to get scared while walking outside at night and may even refuse to get up and go if the journey to the bathroom is too far. Thus, a closer walk may make your child more comfortable. You may also want to create a makeshift bathroom from a large plastic ice cream container for nighttime bathroom excursions rather than attempting the trip to the bathrooms.
Another important point in identifying the perfect tenting spot is by looking at the natural conditions. It is important that you do not camp at the top of a hill or in an open area. These areas may be excessively windy causing you tent to blow away or be destroyed. Furthermore, you may become a target for lightening. In this way, it is important that there are ample trees and rocks around to reduce wind gusts and potential lightening hazards. Nonetheless, do not camp direct under trees as this increases lightening risks. Furthermore, the trees will tend to drip dew, pollen, sap, and leaves onto your tent.
Conversely, do not place your tent in a low lying area as your tent, bedding, and belongings will be either be soaked in the morning from dew and water drainage or your tent will be washed away from flash floods. Therefore, pitch your tent at least 200 meters from any lake or river, above the high water mark. Furthermore, do not camp near standing water as mosquitoes breed in standing water. Thus, the density of mosquitoes will be higher in these areas.
For the most part, try to choose a camping site away from the hustle and bustle of pathways, gathering spots, bathrooms, and garbage cans. While you are trying to sleep, these areas will continue to be full of noisy people and flashlight beams keeping you awake. Away from these detractions, you will sleep more soundly.
There is one exception, however, to this general rule. If you have young children, it may be worth a little extra distraction to be close to the bathrooms. Children tend to get scared while walking outside at night and may even refuse to get up and go if the journey to the bathroom is too far. Thus, a closer walk may make your child more comfortable. You may also want to create a makeshift bathroom from a large plastic ice cream container for nighttime bathroom excursions rather than attempting the trip to the bathrooms.
Another important point in identifying the perfect tenting spot is by looking at the natural conditions. It is important that you do not camp at the top of a hill or in an open area. These areas may be excessively windy causing you tent to blow away or be destroyed. Furthermore, you may become a target for lightening. In this way, it is important that there are ample trees and rocks around to reduce wind gusts and potential lightening hazards. Nonetheless, do not camp direct under trees as this increases lightening risks. Furthermore, the trees will tend to drip dew, pollen, sap, and leaves onto your tent.
Conversely, do not place your tent in a low lying area as your tent, bedding, and belongings will be either be soaked in the morning from dew and water drainage or your tent will be washed away from flash floods. Therefore, pitch your tent at least 200 meters from any lake or river, above the high water mark. Furthermore, do not camp near standing water as mosquitoes breed in standing water. Thus, the density of mosquitoes will be higher in these areas.
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