Finding the perfect campsite for your group will go a long way to making a fun and eventful camping trip. (Shutterstock photo)
April 01, 2025
By Scott Linden
Yes, there is a perfect campsite. What there isn’t is a camping fairy who can wave her magic wand and plop you smack-dab in it, tent pitched and campfire blazing away.
The axiom “don’t sweat the small stuff” does not apply to camping, Niggling details make or break your experience. Attention to them will help ensure everyone in your group remains warm and dry, safe and happy for the duration of the trip. And it all starts with laying your ground cloth in the right spot.
PLAN AHEAD With camping’s rise in popularity in recent years, the days of piling everyone into the family truckster and heading for the piney woods in search of the perfect place to camp are pretty much over. You’ll need to do some pre-trip recon, most likely make a reservation (a must in popular locations) and do some ground truthing. Online mapping apps are a start, and many reservation websites have a map of the campground.
A shady spot will make your summer trip better so look around for trees that have good canopy coverage without any loose limbs hanging in the tree. (Scott Linden photo) PICK YOUR PLACE Consider creature comforts and conveniences. Camping close to restrooms may seem like a good idea until other campers begin tromping through or around your site. Things like auto and foot traffic and nearby water sources all contribute to the success of your outing.
Advertisement
If it’s going to be hot, pitch your tent in a place that is shaded most of the day. Camp on a rise and you might catch a breeze. Plop your camp in a low spot and cool air will settle there. South-facing slopes catch morning sun. If there’s a risk of wind, get out from underneath any trees that might shed a “widowmaker” branch in the middle of the night. If rain is in the forecast, the tree you’re under will drip on your tent for hours even after the rain has stopped. Speaking of rain, anticipate where runoff will come from and avoid that spot.
Not everyone lives by Mr. Roger’s “won’t you be my neighbor” credo. Space between sites or a visual barrier of trees will separate you from the party crowd or family with four screeching toddlers. An option is the walk-in campsites at many campgrounds, if you’re willing to haul gear from your rig to the site.
Choose a more secluded area to set up camp will lessen the effects of inconsiderate campers. (Shutterstock photo) If you’re through with formal campgrounds and willing to “boondock,” your choices are myriad. Just know that many national forests still want you to avoid certain areas, so ask in advance for their dispersed camping map.
Advertisement
PRIVATE ALTERNATIVES You might think of yourself as a rugged individualist, but when camping with the family, their needs come first. An energetic pack of kids might love a playground or swimming pool. You might require a level spot with RV hookups, a nearby snack bar, flushing toilets and laundry. While you won’t find all these things at a lot of public campgrounds, there is no shortage of independently owned private campgrounds that offer them, and many are located close to popular attractions.
While you may be capable of roughing it at a more primitive site, but keep the family's needs in mind when finding the right campsite. (Shutterstock photo) CONSIDER GOALS Your camping goals may be as simple as enjoying a change of scenery, a comfy lawn chair, an amusing Pinot Noir and a good book. But if you’re on a mission, add these considerations to your planning process:
Fishing: Look at proximity to a boat ramp, parking for your boat and trailer and distance from the stream or lake. Not an early riser? Remember some fishermen are and will be rocketing past before your first cup of coffee. Standing water also means mosquitoes.
Peace and Quiet: Check the aforementioned walk-in sites or backpack deeper into the woods. Arrive on a Monday when the working stiffs are gone. In many areas, campgrounds managed by agencies other than the U.S. Forest Service and state agencies are more peaceful when your usual spot is a mob scene.
Family Fun: Weigh the risks of kids on bikes and busy campground roads. Be considerate of other campers if your children are, um, boisterous. Or locate next to another family and share the misery. Find campgrounds with organized naturalist programs. Bone up on your capture-the-flag and scavenger hunt skills. Scout the entire area for hazards, from broken glass to ant hills to coyote dens. If you’re a newcomer to camping, park near the camp host, who might be able to help with fire-building and provide other advice.
To find the perfect campsite, consider the needs and wants of the entire party. (Shutterstock photo) GET GOING Camping is our golden ticket to outdoor adventure, whether that’s a child’s first hike or simply sitting around the campfire telling stories. In the end, a bad day in camp is better than a good day virtually anywhere else. Just don’t forget the insect repellent.
