Congratulations on deciding to pack your bags for a chance to get closer to nature! The hard work of deciding your destination is already complete and now it’s time to relax. But wait, you haven’t asked the most important question yet! How do you set up a perfect campsite?
Although incredibly important, this step is often overlooked in the excitement of arriving at a potential campsite. Taking a few extra minutes to follow a few of my suggested tips will ensure you have a campsite and adventure to remember.
What factors are important in choosing a campsite?
Before you jump ahead to pitching your tent or even packing your bags, there are a few key factors that go into ensuring you have the perfect campsite. Some of these factors will depend on the type of camping you intend to choose. Others will need to be taken into consideration before even leaving the house.
The important factors that are important for choosing a perfect campsite are:
- Location
- Organization
- Gear
- Comfort
- Food and drinks
Below I will examine each of these topics in more depth. Feel free to skip around if you have already mastered one or more of these principles. Or possibly have a quick read-through and see if you can add something new to your camping arsenal.
How to pick the right campsite (location)
The first step in answering, “How do you set up a perfect campsite?” is by examining the location. Picking the right location is more than showing up at a campground and choosing a suitable campsite. When deciding on a location, it is important to consider what is available around the destination. If you are camping at a designated campground this includes the campground’s facilities such as bathrooms, water sources, campfire rings, the maximum group size, and if reservations are required. If you are camping remotely, it means checking water sources and weather patterns.
Choosing the right tent location
Once the campground is chosen the next step is finding the best location to pitch your tent or park your RV. When dealing with RV camping, ensuring you have access to water and power hookups at your site may be important to you. Whether you are parking on concrete pads or dirt pads may make a difference. Back-in or pull-through campsites are also important considerations.
With tent camping, there are a few more factors to take into consideration. Level ground is incredibly important to ensure proper drainage. Make sure the potential campsite is not located in too low or too high of a place. This way your campsite won’t be flooded out if it rains or struck in a lightning storm. The ideal location is also away from the middle of a field and away from any edges or cliffs. If you have decided to camp in a sunny area, nearby trees can provide ample shade as well as protection from high winds. Just be sure to check that the trees are healthy to avoid the risk of injury from falling limbs. Choosing a tent location that’s free of rocks, protruding roots, and other vegetation will also simplify your setup!
The final key component is the actual setup of your campsite. If there is a fire pit that you intend to use, make sure your tent is set up a suitable distance away. This will ensure that no sparks melt holes in your tent. Also, be sure to place your tent in a location where the stakes and guidelines will not be in high-traffic areas as they can quickly become tripping hazards.
How do I keep my campsite and tent organized?
Keeping everything organized at your campsite is a cyclical process. It all starts with breaking down camp at the end of your last adventure. This is usually the time when you are exhausted after a last-minute swim or hike. You throw all of your gear into your vehicle promising yourself you will worry about it later. But how often does that actually happen?
Break Things Down Into Sections
To help out with organization, I like to break my campsite down into sections (kitchen, bedding, entertainment, etc) and have corresponding color baskets for each. I also designate one basket for all of the gear that must be washed or cleaned. This makes packing up all of my gear quick and easy and ensures everything goes into its correct storage location. When you arrive home the baskets can be stored away, as is, for the next trip. The wash basket can be cleaned and the items can then be put back into their appropriate containers. This ensures that everything you need will already be set and organized for your next trip.
Keeping your gear sorted and stored in containers helps avoid holes, mold, or other damage as well. It also makes arriving at your next campsite easier. No more digging through everything to find the tent pegs or mattress pump. Instead, everything will already be sorted and set ups will be a breeze.
Within minutes of arriving, my campsite is quickly organized into areas. I decide which area the tent will be in, where the kitchen will be located, and appropriate walking paths through the campsite. I can then grab the basket that corresponds to each area and get to work. To help with kitchen organization I also suggest using separate coolers for food and beverages. This will help with useless digging and help the ice stay cold for longer.
What basic camping gear do you need?
Ensuring you have the correct gear and only bringing what you need will save you the headache of overpacking and post-setup exhaustion. By bringing the correct gear you have already answered one of the main factors of the question, “How do you set up a perfect campsite?” I have provided a short list of the basic gear you will need on your next camping trip. This list may vary depending on the season or your desired camping location, but it is a good starting point.
Basic Camping Checklist
- Tent – Your tent is your main line of protection from the weather, bugs, and the sun on your next trip.
- Tent Stakes – Prevent your tent from flying away with sturdy tent stakes.
- Air mattress/ sleeping pad – Help insulate yourself from the ground with one of these options. The extra layer of comfort will also help you drift off to sleep.
- Sleeping bag – Depending on the season, a sleeping bag will make sure you stay comfortable and warm.
- Lanterns/headlamps – Multiple light sources are a must. Whether you are fixing a tent peg or walking to the bathrooms in the middle of the night, these will help you out.
- Cooking stove/grill – There is nothing like cooking off of a grill while camping. Just be sure you pack additional fuel in case you run out.
- Camping cookware – Avoid paper plates and plastic utensils which create excess garbage. A simple pot, pan, wooden spoon, and spatula are usually more than enough to cook even the most luxurious of meals.
- Table and chairs – A good, comfortable chair and camp table can not be overestimated. Pack collapsible options for both of these to save space.
- Cooler – Coolers are essential to keep food and beverages cold. This is certainly one of those items where price does make a difference.
- Trash bags – These can be used for everything from disposing of trash to storing wet items and clothes.
- First aid kit – First Aid kits allow you to always be prepared in case of an emergency.
- Toilet paper – Just trust me on this one. It’s better to have more than enough than none at all.
How do I make camping more comfortable?
After location, one of the most important parts of a camping trip is comfort. The level of comfort you will experience is often related to how the campsite is set up, food options, and hygiene. I have included a few key tips and tricks that can help make your next camping adventure as physically and mentally comfortable as possible.
Choose Your Location Based on the Weather
During the summer months choose a campsite someplace cooler such as near a beach, lake, or river. During colder months, make sure you choose a campsite that is more sheltered from harsh winds.
Arrive Early
Plan to arrive at your campsite as early as possible. This will ensure you are completely set up and organized well before dark.
Practice Before You Head Out
Try out all of your camping equipment at home before your trip. This way you’ll know you are not missing any pieces and that everything works correctly. It’s much easier to troubleshoot problems at home with easy access to the internet.
Beware of Moisture
Make sure nothing touches the inside walls when setting up your tent. Moisture in the air will often condense on the walls of the tent, making anything in contact with the walls wet as well.
Make Light Sources Easily Accessible
Check batteries and ensure extra flashlights are put in easy-to-reach places. Lanterns and Headlamps can be brought out before dark for a seamless transition to nighttime.
Keep Your Diet the Same
Big changes to your diet can result in intestinal issues and food comas. Skip the need to grill out for every meal and try to utilize some of the same foods and meal sizes you are used to eating at home. Feeling tired or sick from devouring “traditional camping” grub is not very comfortable.
Cook Easy Meals
Instead of packing your entire kitchen, stick to simple recipes while in the woods. There are many delicious one-pot recipes and/or meals that can be prepped in advance. This will free up your time spent cooking and cleaning dishes, and let you enjoy more of your trip. Watch this video here for some simple recipe ideas.
Pack Things to Do If It Rains
How do you set up a perfect campsite, you plan for all types of weather. Bad weather can often strike quickly and without warning, leaving you trapped inside for hours. Instead of sitting in boredom, plan ahead and bring along a book, puzzle, or board game.
Keep Your Sleep Schedule
Try to go to bed within an hour of your usual bedtime and wake up when you’d normally wake up. This will keep your body in homeostasis and you’ll get a deeper, more restful night of sleep.
Camp Someplace With Flush Toilets
I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who enjoyed using a pit toilet or porta-potty. Then imagine the smell if those same facilities are mismanaged or overused, especially during the high summer temperatures. Can you say uncomfortable?
Bring the Best Bedding You Can
Camping air mattresses are much more compact and lightweight, and have higher insulation values than sleeping pads. Long gone will be the days of waking up with a sore back or being up all night because your sleeping bag wasn’t warm enough.
Get Clean Before You Go to Sleep
There is nothing worse than going to bed sweaty and dirty. Take a little extra effort and shower off in the public restrooms, bring a portable shower or use baby wipes to clean up. Your sleep will thank you!
What are the best food and drinks to bring for camping?
Check out our article on great camping breakfasts
When deciding on which types of food to bring along there are three simple categories your food should fit into. Focus on bringing foods that are non-perishable, nutritionally dense, and easily packed.
Non-Perishable
Bringing along non-perishable foods reduces your reliance on refrigeration. This is increasingly important if you are camping for multiple days and you do not have easy access to ice. Foods such as peanut butter, trail mix, and granola bars are perfect options that fit this bill. You can certainly bring along items like milk, cheese, and bread but just remember to check the cooler space and how close the nearest ice machine is.
Foods That Fill You Up
Focus on bringing along foods that will help you feel fuller for longer. Foods high in protein such as almonds, avocados, and tuna are perfect for this. It’s ok to also bring along chips and junk food but make sure it doesn’t become the only item in your camping food basket. A quick check of the nutritional information label will ensure you stay full during your adventure.
Portability
When dealing with a preset amount of space, it is always important to make sure you utilize it correctly. That means focusing on foods that take up minimal space. Try to pack as many calories into a relatively small space as possible. Trail mix and granola bars are full of energy and don’t take up a lot of space.
Conclusion
Setting up a perfect campsite is not as hard as it may seem! Just follow some of the basic principles I have included in this article and you will certainly be well on your way. The next time someone asks, “How do you set up a perfect campsite?” tell them to focus on their gear, comfort, organization, and food and drinks. Happy Camping!