campsite

Backcountry Campsites -- Choosing a Site For Your Tent

Author: TG Contributor
Date: 2020-01-13

Share using:



When you venture beyond the campground into the backcountry, you'll find there are no nice, smooth camping sites just waiting for your tent. You take on the responsibility of finding your own home for the night and choosing the right tent site. While you may come across previously used sites if you're hiking a popular trail, often there are none, and you must know what to look for in a good camping site.

Choosing your tent site actually starts in the morning when you are preparing to start hiking. Decide how far you want to hike that day, take a look at your map, and find a water source to shoot for at that distance. Then that afternoon, as you approach the target water source, begin watching for good spots for the tent. Try to use an existing campsite. This minimizes the impact to the environment and helps keep the wilderness in a condition for everyone to enjoy. If there are no existing sites, here are some things to consider as you choose your site.

You'll want to be near water so you don't have to carry it so far, but set up camp at least 200 feet from the water source to safeguard against contaminants being washed into the water supply.

Try to put your tent on the highest spot so any rain drains away. Low spots collect water, and damp areas are often swarming with mosquitoes and black flies. Consider the season -- will you want shade to keep cool in the late afternoon, or will you want the sun to hit the tent early to warm it up? Situate your tent accordingly. Steer clear of poison ivy patches and stinging nettles or other poisonous plants.

Look down. Pick an area free from rocks, roots, or lumpy ground. It's okay to remove loose branches and debris, but don't chop live branches or dig rocks out of the ground. Then look up. You don't want to camp below a dead branch that might fall on your tent during the night. Now look around. Are there good tree branches to hang your food bag from? Hanging your food helps keep it safe from animals.

Know the regulations concerning campfires where you are hiking. If fires are allowed and you plan on having one, try to camp in an area with plenty of dead, downed wood. Never chop down a living tree for a fire; it won't burn anyway.

As you pack up in the morning and prepare to head down the trail, be considerate of the wilderness and of the next hikers to come through. Douse and stir the coals from your fire until you are absolutely sure they are cold. Make sure you pick up and pack out your trash, and try to make it look as if no one has camped there.

You won't always be able to find a campsite to satisfy all the criteria, but with practice, you'll know where you can compromise and still have a safeFree Reprint Articles, comfortable camping trip.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

N. B. Shepherd has backpacked thousands of miles in the United States and Canada. Read about her Appalachian Trail hike in her Appalachian Trail book, My Own Hike.

By: N. B. Shepherd


No Comments

Trending Blogs

Explore Activities
General Read More
Food of Sikkim
Explore Activities
Leisure Read More
Know the best places to visit in North east India: Meghalaya and more
Explore Activities
Adventure Rush Read More
Trekking in the lost kingdom of Mustang

Latest Blogs

Latest Blogs
Leisure Read More
8 incredible adventure trips you need to plan in Northeast India this summer 2024
Latest Blogs
Adventure Rush Read More
Ride on the Wild Side: 5 Wildlife Safari’s in North East India that will burn out your Film Roll
Latest Blogs
Adventure Rush Read More
7 interesting places you might not find in your usual Darjeeling itinerary
Latest Blogs
Adventure Rush Read More
2024 Literary Festivals: Embrace Mountain Culture and Local Writing in the Indian Hills
A call to all travel junkies
Share your amazing travel stories
&
inspire someone today!
Become a TOURGENIE contributor
Write for our blog
Want to explore more Activities?
Explore Activities
Trek to Goecha La
Trek to Goecha La
11 Days 10 Nights
Explore Activities
Ziro Music Festival
Ziro Music Festival
7 Days 6 Nights
Explore Activities
Lhuentshe Tshechu Festival Tour
Lhuentshe Tshechu Festival Tour
16 Days 15 Nights
PARTNERS
ADDRESS:
  • Near Co-Operative, Middle Sichey Gangtok, East Sikkim, India, 737101

    • booking@tourgenie.com
    • support@tourgenie.com