After a long day hoofing it in the backcountry, the last thing you are going to want to do is spend an hour finding and setting up a campsite. There are an endless number of factors that are important to consider when trying to find a place to rest your head. These factors could include anything from exposure to the elements, where you put your tent, and realizing your proximity to other campers. It is suggested that you attempt to find a place where others have camped before by looking for things like flattened ground or fire pits; this way you are creating a minimal impact on the environment.
What I believe the most important thing to consider when finding a campsite is your overall exposure to the elements, this could mean anything from a fast flowing river to protection from wind and rain. When approaching what seems to be a potential campsite it would be in your best interest make sure you are protected from elemental factors. Camping under trees with big leaves will provide more cover from wind and rain than camping in the middle of a field. Another potential hazard to be aware of could be rising river waters due to flash flooding. You can avoid this hazard by camping away from the water source, I would suggest 100 feet away and at least 25 feet higher than the current water level in elevation. It is also important to camp away from “widow-makers” or dead trees that could have a possibility of falling on your campsite.
The next step when choosing a spot to camp is the location of your tent or other sleeping device. When searching for spot to place to camp you will want to find a relatively flat surface that has little to no hard ground cover such as rocks and debris. If the spot you decide to choose has a slope, it is best to orient your tent so that your head is faced uphill when you sleep to prevent sliding.
The last thing to consider when choosing your camp location is proximity to other campers. It is most important to do this when camping in a larger group. This might seem like the common sense thing to do; however, you would be surprised at the number of groups that are not courteous of others while on the trail. These are all some of the most important things to consider when choosing a campsite location, and always remember to be courteous and kind to the environment and others.