Avoiding Common Mistakes: What to Consider When Choosing a Camping Site

Where you’ll pitch your cabin tent may seem like a game-time decision, but the reality is that it requires a bit of forethought. The quality of a campsite can make or break your camping experience, and a poorly chosen site can jeopardize your comfort, convenience, and even safety. 

For that reason, you’ll want to avoid these common mistakes when choosing a campsite. 

This list should apply to just about every type of camping you might embark on. Whether pitching a tent in the backcountry, setting up camp at a family campground, or glamping at an all-inclusive retreat, read on for tips on how to choose the best campsite! 

Mistake #1: Not Booking Reservations Ahead of Time

Depending on your destination, you may or may not need to make reservations or secure permits before your trip. Many campgrounds, especially in National and State parks, operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so this won’t apply if you plan to camp at a campground that falls under those rules. For backcountry campers in National and State parks, you’ll likely have to secure a permit to legally set up camp. This varies from park to park, so it’s imperative to plan to avoid issues upon arrival.

On the other hand, most privately owned campgrounds will require you to book your campsite ahead of time. Showing up on the day without a proper booking could result in you being turned away. You don’t want your trip to end before you even start, so don’t let this be you! Settle on your campground and book as far as 6 months in advance to secure your spot. Campgrounds in popular destinations can fill up in a matter of seconds during peak season bookings, so be ready when the time comes.

Mistake #2: Failing to Research Amenities

The amenities you’ll seek out will depend heavily on personal preference, and their availability will vary depending on the type of camping you embark on. For backcountry campers – it’s just you and the wilderness! At a traditional-style campground, you can often find communal restrooms, showers, and water stations. Glampers will likely have access to a treasure trove of luxury amenities, sometimes including electricity, heat and A/C, WiFi, and much more. 

A common mistake is failing to research which amenities your campsite will offer, if any. Decide before your adventure what you’re willing to live without, and what you’re not. Then, pick a site that fits those needs. The last thing you want to do is show up to a campground assuming they’ll have a restroom, only to find out you’ll be making do with Mother Nature. Avoid these unpleasantries with just a little bit of thoughtful research.

Mistake #3: Underestimating the Importance of Location

Location, location, location! You may be in your favorite National Park or local wilderness preserve, but the location of your campsite matters just as much as the park you’re in. Underestimating the importance of this could leave you far from the resources you’ll wish you had. 

When settling on where to pitch your tent, consider the following:

• Proximity to campground amenities: How far is the walk to the bathroom, showers, and potable water sources? Will you be willing to make this walk in the middle of the night, or after a long, tiring day of activities? Odds are, you’re going to need to use relief areas and gather water at a minimum. Map out where relief areas, water sources, and any other amenities are about your campsite, and decide how far you’re willing to travel for them. 
• Car parking: How close can you park your car? Campsites either allow campers to drive directly up to their site or require you to walk in from designated parking areas. Walk-in sites will mean you’ll have to pack up and carry your camping accessories in. Take inventory of your gear before hitting the road, and assess whether or not walking into your campsite is something you’re willing to do. If not, be sure to confirm parking details before arrival. 
• Location views: Admittedly less important, but still worth considering, are the views! Nothing makes a camping trip memorable like unzipping your tent to a beautiful overlook. While this should be lower on your priority list, don’t forget about the impact of a picturesque view from camp.

Mistake #4: Not Considering Site Size

One of the more common mistakes made when picking a campsite is not considering site size. You should have a general idea of how much camping gear you’ll have, your party size, and the number of tents you’ll be bringing. In addition to the number of tents, be sure to make note of each tent’s dimensions. 

If you’re backpacking, you’ll have to make an educated guess on whether or not the site you’ve picked is of suitable size. If you’re visiting an established campground, do your due diligence beforehand to make sure your stuff will fit. Many campgrounds have limits on both capacity and the number of tents you can pitch. Imagine pitching your beautiful canvas cabin tent, only for campground personnel to ask you to take it down for taking up more space than they allow. Knowing size limits ahead of arrival will save you quite a big headache in the long run. 

Mistake #5: Overlooking Your Privacy Preferences

Do you prefer being around other enthusiastic campers happy to share experiences or being as far from other souls as possible? This is a major consideration that often goes overlooked when picking the perfect campsite. 

Ask yourself what type of experience you’re after, and plan accordingly. Odds are, most established campgrounds are going to have other campers around during peak seasons. If you’re someone who prefers solitude, consider picking a site farther from amenities to avoid crowds and commotion. If you want the community experience, pick a site near campground activities! While privacy levels won’t always be 100% within your control, it’s still important to consider what you can do to shape your experience. 

Mistake #6: Forgetting to Check Your Surroundings

Checking your surroundings is vital to both your comfort and your safety as a camper. When you arrive at camp, look up, down, and all around! 

Avoid pitching a tent directly under dead trees and branches. Whether just by pure chance or a gust of strong wind, you’ll risk being hit by a falling branch if you fail to check for unhealthy trees in the area. Not only does that sound like an unpleasant way to wake up, but it’s also incredibly dangerous. 

As for comfort, look for level ground and avoid bumpy patches of land. Unless camping in the desert sand, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a perfectly smooth site but do your best to clear large rocks and branches out of the way. 

Canvas tent camping can offer more comfort when it comes to bumpy ground. Unlike standard nylon tents, the thickness of a canvas cotton tent can help alleviate the discomfort of unavoidable bumps. When shopping for a canvas cotton tent, prioritizing quality will make all the difference in your comfort. White Duck tents are a great option for novice campers and experts alike who are seeking that next level of comfort.

Mistake #7: Ignoring the Itinerary

Unless you plan to simply stay put at your campsite all day, you’ll want to take into consideration your itinerary when choosing a campsite. Will you be hiking, fishing, mountain biking, or participating in other outdoor activities? If so, assess how far each activity is from your site. 

National and State parks can be huge. It’d be a real bummer to set up camp on the southern end of a park when all of your itinerary involves destinations on the northern end. Make a general outline of your plans and pick a site that’s within a reasonable distance. 

Campsites often lack cell service, so be sure to come prepared. Secure a map of the area before your trip and mark the locations of your site and any activities you plan to do while there. No matter how close your campsite is to your itinerary locations, you still risk getting lost without proper preparation.  

Wrapping It Up

Going camping is never as simple as packing up a tent and hitting the wilderness. It requires careful forethought to have a comfortable, convenient, and safe trip. Unfortunately, there’s a lot to consider, and many factors can slip between the cracks during your planning process. Many of these mistakes come down to one thing: camper preferences. Make note of what’s important to you as a camper, and do your research to ensure your site aligns well with your needs. 

Above all else, have fun! No matter how much you plan, there are bound to be unknowns when you show up to camp. Note the common mistakes made when choosing a campsite and follow these tips to ensure you come as prepared as possible.

Happy camping!