A Beginner’s Guide To Campsite Set-Up

Are you starting out on your first-ever camping trip? But you don't know how to set up a campsite. Then please read on!

After several weeks of planning and you finally arrive at your camping destination. All of a sudden, you feel that you are stuck! You don’t know how to set up a campsite and now you need help with campsite setup ideas. This situation is something many first-time or beginner campers encounter. Despite doing a lot of planning and spending a lot of time researching and finding the right gear, many forget about this equally important, if not more, aspect of camping.

Related: Motorcycle Camping Tips For Beginners

Camping for beginners can be intimidating since it requires so many supplies and gear. Don't worry though; there are plenty of easy ways to get the best campsite setup even with little camping experience.

Follow these 7 ultimate campsite setup tips to make sure you have everything set up when night falls:

#1 Choosing a Campsite Location

Our beginner camping guide to setting up a campsite starts off with choosing the right location. One thing that you should remember is to not rush making decisions of your campsite location. You can determine the best campsite location by taking into consideration the following elements:

• Safety

Regardless of where you choose to camp, at an established campground or in the wild, you need to check and see if there are potential risks to your safety. For instance, it is common for campers to look for areas covered by trees, for the shade and to stay protected from damaging winds. However, there might be trees that drop dead limbs all of a sudden, which can be extremely damaging not just for your setup, but can also physically harm you.

Some other points to remember are:

1. Choose a location that is leveled and relatively high. If you choose an area that has even a gentle slope, you not only risk rolling out of your sleeping bag during the night, but may also face floods if it rains.
2. Once you reach the location, look for signs of mud or water marks to know if there has been flooding in the area previously. If you find such signs, it is definitely not a safe place to set up your campsite.
3. Make sure that you set up your tent away from any animal and hiking trails in order to not be disturbed during the night.

Yes, it may seem quite challenging to balance all these factors when choosing a campsite. But, all that is required is some common sense and planning. Before leaving, study the weather forecast for the whole week, check the tide tables, and also learn about the commonly found tree species to know their dying period.

• Water Source

Photo by Alí Díaz on Unsplash

Water is extremely essential for all camping activities, from drinking to cooking and more. Choose a campsite that gives you access to fresh water without having to walk a long way. Look for springs or streams and set up your campsite at a short distance from the same. After all, you wouldn’t want to walk for hours with a huge container every single day.

Related: How to carry and how much to carry?

#2 Setting Up a Tent

Photo by Kevin Payan on Unsplash

Once you choose the perfect location to set up a campsite, the next step is to pitch a tent. If you are RVing, then this would be an easy process. However, in the case of tent camping, there are some points you should remember:

• Find a place that is large and flat to pitch your tent.
• Remove pine cones, rocks, sticks, and any other debris you find at the spot. This is important because, in addition to making you uncomfortable while sleeping, these objects can also damage your tent.
• Place the tent in such a way that your head remains on the uphill while sleeping.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the T while setting up a tent.

Once your tent is set up, place your pillows, sleeping bag, clothes, and other items you want to keep dry inside the tent. However, when storing items inside the tent, make sure that they don’t touch the walls in order to prevent them from getting wet.

Remember, NEVER store food inside the tent. The reason for this is obvious; if you happen to camp in bear country, you are likely to attract bears, and could get seriously hurt. Even if not, the smell of food can attract rodents into your tent.

Related: How to pitch a tent?

#3 Fire Place Setup

Photo by Timon Wanner on Unsplash

Starting a fire at your campsite is essential not just for cooking, but also for staying warm during cold nights. It can also be a great spot to spend some relaxing time after a long walk to reach the campsite. While setting up the camp fire, make sure that it is at a decent distance from your tent to prevent accidents. If you can, dig a fire pit; this will help contain the embers.

Related: Ultimate Guide To Building A Campfire

#4 Toilet Setup