How to choose a site
- 1Check for permission first — parks and forests may require permits; never camp on private land without the owner's OK.
- 2Scan for overhead and lightning hazards — no dead trees or hanging limbs above the tents, and not the lone tree, mountaintop, or high ridge in a storm.
- 3Rule out flood-prone low ground — avoid valleys, canyons, and shallow riverbanks; watch for signs like debris caught in brush or grass bent one way.
- 4Choose a durable surface or established site — rock, gravel, sand, compacted soil, dry grass, or snow.
- 5Check size and layout — room for the patrol's tents and a separate cooking area, with space to walk without tripping over guylines.
- 6Judge comfort — the flattest spot; in summer seek shade and breeze, in winter a natural windbreak.
- 7Confirm water and terrain — usable water for drinking and cleaning (treat wild water; public supplies are safest), plus good drainage.
- 8Respect privacy — set up away from others, screen with terrain, and keep quiet hours.
When to use it
- Every campout — the first big decision that shapes how safe and comfortable the trip is.
- Backcountry site-finding where there's no established site — choosing durable ground and safe terrain.
- Teaching the "look up, look down, look around" habit before a single stake goes in.
Common mistakes & safety
- "Widowmakers" are a top killer. A dead tree or heavy dead limb can drop in wind and crush a tent — look up before you pitch, every time.
- Never camp in a flash-flood zone. A dry wash or low bank can become a torrent from a storm miles away — camp on higher, safe ground and read the terrain for flood signs.
- Avoid lightning targets — don't put your tent under the lone tall tree or on the exposed ridgetop.
- Separate cooking and sleeping areas — keep food smells and stoves away from tents (critical in bear country).
- Good drainage matters. A flat low spot floods; slightly higher, well-drained ground keeps you dry.
- Leave it as you found it — use durable surfaces, camp a set distance from water (commonly about 200 feet), and return moved objects.
Going deeper
- "Look up, look down, look around." Up for widowmakers and lightning, down for flat/drained/durable ground, around for water, flood risk, and other campers — a one-line site checklist.
- The best campsite is often an existing one. Reusing an established site concentrates impact and is usually flatter, better drained, and already cleared — safer and lower-impact.
- Cooking away from sleeping isn't just bear safety — it keeps stove fumes, spills, and food smells out of where you sleep.
Official source
How to choose a safe and comfortable campsite — Scout Life →Camp on durable surfaces and away from water per Leave No Trace. Maps to the Second Class camping requirements.