When you go on a camping holiday, there are quite a few things to consider; what to pack, where to go, and what to do when you get there. One thing that is vital, yet often somewhat overlooked, is choosing the right spot to pitch. Many campers have had the misfortune of arriving somewhere late at night, pitching their tent in darkness, then waking up the next morning to find themselves in a less than perfect position. Here are some of the top factors to consider when you choose your camping spot.
Toilets & Showers
Find out where the toilets and showers at your campsite are, and choose a median spot if you can. You don’t want to be too far away, or you’ll have to make a long trek to the showers every morning, but you also don’t want to be too close or you’ll have a constant parade of campers passing you to reach the facilities.
Level Ground
Camping trailers offer an advantage over tents, in that you don’t have to worry about lumps and bumps in the ground sticking into your back while you’re trying to sleep, but finding a spot that is on flat ground, away from slopes, will make it easier to get pitched level so that you don’t have things rolling around inside.
Avoid Trees
It may be tempting to pitch under the trees for some shade, especially in the heat of summer, but they present a range of disadvantages. Trees can drip sap, and provide convenient perches for birds to decorate your tent. If it rains, you can find rain dripping from the trees long after the weather has cleared up, and it can be downright dangerous to be underneath a tree in a thunderstorm. Better to stay away!
Check for Water and Hollows
Look for where water might flow or settle if it rains, and pitch on higher, drier ground – whilst again, this is less of a concern when you have a camping trailer to lift you off the ground, you still don’t want to step out in the morning right into a puddle.
By making sure that you arrive in time to choose your pitch in daylight, and by bearing these tips in mind, you’ll be able to find the best pitching spot possible every time and enjoy a stress-free camping holiday.