This weekend you and your family plan to float down the Missouri River and do some fishing and camping. And this time, you don’t want to get into a “discussion” with your spouse in front of the kids about the “best place” to put your tent, even though you know you’re always right! Here are some tips for making the most of your campsite and the location of your tent.
Whether you camp in a national park, national forest or state forest, there are specific and different rules for each. But generally, most agencies ask that campers set up their tents at least 200 feet from the nearest water source. This is because agencies want to prevent people from contaminating the water as well as protect sensitive plants near the shoreline. When selecting the perfect spot for your tent be sure to keep a safe distance from the nearest water source.
When setting up your tent, you’ll also want to keep fire safety and food storage in mind. The last thing you want to do is set up your tent too close to the campfire or cooking area. Food should be kept in air tight storage containers and in your locked car to prevent attracting bears and other critters.
But don’t let the rules bog you down. Comfort is important too when it comes to selecting your dream campsite and setting up your tent in the best spot. When arriving at your campsite, look for flat, not too bumpy ground with good drainage. Have you ever slept in a tent set up on a steep slope? If so, then you know what a bad idea it is. Who wants to slide downhill while sleeping? Then again, if it rains, you don’t want your tent on perfectly flat ground either since water will pool beneath you. Even if there’s the slightest chance for rain in the forecast, it’s better to camp on higher ground. And speaking of rain, what if there’s a thunderstorm? Lush meadows might look inviting for backcountry camping but such a setting makes you the tallest thing around if a thunderstorm blows through. Opt instead for areas with thicker vegetation that’s taller than your tent.
Once you’ve found what you and your spouse or fellow campers have agreed is the best spot, you’re ready to clear the area of any branches, twigs or big rocks to make the ground as comfortable as possible to lie on. With the area cleared of unwanted debris, lay a waterproof tarp or cloth down on the ground. This ground cloth will work as a thin barrier of protection against anything that might puncture the floor of your tent. In addition, a ground cloth prevents ground-level condensation from getting into your tent. Depending on the weather predicted for the period of your stay, you may want to bring extra ground cloths to use as rain shields in your cooking area or as a separate low-tech shelter.
Some of the most miserable camping trips are the ones where your clothes are damp or wet. This is why putting an additional tarp or rain fly on your tent is essential. A rain fly is a waterproof tarp that keeps your tent dry from rain or dew. And, finally, your next float trip would be a real bummer if your tent blew away. Be sure to stake your tent to the ground. But if you don’t have stakes or the ground is too rocky, then tie the tent down to nearby trees, but be careful not to trip over the ropes.
