June 24, 2026 | Related: Tent Guide • Rain Guide
| Rule | Why | Exception |
|---|---|---|
| 1. High ground only | Cold air sinks. Low spots are 5-10°F colder and collect rain runoff. | Desert camping—low spots have more vegetation (shade) |
| 2. 200 feet from water | LNT regulation. Also: water reflects sound—you hear every frog and splash at 3AM. | Designated campground with established sites |
| 3. Natural windbreak | Tree line or boulder at your back blocks wind. Face tent door perpendicular to prevailing wind—door facing wind pressurizes tent and collapses it. | Hot summer—choose breezy site for cooling |
| 4. Flat but not perfectly flat | A 1% slope toward the feet prevents pooling if the floor leaks. Pitching perfectly flat means water pools in the bathtub floor. | Never pitch head-downhill—blood rushes to head, causes morning headache |
| 5. Check for dead branches above | "Widowmakers"—dead branches hanging in overhead trees—kill 2-3 campers per year in the U.S. Look up before pitching. | None—never pitch under dead branches |
| 6. Morning sun exposure | East-facing site gets sun at 6AM, warms tent, dries condensation by 8AM. West-facing site in shade until 10AM—tent stays damp. | Summer in desert—shade is preferred |
| 7. Avoid meadows | Grass releases moisture overnight—tent fly saturated with dew by morning. Meadows collect cold air drainage—often 5°F colder. | Established campground pads (cleared, compacted soil) |
| 8. Distance from fire ring | 15-20 feet minimum. Flying embers from pine firewood travel 12 feet and melt holes in nylon tent flies. The most common tent repair is patching ember holes. | None—keep distance or risk a $100 repair |
| Aspect | Established Campground | Dispersed (National Forest/BLM) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $15-35/night | Free (National Forest, BLM land) |
| Amenities | Picnic table, fire ring, bear locker, vault toilet, sometimes showers | None—bring everything, pack out everything |
| Reservations | Often required (recreation.gov, 6 months ahead for popular parks) | First-come, first-served |
| Crowds | Neighbors 20-50 feet away | Solitude—often alone for miles |
| Best resource | recreation.gov, ReserveAmerica.com | Gaia GPS (public land overlay), FreeRoam app |
Finding dispersed campsites: Gaia GPS ($40/year, premium membership with public land overlay) shows BLM and National Forest boundaries where dispersed camping is legal. Drive forest roads until you find a previously used site (existing fire ring, flat ground). Do not create new sites—the Leave No Trace directive is to camp on durable, already-impacted surfaces. A satellite messenger is essential for dispersed areas without cell service.
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