Field notes on campsite selection
A practical look at campsite selection, written for people who want results rather than theory.
A simple checklist prevents the mistakes that happen when you are tired or in a hurry. We revisit this every 2 weeks and adjust as conditions change.
Weight, cost and durability pull in different directions, so it helps to rank them before comparing options. Budget about 10 dollars for this if you do not already own the basics.
Borrow or rent before you buy, especially for equipment you will use only a few times a year. We revisit this every 23 weeks and adjust as conditions change.
Local knowledge beats general advice, so ask people who have done it recently in the same place. In our tests this saved about 12 minutes per outing.
Maintenance takes minutes and adds years, yet it is the step most people skip. It matters most on longer trips, roughly anything over 24 kilometres.
Keep a small budget in reserve for the surprises that every plan eventually meets. It matters most on longer trips, roughly anything over 8 kilometres.
The best plan is the one you will actually follow, so keep it short enough to remember.