Here's a camping-tent-tipHere's a few camping-tent-tip ideas. When you are selecting your ideal camping site to pitch your tent, you want to look for a few different things. You'll want to look for a level, smooth area with little to no slope.
We've camped on a slope before and in the morning, we were all bunched up in the bottom of our bags and down at the end of the tent. If you can't avoid a slope, make sure you position your head on the high end. You'll end up like us, bunched up in the morning at the bottom of your bag, but at least you won't have a screaming headache.
You want to make sure that you are not around any dead trees. If a thunderstorm with strong winds come up, it is a possibility that the dead trees could fall. You certainly don't want to be in the way if that happens.
The reason here is drainage. If it rains hard, the water will pool around your tent. You may want to dig a trench around your tent if there is any doubt in your mind. A six inch trench will capture the drainage and keep it from soaking your tent. The last thing you want is your carefully planned out camping trip ending early because of being rained out.
Most modern tents have a rain fly that directs the water away from the tent. These are effective if installed properly. They can also eliminate the need to dig a trench. The Cabela's tent pictured below is a good example of an effective rain fly. Plus it is removable.
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Most campsites are near water. Lakes, rivers, streams and the like. If you're camping near a stream, make sure you are on the high ground. If the typical afternoon mountain downpour creates a sudden rise in water level, you don't want to be flooded out. In the event the downpour causes a flash flood, your life could be in danger, so choose the higher ground and preferably a little ways off from the water.
