Senior NOLS Instructor Advises Field & Stream on Picking Campsites

Photo by Molly Hagbrand.

Field & Stream recently sought Senior NOLS Instructor Marco Johnson’s advice on choosing a campsite. Whether you’re car camping or backpacking, Johnson recommends taking possible weather events into account, resisting the urge to violate Leave No Trace practices, and knowing how to set up your shelter before heading out.

“It’s late. Your shoulders are tired from carrying a pack, or your ass is tired from driving on rutted roads, and all you want is to find a camping spot and stay. But before you commit to the first place that suggests it could house a tent, there are a couple of questions you’ll want to ask yourself:

Am I a late sleeper? Do I want to watch the sunrise? Are there bears around? Do I want an Instagram-worthy spot without being that guy that pitched his tent on a wind-swept ledge?

The good news is, you can have beauty, comfort, and safety, but you’ll have to be willing to work for it. Next time you pull up to a campsite for the night, either in your truck or on your own two feet, think of these 10 ways to maximize your comfort and minimize the danger.”

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