Chapter 27

Camping - Selecting a Camp Site

When selecting a place to erect your tent, make certain that you are near good drinking water and ample fuel.

Remove rocks and tree limbs from the space you select to set your tent. Don’t pitch your tent among large trees, especially trees that are rotten.

Choose a place where water will run away from the tent as much as possible. After your tent is erected, dig a small trench around it about three inches deep close to the sidewall. Dig trenches at right angles to the main trench about three feet long and four inches deep to take care of the rain.

See Chapter 36 regarding excellent camp sites in Maine made possible by the Maine Forest Service. Many of these camp sites are located in good hunting and fishing territory, have well-built rock fireplaces and sheltered tables and benches.

BILL GORMAN > L.L.’s recommendations for choice and preparation of campsites was largely dictated by the tents that were available at the time. Most tents were made of canvas, and they had no floor. Digging a trench was the best way to divert rainwater that ran off the tent’s sides.