Last reviewed and updated: March 2026
One of the skills that separates experienced wild campers from beginners is choosing a good place to pitch a tent.
A great camping spot can mean a calm, comfortable night with beautiful views in the morning.
A poor one can mean wind shaking your tent all night, damp ground beneath you, or waking up to discover your tent is sitting in what has quietly become a small puddle.
Fortunately, finding a good wild camping spot is not complicated once you know what to look for.
A few simple checks can make a huge difference to how comfortable your night outdoors becomes.
The Short Answer
A good wild camping spot should be flat, sheltered from wind, and well drained.
Avoid low areas where water can collect and try to camp slightly away from paths or busy trails.
Most experienced wild campers arrive late, pitch discreetly, and leave early the next morning.
This helps protect the landscape and keeps the experience peaceful for everyone.
Look for Flat Ground
Flat ground makes a surprisingly big difference.
Sleeping on a slope might not sound like a problem when you pitch your tent, but it quickly becomes obvious once you lie down.
You will slowly slide toward the bottom of the tent all night.
Even a gentle slope can make sleeping uncomfortable, so take a minute to find a level patch of ground.
Avoid Low Spots
Low ground is one of the most common mistakes beginners make.
Small dips in the landscape can collect rainwater overnight.
If heavy rain arrives while you are asleep, water can start pooling under your tent.
Camping slightly higher up usually provides better drainage and helps keep the ground beneath you dry.
Find Shelter From the Wind
Wind is often more noticeable than cold while camping.
A strong breeze can make a tent flap noisily and pull heat away during the night.
Look for natural shelter such as:
small hills
rocky outcrops
groups of trees
Even a little protection from the wind can make a big difference to comfort.
Stay Away From Paths
Wild camping works best when it remains discreet.
Pitching your tent directly beside a popular path is rarely a good idea.
Not only will people walk past early in the morning, it can also attract unnecessary attention.
Most experienced wild campers choose spots slightly away from trails where the tent is less visible.
Our guide to Wild Camping for Beginners in the UK explains this unwritten rule in more detail.
Check the Ground Surface
Before pitching your tent, take a moment to look at the ground.
Sharp rocks, sticks, and uneven ground can make sleeping uncomfortable and may damage your groundsheet.
A patch of short grass is usually ideal for camping.
If you are carrying a lightweight setup, our guide to Best Lightweight Tents for UK Wild Camping explains what features help in rough terrain.
Think About the Morning View
This part is optional, but highly recommended.
If you are already hiking into the hills to camp, it is worth choosing a spot with a decent view.
Waking up to a quiet valley, lake, or sunrise over the hills is one of the best parts of wild camping.
And it makes the early morning coffee taste considerably better.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a good wild camping spot is mostly about common sense.
Look for flat ground, avoid areas where water might collect, and try to find some natural shelter from the wind.
Pitching slightly away from paths and leaving no trace helps keep wild camping respectful and sustainable.
With a bit of practice, spotting a good campsite becomes second nature.
And when you wake up to a quiet sunrise and a view stretching across the hills, you will be glad you spent an extra few minutes choosing the right place.
