When you go camping, you may choose to camp at an established campsite. If you prefer a bit more spontaneity or a more private location, you’ll probably have to find and choose your own campsite. If that’s the case, you should keep in mind a few guidelines with which to choose the safest, most comfortable location.

First, before you even leave your home for your trip, do some research. Make sure you have any necessary permits for camping in the area you are planning on going to. If there are special regulations for campsites in that area, make sure you know them and are prepared to follow them.

Choose a site that has a clearing large enough for your tent, and an area of relatively level ground that seems to have sufficient drainage. Look at the surrounding area, and judge where water is likely to gather or run if it rains. If the area is already damp or marshy, pass it by–such places will be unbearably full of mosquitoes when darkness falls. Also, watch for thickets that are full of poison ivy, and take note of them while it is still daylight. If you camp in the shade of trees, avoid areas with dead or dying trees that might come down in strong winds.