Learning a handful of fundamental camping skills turns an overnight stay outdoors from a stressful guessing game into a comfortable, safe experience. This guide walks you through the core practices that the National Park Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Leave No Trace recommend for beginners and families. You do not need expensive gear or years of experience, just the right knowledge and a willingness to prepare before you leave home. Every section pulls directly from official guidance, and we encourage you to check your specific park or campground rules because regulations can vary.
Choosing a Tent Site
The spot where you pitch your tent affects your safety, your sleep and the impact you leave on the land. The National Park Service advises campers to look for level ground that is not in a low, sunken area. The NPS warns that low and sunken areas can become extremely wet when it rains. The agency also cautions against camping near dead trees, under dead branches, or on ledges and high peaks where wind and lightning could become a hazard. Where there are no designated sites, it also says to camp away from ravines that might flood.
Leave No Trace, a widely used outdoor ethics program, recommends camping on durable surfaces such as established campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. The organization states that good campsites are found, not made, and that altering a site is not necessary. In popular frontcountry campgrounds, campsites are usually marked with a number and have a defined parking space, fire ring and picnic table, according to the National Park Service. In backcountry areas without designated sites, you need to pick a spot within the zone the park has defined for camping.
One of the most important rules for protecting water quality and wildlife is distance from water. Leave No Trace recommends camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. That is approximately 70 to 80 adult paces. Leave No Trace says this protects riparian (streamside) areas and leaves access routes for wildlife. When you arrive in the daylight, walk the boundary of your site and note any hazards before you start setting up. Making camp before dark lets you learn the terrain while you can still see it clearly.
Pitching Your Tent
The National Park Service’s setup guide breaks the task into a few straightforward steps. First, clear the area of sticks, rocks, pinecones and other debris. These objects are uncomfortable to sleep on and may puncture the floor of your tent. Next, orient the tent so that your head will be on the uphill side when you are lying down. This helps you sleep more comfortably on a slope. If your tent came with a groundcloth, or if you use a waterproof tarp, lay it down and then set up the tent on top of it. Make sure to fold any excess material under, because the NPS notes that an exposed edge will collect water rather than repel it. The park service encourages campers to practice setting up the tent at home before the trip, so the process feels familiar when you arrive at the site. For a deeper look at techniques and common mistakes, see our tent setup page.
Organizing the Campsite
A well-organized campsite separates three zones: the sleeping area, the cooking station and the eating area. The National Park Service explains that keeping a safe distance between these three parts makes the camp safer and more comfortable. When you arrive, walk the boundaries of your site and decide where each zone will be. That also gives you a chance to spot tripping hazards from tent stakes and lines near high-traffic paths.
Food storage is especially important because odors attract wildlife. The park service’s general campsite guide says that in bear country you should keep at least 200 feet between your cooking space and your sleeping space, and store food at least 200 feet from where you sleep. However, the same agency’s cooking page states that in bear country food should be stored 100 yards away from your tent. The two pages give different figures, so follow the rule of the park you are visiting. The NPS notes that many parks require a bear box or bag. Never leave food unattended, and do not sleep in clothes you wore while cooking. To learn more about arranging your camp efficiently, visit our campsite organization guide.
Camp Cooking Basics
Cooking outdoors is simpler when you prepare ahead of time. The National Park Service’s cooking in camp guide suggests that you practice using your camp stove at home if it is new to you. A stove that is difficult to start or has broken parts is much easier to deal with in the backyard than after dark at a remote site. Whether you cook over a fire or a stove, always wash your hands before touching food and after handling raw meat. Cleanliness is just as important outdoors as it is in a home kitchen.
For washing dishes, the park service recommends a three-bin method at frontcountry sites: wash cookware and utensils with warm water in the first bin, rinse them in clean warm water in the second bin, and then sanitize them in a third bin containing a solution of 2 teaspoons of household bleach per gallon of water. After the bleach rinse, let everything air dry. In the backcountry, the agency suggests using biodegradable soap and rinsing thoroughly. Always clean up immediately after eating to avoid attracting insects and animals. Our camp cooking skills page has more practical tips for meal planning and cleanup.
Treating Drinking Water
Water from a mountain stream may look clear, but the CDC says drinking water straight from a clear mountain stream is generally not safe, because germs from human or animal waste can get into lakes, rivers and streams. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that boiling is the best way to kill all types of germs, including viruses, bacteria and parasites. The CDC instructs campers to bring clear water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. At elevations above 6,500 feet, boil it for 3 minutes, and let it cool before use to avoid burns.
If boiling is not practical, the CDC recommends filtering the water first and then disinfecting it. Most portable filters remove parasites but not viruses or all bacteria. A filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller, or one certified for NSF standard 53 or 58 for cyst reduction, will take out parasites but not viruses. A filter with an absolute pore size of 0.3 micron or smaller removes bacteria and parasites, but still not viruses. Chemical disinfectants such as unscented household bleach, iodine or chlorine dioxide tablets can kill viruses and bacteria, but they may not kill parasites reliably. That is why the official guidance is to filter before you disinfect. The CDC also warns that no amount of boiling or disinfection can make water safe if it is contaminated with harmful chemicals, toxins or radioactive materials. In that case, you must use a different water source. Visit our drinking water resource for a step-by-step approach.
Hygiene and Waste Disposal
Properly disposing of human waste protects water sources, reduces the spread of illness and keeps the outdoors pleasant for everyone. Leave No Trace says that in most locations the most effective method is to bury feces in a cathole dug 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches in diameter. The cathole should be located at least 200 feet away from water, trails and campsites. Choose an inconspicuous site with dark, organic soil where possible, and if you are with a group or staying more than one night, disperse the catholes across a wide area rather than using the same place twice. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials when you are finished.
The CDC reinforces that handwashing is essential in remote areas. Wash your hands before handling food, eating and after using the toilet. If soap and clean water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Leave No Trace says to pack out all trash, leftover food and litter, and that burning trash is never recommended. It also reminds campers that even items marketed as biodegradable, such as wipes, should be packed out and not buried. For a complete walk‑through of how to manage cleanliness in the backcountry, see our hygiene and waste page.
Quick Reference Table
| Skill | Key Step | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing a tent site | Pick level, dry ground away from dead trees and water; camp 200 feet from lakes and streams. | National Park Service, Leave No Trace |
| Pitching a tent | Clear debris, orient head uphill, fold groundcloth edges under the tent. | National Park Service |
| Organizing the campsite | Separate sleeping, cooking and eating zones; store food away from tents, following park rules. | National Park Service |
| Camp cooking and dishwashing | Practice with your stove, wash hands, use a three-bin wash-rinse-sanitize system with bleach solution. | National Park Service |
| Treating drinking water | Boil for 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 feet), or filter and then disinfect; clear water can be unsafe. | CDC |
| Hygiene and waste | Bury feces in a cathole 6 to 8 inches deep, 200 feet from water; pack out trash; use hand sanitizer. | Leave No Trace, CDC |
Frequently asked questions
How far should I camp from a lake or stream?
Leave No Trace recommends camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. This distance helps protect water quality and gives wildlife room to access the water. Some parks may have stricter rules, so check the park’s website or ask a ranger.
What if I am camping above 6,500 feet and need to treat water?
The CDC advises that at elevations above 6,500 feet you should bring clear water to a rolling boil for 3 minutes instead of the standard 1 minute. The CDC says boiling kills all types of germs, including viruses, bacteria and parasites.
Can I just filter water and skip boiling or chemicals?
Filtration alone may not be enough. Most portable filters remove parasites but not viruses, according to the CDC. The agency recommends filtering the water first and then disinfecting it, for example with a chemical disinfectant, or with UV light in small amounts of clear water. The CDC says boiling kills all types of germs, and reverse osmosis filters remove parasites, bacteria and viruses.
Ready to dive deeper? Browse all of our beginner-friendly guides in the Camping Skills hub.
