If you’re reading this then you’re probably ready to embark on your first wild camping experience. You’ve checked the legal guidance on wild camping in the UK, researched and sorted all the equipment you’ll need and now it’s time to head out into the wild. But, how do you find the perfect pitch? This guide that will answer that question and will give you the confidence you need to find somewhere to wild camp. 

Choosing the perfect pitch for wild camping

Finding somewhere to wild camp is definitely made easier with a bit of map reading knowledge. You can of course take inspiration from where others have wild camped on social media and blogs. However, responsible wild campers are unlikely to give away their locations and instead encourage you to find your own. That’s why if you have a map of the area you’re thinking of wild camping in, you’ll be able to locate flat spots, water sources and public footpaths.

What to look for in the perfect wild camping pitch

When looking for the perfect pitch for wild camping you’ll probably want to consider these points;

• Is it a sheltered spot? You don’t want to be trying to sleep through winds buffeting your tent or trying to pitch or take your tent down in windy conditions
• The location – it should be hidden and discreet. So, away from roads, footpaths and hidden from where people can see you
• Is the ground flat- you don’t want to be rolling to either side or the end of your tent in the night. Choosing a flat site will give you a much more comfortable night’s sleep
• Do you need a water source? Unless you’ve carried up all the water you’ll need then you probably want to find a spot next to some form of water source

How to find the perfect wild camping pitch

The best way to find the perfect wild camping pitch is to be observant. Next time you’re out hiking in a place you’d love to camp, keep an eye out for potential pitches. I like to pin locations on my phone onto Google Maps then I can research them when I’m home. I do this using Google satellite view and on OS maps. 

If you aren’t planning on heading out for a hike to do some pre-checks, then this is where map reading comes in handy. You don’t need to be able to read a map fully to find a wild camping spot but the tips below will help.

Using OS maps to find the perfect wild camping pitch

Using OS (Ordnance Survey) map legends – imagine this to be like a little key that tells you what things are on a map. It will show you where footpaths are, how steep the land is and where water sources are as well as much more.

 I would always recommend having a paper OS map to hand but if you don’t then you can use Bing’s mapping service. It has a free OS layer to scour the area you’re thinking of wild camping in. Looking at an area in the Lake District using that mapping service, you can see possible wild camping spots next to a small tarn.

I’d then cross-reference this with the satellite view to find potential wild camping spots around the tarn.

If you’re heading somewhere unknown for your wild camp, you need to be ready for plans to change without warning or to be faced with something different from what you expected. 

In the UK, you’re also expected to follow a few simple rules when wild camping. These include;

• Choosing a remote location away from built-up areas and private dwellings
• Outside of Scotland, camping above the highest boundary wall such as a farm wall 
• Pitch your tent late (just before sunset) and leave early (just after sunrise)
• Keep group sizes small.Tthis isn’t an opportunity for you and ten of your mates to live it up in the mountains
• Avoid sensitive areas like wildlife hot-spots, nature reserves, farmlands, SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) areas

Finding somewhere to wild camp is part of the fun so try to enjoy the whole process and don’t worry if something doesn’t quite go to plan. For my next post I’ll be telling you all about the Leave No Trace principle and why it’s so important for wild camping.

Please do let me know if you found this useful!