My go-to method for finding quiet campsites off the main trail

Tara Wright · 2026-03-04T14:01:49.672277+00:00

I look for small clearings just beyond ridge lines on my map. They're often empty and have great views.

Check the terrain between the trail and that clearing, rosebarnes. A small map contour line can hide a real world barrier. I look for spots behind a nasty thicket of slide alder, or a short but steep scree slope. Most hikers won't bushwhack through that even if they see your tent. A boulder field or a patch of deadfall works the same way.

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noah_brown6mo ago

Almost got lost once following a game trail that looked perfect on the map. Wound up in this little hidden bowl full of elk, completely invisible from the main path. Makes you realize how many good spots are just out of sight if you're willing to wander a bit.

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rosebarnes6mo ago

Wait, just beyond the ridge line? That sounds so close to where everyone else is hiking. How do you make sure other groups don't stumble right into your spot?

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