No Trace Choosing a Campsite and Building a Fire M ost backcountry campsites were carved out of the landscape not by work crews with saws and shovels, but by sheer dint of their popularity. These same traits come to play in choosing a good no-trace campsite, but from a slightly different angle.
Convenience matters less than damage control.
Similarly, access to clean water is crucial for drinking and cooking. When you can't decide whether to use a site, look at the site piece by piece. In places with established, well-worn sites, the main objective is to confine tents, foot traffic, and other use to areas already damaged by previous use, and to prevent additional damage. Where sites are designated, follow the rules. Look for a level, well-drained tent pad at least 200 feet from water, trails, and other campers.