Campsite Selection Score
Score a candidate campsite from 0 to 100 using wind, slope, drainage, hazards, and water proximity.
Inputs
Result
A natural placement between the calculator and the explanation.
What this solves — and what it doesn't
Picking a campsite by eye is mostly a feel thing; picking one with a checklist is more reliable. This score uses the six factors that experienced trip leaders look at: ground slope, wind exposure, drainage, overhead hazards, distance to water, and insect pressure. Each factor contributes up to ~20 points; the sum is normalized to 0 to 100.
How to read the result
80+ Excellent — pitch confidently.
60 to 80 Good — minor compromises but acceptable.
40 to 60 Marginal — sleep with one ear open, especially in shifting weather.
<40 — keep walking.
The single most important inputs are overhead hazards and water distance: trees kill, and water too close attracts insects and flooding. The slope input penalizes any tilt >2° because you will slide downhill all night.
Limitations
- No bear-proximity factor (see Bear Country Storage Score).
- No model of cold-air pooling — valley floors are colder than slopes on clear nights.
- Score is binary on many factors; real life is gradient.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal slope?
1 to 5°. Flat enough to sleep, sloped enough to drain.
How close should water be?
About 60 m is the Leave No Trace sweet spot — close enough to fetch, far enough to keep insects and flood risk down.
What about avalanches?
Out of scope; consult avalanche forecasts for your area.