First Night Setup Checklist
Do these in order within the first 30 minutes of arriving at camp. Get this right and the rest of the evening takes care of itself.
Before You Touch Any Gear
- Walk the full campsite — identify drainage, wind direction, and level ground Don’t pitch until you’ve seen the whole site
- Locate the restroom and water source
- Note where the sun rises (don’t face your tent door east if you want to sleep in)
- Check for widow-makers — dead branches overhead that could fall
Pitch the Tent First
- Lay out footprint on chosen ground
- Assemble poles and thread through sleeves
- Stake four corners before attaching rainfly
- Attach and stake the rainfly Fly must not touch inner tent wall
- Run and stake all guylines
- Unroll sleeping pads and bags inside Bags need time to loft — do this first
Set Up the Kitchen
- Position kitchen downwind of tent Keep food smells away from sleeping area
- Place stove on a stable, level surface
- Fill water bottles or filter water if needed
- Identify where food will be stored overnight Bear box, hang point, or canister location
Before Dark
- Headlamp within reach
- All camp shoes at the tent door
- Items you may need at night inside the tent
- All food stored away from sleeping area
- Fire ring cleared and fire plan set (firewood? fire ban?)
Breaking Camp in the Morning
- Shake out tent for insects and debris
- Dry rainfly fully before packing if possible
- Pack sleeping bag and pad first
- Walk the site for all trash, including small wrappers and food scraps
- Drown fire ash completely — cold to the touch before leaving
- Leave the site better than you found it