10 ways to choose a pitch in a campsite

Let us help with some tips

It is always nice to hear from guests that they have found the perfect pitch in a campsite. Camp owners often mention to us that they have guests who have been camping on the same pitch in their camp for years, because it is like a second home for them. However, we often hear comments that some guests move from pitch to pitch several times during their stay in the camp. Some camps have even started to charge extra to accommodate these relocations! CampMap is here to help you choose the best possible place before the actual arrival in the camp!

We have created a digital tool, which will provide all camping guests with a quick and easy way to search for pitches in campsites allowing them to answer the many questions which arise when choosing a campsite and a pitch.

Check out our tips to help you choose a pitch for your next camping holiday

1. What do you travel with?

It’s not the same whether you need to choose a pitch for a tent, camper or caravan. If you are traveling with a tent, when choosing a pitch, consider the size of the tent and its height. This way you will avoid problems with possible trees or branches on the camping pitch. The position of the trees is also important for accommodating a camper or caravan. If you are traveling with an RV or a caravan, pay attention to the access road to the pitch itself. CampMap allows you to see the size of the pitches on the map of the campsite, as well as the access road to each pitch and even the slope of the terrain in the campsite.

2. Position of the camping pitch

Do you want to be close to the sea? As far as possible from the rubbish or closer to the toilets? Position is certainly very important for a perfect camping experience, but each of us has different desires and priorities. If you think the front row is the perfect place, think again! Camping places in the first row are usually located along a promenade or a beach. Take this into account and check on the map what the first row looks like and whether it will be noisy on the pitch, if there is the main beach of the camp in front of it. Green fences are the most common solution to the privacy problem along promenades and roads in campsites, and you can check this out in the photos inside the map of each campsite.

When choosing a camping position, the most important thing is to consider the needs of your family or friends with whom you are traveling. Perhaps the proximity of the toilet is more important than staying by the sea.

3. Size

There is no consistent pitch size in campsites, average sizes are from 60 to 100 m2, but there are more and more camps that offer accommodation on places over 120 m2. The CampMap map offers you the ability to see the size of each pitch in the camp or to filter the plots depending on the size.

When choosing a place to camp, be sure to pay attention to whether you can park the car on the pitch, or it needs to be parked in a specially designated parking spot. Also, think about what you want to have on the pitch itself (awning, space for bicycles or a kayak, or maybe an outdoor kitchen).

If the camp does not have marked pitches and you have the freedom to choose your spot, take into consideration how much space are you occupying. Be considerate of other guests.

4. Electricity / water

Whether you prefer "back to basic" camping or camping with everything that modern life has to offer, water is something you cannot live without. In camps that have marked places, electricity is located on every pitch, and quite often water- and sometimes even drainage can be found on each camping pitch.

Check your packing list for camping and make sure to add a slightly longer power cord with CEE connection on it, that is standard plug today in most campsites across Europe.

5. Shade

Shade is an important factor when choosing a camping spot if you are traveling in the summer or late spring, especially if you are traveling with a tent and with children who may want a nap during the day. In the description of each pitch, CampMap is also showing the amount of shade on that camping spot. When setting up a tent or camper, it is desirable to consider the movement of the Sun.

6. Distance from the toilet

Campers who do not want to use their own toilet in the vehicle, or are traveling with a tent, often want to stay near the toilets. This is not only more suitable for going to the toilet at night, but also when people are older, or when you may want to feel safer if the children go to the bathroom on their own.

7. Surface / terrain

When camping, it is important to choose a pitch that has a predominantly flat surface. Various accessorise are available for the adjustment of a caravan or a motorhome, but when sleeping in a tent, the surface is quite important for the assembly of the tent itself. When creating maps for the camps, we made sure to indicate the type of surface in the description of the pitches. Slope of the terrain is also included. Quality photos are included in the description of each pitch to present the camp as faithfully as possible.

8. Expert evaluations

There are many different camping guides on the market. The German ADAC Campingführer has a reputation in Europe as a Camping Bible and it gets published at the beginning of each year. With the systematic annual testing and evaluation of campsites across Europe, it has built trust with campers, but has also set basic guidelines for all those who want to build their own camp. You will also find many other internet portals, where the campsites are presented and rated. Check the ratings of the campsites to ensure the quality of the service.

9. Guest reviews

In addition to expert opinions, almost all camping portals offer the opportunity for guests to rate their stay in a campsite. Spend time reading some of the reviews. You will most likely find some useful advice related to each camp and so you will have the opportunity to organize your camping trip better.

10. With or without a pet

If you are traveling with a pet, make sure you are not “hiding” that from the campsite where you are staying. We recommend notifying the campsite when booking or on the arrival. Camp owners will be happy to give you useful tips on the destination. As part of our maps, we have included a special section for dog owners. On the map you can see in which part of the camp you can stay with a dog and whether the camp may have a beach for dogs or some other facilities for pets.

Extra tip: Wi-Fi

And one more tip!

A quality Internet connection can often be a problem in campsites precisely because of their size or location. Our plan is to develop a layer of the map with the description of the strength of the internet on each camping pitch. Some campsites offer good internet coverage throughout the campsite, while some provide several Wi-fi hotspots within the campsite where guests have internet access.

There are more and more camps that are "No Wi-Fi" zones because the essence of camping is rest and relaxation.