Just a question, camping at campsite or in random?

[Armor Like Fire]

Hey guys viper here!
Wanting to get to know more about the people on here.

Do you guys hang in more like pre made camp sites or do you guys find a spot along the train randomly that hasn't really been deemed a camp site buy people?

The group I'm with we almost always go random spot that seems good somewhere along the trail we are on

[Gary_R]

depends if I want a fire or not. I like to use exsisting rings more than making new ones.
If I don't want a fire I just find a cool spot (with a view if I can) If I happen across a spot with a fire ring and suitable trees I will use it.

[crazyaznman]

I usually backpack along the AT trail so, usually I would just find a spot a few hundred feet off the trail and hammock out, u can build a small fire as long as u make the proper fire ring and contain it.

there are times just for convenience tho that i'd camp at a site or if i'm with a bunch of people who are tenting as well and have to have the proper "ground" to stick their tents down onto.

[FLRider]

Water is a defining factor with me, followed by whether or not I'm with a group.

Due to my camp and hiking habits, I need to be fairly near a water source (not more'n an hour's hike from my site, preferably when I wake and hike to it), which severely limits my possible campsites down here in FL. In the mountains, it's less of an issue.

If I'm camping with more than just a partner, it's always nice to camp somewhere with a common area. Most spots here in FL, that means at least a semi-prepared backwoods site. The underbrush is just a bit much otherwise.

Those're my defining reasons for finding camp where I do.

[Timberrr]

Like everyone else said - it depends.
Gumbo and I like to camp with friends and to introduce people to camping who haven't been before, or haven't been in a long time and therefore have an outdated view. So we try to go to campgrounds that are primitive enough to still be called camping but have comfortable facilities for the noobs.
But when it's just us, we like to pull up at random spots along the river bank and tie any two trees together.

[dakotaross]

If you're hiking, and just want to stop and sleep, then anywhere is good. Most want to stop close to water, and typically there are campsites nearby - and that means a cleared area with no brush between trees, perhaps a fire ring and more importantly, a sitting log.

[OneClick]

I AVOID campgrounds, state parks, established sites, and pretty much any place I think a human may have been before haha! Seriously, I love getting into a remote place or at least a quiet place away from the trails. It's a lot of fun to bushwack and end up "nowhere" and just set up camp.

[fallkniven]

I've been to an actual campsite twice in my life, and once was for the HF NJ annual hang. I avoid them like the plague!

[Armor Like Fire]

How come its so important that you guys are buy water? For filtration? Or view?

[Likeapuma]

How come its so important that you guys are buy water? For filtration? Or view?

I carry a 2L bladder and two 1L bottles... I drink a lot of water after a hike & like to drink a lot before I head out again. That, combined with cooking water, easily would use all my water.... And leave me with nothing to hike to the next source with.

Picking a spot near water makes drinking like a camel much easier. Plus, hopefully there's some scenery!