Camping wild is a wonderful way to experience the natural world and ,at its best, it makes little environmental influence. But with increasing numbers of people wanting to escape into the wilderness, it is becoming more and more important to camp unobtrusively and leave no mark.

Wild camping is not permitted in many places, particularly in crowded lowland Britain. Wherever you are, find out about organizations responsible for managing wild spaces, and contact them to find out their policy on camping and shelter building. For example, it is fine to camp wild in remote parts of Scotland, but in England you must ask the landowner’s permission, except in national parks.

Camping is about having relaxation, sleeping outdoors, experiencing bad weather, and making do without modern conveniences. A busy, fully-equipped campsite seems to go against this, so seek out smaller, more remote places with easy access to open spaces and perhaps beaches. Better still, find a campsite with no road access: walking in makes a real adventure.

Finding the right spot to camp is the first step to guaranteeing a good night’s sleep. Choose a campsite with privacy and minimum influence on others and the environment. Try to use an area where people have obviously camped before rather than creating a new spot. When camping in woodland, avoid standing dead trees, which may fall on a windy night. Avoid animal runs and caves, and possible homes of biting insects. Make sure you have most protection on the windward side. If you make a fire, do so downwind of your shelter. Always consider what influence you might have on the natural world. Avoid damaging plants. A good campsite is found, not made—changing it should be unnecessary.

野外露营是体验大自然的绝佳方法，最好是对环境尽量不产生影响。但是随着越来越多的人想要从钢筋混泥土的城市逃离到大自然中，不引人注意地露营和不留下痕迹变得日益重要。

许多地方不允许野外露营，尤其是在人口稠密，地势低平的英国。不论你要到哪露营，都要找到负责管理野外的组织，联系他们，让他们计划露营，帮助你搭建帐篷。例如，在苏格兰较偏远地区露营就很好，但是在英国你要先征得土地所有者的允许，不过在国家公园则不需要获得任何允许。

露营意味着放松，户外就寝，经受恶劣天气，在没有现代便利条件下做事。一个繁荣，设施完备的野营地似乎恰恰相反，所以找一个比较小的，更加偏远的地方露营吧，那里视野开阔，或许还能临近沙滩。最好是找一个不通路的野营地，步行进入才称得上真正的冒险。

寻找一个适合的露营地的第一步就是确保夜晚睡觉的安全。选择一个隐秘，对他人和环境影响不大的地方。在明显之前有人露营过的地方露营，而不是另辟新处。在树林里露营，要避开矗立着的枯树，它们可能会有风大的晚上被吹倒。要避免动物的活动频繁的路径和洞穴，以及可能是咬人的虫子巢穴的地方。确保在迎风处你的保护充足。要在帐篷的顺风处生火。要时时考虑在野外环境中你可能带来的影响。不要毁坏植物。好的露营地是找出来的，不是制造出来的——没有必要改变那个地方。