How do you decide where to camp?

People have asked us in the past how we decide where to take our teardrop camping. They are curious as to how we find our great campsites and what we look for in a campground. We've camped in many different types of facilities including free boondocking sites and WalMart parking lots, but prefer national and state campgrounds. In addition, our preferred sites usually have the same five principles.

When we drive to a campground and don't already have a designated space, we first take a tour of the entire place. We slowly look at each campsite and check for shade and sun options, fire pit quality, privacy and a possible view. If the campground is filling up fast, we back or tow the teardrop into the spot and rush back to the front of the campground to pay for the site.

These are the five things we look for in that perfect campsite:

1. We like to be where we have some sort of view or quick access to a lake, stream or river.
2. It is nice to have a campground store for last minute food and wine, it's also a benefit if the campground has a gas station nearby.
3. With a teardrop we usually need wind protection, so a campground with trees, rocks or some sort of wind block is nice.
4. It helps if the picnic table can be moved. We like to put it next to the teardrop galley for some extra cooking space.
5. Neighbors are nice, but sometimes you don't want them too close to your camp. We like a site where we have privacy as well as peace and quiet. We also like to play board games in the evening which can get a little rowdy. 

Photo: That perfect site near a waterfall just outside of Yosemite National Park