Fortunately, there are steps to follow to find the most suitable camping spot during your mountain trek.
You may have experienced unpleasant wild camps:
- getting up in the middle of the night to resecure the flysheet during a storm;
- cold wind blowing into the tent;
- water pooling and eventually seeping in, or camping on a slope with your sleeping bag sliding;
- breakfast in the shade, cold and damp;
- or the stress of night falling before you have found a clear spot just big enough to pitch the tent…
Even more frustrating is discovering the perfect camping spot just 500 m further on the next morning…
Yes, at RayonRando we know the feeling too… That is why we offer good practices for finding a wild camping spot on a trek and avoiding difficulties.
Overnight bivouacking and camping in France: understanding permitted areas
Bivouacking or camping: the difference
In France, bivouacking (a lightweight overnight setup from sunset to sunrise) is generally tolerated, unlike wild camping in one place for several days.
- If you stay in one place for several days, you are camping.
- If you pitch only overnight and take down your tent on waking, you are bivouacking.
Camping is generally prohibited outside designated areas, whereas bivouacking may be tolerated, sometimes subject to location-specific restrictions and local regulations.
Understanding permitted-area regulations
In France, certain rules govern bivouacking:
- Minimum altitude: bivouacking is generally permitted above 1,500 m in mountain areas.
- Distance from paths: pitch at least 100 m from waymarked paths.
- Limited duration: one night only, with the tent taken down the following morning.
- Environmental respect: “Leave No Trace” is compulsory (no fires, no rubbish, no traces).
- National parks and reserves: prior permission is often required; Natura 2000 areas and nature reserves prohibit bivouacking outside designated sites.
- Possible fine: up to €150 for breaching local regulations.
Some parks impose specific rules:
- Bivouacking only beside mountain huts (e.g. GR20 in Corsica).
- Bivouacking permitted more than an hour from the park boundary (e.g. Pyrénées National Park).
- Temporary orders covering defined areas (fire risk, damaged sites, etc.).
Bivouacking on private property is prohibited, of course, but sometimes simply asking the owner suffices. Check local regulations before seeking a spot in a park or protected area.
From planning at home to the day itself, RayonRando explains what to consider so your night outdoors remains a wonderful memory!
Using a map: finding a camping spot before departure or early in the day
If map reading feels unfamiliar, our article on reading IGN maps helps you identify permitted camping areas on the ground.
Choosing flat, well-drained ground for your camp
Slopes often make pitching impossible. Even where possible, sliding down your sleeping mat all night is unpleasant. The main aim is to find flat ground. To identify it, read the contour lines on your map.
- Widely spaced lines? (around 5 mm or more on a 1:25,000 map.) The slope will be gentle or nearly flat: promising for camping.
- Closely spaced lines? The slope will be steeper, perhaps very steep. Not somewhere for a peaceful night's sleep.
Experience helps you judge mapped slopes more precisely. Choose stable ground that does not compress vegetation and drains well if it rains.
Above a certain altitude, terrain can become far less tent-friendly, with tightly packed contour lines everywhere. Look around lakes: small beaches sometimes provide a suitable spot.
Finding a clear, safe mountain camping spot
Ground may be flat without space for a tent: trees, scree, marshes and low vegetation can bring unwelcome surprises!
Maps also help identify unsuitable camping areas:
- Coniferous or broadleaved woodland
- Marshy areas
- Meadows crossed by several stream channels: likely wet or boggy ground.
Low shrubs and scree are harder to anticipate. However, flat ground without vegetation beneath a steep slope is more likely to be scree-covered.
Pasture, a lakeshore or a large clearing can make good camping spots.
https://www.refuges.infoLocate water sources for self-sufficient camping on your hike
Camping without nearby water is difficult! Identify different water sources on your map (lake, stream, spring, fountain). Beware dotted watercourses and small bodies of water: they may dry up in midsummer.
Ideally, pitch on flat ground near water, but this may not be possible. Identify a water source ½ hour before your camp: wash briefly there and fill up for cooking and drinking. A tip: carry an additional water reservoir to fill when needed.
https://www.refuges.info can help confirm water availability through other hikers' reports.
Choosing your camp's orientation for sunshine and weather
Finally, when studying the map, identify camping areas exposed to morning sun, with clear views east. Enjoy sunshine at breakfast and dry your tent faster after rain or morning dew.
You can also check satellite imagery online for each candidate area. This helps reveal vegetation and sometimes terrain on sites offering that option.
On the day: searching on the ground
Start looking early to leave yourself time
Begin searching well before sunset. Finding a spot, setting up and eating take time, so avoid doing this in darkness with the associated stress and risk. Agree a latest search time, such as 18:00 in midsummer, leaving a margin before nightfall.
Consider the group's general condition when deciding when to search. If fatigue is significant, abandon the planned destination 2 h away and find somewhere nearby. Anticipate rather than waiting for a crisis!
Remember water too. You need it overnight and for the following morning's walk. If a dry camp is likely, stop earlier where water is available.
Ask hikers you meet along the way for good camping spots.
Adapt your search to the number of tents and hikers
The number of tents affects search time: more tents need a larger flat area, especially at altitudes where boulders replace trees and meadows.
Consider exposure to weather risks:
Pleasant evening conditions may change dramatically overnight. Choose your tent site with different risks in mind.
Heavy rainfall
- Avoid depressions where water collects quickly. Prefer a slight slope if necessary.
- Avoid pitching beside watercourses at water level: they may overflow, and powerful water can batter your tent.
Cold
- Beware lakesides and streams: humidity makes conditions feel much colder.
- Avoid camping below a glacier. Beautiful by day, this white expanse sends freezing air downhill at night. The reason? A downslope breeze. Summits cool each night, releasing cold, heavy air that flows down slopes.
Strong winds
- Avoid ridges and exposed high ground.
- Do not pitch in woodland beside dead trees.
- Orient tunnel tents correctly to minimise wind exposure. With no prevailing wind, consider the downslope breeze mentioned above. For other tents, position the entrance to prevent wind entering the porches.
- Shelter behind a large rock or mound, or in a hollow if there is no water risk.
- Avoid very narrow valleys, where downslope breezes and wind speed intensify.
Thunderstorm risk
- Avoid ridges and exposed high ground.
- Do not pitch beneath an isolated tree.
- Do not pitch in woodland beside dead trees.
- Avoid lakesides and streams. Lightning favours moisture, which conducts electricity better.
What about sunshine?
As explained in the 1st section, consider morning sun exposure. The sun rises in the east: a compass or an app such as SunPosition-Map helps identify where the first rays will appear.
Conclusion:
To find a good camping spot, the key is to plan ahead and leave a margin. This reduces problems and increases your chances of a beautiful camp. Then consider map, terrain and weather together, alongside strict compliance with local regulations (altitude, distance from paths, permitted areas).
Try to avoid crushing flora, sometimes rare or protected, when pitching. Respect nature and other hikers by leaving no trace: no fires, rubbish or alterations to the site. Follow “Leave No Trace” so camping areas remain beautiful for future hikers.
To invest in a tent for your first wild camping adventure or future treks in parks and mountains, read our full article “How to choose your tent” or contact the RayonRando team by email or phone. We will gladly help!
Looking for advice on specific areas? Read our detailed article on hiking and wild camping areas in Chartreuse, with practical examples of permitted sites in a regional natural park.
FAQ
Can you bivouac anywhere in France?
No. Bivouacking is often tolerated, but some areas (national parks, reserves, municipal orders) prohibit or strictly regulate it. Always check before departure.
How do you find flat ground on an IGN map?
Look for widely spaced contour lines. The closer they are, the steeper the slope.
How far should you camp from water?
Avoid pitching right beside it. Keep enough distance to avoid humidity, flash floods and animal routes.
Is bivouacking legal in the mountains?
Often, yes, but it depends on the range and local regulations. Some parks allow it only at specific times and away from paths.
When should you pitch camp?
Ideally late in the day but before dark, so you can choose the location carefully and set up calmly.
Where is bivouacking permitted in France?
Bivouacking is permitted above 1,500 m, at least 100 m from waymarked paths, generally for one night only. However, rules vary between national parks, regional parks and nature reserves. National parks often require prior permission. Natura 2000 areas and nature reserves prohibit it outside designated sites. Always check local regulations before departure to avoid fines up to €150.
How do you find a good camping spot on an IGN map?
Look for widely spaced contour lines (gentle slopes), away from dense woodland, marshes and watercourses. Lakeside areas, pastures and clearings are ideal. Identify water sources (streams, springs, lakes) for your supply. East-facing areas let morning sunshine dry your tent. Mobile apps such as Mappy and Visorando also display restrictions and permitted areas directly on their maps.
What are the essential criteria for a safe camping spot?
A good spot should be flat (slope below 30°), well drained, clear of dense vegetation and dead trees, away from watercourses (flash-flood risk), sheltered from prevailing wind (behind a rock or in a natural hollow), and away from avalanche or rockfall zones. Avoid ridges during thunderstorms. Respect local regulations (altitude, distance from paths, protected parks) and “Leave No Trace” to preserve the environment.