A tent pad is a designated area at a campground site to a set up a tent. [1] [2] [3] It eliminates the need to find a suitable spot to pitch a tent. [2]
Often, a tent pad is a single row of timbers forming a square that retains the fill, resembling a sandbox. [1] In addition to wood, it can also be framed with cement or other material. [2] The framing allows the tent pad to be even and level on rough or sloping terrain and allows for more comfortable sleeping. [1] Some tent pads do not have framing, but instead are raised area of dirt that are sometimes topped with wood chips. [1] An open grassy area does not constitute a tent pad. [2]
Furthermore, a tent pad is often elevated about 4 to 6 inches. [2] [1] This elevation also prevents standing water from developing and reduces the risk of flooding when it rains since it has better drainage. [1]
The tent pad also makes it easier to stake a tent since there are no large rocks or tree roots in the fill. [1] The fill can be composed of sandy soil, dirt, gravel, sand and gravel mix, mulch, cement, or river rock. [1] [3]
Tent pads can come in a variety of sizes depending on the type of camping (e.g. backpacking, leisure camping) or region of the country. [1] There are no standard dimensions, but commons sizes include 8 feet x 8 feet, 10 feet x 10 feet, 12 feet x 12 feet, and 15 feet x 15 feet. [1] Some are oversized, greater than 15 square feet, designed to accommodate a large family tent. [1]
A campsite may have a designated tent pad, but otherwise a flat, durable surface like dirt or gravel would be a suitable alternative. [4] [3] Having a designated tent pad can help prevent damage to the vegetation of the area from staking or setting up the tents in other areas of the campsite. [1] [4]
Tent pads are most often found at developed campgrounds but can also be found in primitive and even wilderness campsites. [1]
Tent pads need to be maintained, otherwise erosion can occur and cause slopes and/or water channels to form. [1]