PLACEHOLDER

• Look for someplace with soft ground. Not only is this more comfortable to sleep on, but if it rains, the water will more quickly soak in.
• Look for someplace that has good drainage: slightly higher than the near by ground, avoid sleeping in depressions.  
• Make sure you aren’t in the path of runoff if there was a severe storm.
• By lakes will have more humidity which is normally not a good thing.
• Under a tree or  on a hill side will typically be warmer than in a valley or the middle of a meadow.
• Ridge lines are not a good location because of wind and lightning danger.

Some brief notes by other sectionhikers campsite selection and a thread about selecting sites in the high sierras.