[JRTJH]

We use a woven poly mat (the same type that's sold at WalMart). We use it any time we're parked on dirt, grass, mud, etc. We don't use it when we're parked on gravel or concrete/blacktop. The reason is that folding chair legs will poke through the mat on gravel and will "grind on the mat" on concrete.

Our awning is 16' and the mat is the same length. We try to position the mat so any "runoff" from the edge of the awning will land on the mat, not drip on the dirt alongside the mat, so it won't splash mud onto the mat.

Prior to getting this type of "lightweight/waterproof" mat, we used "astroturf" which was much heavier and always held water/never got dry. With kids tracking into the camper, it was a "necessary evil" back then and is a convenience to make things nicer now.