Solo Camping: 7 Tips for a Safe, Fun, Comfortable Trip

There’s no better way to escape the hustle and bustle of daily living than to head out on a camping trip. Embarking on a solo excursion is an even better way to unplug and to connect with nature, and also reduces the stress of having to coordinate your schedule and camping preferences with those of other people.

Although camping by yourself has tons of benefits – such as reducing stress, helping you to connect with nature, and giving you confidence in your outdoor skills – it can also present a host of challenges. Follow these tips for a safe, fun, and comfortable solo camping trip that will have you feeling rejuvenated and renewed.

Don’t Make Your 1st Ever Camping Experience a Solo Trip

If you’re new to camping, you should not head out by yourself for your first trip. Camping can present a whole host of challenges even to experienced campers, so it’s best to try out your skills with a few other people so that you can get the basics under your belt. Once you’ve learned the ropes, you’ll be able to head out on your own next time.

Be Prepared With Some Basic Skills

On that note, make sure you’ve mastered some basic skills before you head out by yourself. These are best learned under another’s tutelage, but you can also teach them to yourself by watching videos or reading books. There’s no shortage of skills that will be beneficial to you as you set out in the wild, but some basic skills you’ll want to master include:

  • Navigation
  • Pitching your 1 person tent or backpacking tarp
  • Finding water and purifying it
  • Building a fire
  • How to handle encounters with wildlife
  • A plan for if you become sick or injured

Ease Yourself In Gently

For your first camping trip, pick a spot that is somewhat familiar, but don’t go for any less than two nights. Your first couple nights will be all about adjusting – you need to give yourself time to get used to sleeping outside. Once you’ve acclimated, you can then sleep better and begin to enjoy your solo camping trip.

Always Tell Someone Where You’re Going

This is true of any time you head out in the wilderness on your own, but especially if you are going on your first overnight camping trip by yourself. Tell someone where you will be – even if you plan on camping at a large, popular campground.

Keep yourself calm

Being prepared with the proper equipment and skills before you set out on your camping trip can eliminate a lot of anxiety. Educate yourself about the wildlife and weather patterns in your area, so that you don’t worry yourself into a frenzy over nothing – especially at night. Familiarize yourself with common wildlife noises and know how you will deal with things in emergencies. This will help prevent panic over nonsense – as well as panic in actual emergency situations.

Choose a Familiar Site 

Pick a spot that’s close to home for your first solo trip. The further away you are from what is familiar, the more difficult it will be for you to prepare for unpredictable conditions. Consider testing out the area ahead of time with a day hike or bike ride.

Bring an Emergency Device & Spare Kit

Whether it’s your cell phone, a satellite phone, or a personal locator beacon, make sure you have a reliable device to turn to if everything goes haywire. Remember that a cell phone is not a reliable device when carried on its own – you want something with an extended life beyond just a basic battery charge. This will allow you to check in with loved ones or to get help if you absolutely need it.

The most important piece of advice to follow when preparing for a solo camping excursion is to plan for the worst, and hope for the best. Camping by yourself is one of the most pleasant experiences you can have, connecting you with nature and building our confidence as you realize that the outdoors gives you the opportunity to do things you never dreamed you could.

And don’t forget that you can’t borrow anything when you’re on your own. So make sure you have a few spares when it comes to essential kit. Some extra paracord, spare tent stakes, backup matches and so on…