Camping alone is a term used to describe the act of camping without any other people. This is often referred to as “roughing it” and can mean many things, including but not limited to the following:
- Setting up your tent on a campsite with no other people around you.
- Carrying your food and cooking it yourself. (This may include gathering firewood.)
- Bring all your supplies and equipment for the trip, including sleeping bags or air mattresses if needed.
Hence, camping alone is a way to enjoy the outdoors, away from people and towns, and just by yourself. It is all about spending time in the great outdoors, enjoying nature, and being self-reliant. However, there are many reasons why someone might choose to camp alone. For instance, family members live far away; they don’t like camping with other people, etc.
But whatever your reason for wanting to go camping solo might be, you must make sure you’re safe. The idea is simple: you are going to be alone. You will have the whole place to yourself, which can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on what you want from your camping trip.
So it’s important to remember that when you go camping all by yourself, there are no other people around who can help if something goes wrong. For example, if you get lost in the woods and need help, there is nobody else around who can come to save your life. This means it’s up to you how safe and comfortable your camping trip becomes.
9 Essential Tips for Camping Alone
Hence, to make things easier for all the new solo campers who might be taking their very first solo camping trip, we have compiled a list of the most useful tips for camping alone. Camping alone can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. You just need to know what you’re doing and be prepared for anything and everything.
Let’s take a look at these helpful tips, shall we?
1. Know Your Limits
Know what you’re capable of before going camping solo. It’s better to know what you’re getting into and not go over your head when planning a solo camping expedition. Many people would succumb to overconfidence or be driven by adrenaline to make rash decisions. However, it is better to take your time and think carefully about your capabilities and whether they would suffice for a solo camping adventure.
2. Bring a Flashlight
A flashlight is crucial when camping alone because it can help you find your way back if something happens while you’re out in the dark. It’s alright to rely on technological input and ensure safety all around. But one shouldn’t underestimate the good old flashlight when it comes to human instincts to reach for the light source when fearful, and that’s exactly when a flashlight would be the handiest.
3. Camp near A Water Source
Sometimes the water sources are farther away from campsites, so camping near them might be necessary if there are no other options available. A water source would ensure safety from at least one side of your tent, so you should preferably place the entrance on that side. Moreover, a water source would make a great morning view as you wake up to a lake, pond, or river glistening in the rising sun.
4. Bring A Dog!
A dog is a human’s best friend for a reason, and dogs don’t compromise the purpose of a solo trip. In fact, they enhance the experience of a solo camping trip because that’s just how good of a companion they are. That is because dogs are always happy to keep you company and make great companions against safety threats. You are safe if your dog is vigilant to any sound or danger.
5. Take Your Gadgets with You
Understandably, camping trips are supposed to be a way to become one with nature and cut off your digital ties, but camping solo can be overwhelming. Especially if you are planning a longer stay, it is always a good idea to bring your phone or laptop with you. This way, you won’t be completely cut off from the outside world, and you can also watch movies or read books on it at night when you’re feeling lonely.
6. Meditate
Camping alone also allows for introspection and self-reflection, which is important for everyone. Camping solo allows you to have a more intimate connection with nature because you are not distracted by other people or their needs. You can focus on your own personal journey and be in touch with what surrounds you instead of just passing through it as part of a larger group.
7. The Hardcopy
Bring a map of the area if you get lost or need help finding your way back to your campsite. It isn’t always a good idea to assume that you will have cell coverage all the way through and will be able to use it to your advantage and find your way back in case you get lost. Hence, always have the classic hardcopy of a map with you, marking the spots as you go and tracing your steps back in case you get lost.
8. Emergency Kit 101
Bring an emergency kit complete with first aid tools, radio, matches, food, and water. These are some of the basic camping essentials that every solo camper should have packed with them at all times. You never know which situation can strike and how it may turn into a severer scene just because you didn’t have a band-aid or drinkable water. Hence, better be safe than sorry and do some extra backpacking for emergencies.
9. Clean Up After You
Keep your camp clean by packing out what you pack in – don’t leave any trash behind! This is especially important if you don’t want anyone to notice your whereabouts. You may not realize it, but this is crucial for your safety. From human strangers to animals in the wild, you don’t want anyone to know that you are here, gone, or would be coming back. Hence, clean up after yourself and carry the trash until you can dispose of it.
Our Final Thoughts
Camping is a great experience for the solo camper. Traveling alone has many benefits, from enjoying the solitude to having a more intimate connection with nature. Hence, camping alone is a great way to escape the city and get back to nature. But it can also be a little scary and lonely. So we hope that with the tips we have shared, it becomes a more enjoyable experience for you than a scary one. Good Luck!
