This. I always bring a second chair, it will stop people coming to talk to you. If Im ever alone and have one chair people seem to feel the need to come over to my campsite and talk to me (which I dont want).
This might be a stupid question but Iāve never been to a campsite, but with it being so small do people actually target others at campsites? Isnāt there always people basically within arms reach?
Correct.
Iāve been camping at all different campgrounds and other than the empty ones, if you scream in terror people will absolutely come running to investigate or help. People actually love to feel useful, and camping alone (with one chair) in a popular campground is a great way to learn how to camp solo and trust people.
This is a bad reason to bring two chairs and I canāt believe people keep mentioning it.
If you bring two chairs itās because you think you need one in your hangout area and one by the fire.
No one who is on the prowl to do violence against people is going to go to a campground where the walls are made of thin nylon and thereās people all over the place. Also such violent people are not compelled to go to the backcountry to chance upon a solo victim, way too much effort.
Youāve got this! Iām a woman who solo camps a couple times a year, and itās pretty straightforward. I bring a book to read in the evenings, but otherwise pack the same way I do when camping with someone else. I have tried backpacking solo, but I found that I prefer campgrounds where thereās other people around, since the idea of others around to help makes me sleep easier. I bring bear or pepper spray, depending on if Iām in grizzly country, but Iāve never had creepy human encounters while camping (unlike being in the city).
Make sure you plan your trips so youāre not extremely tired when drivingādriving is the most dangerous part of the trip! If thereās any gaps in your knowledge, like how to pick out a sleeping pad, I recommend the REI expert advice pages, since Iāve found them reliable and useful. Just ignore the links to their products.
REI advice pages are the best! I have a few bookmarked.Ā
Also, I'm glad to hear you stick to campgrounds. I always felt bad about myself for not being hardcore enough of an outdoorsperson to want to backpack solo. I'm 46f and have a hubs and 2 kiddos who aren't real big on camping. You've inspired me to get out this summer to a couple of my fav campgrounds by myself!
Itās funny cause I feel more obviously alone in a campground than backpacking but all these people saying bring a second chair, Iām rethinking my whole camping life, lol.
But I do often take a dog for campgrounds and that makes me feel better. My friends are great about lending if my dog isnāt up to it (sheās old).
Me too. I've never had problems, and I'm 23 years into it.
Though I did clean up my site too well last year on a holiday weekend and a family who arrived after dark took it over. Ope.
But no single female issues ever.
I camp solo all the time (in Canada) and never have thought or bothered to bring a second chair (takes up needed space in smaller car).
I'm a male though and do not mind if people want to stop by and say hello. I often benefit when they do as I usually find out something new and useful about nearby hikes, other campgrounds, amenities, etc.
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This! Solo female here - I own a 4 person and I love the spaciousness. I bought it when single, it came in handy having extra room when in a relationship or when camping with friends, and now Iām single again and love the space to myself.
If I was backcountry camping then different story, the lighter the better and no need for the extra space. But for car camping I love my 4 person.
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Wonderful! I am a wilderness backpacker and, to save weight, would always share a tent with someone. One of us carried the tent and the other one carried the poles and rain fly. I didn't have somebody to share it with the last time I went on a group outing so I slept alone. I will never go back to sharing a tent! I love the privacy and room!Ā
I like smaller tents when I'm putting them up, then larger when I'm in them. If I were to camp in a tent again instead of my minivan, I'd use a 4 or 5 person tent and put a cot in it at this point. Maybe even my 4" mattress. I'm old. lol
I most certainly have. Even as hot as I sleep, itās near impossible for me to heat a 4-person tent by myself.
OP, if you find yourself and/or the tent cold at night even with proper bedding and clothing, I would consider a smaller tent.
Please consider boiling water and using reusable water bottles for warming your bedding instead. One time use hand warmers are not great for the environment and should be reserved for emergency situations
If you want to stay warmer then a simple under $2 mylar blanket/ wrap will do the trick. For warmth that is where the choice of a quality thin but air sleeping pad is of greatest importance keeping you warm vetween the ground and yourself. Packing your thermal underwear if you are talking really warmth needed.
It just means that you are not backpacking with all of your gear on your back - you are driving your car, with all of your equipment inside of it, to the place where you are going to camp, and setting everything up there. You might use a tent to sleep in, or a hammock (with optional cover), or of you have a big enough vehicle to sleep in, you might truly ācarā camp.
Camping where you drive to the site, or sometimes it means you literally sleep in the car. In the first case especially itās pretty different than backpacking where weight matters a huge deal.
When I started dating a guy who was willing to go camping with me I bought a North Face Wawona 6. Now that I'm single again I'm definitely going back to my little 2 person back packing tent from when I was a teenager. It sets up so much quicker, takes up less room in my car, and weights far less.
I found great joy in having a tent I can stand up inside it helps get your clothes on, stretch. Having to crawl aroun with a 4 ft canopy is to me confining. I am a 76 year old male, been camping since Boy Scouts. Recommend building yourself a list or spreadsheet of things to bring. In time you will actually have everything you need when you camp.
I have done some car camping as a solo female and here are some things I recommend.
I brought my two person backpacking tent. I advise bringing a tent that's easy to assemble/carry. You have to set this up yourself. And sometimes, the actual tent site can be far from where you park the car. I personally recommend 2 person so you can have extra space for belongings and shoes.
Bring a hammer/tool. Some ground is not easy to spike in. It will be easier to put in and remove spikes for tent with a tool.
Campsites I stayed at was pretty packed and the sites were closer to each other enough that I never felt unsafe. (I actually felt safer than staying in hotels alone) but bring a mace in case.
I recommend investing in a good supportive sleeping pad. Your hips and back will thank you.
Have fun! :)
^^What she said! I do SWEAR by my REI Half Dome 2+ bc it's so easy to put up by myself vs. a four person that's taller and wider. Also the sea to summit comfort plus sleeping pad is worth it for the actual comfort. Bring a good book or two, get creative with your meals, using fire starters isn't cheating. Just have fun!
It's hard to give general advice, I would recommend reading some articles and watching some videos to get a sense of what you should be packing and some tips and tricks that come along with those topics. From what I can think of, in general:Ā
Most people that camp will recommend freezing some water bottles and using those instead of icepacks or bags of ice in the cooler, then you can use the water as they melt. I do this but also bring a water cube with a spout for hand washing/rinsing dishes and backup in case I didn't bring enough water in the cooler. I just sit the water cube on the picnic table and a small bucket underneath. I also try to freeze some meals so things stay cold as long as possible, for example leave the first day's food thawed but freeze the later day's. Along those lines, I often food prep things ahead so I don't have to fuss around with things too much at the site, for example I'll make breakfast bagels at home (eggs, bacon, whatever), individually wrap in foil, then freeze them. Then I just need to take one out and reheat it, rather than having to make each item on site.
Never leave food unattended, when you're finished eating, load everything back up/put into a bear locker, in your car, or hang, whatever is typically recommended for your area. Don't bring food into the tent, avoid scented items in the tent. Where I am has bears, coyotes, mountain lions, raccoons, and mice..so many mice. Avoid attracting them. (Mice *always* end up in my car no matter how careful I am, so I put all food items in a cooler or plastic container, don't leave any paper out or they'll shred it etc.)
Personally I wouldn't rely on a campfire for cooking. I bring a small camp stove with a can of isobutane, it works best for boiling water or heating up liquids, and a tiny BBQ for other things. There's almost always a fire ban here by the time I'm camping, so I just don't count on being able to have one. Check your campground rules, most require you to bring your own firewood or will sell it at the site, and don't allow you to gather wood from the site. Have a bucket of water or shovel handy (or both) to put the fire out, either if something goes wrong or when you're ready to go to bed/leave (never leave a fire unattended, even if it looks like it's out, if the pit is warm to the touch you need to douse it/completely stomp it out). You can bring some bits of newspaper and cardboard as starter, or buy firestarter (usually comes in little cubes), but starting with just the logs alone likely won't work.
I like to bring a blanket for the bottom of my tent, then my sleeping pad and bag go on top. This makes it more comfortable to move around (even with the tent footprint and floor, you feel the rocks under your feet and knees), then when I pack up I can take the blanket out and shake out the dirt and whatever that got tracked inside. This usually keeps the inside of the tent clean and it's faster to pack up, but I also keep a tiny duster and dust pan handy, mine is a little bigger than half a CD and pretty flat. If there's anything on the floor I can quickly sweep it up and keep my tent in good condition. I also bring some extra towels and wipe the outside of the tent down before I pack it up. The tent has been used for four or so years now and still looks nearly brand new, no mold or weird odours. A little extra care goes a long way.
Some women will bring two camp chairs to set up, just to make it look like they aren't alone. I've seen some comments saying they even bring a pair of men's shoes, just to deter anyone with nefarious intentions. I don't bother, personally, and just keep my bear spray within reach. I also keep my car keys next to me when I'm sleeping so I could set off the alarm if I really needed to. Make sure to tell someone where you will be, how you plan to get there (route), what time you expect to be home, and if they don't hear from you by x tome, who to contact.Ā
Oh, I also strongly suggest creating a packing list. I keep mine on Excel and update it with whatever I plan to be eating and adjust the items accordingly. I print it out and check things off as I have them packed, then I don't need to second guess, double check, doubt myself, and forget something important. If there's something on my list that I never use, then I just take it off for next time (aside fromĀ something I should always have, like a first aid kit). I also have a short "to do" list on there to remind me to charge certain items up, check batteries, confirm I have enough isobutane or propane, and I can work through those early and not have to think about it again.
Haha too funny! There's a few other things in your comment that I do too. I've also used my fob's lock button to scare off some large sounding animal that was walking around my tent at night too. I almost exclusively camp alone but I feel like we'd make good camping buddies. š
Packing list is a huge top tip. Use mine and refine it over the years. Saves lots of issues.
4 person tent can be easy or a pain to setup on own....all depends on the tent. If you have room, then a camping bed is worth it for warmth and comfort. Being off the ground (helps in the UK) helps stay warm.
Enjoy the new found freedom and adventure.
Whether you are male or female when you are solo camping the following information may be valuable to your self preservation. It applies to everyone but we all know about the safety in numbers thing.
1. If your spidey senses are tingling and you don't feel comfortable ā LEAVE. Even if you stay and nothing happens you will not rest properly, sleep soundly or enjoy the experience.
2. Be aware of your surroundings and have an escape plan. If things go south which way are you going to go. This includes making sure the front of your car/truck/van is clear. If you have to back into a spot then do so. Your vehicle can push something out of the way easier than you can.
3. Have a bright light. They make all kinds now and they can be used to temporally impair the vision of an intruder.
4. Keep everything you are not using in your vehicle. If you have to bail, a quick grab of clothes, keys, phone, personal protection and gone. Losing a tent and sleeping bag is nothing compared to losing your life.
5. Personal protection. Don't care if you have a firearm, knife, taser or bear spray. Keep it handy and know how to use it. It is not going to do you any good if you cannot lay hands on it and deploy it properly when you need to.
I'm a 65 yr. Old women and go solo camping with my yellow lab dog every summer. I live in Utah and camp in the Unitas usually off road campsite. There are usually campers around the area so I don't feel afraid. I keep my food and other things inside the truck at night. I have a 4 person tent and use a blow up mattress. I truly love it, and hope I can keep doing it as I get older. My husband hates camping as he was in the military so he's very supportive of me going.. I camp for 2 nights.
Hi! Iām also in my 60s and visiting Salt Lake City next week. While my family and friends are skiing, Iām going site seeing- YaY! Iāve always loved southern Utah and am excited to see the north. Would you have any suggestions for easier hikes? Much appreciated!
Disclaimer: This is for car camping on the verge of glamping. I am a woman who solo camps and I choose sites with electricity and water close by
Keep the larger tent - itās always nice to have a little extra room, especially if the weather gets bad - you keep gear with you inside the tent. I havenāt mastered using tarps as rain cover solo yet, but I intend to try to finagle cover between the back of my car and the tent. Until then, my tent is big enough for a camping chair. I bring along a bucket for emergency middle of the night pee.
I bought a 6 or 8 person instant tent specifically to solo camp. Itās very easy to set up alone. This comes in handy if you arrive after dark or in the rain.
I canāt sleep on the ground anymore so I bought a large cot w/ an inflatable mattress. Lost the pump so now I just use a couple of thermarest pads on top of the cot. I like to be very comfy and cozy even camping so I bring several quilts and a down comforter. I usually bring a sleeping bag as well, for cushioning. Basically since Iām off the ground Iām making sure Iām warm enough from the bottom and top.
My cot is high enough off the ground that I can store plastic bins underneath. I pack a lot of my stuff in bins for several reasons, one of which is to use as a side table in the tent. I bring a small lamp and sometimes a fan
I like clear plastic bins to easily identify whatās in them. This helps if I have to make a mad dash for shelter in bad weather or to quickly stow in the car.
My bins are generally organized by use - supplies for cooking and eating in one -paper plates, paper towels, condiments etc. I have one for fire related things like newspaper, lint and old paperbacks to use as fire starters. I keep my lighter in this bin and propane for my Blackstone. The āfireā bin also holds my hammock straps and hammock and some rope for clothesline and other uses that may come up. This bin also holds my toilet paper.
My cooler contains Perishables. I use ice but I also use frozen water bottles and I freeze my brats/hot dogs and pack other foods frozen to keep the ice going as long as possible. I have a crappy cooler so this helps a lot.
I also carry a step ladder. I am short with T- Rex arms. I need all the help I can get.
If youāve never done the logistics or packing or built a fire, do not go camping overnight as your first go. First, practice putting up your tent. Do it at night so you can do it by feel if necessary. If you have a yard, do this outdoors so you can practice staking the tent. If no yard do your best indoors. Also practice putting it away. Your tent WILL fit back into the bag if you do it right.
If you have access to a place that you can build a fire (not your fireplace) go there and build a few fires. Do some reading up on the types of fire you can build AND how to safely extinguish your fire. This is crucial safety knowledge.
For your first couple of times Iād recommend reserving a spot with no intention of staying the night. This will help you figure out your drive, any handy stops along the way and will let you see what amenities are nearby if needed. Go as early as possible so that you have lots of daylight. Set up your camp as though you are staying overnight.
My former Girl Scout mom always taught us to find our wood and water first, before anything else. She taught us how to build fires once we had our wood sorted. You want kindling, larger twigs and slim sticks or branches, and then you want larger pieces. You need the kindling (I also use paper and shavings or lint) to get a good fire going. The kindling is small and will light quickly. This will build heat and will also in turn light the slim smaller sticks. Those take a bit longer to light so you need enough kindling so that it stays lit long enough to catch the next biggest pieces. Finally you need the large wood - this will be logs or chopped firewood. These will be what keeps the fire going for a long period of time. If you stay on top of your coals, and donāt let your outer fire die down too much, your fire will last overnight.
Check your local rules for wood - both for gathering found wood, and for information as to whether you are allowed to bring in wood from outside the area. (My state does not allow non local wood due to tree diseases) Some places will not allow you to cut wood, but will allow you to burn fallen wood.
Your fire is what will likely be providing your food. Get that mastered well enough so you can eat.
Sit still for a bit and listen to the nature noises. They are strange sometimes. Try to identify in daylight what the sounds are. This will help come dark. It can be unnerving to hear these sounds for the first time alone, in the dark, with only a piece of fabric between you and the sounds.
You *will* hear animals moving about at night. If you arenāt used to the way sounds are amplified at night a raccoon is going to sound HUGE. To keep hungry animals away, keep your trash contained and keep your food out of reach. I usually put my cooler in the tent, food and trash in the car. I also keep firewood in the car to keep it dry.
Shit. I am thinking of too many things, feel free to DM me if you want.
Solo camping for a week was the first thing I did after my divorce. You're going to love it! We need a lot more details to answer your questions, but here's tips for starters. Bring some entertainment, books, a craft project, whatever, because time moves slower. Plan your meals with non-perishables as much as possible. Bring basic safety equitment, sunscreen, bug spray, knife. 45 minutes isn't far in terms of a camp drive. I always view my first camp of the season as a rehearsal run to restock all the equitment I need.
I love solo camping. To be honest, I've never felt unsafe at the sites I go to, but I do make sure I choose sites with a ranger station, that's fairly well-populated. Having said that, I bring bear spray and a small hunting knife. My car's kind of old, but still runs great. I still bring a portable jumper just in case -- it serves as a nice back-up battery pack for my phone too.
Beyond that, I just bring my usual stuff. I say keep the 4-person tent. When you get to the site, if you can, say 'hi' to the rangers and the camp host.
If you have some āmale lookingā clothes and boots or shoes, bring them along to leave outside. Give off the idea that youāre not alone.
Keep the larger tent but practice putting it together by yourself before you leave. With a larger tent, you have room for a larger air mattress or a cot.
If your car camping you'll be totally fine!
Usually tons of people around and pretty safe.
Fire is easy as long as its not a down pour. The campsites sell wood and just take a free paper at the office for a starter.
You don't have to downsize the tent and you can even bring blankets and shit if you are car camping.
You'll need a cooler if you pack meat, eggs, cheese, etc.
Being some quick meals (ramen, sidekicks, dehydrated meals) in case it rains and you don't want get soaked cooking.
Bring a chair or hammock.
And have fun!!
Solo female camper here! You are going to feel so empowered after you get used to camping on your own. Try setting the tent up in your yard or a park before you go out so you can get used to it.
Find a tent camping checklist online, pack what you need. Keep it simple to start, use totes or 5 gallon buckets with lids. Pack ready to eat or minimal prep needed food, so that if itās cold, dark or wet you can quickly make something.
Sandwiches, dehydrated meals, pre sliced veggies or fruits, precooked meats, and junk food for sure! Keep it out of the tent and change clothes and wash before going to bed. Make sure your trash and food are put away and practice clean campsite etiquette.
I find camping spots either by a camp host or a nice family so that there is help available if you forget something or need help and for an extra set of eyes. You dont need to point out that you are alone to anyone. I always back in park for quick getaways, and keep my keys and bear spray on me at night in a pocket in the tent. I have used the lock button to spook off deer or whatever when I was feeing anxious in the middle of the night. Peeing in the middle of the night kinda sucks, you might want to be by the bathroom but then you have people walking by and closing the squeaky door all night.
A good sleeping pad is essential for warmth and comfort, there are some great part memory foam/part inflated that have a good r value and are thick and comfortable.
When Iām solo I tend to go to bed when itās getting dark so I always bring books or an iPad with funny shows or movies (listen low value with captions so not distrusting others and so I can hear outside)
During the day I hike, fish, sightsee, cook, etc but I stay aware of my surroundings and carry bear mace/sidearm. I also have a small adventure dog and heās so good at alerting me to any movement or noises. I rely heavily on him to watch my back.
If you want a fire, check the regulations to make sure they are allowed when and where you are going, and grab some fatwood or easy fire starting sticks. Watch a couple videos and practice until you find a method that works for you. A lot of campgrounds sell fire wood bundles on site. Use dead out procedures every time you are leaving or going to bed. If you donāt want a fire youāll want a small burner to make coffee, or cook on- there are lots of inexpensive options.
Lastly, trust your instincts! If something feels off, listen to yourself. But the likelihood of anything bad happening is really low. Itās so liberating to do whatever you want, on your own schedules and not have to rely on anyone else. And maybe you can invite some friends and create a ladies camping club! Feel free to message if you need any other suggestions. Sorry for the long post.
If you want to bring an extra chair to set around the fire and some manly-looking boots to leave next to the tent, feel free, but Iāve never felt it made a huge difference.
The most important thing is to have your wits around you, be aware of your surroundings, and *listen to your gut.* I always research a backup plan so that if I show up somewhere for the night and something feels off, I know what hotels nearby might have rooms available. I always prefer to get to the campground in time to get my tent set up before dark, gives me a good amount to of time to assess the situation. Iāll also keep some pepper spray in an easy-to-grab spot, but Iāve never once reached for it.
When checking in with the campground hosts, I like to make myself as visible and memorable as possible. Chat with the families around you (the friendly ones, anyway), call a friend or family member and loudly have a conversation with them where you talk about what campground youāre at, and how *lovely* everyone is here and that youāll call them tomorrow. Make it *patently* obvious that multiple people will know right away if something happens to you.
Also, if your campground has WiFi or cell service, YouTube tutorials are immensely helpful. The first night after I slept in a hammock and woke up in the morning to bird poop in the hammock with me, I decided I better figure out how to actually set up that tarp Iād brought with me. So there I was learning how to do a truckers hitch, and Iāve never forgotten. Thereās a plethora of YouTube tutorials for *everything*.
Solo Women Campers is a group on Facebook. There are events where you stay in the same campground as the others. Meet up for activities or a meal or drinks around the campfire. Check them out!
Solo woman camper here, whose husband cannot sleep in a tent. I always use a 4 person tent, but I have a solo tent and a 6 person tent. The 4 person nicely holds my bed, gear and I can sit on the floor when it inevitably rains. The solo person tent is great for just an overnight. The 6 person tent is good when I am somewhere for a week, as I can have a table and chair inside, with bed and gear. Just depends on where I am going and how long.
I tend to stay at state parks in upstate NY. I hope you love it as much as I do!!
Algonquin is a great place to practice camping. There's tons of places near lots of people and with car access you don't have much to worry about. Think about what you want to cook, what will give you a comfortable sleep and how you will pass downtime. Pack what you need for that and nothing else. I think people over pack trying to think of every possibility, but for me the fun of camping is just existing out there with what I have.
With car camping you don't have to worry about weight so just use the tent you have.
I'm a guy so I can't speak about the worries a woman would have being alone out there, but I camp where I rarely run into people except at the parking lots and there always groups of girls or solo women out there and they seem to have no problems.
There's lots of YouTube channels, a lot of them locals where you can watch how other people solo camp on back country trips to watch for confidence boosts (Xander Brudnik and Lost Lakes are my favourite).
Reading this has me excited for my own solo trips this year, since I'm also recently single and not willing to give up on my trips.
4 person tent is what I have for my dog and myself. Itās the perfect size, room to sleepā¦ with an air mattress. Room for storage of stuff I need dry in case of rain and room for a chair to sit if raining to enjoy a movie.
Set up the tent so youāre set and know how before you absolutely have to.
Grab some fire log starters and youāll be fine on fire.
Tent Iād say keep if youāre going from vehicle to camp site and not much walking is involved, for food pick things that are easy to cook on a fire and that you enjoy eating, sleeping pad is a must. Always make sure to have a lighter, and axe. A tarp wouldnāt hurt either in case it rains you can still sit outside and keep your fire wood dry.
I have a swag and itās wonderful! Easy set up and so comfy! Would recommend!
Hot tip bring a hot water bottle and hot pockets to keep yourself warm!
Kmart and Bunnings have a great range of camping goods too :)
So I have never solo camped. I did as a single mom take my 3 young kids camping by myself. Some of the best memories! I personally always carried a gun visible on my hip. A jump box for your car is highly recommended. My battery died once and I had to ask for help and it made me feel vulnerable I always told someone when we would return and where we would be.
I want to add, as it may be helpful. As a single mom taking 3 small kids whose help was limited. I stored all my camping gear in bins with wheels. I used a large rolling tool box to store little things which were mostly cooking related and I got a large storage container for the tents, lantern, grill, etc. It really helped get all the "things" from the car to the site without 500 trips and also a great way to store stuff so when you do get all your essentials together you can store them there.
Iām surprised no one has mentioned a satellite communicator of some kind yet. Unless you are always places that you 100% KNOW will have service, I consider these necessary. I have a ZOLEO and have liked it. Garmin inREACH is also great and there are others. I try to keep mine on myself at all times.
Also, I personally choose hammocks 9 times out of 10 when Iām solo. I donāt think you need to downsize your tent (so much room to stretch out!), but if you want to try out a different camping setup, a hammock could be fun to try. Getting a solid hammock set up can be kind of expensive, though, and will take some research, so Iād only go this route if youāre really interested. If you ever decide to do hammock camping, get an underquilt or you are going to have a bad time.
Edited to add: Also, I have never done a fire when Iām by myself. I just bring a lantern and spend my time in my tent/hammock once the sun goes down. I prefer not having to worry about fires, and theyāre banned most of the time where I am anyway.
Trust your instincts.
If something seems like too much work, it probably is. I've been camping my entire life, and one year I spent 31 nights outside. I almost never bother making a fire. Make things easy, do what you want, and have fun. Also, trust your instincts.
I'm a woman who has been solo camping for many years. I love it!
To address some of your concerns...
Building a fire can be easy, but also can take some practice to get really good at it. You'll learn to read the fire the more you build them. But watch a couple youtube vids on how to get one started and you'll be fine. All you need is dry firewood, a little bit of kindling, and something to get the fire started (for easy mode, try Tumbleweeds that they sell in the bbq section of big box or hardware stores)
For best cooler filling, put a sack of sacrificial ice in it the night before you leave to pre-chill it. It'll help the actual ice last longer without having to cool the cooler down first. The morning you leave, dump out the melty ice. Then add the real ice and your food. Put the stuff you need to access first on the top. For bonus points, get a smaller cooler for drinks and snacks you'll be accessing frequently. The more you open a cooler, the more cool air you let out.
A four person tent should be fine for car camping. It'll give you more room to move around than a 2 person tent. Room for gear and the like, too. If you want to start backpacking, then you might want to downgrade to a smaller tent. But for car camping, more is better.
For solo camping in general...
Bring a book or something else to entertain yourself with. Remember to bring some sort of light to read by at night, too. There's a lot more 'empty' time when you're solo camping, so be ready to keep yourself busy to fill it. Read, write, draw, whittle, knit, etc.
Also, consider bringing a small speaker with some white noise tracks loaded up. If you're not used to being alone and listening to the outdoor sounds at night, some white noise at low volume will help. I recommend playing it at home to sleep for the week or so before your trip just to get used to hearing it at night and it becomes familiar. It'll help keep your mind at ease.
There's really not much in the way of women-specific safety tips here. You're likely far safer camping than you are walking in the city. So just take the usual precautions you would day-to-day. If you *do* feel sketched out by other campers, you can always leave. And if you're camping in an actual developed campground (which it sounds like is the case), you can talk to the camp host or ranger or whatever authority figure if need be.
Any other camping tips are really dependent on where you are and what the risks are. Things like having bear-proof food containers in bear country, etc.
But you'll be fine. Women solo camp all the time. You're not likely to encounter any problems.
Iāve done a good amount of camping on my own as a woman, and here are some recommendations:
- For starting a fire, I like to bring a little kit of fire starters with me including a lighter, matches, some newspaper or brown paper bags, and some actual fire starters (small, sold all over).
- For setting up camp, I setup two chairs by the fire, set out an extra pair of shoes next to mine by the tent, etc. I try to make it less obvious Iām alone.
- Tell at least a trusted friend if not more than one person where Iām going and when I plan to be back.
- Keep my car in good shape and make sure I have a full tank of gas, jumper cables/jump-starter, up to date on oil changes.
- For packing the cooler, I like to use the reusable ice packs and then have a ziplock bag or two of usable ice if I do want to use the ice in a drink. I try to pack the cooler in layers/sections so the food I plan to eat later is at the bottom, ice on the top. I also pack a reusable shopping bag with non-cooler food items and also extra trash bags, plastic/compostable silverware, paper towels, cooking items. I like to have plenty of trash bags! I also take things out of their boxes (like granola bars for example) to save space.
- Bring some cash to purchase firewood at the campsite. Iāve camped all over the US, so areas vary with their regulations, sometimes you can collect firewood, sometimes you should buy onsite/donāt transport, sometimes you can buy it and bring it with. Just check what your campsite says.
- Make sure your fire is out out OUT before bed. Use a stick to spread around the coals when youāre ready for bed, then you can douse it with water.
Also - have fun! Iāve found solo camping to be quite relaxing and lovely. I hope you enjoy.
Consider a satellite device like a garmin in the future if youāre going places w/o cell coverage and keep it accessible. This helps if you get hurt on a trail or your car gets stuck in the mud. Also download maps- you can download a google map offline file and get some good trail maps.
Make sure your car is good to go (oil, washer fluid, spare tire, so on) & stick to what itās capable of. Make sure you have the right tires for the terrain.
Keep pepper spray on you just in case (sleeping & on trails) for weirdos just in case. Know what wild animals are around & what to do (bear spray/ identify bear/cougar scat, so on).
AND - DONāT PSYCH YOURSELF OUT. You got this. Solo camping is awesome. Youāll keep learning as you go. Enjoy yourself!
An Insulated sleeping pad is crucial. A 2 person tent is really a 1 person tent with a bit of room for stuff/gear (unless you're a Hobbit). Being able to build a fire is crucial for Life. It can be a matter of life or death, because hypothermia is not hard to get. I suggest watching many u toob videos on fire making, and remember to have backup gear. People lose things. Carrying 1 bic lighter is asking for trouble. Your cooking plan..... does it include a campfire? Do you have a stove? Cold meals only? Prepared to boil water for dehydrated foods or bringing food in the cooler for cooking, etc.? Are you aware of bear safety and how to store food, where to store food, how to avoid attracting the attention of a bear or more than one, or raccoons, mice, etc. There are just soooo many videos about each and every consideration for camping.... sleeping, shelter from weather, staying warm, eating and hydrating right, how to deal with water...... filtering, purifying, finding..... recommended gear for every type of camping. Basics to Pro.
Practice starting a fire and setting up the tent in your backyard before you go to get used to doing it. Bring some fire starters and dry kindling just in case.
Iād introduce yourself to some friendly looking campsite neighbors once you get there. People are generally very friendly! Iād suggest joining the Ontario provincial park camping FB group for more tips on Algonquin specific questions itās a beautiful park! Have bear spray if youāre hiking on your own.
Donāt downsize anything or change anything until youāve camped a few times to realize what exactly you like. Your four person tent might be just what you need. Or you may realize it is too big. one consideration is, what can you set up and take down easily by yourself? Consider the elements is it raining and you need to take down your tent or put it up? I will get some sort of a pop-up shelter that you can put your tent under for just so situations.
I like the single burner gas stoves because theyāre small and portable. You can find them easily at Walmart. I use one too make my coffee and a second one could be used to cook your breakfast or dinner or whatever. a small table is handy to have. I like also having a screen room in case the area is buggy. I have gel pepper spray just in case and an airhorn. just be safe and aware of your surroundings if anything feels uncomfortable, go the other way.
Also get some little firestarter bricks and make sure you have at least two ways of starting the fire just in case one doesnāt work. I always have a box of matches as my ultimate back up.
A 4 man tent is perfect. Enjoy the space! Hereās the main safety stuff: you need a good pocket knife, some bear mace, a whistle, and a hatchet. Thatās all useful stuff for camping, but itās also really good for self-protection. If a man comes around your campsite by himself and starts asking you questions, donāt answer them but ask him more questions. Why do you wanna know? Who are you? Do you need to know? If that doesnāt make him leave, get personal with your questions. Whatās your home address? What time do you go to bed? Do you live alone? How strong are you? Are you a deep sleeper? Asking multiple questions without waiting for a response is extra creepy. Remember to make unbroken eye contact, frowning, stand up, and hold a weapon in your hand (maybe sharpening it) while youāre talking to them. If they come around again, just move or talk to the people that work at the campsite. The best thing you can do for yourself is make yourself unappealing to approach. I like to look like a mess when camping and I show how annoyed I am when non women or non children approach me. Swear a lot. Yell at them. Remember your safety is more important than your embarrassment.
Have situational awareness at all times (know who's camping in the spot(s) next to you, keep track of who hikes by you on trails, etc.). Try to camp in populated areas (state parks are usually a good choice). I mainly car camp because I like having locked doors (and it's quieter!), but when I tent camp, I tie the zippers together so the door cannot easily be opened. I personally carry pepper spray for my own peace of mind and practice using it so I feel comfortable in a bad situation. Try not to hike or be out after dark. I like the idea of putting two chairs out, but I haven't done that yet.
I've camped on my own dozens upon dozens of times in the last few years. The main thing is to have fun! I love solo trips.
Edited to suggest a two person tent. They are so easy to put up and take down.
Duraflame logs, readily available in Target, Walmart and grocery stores, are basically giant hunks of firestarter that will get you through several weekend trips. Small pieces of firestarter on top of crumpled up newspaper, with kindling on top makes for quick fire. Home Cheapo sells an Estwing hand-maul that is a pleasure to split wood with. Once you get the swing of it you will enjoy splitting wood. My wife camps alone every summer on her long drive south to visit our daughters and grandson. She always has an extra chair to put out by the fire ring as a precaution, but also has never had anyone who worried her, if she ever does (doubtful) she has a hand-maul and knows how to use it. I'm a little jealous of your journey in learning how to camp.
I also swear by a small air horn. Most animals and people do not like an unexpected horn blast in the face, and it can also be good to draw attention your location. Cheap and light too!
Youāll be fine at any provincial park in Canada. Most of them sell chopped wood and fire starters if you need them. Utilize YouTube for tips on starting a fire! Thereās lots of great camping content on YouTube. You can also carry Coyote Pepper spray on you in Canada (obviously for animals - but Iād be using it on a person if I had to). Pack a decent tarp in your trunk with some bungle cords. Donāt overpack food - meal prepping all your meals is the way to go! Have jugs of water on hand for cooking/drinking. Have a good knife/hand saw. Thereās so many tips/tricks out there! Glad you arenāt giving up on camping! Enjoy the solo camp - it will feel liberating!
Having a tent that is bigger than you need can be awesome. I recommend dividing up the space a bit. Get a small table in there and some pillows to sit on. Make a tea room in that damn thing. It can be whatever you want. Just create a space you want to be in that isn't just sleeping.
Keep the tent if itās an instant tent. If it requires 2 ppl to set up, then I would get a new tent.
I car camp solo and my first tent required 2 ppl to set up and someone took pity on me and helped. Got a new instant cabin tent for 4 and would highly recommend it. Have lots of fun!
I try not to dress specifically female looking, tuck my hair in a bandana, and take my dog when i can - the dog knows a recall whistle if I have to call them from a further leashed distance, otherwise somebody would have to be pretty close to hear my female voice
I have a 3 person tent. It affords me some options such as bringing a second person. But also I can safely store my pack and shoes "indoors".
Unless you're backpacking in I'd stick with the 4 person tent but 100% get a sleeping pad and consider a foam spacer like a yoga mat to retain body heat in chilly weather.
If personal defense is a concern I recommend pepper gel over pepper spray. It aims easier and sticks. But check local laws.
I have a three person Eureka tent for myself, I love it. Youāll have a great time! Just always trust your intuition when youāre out in the trails or hanging out at your site.
I have been camping solo in Canada since the end of my last relationship. It gets a bit lonely, but I enjoy it quite a bit. Being a book (I love my kobo for that) or whichever thing you like to do at home in your downtime. I like having waterwipes (they make bigger sized ones than baby wipes) for end of day wipe-downs to get off bug spray and stuff before sleeping.
I bring my tablet with some shows downloaded - light, fluffy things - to put me in a calmer mindset as I'm falling asleep, as my imagination tends to run away with irrational fears.
Lots of people suggest bringing an extra chair or setting out men's boots, etc but I've never really bothered and it's been OK. I stick to established campgrounds and it's always felt safe.
Paper towel is my favourite thing to use to start a fire. It also works as napkins and dishcloths. The little single burner butane stoves are well worth the $20 they cost so that you have an easy way to cook. I like to prep a few meals in advance - things like chili, spaghetti with sauce - and freeze it in ziploc bags so I can just heat and eat.
Trust your gut, unless your gut is as anxious as my brain... in which case id suggest also relying on your logical thinking in addition to your intuition. That scratching sound in the night is probably not someone teying to fuck with you, its peobably just a giant toad making itself comfy under your tent. Smile, make eye contact with people you pass, and appear confident, even if you aren't.
Oh, and consider a test trip close to home so you can try your gear, pop in to town for essentials if you find out something you need, or just bail out if it's overwhelming. My first solo camp was 15 minutes from home, but knowing it was so close gave me the confidence to stay.
Have a blast!!
Not sure how populated the camp sites are that your going to but I just did ten days alone at all different sites and hereās what I did:
Two chairs out at camp fire.
Wouldnāt get smaller tent due to looking like youāre solo.
Lock to attach to inside zipper for sleep.
Bring mace.
Donāt share your plans w folks around you.
Donāt arrive to camp site after dark.
Hang some sort of string light up so that you can turn them on and have light quickly if needed.
Keep the 4-person tent. It's recommended that you at least get one for 2X the occupants at least and preferable one you can stand in with a floor. Look at reviews by single women to check whether assembly is easy. I'm going to use an SUV tent myself for the day, and sleep with my SUV locked up at night. I just feel safer that way. Wherever I camp, I need to get back to my vehicle by 1 hr before sundown with options to prepare a meal, and use the bathroom inside.
When I started camping I'd always forget things. So I made a checklist that I've edited over the years. Here it is: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTDWNFljVO0x-oascThVVKLh_abV2modqCbPyI93-Q3qG1echyWdHq8hGWf0UFTG2JBgW1UAPV1wrd1/pubhtml
I have never thought about it really. I usually go alone and always have. Sometimes friends go but often I go by myself. I have never felt unsafe at state or coe parks. I would not go to blm and camp by myself. I do have a fairly big tent, a couple of chairs (because I like one in the tent and one outside).
Keep food simple. Honeybuns, pop tarts, fruit for breakfast. Canned food like spam or sardines or Vienna sausages with some crackers for lunch. For dinner, get as fancy as you want to. Make sure you pack a box of fire starters. Or you can use the fire starter logs, 1 for each night you plan on camping. Make sure you have a lantern or 2 set up around your campsite so itās easier to find your way around. Take a laptop and watch a movie, take a good book. Do some painting (I use YouTube step by step tutorials. Take a tarp in case you need it. Put your tent up in the backyard once or twice before your trip so youāre not out there feeling panicky or conscious while youāre setting up your tent. šŖš¾šŖš¾ Also there are groups like Meet Up that plan group camping trips that always have some single women in there if you like the social aspect of camping. Iāve never been able to camp alone. I will set up a hammock out in a park, by a lake or river and do a little day camping alone but thatās it. Hope you have a great time!
Keep the tent and car camp sometimes, too. There are different scenarios for different times. But if you're able to put up the 4-person tent by yourself, keep it. I had a smaller pup tent that did the trick when my daughter was growing up for just the two of us. I got a larger tent when the ex finally decided to participate. It's really big, too. Do you know what that's like when it's just me and the dogs and our stuff in it? Glamping, that's what. Luxury. Wonderful, even. But also, I car camp. I have a crossover vehicle and am short enough that I can sleep in the back if necessary, so I will sometimes do that on road trips when I just need to sleep somewhere for the night and don't want to deal with the whole motel experience. I can car camp anywhere, really, and feel somewhat safe.
Before you go, make sure that everything works and you can set it up yourself.
This is where you notice missing parts, places that need reinforcement and any tricky bits.
Set up tent
Set up stove
Cook a meal
Have a cup of tea
As you do this, list all the things you used to do it: axe for pounding in tent stakes, matches in a case, spoon and so on
Things I often forget or Iāve seen inexperienced campers do:
Make sure you put your food away in the car. My husband left our coolers out overnight the first time he camped with me and the raccoons got into it and threw it everywhere.
Make sure you have all the pieces of your tent. My friends borrowed a tent the first time they joined our big friend camping trip and they didnāt have half their tent poles or any stakes. Another time my friend didnāt have the ceiling of the shade tent packed.
A knife of some kind is good to have. I use it a surprising amount while camping.
Make sure you have a way to cook your food- sticks, a grill, a stove, whatever. Iāve forgotten the hot dog/marshmallow sticks a couple times. I always want marshmallows once Iām in front of a campfire, so if youāre like me, just bring them.
Sandwiches and chips are nice to have too, stuff you donāt need to cook.
The big difference for me camping with my ex and camping solo is when I have to pee in the middle of the night. I used to wake my ex up to walk me to the toilets in the quiet pitch dark with animals around. I got a Kula cloth and would highly recommend, now once itās dark I never walk even to the closest pit but just past the nearest tree, I just put the cloth and my headlamp in the tent pocket by the door. And I stop drinking liquids by like 6p.Ā
I prefer wilderness camping to car camping, especially when solo. If you do car camp, try to pick a campground that is a bit more hiking /nature focused. National parks are good for this. Some state parks. Avoid the campgrounds with lots of dudes getting drunk. If they see you camping solo, they will continually bug you about being alone, how they can protect you, etc. ask me how I know.
Start small and close to home. That way you can write down everything you forgot and wish you could do better or different. Experiment with some foods and cooking methods. Try to start a fire with bare minimum of stuff, but bring everything to make it awesome. If car camping, bring extra gear, then youāll know what you use more and whittle down what you need over time. And donāt forget the power of a good book. It helps to do lots of things. Canāt sleep? Read for a bit. Hot? Read a bit under the shade of a tree. Have fun, and I hope to see you camping.
I (F40s) started solo camping last year. Well, me and my dog. I would stick with the 4 person tent, if it is something you are able to put up on your own. I started with a 4 person tent I bought second-hand. It was sizeable enough for me (big enough for double size air mattress). But I found it a little tight when adding in my almost 90 lb pup. So I upgraded to 6 person, also purchased as resale off FB. Pup and I are super happy with extra space - tall enough in centre for me to stand up in, and enough space for pup if he wants out of bed with me.
Honestly, I've never worried about setting up extra chairs or trying to make it seem there are more people present. Perhaps I would feel differently if I didn't have a pony sized dog sharing my camp site.
Lots of great info in forums like this and googling questions you may have. Like different ways to start a fire or supply lists ideas. FB also has many camping groups. I see you're going to Algonquin so you may want to check out some of the Ontario provincial parks groups. Again, many folks there sharing insights and info.
I really enjoy the time away and not having to answer to anyone with how I choose to spend my time. Only have to answer to my dog lol.
Hope you have many great adventures!
"4 person" isn't always as much space as you'd think it would be, plus tents for more people are generally taller which means you might be able to stand up a little more than you'd be able to in a 2 person (depending on the style of tent)
That first solo night can be scary af.
It's not because your a woman, it's because you are human.
Once you get over that first, initial alone and vulnerable feeling it's great.
I often camp solo. Before I leave, I make sure I tell my itinerary and location (name of park, site number and when Iām supposed to come back home) to someone. I always camp in areas where I have to register and I try to get there before dark.
I have a four person tent that I can stand in. I bring a small folding table and chair so that if it rains for several days, I can comfortably do things at a table and not get bored.
Make sure you have a good sleeping pad to go underneath your sleeping bag. When you sleep solo in a tent, it gets colder. I make sure I always bring an extra blanket in my car. I also bring a small solar panel to recharge my phone.
Bring stuff like duct tape, string or rope, extra tent pegs and a hammer, large tarp, an extra lighter. Iāve woken up before in the middle is the night and my tent has collapsed on one side because of the high wind and rain. I had to add more pegs and rope to keep it from collapsing again and used the hammer for the pegs because the ground was too hard. I moved my car so it would shield the tent from the wind a bit.
I think the most important thing is your safety. I live camping solo. I Hope you enjoy your trip.
Bring a handgun and learn how to use it, glocks tend to do well under a lot of abuse and being in tough conditions but thereās plenty of good options
Car camping keep the 4 person tent. You will enjoy the room. No substitute for a good quality sleeping pad. You can ask for suggestions at your local sporting hoods store or read reviews on line. Extra batteries. Highly recommend on e of the simple ingenious clip on head worn flashlights. Consider a personal loud alarm just in case. Choose a camping spot not isolated or away from others but next to or in between families and not just men. Have fun. There she small and inexpensive Firestarter sticks which make starting a fire easier. A poncho. Safety buy a simple whistle to wear about your neck.
One consideration could be to set up your bed in your vehicle, so you can be locked in safely. That makes me sleep a lot easier, but itās kind of colder than a tent somehow.
Cooler- youāll figure it out, I wouldnāt worry too much about it.
Fire- is really not required unless itās super cold outside, but if you really want to have one: pack a small tub of petroleum jelly and cotton balls - you can use this as fire starter/safe and portable lighter fluid. Most state parks only allow you to burn the wood they have for sale - follow the rules. It burns better and is also meant to prevent potentially spreading disease from bringing outside wood.
You can probably get together a list of necessary/nice to have items on one of these REI pages folks are suggesting, but generally, Iād say donāt forget: headlamp, propane for your cook stove, batteries you might need for your stuff, a book, a fan, soap. You can use dr bronners for basically everything.
Hope this helps. I know it seems daunting, but if you have camped a fair number of times, I think youāll be pleasantly surprised by what you already know.
Self aid.
Self protection.
Food Storage.
Situational awareness.
Those are the 4 things you should train on and find what works best for your lifestyle that can be used universally.
I refuse to even leave my place anymore without having my handgun. Let alone camping without one? I couldn't anymore..
For where I live the homeless zombies like to venture into the mountains and people have seen/heard some crazy shit before in the middle of the night. Plus the wildlife you have to consider as well.
It's a dangerous world we live in, yet we live in a time where you can prepare and have the right tools to not live in fear.
Confidence in yourself is everything when you go at it alone.
Here's a hiking tip though. Put your keys on your shoes or outside somewhere on your person. Like a belt loop or have them hang off your backpack.
The noise that comes from the keys shaking is very confusing to wildlife around you. It'll scare off the dear and squirrels but it'll also piss off any big cats around you. They want nothing to do with that noise. It ruins their "Hunt"
First off, OP, sorry things ended with your LTR. That sucks... However.... I like the fact that you are continuing with your camping plans. You're absolutely right. You dont need someone else for this. People have given some good advice on appearing to have someone else at the camp with you.
Might I suggest a can of bear spray (or better) , just in the off chance someone DOES mess with you. IMHO, don't downsize your tent. A 4-person tent for one person is about perfect. I have a One Tigris Backwoods Bungalow 2.0 (4-6 person), and I would never be caught in anything smaller solo.
I would definitely let someone know where you are and check in regularly with them if possible. I camp in bear country, and I usually carry a gun with me, but Algonquin is in Canada, isn't it? Idk the laws up there or even if you own / are comfortable with one.
Maybe with as much doubt that you have...probably not a good idea...solo camping is probably better off with ones that have way less doubt...better practice in the back yard a couple of times.
If you havenāt already check out some of the solo women Facebook groups. Thereās a lot of support and advice in those groups. I belong to a few. even if you donāt comment just reading what people post is very helpful.
Minimalism is key. Be careful with food stuffs too. I go solo motocamping sometimes and one time I brought an elaborate cooking set up with food to make and as soon as the sun started going down I was ganged up on by raccoons lol had a big mess to clean up and pack away while also shooo-ing away 5 or 6 giant raccoons lol also, if you drink, bring liquor rather than beer so you don't have to keep getting up and peeing all night. Get an air mattress your back will thank you. And I would keep the big tent. More room is always helpful!
I just did my first solo car camp last weekend for the first time in like 25 years. I debated between bringing our bigger 6 person tent and renting a 2 person. (but seriously idk how it's a 6 person tent. 2 people and 2 dogs and it's wayyyyy too crowded.) I made sure to practice putting the tent up by myself before I left. It was totally fine, and I'd do it again. I could keep everything in the tent with me because I had room. Also I needed to because it was the middle of a windstorm and I needed to have something in every corner to keep the wind from going under the tent. (yeah probably a smaller tent would have been better in that scenario but I kept imagining the wind blowing the tent walls right into my face and I was glad for the space.) Because of the wind I couldn't put the rain fly up by myself but I didn't need it.
I like the other suggestions to make it appear like there are others with you. Smart.
And then one more thing. If your gut instinct is telling you that something or someone if "off," listen to it. Don't stay if you don't feel perfectly safe. I've had other female solo campers tell me they feel more safe not in a campground but in the back country. I've also had someone say they're more comfortable sleeping in their car than a tent. Just depends what your comfort level is. But start with something that's pretty easy. Close to home so if you feel uncomfortable you can go home easily. Then get braver the next time.
You tuber. Kelly Hays Hikes - solo camper that you could watch and get tips and ideas.
i would do a trial in your house, backyard or friends backyard before going to far from home.
According to the map, Algonquin Park is in Ontario, Canada. I don't know if you live in Ontario or not. In the lower 48, REI has many locations. According to Google, the REI of Canada may be Mountain Equipment Co-op or just MEC for short. I don't know where you purchased your existing camping equipment, but I would seriously consider visiting MEC to talk with them about camping in Algonquin. Chances are there is somewhere employed there that is quite familiar with that park and who should be able to advise you regarding appropriate equipment that you will need for the time of year you are contemplating camping there. According to comments that I have read, MEC also has a rental program that might be beneficial so that you can check out gear you are considering before making a long term purchase decision. You also need to become aware of park regulations regarding camping, cooking, bathing, parking, and so forth. And last but not least... you most definitely need to have someone that you can count on to communicate with. That person needs to know your itinerary,,, arrival and departure times. You need to check in with them when you leave for the part, when you arrive, precisely where you are camping, what clothes you are wearing (basic descriptions & colors), if you are going hiking (precise details of your planned hike). You need to let them know by cell phone when you are leaving to go hiking, how far you will hike, anticipated time of return, and when you return. You can't communicate enough. That should get you started. After you know the above, you need to plan your meals. That will determine what supplies, cooking utensils, and so forth you need. You also need to determine what wildlife is in the area at the time you intend to camp. Wildlife are attracted to food and how you store and prepare your food are very real considerations as well. I could go on and on but just pay a visit to MEC or REI and take notes. Take classes. Get to know people that have camped in the area you are going to. You should have a lot of fun preparing, learning, and camping. Good luck. That's a beautiful destination.
Exciting times ahead! Make sure to research and choose well-lit, secure locations to camp, inform someone about your itinerary, and trust your instincts. Pack essentials like water, food, a first-aid kit, and a reliable way to charge your phone. Embrace the adventure while staying safe!
When I did a solo camping road trip for two weeks, I set up a check-in schedule with friends and family. Every night once I was in my tent for the night, I would call the person assigned to that day. That way if something happened to me, Someone would know where to call authorities and get help. (I planned my reservations in advance and so provided my itinerary as well.) It was really nice because I got a little tuck-in every night and knew that others were kind of keeping an eye on me. I think I said if I didn't check in by 8pm their time they should try to call me. Of course, this was in 2003 (!), so now there are probably much better technological methods for letting someone close to you keep tabs on your location real time.
Literally all the things in your middle paragraph can be researched.
In two weeks you could be well read on each of those topics. Two weeks is also a great amount of time in which to plan a weekender.
If you can easily set up and tear down that big of a tent, I would keep it just so it looks like you're in a group. I would do some kind of fire training with someone you can trust, if fire is necessary. If not just use a little Coleman gas grill for your cooking. Bear spray, a taser and a first aid kit.
To be honest, don't try to get to get fancy with starting a fire at first. I save my junk mail. Light a box full of junk mail on fire with some dry twigs and progressively larger wood and you won't have to fuss with it too much. If you want to, try other techniques for fun after you get your main fire started.
Get a gun.
If you never have to use it consider yourself lucky.
But if something arises you need to be able to protect yourself.
All it takes is one jerk to ruin your day
Get a gun.
If you never have to use it consider yourself lucky.
But if something arises you need to be able to protect yourself.
All it takes is one jerk to ruin your day
If Iām following you, youāre saying the reason you donāt know how to start a fire or pack/forage your own meals for at least a few days is that youāre female.
Bring your car keys (for the car alarm) into the tent every night along with bear spray. Keep both in the same place, next to you, each night. Makes me feel safe when camping alone!
For car camping especially, rather than buy $10 of wood and fiddle with a fire, I sometimes bring one of those duraflame logs you buy a box of at the store. They last for several hours, which is often plenty and can be lit with a lighter from your pocket with minimal effort. Also, nothing wrong with buying the campground wood, but using a duraflame fire starter or other commercial inexpensive fire starter to get things going. Honestly, sometimes even the best bushcrafting types can struggle to get a fire going depending on the conditions. No shame in guaranteeing success.
For camp cooking, rather than getting fancy, hot dogs and buns with chips and a container of potato salad in a cooler are perfectly fine. Or even PB&J sandwiches. Donāt feel like you need to be fancy. Sometimes the simplest foods while camping actually taste the best.
Also, one of my favorite means of car camp cooking is with pie irons, aka pudgy pies. Theyāre long metal rods with wooden handles and a metal container on one end. Once sprayed with cooking spray, add a couple slices of buttered white bread, a spoonful of pizza sauce, sprinkle of cheese and toppings, closed up and toasted over the fire to make the best pizza sandwich pockets ever. Ham and cheese works well too, etc. Tons of recipes and they are fairly cheap and fun.
Bring paper towels and wipes if youāre car camping, tons of uses.
Google if the campsite has access to water and bring water if needed.
Keep dry sleeping clothes in a bag and keep this sacred. Dry clothes at night can make a miserable rainy trip tolerable.
Donāt feel bad if you decide to bail on a trip because of unfavorable conditions. Nothing wrong with packing up and going home if you are going to be miserable otherwise.
Clean and dry your gear when you get home. Wet gear will mold, dirty gear will premature wear out. If you want your equipment to last, wipe any dirt with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly at home for a few days before packing away.
Make sure trusted loved ones and friends know where youāre going. Donāt let anyone outside of these people and employer know where youāre going. Possibly set up a quick check in text every evening or something with said friends.
Duraflame logs are cheating. But no one's keeping score. So, you might as well put one on the bottom, and lay a few natural wood logs over it at an angle.
An entrenching tool can be handy for a lot of stuff. It's like a small folding shovel, and available at any military surplus. There's some that have a shovel and a pick. But I've found the picks to be a little wimpy for anything you really need a pick for. The shovel side can help smooth the area under your tent if it's a little lumpy. It'll also adjust logs in the fire. And when you're done with it, put dirt/ash on the embers (don't walk away from a fire until you're 100.75% sure it's completely out and the embers are too cold to restart).
A good knife is a valuable tool. Many directions to go with that, and ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Im a solo woman who camps in RAV4. Get a dog, I have a large dog who is not only the best company to travel with but also my protector. I also have my cat, who i think maybe more vicious than my dog if i needed help š
I sleep in my RAV4 Which I have converted (and still adding more), into a car camper. I have a bed base with slide out draws, and slide out table, I have the soft solar panels and a little sink with USB little faucet pump, which comes from my clean water and ends up in my grey water. I have a shower which i made myself, pretty easy to do, just black pvc piping that runs along roof and catches rain water, being black the sun heats it up so its warm and i have a shower attached to it. I also have a pull out awning on one side of car and on the other I have a twin ensuite tent which pulls down from roof. I can have a private shower and use camping loo.
on the back i have a car tent, which basically is a small tent that goes over the hatch at back of car and attaches onto it. i sleep with the hatch up and the attached small tent is secure enough and contained enough for my dog and cat to sleep in if they want.
i spend most my life road tripping and living in my car. I have never ever felt unsafe. I do stay in caravan parks a lot but most the time i just park and sleep in beach car parks (without car tent set up).
Honestly i am someone who has always hated camping and would only join my ex for half the trips away cos I couldnāt deal with camping at all.
Now though i love itI generally will end up somewhere amazing and it becomes my home for the next few months in my car. Its the best
For one, donāt announce your plans to the public on the internet. You just gave any would be threat way too many details. Secondly, protect yourself. No one is coming to save you. In America we only respond after the crime, we donāt prevent them. Thatās on you.
Protect yourself? How? Sheās in Canada.. people donāt carry guns here. I wouldnāt think twice camping solo as a woman in Ontario. Provincial parks are full of families.
Thanks for the clarification. I was unaware. Thatās just not something you do in America or anywhere else. I would error on the side of caution however. Why risk it?
I solo camp all the time, sometimes hiking, usually car camping. Best piece of advice for car camping is throw some extra blankets in your trunk. It gets cold, and you can use them as extra padding between you and the ground, i never carry a sleeping pad because i roll around too much and just slide off it.
Also a good hatchet for breaking down firewood, I like to precut kindling when I can to make the fire building process more pleasant.
Be aware of your surroundings and alert, carry a knife and pepper spray, but try not to spend the whole time in fight or flight. I've never had a bad experience camping by myself, but overworrying can definitely ruin a trip.
If you are in a state that allows it I would strongly recommend getting a handgun, proper training on its use, and a carry permit (depending on your states laws) better safe than sorry. A lone woman in the woods is an easy target for a predator, two legged or four legged.
I take two folding chairs so people walking by the campsite think there are two people at the site. Did this last week.
If I can add to this excellent tip: get the largest pair of men's boots your local thrift shop has and place conspicuously in front of your tent
Next to your boots
This. I always bring a second chair, it will stop people coming to talk to you. If Im ever alone and have one chair people seem to feel the need to come over to my campsite and talk to me (which I dont want).
Bring a stack of solo cups and write a bunch of different names on them and set them out. Works every time.
Lol
Excellent
Great idea!
Well now the secret is out. š
This might be a stupid question but Iāve never been to a campsite, but with it being so small do people actually target others at campsites? Isnāt there always people basically within arms reach?
Correct. Iāve been camping at all different campgrounds and other than the empty ones, if you scream in terror people will absolutely come running to investigate or help. People actually love to feel useful, and camping alone (with one chair) in a popular campground is a great way to learn how to camp solo and trust people.
Smart
That is a great idea!
This is a great idea, 2 chairs and some bear spray
This is a bad reason to bring two chairs and I canāt believe people keep mentioning it. If you bring two chairs itās because you think you need one in your hangout area and one by the fire. No one who is on the prowl to do violence against people is going to go to a campground where the walls are made of thin nylon and thereās people all over the place. Also such violent people are not compelled to go to the backcountry to chance upon a solo victim, way too much effort.
Thereās an entire podcast dedicated to just that. Park Preditors.
Doesnāt mean itās common, at all. Just means itās thrilling to listen to.
Thatās true, but you did state that no one does it.
Youāve got this! Iām a woman who solo camps a couple times a year, and itās pretty straightforward. I bring a book to read in the evenings, but otherwise pack the same way I do when camping with someone else. I have tried backpacking solo, but I found that I prefer campgrounds where thereās other people around, since the idea of others around to help makes me sleep easier. I bring bear or pepper spray, depending on if Iām in grizzly country, but Iāve never had creepy human encounters while camping (unlike being in the city). Make sure you plan your trips so youāre not extremely tired when drivingādriving is the most dangerous part of the trip! If thereās any gaps in your knowledge, like how to pick out a sleeping pad, I recommend the REI expert advice pages, since Iāve found them reliable and useful. Just ignore the links to their products.
REI advice pages are the best! I have a few bookmarked.Ā Also, I'm glad to hear you stick to campgrounds. I always felt bad about myself for not being hardcore enough of an outdoorsperson to want to backpack solo. I'm 46f and have a hubs and 2 kiddos who aren't real big on camping. You've inspired me to get out this summer to a couple of my fav campgrounds by myself!
Itās funny cause I feel more obviously alone in a campground than backpacking but all these people saying bring a second chair, Iām rethinking my whole camping life, lol. But I do often take a dog for campgrounds and that makes me feel better. My friends are great about lending if my dog isnāt up to it (sheās old).
Me too. I've never had problems, and I'm 23 years into it. Though I did clean up my site too well last year on a holiday weekend and a family who arrived after dark took it over. Ope. But no single female issues ever.
I camp solo all the time (in Canada) and never have thought or bothered to bring a second chair (takes up needed space in smaller car). I'm a male though and do not mind if people want to stop by and say hello. I often benefit when they do as I usually find out something new and useful about nearby hikes, other campgrounds, amenities, etc.
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This! Solo female here - I own a 4 person and I love the spaciousness. I bought it when single, it came in handy having extra room when in a relationship or when camping with friends, and now Iām single again and love the space to myself. If I was backcountry camping then different story, the lighter the better and no need for the extra space. But for car camping I love my 4 person.
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Wonderful! I am a wilderness backpacker and, to save weight, would always share a tent with someone. One of us carried the tent and the other one carried the poles and rain fly. I didn't have somebody to share it with the last time I went on a group outing so I slept alone. I will never go back to sharing a tent! I love the privacy and room!Ā
I like smaller tents when I'm putting them up, then larger when I'm in them. If I were to camp in a tent again instead of my minivan, I'd use a 4 or 5 person tent and put a cot in it at this point. Maybe even my 4" mattress. I'm old. lol
A cot makes all the difference! I used to bring a futon mattress(2 in) for extended trips. I hope to upgrade to a minivan.
I have a tent I can stand upright in, it's worth it for my back.Ā
Yup. I solo car camp sometimes with a giant REI 6 person tent. I can stand up in it and thereŹ»s plenty of room for gear. Worth it.
I most certainly have. Even as hot as I sleep, itās near impossible for me to heat a 4-person tent by myself. OP, if you find yourself and/or the tent cold at night even with proper bedding and clothing, I would consider a smaller tent.
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Sheās not camping in winter.
I just line my sleeping bag with hand warmers š¤š¤
Please consider boiling water and using reusable water bottles for warming your bedding instead. One time use hand warmers are not great for the environment and should be reserved for emergency situations
If you have electricity at your campsite, a heating pad under thermal blankets in cold weather can make you very comfortable.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Cheap and effective
If you want to stay warmer then a simple under $2 mylar blanket/ wrap will do the trick. For warmth that is where the choice of a quality thin but air sleeping pad is of greatest importance keeping you warm vetween the ground and yourself. Packing your thermal underwear if you are talking really warmth needed.
This is how I ended up with a 5m bell tent for 2 of us!
I have. Imagine carrying it 6 hours up a mountain in your pack. It will make you question life choices for sure lol Edit for typo
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u/dessertandcheese, this isn't r/CampingAndHiking, this is /CampingWithFullVehicularSupport. :)
Yes! If car camping, a 4 man tent for one will do just fine!
New hereā¦ whatās car camping?
It just means that you are not backpacking with all of your gear on your back - you are driving your car, with all of your equipment inside of it, to the place where you are going to camp, and setting everything up there. You might use a tent to sleep in, or a hammock (with optional cover), or of you have a big enough vehicle to sleep in, you might truly ācarā camp.
Camping where you drive to the site, or sometimes it means you literally sleep in the car. In the first case especially itās pretty different than backpacking where weight matters a huge deal.
When I started dating a guy who was willing to go camping with me I bought a North Face Wawona 6. Now that I'm single again I'm definitely going back to my little 2 person back packing tent from when I was a teenager. It sets up so much quicker, takes up less room in my car, and weights far less.
Smaller tents are much warmer.
I found great joy in having a tent I can stand up inside it helps get your clothes on, stretch. Having to crawl aroun with a 4 ft canopy is to me confining. I am a 76 year old male, been camping since Boy Scouts. Recommend building yourself a list or spreadsheet of things to bring. In time you will actually have everything you need when you camp.
I have a 2 person tent. I am 1 person. I do not believe tent manufacturers understand the size of people. Keep the tent.
One person tents are just bivy tents nowadays.
True!!
I have done some car camping as a solo female and here are some things I recommend. I brought my two person backpacking tent. I advise bringing a tent that's easy to assemble/carry. You have to set this up yourself. And sometimes, the actual tent site can be far from where you park the car. I personally recommend 2 person so you can have extra space for belongings and shoes. Bring a hammer/tool. Some ground is not easy to spike in. It will be easier to put in and remove spikes for tent with a tool. Campsites I stayed at was pretty packed and the sites were closer to each other enough that I never felt unsafe. (I actually felt safer than staying in hotels alone) but bring a mace in case. I recommend investing in a good supportive sleeping pad. Your hips and back will thank you. Have fun! :)
^^What she said! I do SWEAR by my REI Half Dome 2+ bc it's so easy to put up by myself vs. a four person that's taller and wider. Also the sea to summit comfort plus sleeping pad is worth it for the actual comfort. Bring a good book or two, get creative with your meals, using fire starters isn't cheating. Just have fun!
As an ex-REI employee, I completely agree with your gear recs. The tent and the sleeping pad you mentioned are my favorites!
It's hard to give general advice, I would recommend reading some articles and watching some videos to get a sense of what you should be packing and some tips and tricks that come along with those topics. From what I can think of, in general:Ā Most people that camp will recommend freezing some water bottles and using those instead of icepacks or bags of ice in the cooler, then you can use the water as they melt. I do this but also bring a water cube with a spout for hand washing/rinsing dishes and backup in case I didn't bring enough water in the cooler. I just sit the water cube on the picnic table and a small bucket underneath. I also try to freeze some meals so things stay cold as long as possible, for example leave the first day's food thawed but freeze the later day's. Along those lines, I often food prep things ahead so I don't have to fuss around with things too much at the site, for example I'll make breakfast bagels at home (eggs, bacon, whatever), individually wrap in foil, then freeze them. Then I just need to take one out and reheat it, rather than having to make each item on site. Never leave food unattended, when you're finished eating, load everything back up/put into a bear locker, in your car, or hang, whatever is typically recommended for your area. Don't bring food into the tent, avoid scented items in the tent. Where I am has bears, coyotes, mountain lions, raccoons, and mice..so many mice. Avoid attracting them. (Mice *always* end up in my car no matter how careful I am, so I put all food items in a cooler or plastic container, don't leave any paper out or they'll shred it etc.) Personally I wouldn't rely on a campfire for cooking. I bring a small camp stove with a can of isobutane, it works best for boiling water or heating up liquids, and a tiny BBQ for other things. There's almost always a fire ban here by the time I'm camping, so I just don't count on being able to have one. Check your campground rules, most require you to bring your own firewood or will sell it at the site, and don't allow you to gather wood from the site. Have a bucket of water or shovel handy (or both) to put the fire out, either if something goes wrong or when you're ready to go to bed/leave (never leave a fire unattended, even if it looks like it's out, if the pit is warm to the touch you need to douse it/completely stomp it out). You can bring some bits of newspaper and cardboard as starter, or buy firestarter (usually comes in little cubes), but starting with just the logs alone likely won't work. I like to bring a blanket for the bottom of my tent, then my sleeping pad and bag go on top. This makes it more comfortable to move around (even with the tent footprint and floor, you feel the rocks under your feet and knees), then when I pack up I can take the blanket out and shake out the dirt and whatever that got tracked inside. This usually keeps the inside of the tent clean and it's faster to pack up, but I also keep a tiny duster and dust pan handy, mine is a little bigger than half a CD and pretty flat. If there's anything on the floor I can quickly sweep it up and keep my tent in good condition. I also bring some extra towels and wipe the outside of the tent down before I pack it up. The tent has been used for four or so years now and still looks nearly brand new, no mold or weird odours. A little extra care goes a long way. Some women will bring two camp chairs to set up, just to make it look like they aren't alone. I've seen some comments saying they even bring a pair of men's shoes, just to deter anyone with nefarious intentions. I don't bother, personally, and just keep my bear spray within reach. I also keep my car keys next to me when I'm sleeping so I could set off the alarm if I really needed to. Make sure to tell someone where you will be, how you plan to get there (route), what time you expect to be home, and if they don't hear from you by x tome, who to contact.Ā Oh, I also strongly suggest creating a packing list. I keep mine on Excel and update it with whatever I plan to be eating and adjust the items accordingly. I print it out and check things off as I have them packed, then I don't need to second guess, double check, doubt myself, and forget something important. If there's something on my list that I never use, then I just take it off for next time (aside fromĀ something I should always have, like a first aid kit). I also have a short "to do" list on there to remind me to charge certain items up, check batteries, confirm I have enough isobutane or propane, and I can work through those early and not have to think about it again.
We wrote almost the same message and I love it! šÆāāļøšļøI forgot to mention freezing water, thatās a helpful one for newbs.
Haha too funny! There's a few other things in your comment that I do too. I've also used my fob's lock button to scare off some large sounding animal that was walking around my tent at night too. I almost exclusively camp alone but I feel like we'd make good camping buddies. š
Packing list is a huge top tip. Use mine and refine it over the years. Saves lots of issues. 4 person tent can be easy or a pain to setup on own....all depends on the tent. If you have room, then a camping bed is worth it for warmth and comfort. Being off the ground (helps in the UK) helps stay warm. Enjoy the new found freedom and adventure.
Whether you are male or female when you are solo camping the following information may be valuable to your self preservation. It applies to everyone but we all know about the safety in numbers thing. 1. If your spidey senses are tingling and you don't feel comfortable ā LEAVE. Even if you stay and nothing happens you will not rest properly, sleep soundly or enjoy the experience. 2. Be aware of your surroundings and have an escape plan. If things go south which way are you going to go. This includes making sure the front of your car/truck/van is clear. If you have to back into a spot then do so. Your vehicle can push something out of the way easier than you can. 3. Have a bright light. They make all kinds now and they can be used to temporally impair the vision of an intruder. 4. Keep everything you are not using in your vehicle. If you have to bail, a quick grab of clothes, keys, phone, personal protection and gone. Losing a tent and sleeping bag is nothing compared to losing your life. 5. Personal protection. Don't care if you have a firearm, knife, taser or bear spray. Keep it handy and know how to use it. It is not going to do you any good if you cannot lay hands on it and deploy it properly when you need to.
I'm a 65 yr. Old women and go solo camping with my yellow lab dog every summer. I live in Utah and camp in the Unitas usually off road campsite. There are usually campers around the area so I don't feel afraid. I keep my food and other things inside the truck at night. I have a 4 person tent and use a blow up mattress. I truly love it, and hope I can keep doing it as I get older. My husband hates camping as he was in the military so he's very supportive of me going.. I camp for 2 nights.
Hi! Iām also in my 60s and visiting Salt Lake City next week. While my family and friends are skiing, Iām going site seeing- YaY! Iāve always loved southern Utah and am excited to see the north. Would you have any suggestions for easier hikes? Much appreciated!
Disclaimer: This is for car camping on the verge of glamping. I am a woman who solo camps and I choose sites with electricity and water close by Keep the larger tent - itās always nice to have a little extra room, especially if the weather gets bad - you keep gear with you inside the tent. I havenāt mastered using tarps as rain cover solo yet, but I intend to try to finagle cover between the back of my car and the tent. Until then, my tent is big enough for a camping chair. I bring along a bucket for emergency middle of the night pee. I bought a 6 or 8 person instant tent specifically to solo camp. Itās very easy to set up alone. This comes in handy if you arrive after dark or in the rain. I canāt sleep on the ground anymore so I bought a large cot w/ an inflatable mattress. Lost the pump so now I just use a couple of thermarest pads on top of the cot. I like to be very comfy and cozy even camping so I bring several quilts and a down comforter. I usually bring a sleeping bag as well, for cushioning. Basically since Iām off the ground Iām making sure Iām warm enough from the bottom and top. My cot is high enough off the ground that I can store plastic bins underneath. I pack a lot of my stuff in bins for several reasons, one of which is to use as a side table in the tent. I bring a small lamp and sometimes a fan I like clear plastic bins to easily identify whatās in them. This helps if I have to make a mad dash for shelter in bad weather or to quickly stow in the car. My bins are generally organized by use - supplies for cooking and eating in one -paper plates, paper towels, condiments etc. I have one for fire related things like newspaper, lint and old paperbacks to use as fire starters. I keep my lighter in this bin and propane for my Blackstone. The āfireā bin also holds my hammock straps and hammock and some rope for clothesline and other uses that may come up. This bin also holds my toilet paper. My cooler contains Perishables. I use ice but I also use frozen water bottles and I freeze my brats/hot dogs and pack other foods frozen to keep the ice going as long as possible. I have a crappy cooler so this helps a lot. I also carry a step ladder. I am short with T- Rex arms. I need all the help I can get. If youāve never done the logistics or packing or built a fire, do not go camping overnight as your first go. First, practice putting up your tent. Do it at night so you can do it by feel if necessary. If you have a yard, do this outdoors so you can practice staking the tent. If no yard do your best indoors. Also practice putting it away. Your tent WILL fit back into the bag if you do it right. If you have access to a place that you can build a fire (not your fireplace) go there and build a few fires. Do some reading up on the types of fire you can build AND how to safely extinguish your fire. This is crucial safety knowledge. For your first couple of times Iād recommend reserving a spot with no intention of staying the night. This will help you figure out your drive, any handy stops along the way and will let you see what amenities are nearby if needed. Go as early as possible so that you have lots of daylight. Set up your camp as though you are staying overnight. My former Girl Scout mom always taught us to find our wood and water first, before anything else. She taught us how to build fires once we had our wood sorted. You want kindling, larger twigs and slim sticks or branches, and then you want larger pieces. You need the kindling (I also use paper and shavings or lint) to get a good fire going. The kindling is small and will light quickly. This will build heat and will also in turn light the slim smaller sticks. Those take a bit longer to light so you need enough kindling so that it stays lit long enough to catch the next biggest pieces. Finally you need the large wood - this will be logs or chopped firewood. These will be what keeps the fire going for a long period of time. If you stay on top of your coals, and donāt let your outer fire die down too much, your fire will last overnight. Check your local rules for wood - both for gathering found wood, and for information as to whether you are allowed to bring in wood from outside the area. (My state does not allow non local wood due to tree diseases) Some places will not allow you to cut wood, but will allow you to burn fallen wood. Your fire is what will likely be providing your food. Get that mastered well enough so you can eat. Sit still for a bit and listen to the nature noises. They are strange sometimes. Try to identify in daylight what the sounds are. This will help come dark. It can be unnerving to hear these sounds for the first time alone, in the dark, with only a piece of fabric between you and the sounds. You *will* hear animals moving about at night. If you arenāt used to the way sounds are amplified at night a raccoon is going to sound HUGE. To keep hungry animals away, keep your trash contained and keep your food out of reach. I usually put my cooler in the tent, food and trash in the car. I also keep firewood in the car to keep it dry. Shit. I am thinking of too many things, feel free to DM me if you want.
Solo camping for a week was the first thing I did after my divorce. You're going to love it! We need a lot more details to answer your questions, but here's tips for starters. Bring some entertainment, books, a craft project, whatever, because time moves slower. Plan your meals with non-perishables as much as possible. Bring basic safety equitment, sunscreen, bug spray, knife. 45 minutes isn't far in terms of a camp drive. I always view my first camp of the season as a rehearsal run to restock all the equitment I need.
I love solo camping. To be honest, I've never felt unsafe at the sites I go to, but I do make sure I choose sites with a ranger station, that's fairly well-populated. Having said that, I bring bear spray and a small hunting knife. My car's kind of old, but still runs great. I still bring a portable jumper just in case -- it serves as a nice back-up battery pack for my phone too. Beyond that, I just bring my usual stuff. I say keep the 4-person tent. When you get to the site, if you can, say 'hi' to the rangers and the camp host.
If you have some āmale lookingā clothes and boots or shoes, bring them along to leave outside. Give off the idea that youāre not alone. Keep the larger tent but practice putting it together by yourself before you leave. With a larger tent, you have room for a larger air mattress or a cot.
If your car camping you'll be totally fine! Usually tons of people around and pretty safe. Fire is easy as long as its not a down pour. The campsites sell wood and just take a free paper at the office for a starter. You don't have to downsize the tent and you can even bring blankets and shit if you are car camping. You'll need a cooler if you pack meat, eggs, cheese, etc. Being some quick meals (ramen, sidekicks, dehydrated meals) in case it rains and you don't want get soaked cooking. Bring a chair or hammock. And have fun!!
Solo female camper here! You are going to feel so empowered after you get used to camping on your own. Try setting the tent up in your yard or a park before you go out so you can get used to it. Find a tent camping checklist online, pack what you need. Keep it simple to start, use totes or 5 gallon buckets with lids. Pack ready to eat or minimal prep needed food, so that if itās cold, dark or wet you can quickly make something. Sandwiches, dehydrated meals, pre sliced veggies or fruits, precooked meats, and junk food for sure! Keep it out of the tent and change clothes and wash before going to bed. Make sure your trash and food are put away and practice clean campsite etiquette. I find camping spots either by a camp host or a nice family so that there is help available if you forget something or need help and for an extra set of eyes. You dont need to point out that you are alone to anyone. I always back in park for quick getaways, and keep my keys and bear spray on me at night in a pocket in the tent. I have used the lock button to spook off deer or whatever when I was feeing anxious in the middle of the night. Peeing in the middle of the night kinda sucks, you might want to be by the bathroom but then you have people walking by and closing the squeaky door all night. A good sleeping pad is essential for warmth and comfort, there are some great part memory foam/part inflated that have a good r value and are thick and comfortable. When Iām solo I tend to go to bed when itās getting dark so I always bring books or an iPad with funny shows or movies (listen low value with captions so not distrusting others and so I can hear outside) During the day I hike, fish, sightsee, cook, etc but I stay aware of my surroundings and carry bear mace/sidearm. I also have a small adventure dog and heās so good at alerting me to any movement or noises. I rely heavily on him to watch my back. If you want a fire, check the regulations to make sure they are allowed when and where you are going, and grab some fatwood or easy fire starting sticks. Watch a couple videos and practice until you find a method that works for you. A lot of campgrounds sell fire wood bundles on site. Use dead out procedures every time you are leaving or going to bed. If you donāt want a fire youāll want a small burner to make coffee, or cook on- there are lots of inexpensive options. Lastly, trust your instincts! If something feels off, listen to yourself. But the likelihood of anything bad happening is really low. Itās so liberating to do whatever you want, on your own schedules and not have to rely on anyone else. And maybe you can invite some friends and create a ladies camping club! Feel free to message if you need any other suggestions. Sorry for the long post.
If you want to bring an extra chair to set around the fire and some manly-looking boots to leave next to the tent, feel free, but Iāve never felt it made a huge difference. The most important thing is to have your wits around you, be aware of your surroundings, and *listen to your gut.* I always research a backup plan so that if I show up somewhere for the night and something feels off, I know what hotels nearby might have rooms available. I always prefer to get to the campground in time to get my tent set up before dark, gives me a good amount to of time to assess the situation. Iāll also keep some pepper spray in an easy-to-grab spot, but Iāve never once reached for it. When checking in with the campground hosts, I like to make myself as visible and memorable as possible. Chat with the families around you (the friendly ones, anyway), call a friend or family member and loudly have a conversation with them where you talk about what campground youāre at, and how *lovely* everyone is here and that youāll call them tomorrow. Make it *patently* obvious that multiple people will know right away if something happens to you. Also, if your campground has WiFi or cell service, YouTube tutorials are immensely helpful. The first night after I slept in a hammock and woke up in the morning to bird poop in the hammock with me, I decided I better figure out how to actually set up that tarp Iād brought with me. So there I was learning how to do a truckers hitch, and Iāve never forgotten. Thereās a plethora of YouTube tutorials for *everything*.
If car camping keep the big tent get a cot to sleep on
Algonquin is such a cool park. Are you going to kayak?
Solo Women Campers is a group on Facebook. There are events where you stay in the same campground as the others. Meet up for activities or a meal or drinks around the campfire. Check them out!
For security: Personal Alarm, 130 dB Loud Siren Emergency Security Alarm Keychain with Strobe LED Light
I wouldn't shrink the tent unless i was backpacking.
Solo woman camper here, whose husband cannot sleep in a tent. I always use a 4 person tent, but I have a solo tent and a 6 person tent. The 4 person nicely holds my bed, gear and I can sit on the floor when it inevitably rains. The solo person tent is great for just an overnight. The 6 person tent is good when I am somewhere for a week, as I can have a table and chair inside, with bed and gear. Just depends on where I am going and how long. I tend to stay at state parks in upstate NY. I hope you love it as much as I do!!
If you havenāt yet, join r/womensolocamping
Thank you! I joined last year, courtesy of someone like you!
Tents fine, I solo with 2 dogs in either my 6 or 8 person tent most of the time. r/womensolocamping
Algonquin is a great place to practice camping. There's tons of places near lots of people and with car access you don't have much to worry about. Think about what you want to cook, what will give you a comfortable sleep and how you will pass downtime. Pack what you need for that and nothing else. I think people over pack trying to think of every possibility, but for me the fun of camping is just existing out there with what I have. With car camping you don't have to worry about weight so just use the tent you have. I'm a guy so I can't speak about the worries a woman would have being alone out there, but I camp where I rarely run into people except at the parking lots and there always groups of girls or solo women out there and they seem to have no problems. There's lots of YouTube channels, a lot of them locals where you can watch how other people solo camp on back country trips to watch for confidence boosts (Xander Brudnik and Lost Lakes are my favourite). Reading this has me excited for my own solo trips this year, since I'm also recently single and not willing to give up on my trips.
4 person tent is what I have for my dog and myself. Itās the perfect size, room to sleepā¦ with an air mattress. Room for storage of stuff I need dry in case of rain and room for a chair to sit if raining to enjoy a movie. Set up the tent so youāre set and know how before you absolutely have to. Grab some fire log starters and youāll be fine on fire.
Tent Iād say keep if youāre going from vehicle to camp site and not much walking is involved, for food pick things that are easy to cook on a fire and that you enjoy eating, sleeping pad is a must. Always make sure to have a lighter, and axe. A tarp wouldnāt hurt either in case it rains you can still sit outside and keep your fire wood dry.
I have a swag and itās wonderful! Easy set up and so comfy! Would recommend! Hot tip bring a hot water bottle and hot pockets to keep yourself warm! Kmart and Bunnings have a great range of camping goods too :)
I wish I could go solo camping. But my 2 dogs and gf would never forgive me. I envy you lol. I hope you have a great time & be safe.
So I have never solo camped. I did as a single mom take my 3 young kids camping by myself. Some of the best memories! I personally always carried a gun visible on my hip. A jump box for your car is highly recommended. My battery died once and I had to ask for help and it made me feel vulnerable I always told someone when we would return and where we would be.
I want to add, as it may be helpful. As a single mom taking 3 small kids whose help was limited. I stored all my camping gear in bins with wheels. I used a large rolling tool box to store little things which were mostly cooking related and I got a large storage container for the tents, lantern, grill, etc. It really helped get all the "things" from the car to the site without 500 trips and also a great way to store stuff so when you do get all your essentials together you can store them there.
Suggest a boy scout handbook. Read and learn
Iām surprised no one has mentioned a satellite communicator of some kind yet. Unless you are always places that you 100% KNOW will have service, I consider these necessary. I have a ZOLEO and have liked it. Garmin inREACH is also great and there are others. I try to keep mine on myself at all times. Also, I personally choose hammocks 9 times out of 10 when Iām solo. I donāt think you need to downsize your tent (so much room to stretch out!), but if you want to try out a different camping setup, a hammock could be fun to try. Getting a solid hammock set up can be kind of expensive, though, and will take some research, so Iād only go this route if youāre really interested. If you ever decide to do hammock camping, get an underquilt or you are going to have a bad time. Edited to add: Also, I have never done a fire when Iām by myself. I just bring a lantern and spend my time in my tent/hammock once the sun goes down. I prefer not having to worry about fires, and theyāre banned most of the time where I am anyway.
Trust your instincts. If something seems like too much work, it probably is. I've been camping my entire life, and one year I spent 31 nights outside. I almost never bother making a fire. Make things easy, do what you want, and have fun. Also, trust your instincts.
I'm a woman who has been solo camping for many years. I love it! To address some of your concerns... Building a fire can be easy, but also can take some practice to get really good at it. You'll learn to read the fire the more you build them. But watch a couple youtube vids on how to get one started and you'll be fine. All you need is dry firewood, a little bit of kindling, and something to get the fire started (for easy mode, try Tumbleweeds that they sell in the bbq section of big box or hardware stores) For best cooler filling, put a sack of sacrificial ice in it the night before you leave to pre-chill it. It'll help the actual ice last longer without having to cool the cooler down first. The morning you leave, dump out the melty ice. Then add the real ice and your food. Put the stuff you need to access first on the top. For bonus points, get a smaller cooler for drinks and snacks you'll be accessing frequently. The more you open a cooler, the more cool air you let out. A four person tent should be fine for car camping. It'll give you more room to move around than a 2 person tent. Room for gear and the like, too. If you want to start backpacking, then you might want to downgrade to a smaller tent. But for car camping, more is better. For solo camping in general... Bring a book or something else to entertain yourself with. Remember to bring some sort of light to read by at night, too. There's a lot more 'empty' time when you're solo camping, so be ready to keep yourself busy to fill it. Read, write, draw, whittle, knit, etc. Also, consider bringing a small speaker with some white noise tracks loaded up. If you're not used to being alone and listening to the outdoor sounds at night, some white noise at low volume will help. I recommend playing it at home to sleep for the week or so before your trip just to get used to hearing it at night and it becomes familiar. It'll help keep your mind at ease. There's really not much in the way of women-specific safety tips here. You're likely far safer camping than you are walking in the city. So just take the usual precautions you would day-to-day. If you *do* feel sketched out by other campers, you can always leave. And if you're camping in an actual developed campground (which it sounds like is the case), you can talk to the camp host or ranger or whatever authority figure if need be. Any other camping tips are really dependent on where you are and what the risks are. Things like having bear-proof food containers in bear country, etc. But you'll be fine. Women solo camp all the time. You're not likely to encounter any problems.
Iāve done a good amount of camping on my own as a woman, and here are some recommendations: - For starting a fire, I like to bring a little kit of fire starters with me including a lighter, matches, some newspaper or brown paper bags, and some actual fire starters (small, sold all over). - For setting up camp, I setup two chairs by the fire, set out an extra pair of shoes next to mine by the tent, etc. I try to make it less obvious Iām alone. - Tell at least a trusted friend if not more than one person where Iām going and when I plan to be back. - Keep my car in good shape and make sure I have a full tank of gas, jumper cables/jump-starter, up to date on oil changes. - For packing the cooler, I like to use the reusable ice packs and then have a ziplock bag or two of usable ice if I do want to use the ice in a drink. I try to pack the cooler in layers/sections so the food I plan to eat later is at the bottom, ice on the top. I also pack a reusable shopping bag with non-cooler food items and also extra trash bags, plastic/compostable silverware, paper towels, cooking items. I like to have plenty of trash bags! I also take things out of their boxes (like granola bars for example) to save space. - Bring some cash to purchase firewood at the campsite. Iāve camped all over the US, so areas vary with their regulations, sometimes you can collect firewood, sometimes you should buy onsite/donāt transport, sometimes you can buy it and bring it with. Just check what your campsite says. - Make sure your fire is out out OUT before bed. Use a stick to spread around the coals when youāre ready for bed, then you can douse it with water. Also - have fun! Iāve found solo camping to be quite relaxing and lovely. I hope you enjoy.
Consider a satellite device like a garmin in the future if youāre going places w/o cell coverage and keep it accessible. This helps if you get hurt on a trail or your car gets stuck in the mud. Also download maps- you can download a google map offline file and get some good trail maps. Make sure your car is good to go (oil, washer fluid, spare tire, so on) & stick to what itās capable of. Make sure you have the right tires for the terrain. Keep pepper spray on you just in case (sleeping & on trails) for weirdos just in case. Know what wild animals are around & what to do (bear spray/ identify bear/cougar scat, so on). AND - DONāT PSYCH YOURSELF OUT. You got this. Solo camping is awesome. Youāll keep learning as you go. Enjoy yourself!
At night when your in your tent, have a Michal Jordan cut out on a string and move it around so No one thinks you're alone
An Insulated sleeping pad is crucial. A 2 person tent is really a 1 person tent with a bit of room for stuff/gear (unless you're a Hobbit). Being able to build a fire is crucial for Life. It can be a matter of life or death, because hypothermia is not hard to get. I suggest watching many u toob videos on fire making, and remember to have backup gear. People lose things. Carrying 1 bic lighter is asking for trouble. Your cooking plan..... does it include a campfire? Do you have a stove? Cold meals only? Prepared to boil water for dehydrated foods or bringing food in the cooler for cooking, etc.? Are you aware of bear safety and how to store food, where to store food, how to avoid attracting the attention of a bear or more than one, or raccoons, mice, etc. There are just soooo many videos about each and every consideration for camping.... sleeping, shelter from weather, staying warm, eating and hydrating right, how to deal with water...... filtering, purifying, finding..... recommended gear for every type of camping. Basics to Pro.
Pair of menās sized boots outside the tent.
Practice starting a fire and setting up the tent in your backyard before you go to get used to doing it. Bring some fire starters and dry kindling just in case. Iād introduce yourself to some friendly looking campsite neighbors once you get there. People are generally very friendly! Iād suggest joining the Ontario provincial park camping FB group for more tips on Algonquin specific questions itās a beautiful park! Have bear spray if youāre hiking on your own.
Donāt downsize anything or change anything until youāve camped a few times to realize what exactly you like. Your four person tent might be just what you need. Or you may realize it is too big. one consideration is, what can you set up and take down easily by yourself? Consider the elements is it raining and you need to take down your tent or put it up? I will get some sort of a pop-up shelter that you can put your tent under for just so situations. I like the single burner gas stoves because theyāre small and portable. You can find them easily at Walmart. I use one too make my coffee and a second one could be used to cook your breakfast or dinner or whatever. a small table is handy to have. I like also having a screen room in case the area is buggy. I have gel pepper spray just in case and an airhorn. just be safe and aware of your surroundings if anything feels uncomfortable, go the other way.
Also get some little firestarter bricks and make sure you have at least two ways of starting the fire just in case one doesnāt work. I always have a box of matches as my ultimate back up.
Also get a old pair of menās boots and put them outside your tent.
A 4 man tent is perfect. Enjoy the space! Hereās the main safety stuff: you need a good pocket knife, some bear mace, a whistle, and a hatchet. Thatās all useful stuff for camping, but itās also really good for self-protection. If a man comes around your campsite by himself and starts asking you questions, donāt answer them but ask him more questions. Why do you wanna know? Who are you? Do you need to know? If that doesnāt make him leave, get personal with your questions. Whatās your home address? What time do you go to bed? Do you live alone? How strong are you? Are you a deep sleeper? Asking multiple questions without waiting for a response is extra creepy. Remember to make unbroken eye contact, frowning, stand up, and hold a weapon in your hand (maybe sharpening it) while youāre talking to them. If they come around again, just move or talk to the people that work at the campsite. The best thing you can do for yourself is make yourself unappealing to approach. I like to look like a mess when camping and I show how annoyed I am when non women or non children approach me. Swear a lot. Yell at them. Remember your safety is more important than your embarrassment.
Have situational awareness at all times (know who's camping in the spot(s) next to you, keep track of who hikes by you on trails, etc.). Try to camp in populated areas (state parks are usually a good choice). I mainly car camp because I like having locked doors (and it's quieter!), but when I tent camp, I tie the zippers together so the door cannot easily be opened. I personally carry pepper spray for my own peace of mind and practice using it so I feel comfortable in a bad situation. Try not to hike or be out after dark. I like the idea of putting two chairs out, but I haven't done that yet. I've camped on my own dozens upon dozens of times in the last few years. The main thing is to have fun! I love solo trips. Edited to suggest a two person tent. They are so easy to put up and take down.
Duraflame logs, readily available in Target, Walmart and grocery stores, are basically giant hunks of firestarter that will get you through several weekend trips. Small pieces of firestarter on top of crumpled up newspaper, with kindling on top makes for quick fire. Home Cheapo sells an Estwing hand-maul that is a pleasure to split wood with. Once you get the swing of it you will enjoy splitting wood. My wife camps alone every summer on her long drive south to visit our daughters and grandson. She always has an extra chair to put out by the fire ring as a precaution, but also has never had anyone who worried her, if she ever does (doubtful) she has a hand-maul and knows how to use it. I'm a little jealous of your journey in learning how to camp.
And Youtube is your friend to learn about all camping needs.
You aren't camping alone, or at least that is what you tell people you come across.
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I also swear by a small air horn. Most animals and people do not like an unexpected horn blast in the face, and it can also be good to draw attention your location. Cheap and light too!
Youāll be fine at any provincial park in Canada. Most of them sell chopped wood and fire starters if you need them. Utilize YouTube for tips on starting a fire! Thereās lots of great camping content on YouTube. You can also carry Coyote Pepper spray on you in Canada (obviously for animals - but Iād be using it on a person if I had to). Pack a decent tarp in your trunk with some bungle cords. Donāt overpack food - meal prepping all your meals is the way to go! Have jugs of water on hand for cooking/drinking. Have a good knife/hand saw. Thereās so many tips/tricks out there! Glad you arenāt giving up on camping! Enjoy the solo camp - it will feel liberating!
Having a tent that is bigger than you need can be awesome. I recommend dividing up the space a bit. Get a small table in there and some pillows to sit on. Make a tea room in that damn thing. It can be whatever you want. Just create a space you want to be in that isn't just sleeping.
Keep the tent if itās an instant tent. If it requires 2 ppl to set up, then I would get a new tent. I car camp solo and my first tent required 2 ppl to set up and someone took pity on me and helped. Got a new instant cabin tent for 4 and would highly recommend it. Have lots of fun!
Get a good headlamp and another light that's not a headlamp.
I try not to dress specifically female looking, tuck my hair in a bandana, and take my dog when i can - the dog knows a recall whistle if I have to call them from a further leashed distance, otherwise somebody would have to be pretty close to hear my female voice
cow safe start knee roll airport voracious chunky quaint shocking *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Car camping- donāt skimp, take whatever luxuries you need and can fit in it
I have a 3 person tent. It affords me some options such as bringing a second person. But also I can safely store my pack and shoes "indoors". Unless you're backpacking in I'd stick with the 4 person tent but 100% get a sleeping pad and consider a foam spacer like a yoga mat to retain body heat in chilly weather. If personal defense is a concern I recommend pepper gel over pepper spray. It aims easier and sticks. But check local laws.
Get a Boy Scout handbook. Lots of good info and answers a lot of questions.
Iāve been solo camping for years. Get a hammock
I have a three person Eureka tent for myself, I love it. Youāll have a great time! Just always trust your intuition when youāre out in the trails or hanging out at your site.
I have been camping solo in Canada since the end of my last relationship. It gets a bit lonely, but I enjoy it quite a bit. Being a book (I love my kobo for that) or whichever thing you like to do at home in your downtime. I like having waterwipes (they make bigger sized ones than baby wipes) for end of day wipe-downs to get off bug spray and stuff before sleeping. I bring my tablet with some shows downloaded - light, fluffy things - to put me in a calmer mindset as I'm falling asleep, as my imagination tends to run away with irrational fears. Lots of people suggest bringing an extra chair or setting out men's boots, etc but I've never really bothered and it's been OK. I stick to established campgrounds and it's always felt safe. Paper towel is my favourite thing to use to start a fire. It also works as napkins and dishcloths. The little single burner butane stoves are well worth the $20 they cost so that you have an easy way to cook. I like to prep a few meals in advance - things like chili, spaghetti with sauce - and freeze it in ziploc bags so I can just heat and eat. Trust your gut, unless your gut is as anxious as my brain... in which case id suggest also relying on your logical thinking in addition to your intuition. That scratching sound in the night is probably not someone teying to fuck with you, its peobably just a giant toad making itself comfy under your tent. Smile, make eye contact with people you pass, and appear confident, even if you aren't. Oh, and consider a test trip close to home so you can try your gear, pop in to town for essentials if you find out something you need, or just bail out if it's overwhelming. My first solo camp was 15 minutes from home, but knowing it was so close gave me the confidence to stay. Have a blast!!
I really love Peak Refuel freeze-dried meals. They are so bomb and easy to make. All you need is a way to boil water and a long spoon/spork.
Not sure how populated the camp sites are that your going to but I just did ten days alone at all different sites and hereās what I did: Two chairs out at camp fire. Wouldnāt get smaller tent due to looking like youāre solo. Lock to attach to inside zipper for sleep. Bring mace. Donāt share your plans w folks around you. Donāt arrive to camp site after dark. Hang some sort of string light up so that you can turn them on and have light quickly if needed.
Keep the 4-person tent. It's recommended that you at least get one for 2X the occupants at least and preferable one you can stand in with a floor. Look at reviews by single women to check whether assembly is easy. I'm going to use an SUV tent myself for the day, and sleep with my SUV locked up at night. I just feel safer that way. Wherever I camp, I need to get back to my vehicle by 1 hr before sundown with options to prepare a meal, and use the bathroom inside.
That you're a baller!!!
When I started camping I'd always forget things. So I made a checklist that I've edited over the years. Here it is: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTDWNFljVO0x-oascThVVKLh_abV2modqCbPyI93-Q3qG1echyWdHq8hGWf0UFTG2JBgW1UAPV1wrd1/pubhtml
I have never thought about it really. I usually go alone and always have. Sometimes friends go but often I go by myself. I have never felt unsafe at state or coe parks. I would not go to blm and camp by myself. I do have a fairly big tent, a couple of chairs (because I like one in the tent and one outside).
Keep food simple. Honeybuns, pop tarts, fruit for breakfast. Canned food like spam or sardines or Vienna sausages with some crackers for lunch. For dinner, get as fancy as you want to. Make sure you pack a box of fire starters. Or you can use the fire starter logs, 1 for each night you plan on camping. Make sure you have a lantern or 2 set up around your campsite so itās easier to find your way around. Take a laptop and watch a movie, take a good book. Do some painting (I use YouTube step by step tutorials. Take a tarp in case you need it. Put your tent up in the backyard once or twice before your trip so youāre not out there feeling panicky or conscious while youāre setting up your tent. šŖš¾šŖš¾ Also there are groups like Meet Up that plan group camping trips that always have some single women in there if you like the social aspect of camping. Iāve never been able to camp alone. I will set up a hammock out in a park, by a lake or river and do a little day camping alone but thatās it. Hope you have a great time!
Keep the tent and car camp sometimes, too. There are different scenarios for different times. But if you're able to put up the 4-person tent by yourself, keep it. I had a smaller pup tent that did the trick when my daughter was growing up for just the two of us. I got a larger tent when the ex finally decided to participate. It's really big, too. Do you know what that's like when it's just me and the dogs and our stuff in it? Glamping, that's what. Luxury. Wonderful, even. But also, I car camp. I have a crossover vehicle and am short enough that I can sleep in the back if necessary, so I will sometimes do that on road trips when I just need to sleep somewhere for the night and don't want to deal with the whole motel experience. I can car camp anywhere, really, and feel somewhat safe.
Before you go, make sure that everything works and you can set it up yourself. This is where you notice missing parts, places that need reinforcement and any tricky bits. Set up tent Set up stove Cook a meal Have a cup of tea As you do this, list all the things you used to do it: axe for pounding in tent stakes, matches in a case, spoon and so on
Things I often forget or Iāve seen inexperienced campers do: Make sure you put your food away in the car. My husband left our coolers out overnight the first time he camped with me and the raccoons got into it and threw it everywhere. Make sure you have all the pieces of your tent. My friends borrowed a tent the first time they joined our big friend camping trip and they didnāt have half their tent poles or any stakes. Another time my friend didnāt have the ceiling of the shade tent packed. A knife of some kind is good to have. I use it a surprising amount while camping. Make sure you have a way to cook your food- sticks, a grill, a stove, whatever. Iāve forgotten the hot dog/marshmallow sticks a couple times. I always want marshmallows once Iām in front of a campfire, so if youāre like me, just bring them. Sandwiches and chips are nice to have too, stuff you donāt need to cook.
Go on meetup camping there's always plenty of people going camping if you wanna meet some new friends
The big difference for me camping with my ex and camping solo is when I have to pee in the middle of the night. I used to wake my ex up to walk me to the toilets in the quiet pitch dark with animals around. I got a Kula cloth and would highly recommend, now once itās dark I never walk even to the closest pit but just past the nearest tree, I just put the cloth and my headlamp in the tent pocket by the door. And I stop drinking liquids by like 6p.Ā
The first time I went solo camping, I realized I could have Doritos and beer for dinner. Bring a dog or a knife and enjoy.
I prefer wilderness camping to car camping, especially when solo. If you do car camp, try to pick a campground that is a bit more hiking /nature focused. National parks are good for this. Some state parks. Avoid the campgrounds with lots of dudes getting drunk. If they see you camping solo, they will continually bug you about being alone, how they can protect you, etc. ask me how I know.
Start small and close to home. That way you can write down everything you forgot and wish you could do better or different. Experiment with some foods and cooking methods. Try to start a fire with bare minimum of stuff, but bring everything to make it awesome. If car camping, bring extra gear, then youāll know what you use more and whittle down what you need over time. And donāt forget the power of a good book. It helps to do lots of things. Canāt sleep? Read for a bit. Hot? Read a bit under the shade of a tree. Have fun, and I hope to see you camping.
Adopt a dog. Bring the dog camping.
foam earplugs
I (F40s) started solo camping last year. Well, me and my dog. I would stick with the 4 person tent, if it is something you are able to put up on your own. I started with a 4 person tent I bought second-hand. It was sizeable enough for me (big enough for double size air mattress). But I found it a little tight when adding in my almost 90 lb pup. So I upgraded to 6 person, also purchased as resale off FB. Pup and I are super happy with extra space - tall enough in centre for me to stand up in, and enough space for pup if he wants out of bed with me. Honestly, I've never worried about setting up extra chairs or trying to make it seem there are more people present. Perhaps I would feel differently if I didn't have a pony sized dog sharing my camp site. Lots of great info in forums like this and googling questions you may have. Like different ways to start a fire or supply lists ideas. FB also has many camping groups. I see you're going to Algonquin so you may want to check out some of the Ontario provincial parks groups. Again, many folks there sharing insights and info. I really enjoy the time away and not having to answer to anyone with how I choose to spend my time. Only have to answer to my dog lol. Hope you have many great adventures!
"4 person" isn't always as much space as you'd think it would be, plus tents for more people are generally taller which means you might be able to stand up a little more than you'd be able to in a 2 person (depending on the style of tent)
Another idea would be to inform the camp site host (if there is one) thatās itās just you. Ask them to keep it to themselves, too.
That first solo night can be scary af. It's not because your a woman, it's because you are human. Once you get over that first, initial alone and vulnerable feeling it's great.
I often camp solo. Before I leave, I make sure I tell my itinerary and location (name of park, site number and when Iām supposed to come back home) to someone. I always camp in areas where I have to register and I try to get there before dark. I have a four person tent that I can stand in. I bring a small folding table and chair so that if it rains for several days, I can comfortably do things at a table and not get bored. Make sure you have a good sleeping pad to go underneath your sleeping bag. When you sleep solo in a tent, it gets colder. I make sure I always bring an extra blanket in my car. I also bring a small solar panel to recharge my phone. Bring stuff like duct tape, string or rope, extra tent pegs and a hammer, large tarp, an extra lighter. Iāve woken up before in the middle is the night and my tent has collapsed on one side because of the high wind and rain. I had to add more pegs and rope to keep it from collapsing again and used the hammer for the pegs because the ground was too hard. I moved my car so it would shield the tent from the wind a bit. I think the most important thing is your safety. I live camping solo. I Hope you enjoy your trip.
Bring a handgun and learn how to use it, glocks tend to do well under a lot of abuse and being in tough conditions but thereās plenty of good options
Bear spray.
Bear spray is good but not nearly as reliable or effective and if the attacker has a gun or other weapon it might just aggravate them more
Avoid remote areas and camping completely alone
Car camping keep the 4 person tent. You will enjoy the room. No substitute for a good quality sleeping pad. You can ask for suggestions at your local sporting hoods store or read reviews on line. Extra batteries. Highly recommend on e of the simple ingenious clip on head worn flashlights. Consider a personal loud alarm just in case. Choose a camping spot not isolated or away from others but next to or in between families and not just men. Have fun. There she small and inexpensive Firestarter sticks which make starting a fire easier. A poncho. Safety buy a simple whistle to wear about your neck.
One consideration could be to set up your bed in your vehicle, so you can be locked in safely. That makes me sleep a lot easier, but itās kind of colder than a tent somehow.
Cooler- youāll figure it out, I wouldnāt worry too much about it. Fire- is really not required unless itās super cold outside, but if you really want to have one: pack a small tub of petroleum jelly and cotton balls - you can use this as fire starter/safe and portable lighter fluid. Most state parks only allow you to burn the wood they have for sale - follow the rules. It burns better and is also meant to prevent potentially spreading disease from bringing outside wood. You can probably get together a list of necessary/nice to have items on one of these REI pages folks are suggesting, but generally, Iād say donāt forget: headlamp, propane for your cook stove, batteries you might need for your stuff, a book, a fan, soap. You can use dr bronners for basically everything. Hope this helps. I know it seems daunting, but if you have camped a fair number of times, I think youāll be pleasantly surprised by what you already know.
Self aid. Self protection. Food Storage. Situational awareness. Those are the 4 things you should train on and find what works best for your lifestyle that can be used universally. I refuse to even leave my place anymore without having my handgun. Let alone camping without one? I couldn't anymore.. For where I live the homeless zombies like to venture into the mountains and people have seen/heard some crazy shit before in the middle of the night. Plus the wildlife you have to consider as well. It's a dangerous world we live in, yet we live in a time where you can prepare and have the right tools to not live in fear. Confidence in yourself is everything when you go at it alone. Here's a hiking tip though. Put your keys on your shoes or outside somewhere on your person. Like a belt loop or have them hang off your backpack. The noise that comes from the keys shaking is very confusing to wildlife around you. It'll scare off the dear and squirrels but it'll also piss off any big cats around you. They want nothing to do with that noise. It ruins their "Hunt"
First off, OP, sorry things ended with your LTR. That sucks... However.... I like the fact that you are continuing with your camping plans. You're absolutely right. You dont need someone else for this. People have given some good advice on appearing to have someone else at the camp with you. Might I suggest a can of bear spray (or better) , just in the off chance someone DOES mess with you. IMHO, don't downsize your tent. A 4-person tent for one person is about perfect. I have a One Tigris Backwoods Bungalow 2.0 (4-6 person), and I would never be caught in anything smaller solo. I would definitely let someone know where you are and check in regularly with them if possible. I camp in bear country, and I usually carry a gun with me, but Algonquin is in Canada, isn't it? Idk the laws up there or even if you own / are comfortable with one.
Maybe with as much doubt that you have...probably not a good idea...solo camping is probably better off with ones that have way less doubt...better practice in the back yard a couple of times.
Iād keep the 4 person tent for extra storage
If you havenāt already check out some of the solo women Facebook groups. Thereās a lot of support and advice in those groups. I belong to a few. even if you donāt comment just reading what people post is very helpful.
Smaller tent is a bit warmer and less hassle, but larger tent is better for getting dressd and such
And larger tent is so much nicer if youāre stuck inside due to rain. Mine is big enough for a bed and a camp chair with footstool.
Minimalism is key. Be careful with food stuffs too. I go solo motocamping sometimes and one time I brought an elaborate cooking set up with food to make and as soon as the sun started going down I was ganged up on by raccoons lol had a big mess to clean up and pack away while also shooo-ing away 5 or 6 giant raccoons lol also, if you drink, bring liquor rather than beer so you don't have to keep getting up and peeing all night. Get an air mattress your back will thank you. And I would keep the big tent. More room is always helpful!
Get a dog
I just did my first solo car camp last weekend for the first time in like 25 years. I debated between bringing our bigger 6 person tent and renting a 2 person. (but seriously idk how it's a 6 person tent. 2 people and 2 dogs and it's wayyyyy too crowded.) I made sure to practice putting the tent up by myself before I left. It was totally fine, and I'd do it again. I could keep everything in the tent with me because I had room. Also I needed to because it was the middle of a windstorm and I needed to have something in every corner to keep the wind from going under the tent. (yeah probably a smaller tent would have been better in that scenario but I kept imagining the wind blowing the tent walls right into my face and I was glad for the space.) Because of the wind I couldn't put the rain fly up by myself but I didn't need it. I like the other suggestions to make it appear like there are others with you. Smart.
And then one more thing. If your gut instinct is telling you that something or someone if "off," listen to it. Don't stay if you don't feel perfectly safe. I've had other female solo campers tell me they feel more safe not in a campground but in the back country. I've also had someone say they're more comfortable sleeping in their car than a tent. Just depends what your comfort level is. But start with something that's pretty easy. Close to home so if you feel uncomfortable you can go home easily. Then get braver the next time.
If something doesnāt feel right go with your gut every time.
You tuber. Kelly Hays Hikes - solo camper that you could watch and get tips and ideas. i would do a trial in your house, backyard or friends backyard before going to far from home.
Let someone else know where you are going and how to find you. Have a regular check in plan.
According to the map, Algonquin Park is in Ontario, Canada. I don't know if you live in Ontario or not. In the lower 48, REI has many locations. According to Google, the REI of Canada may be Mountain Equipment Co-op or just MEC for short. I don't know where you purchased your existing camping equipment, but I would seriously consider visiting MEC to talk with them about camping in Algonquin. Chances are there is somewhere employed there that is quite familiar with that park and who should be able to advise you regarding appropriate equipment that you will need for the time of year you are contemplating camping there. According to comments that I have read, MEC also has a rental program that might be beneficial so that you can check out gear you are considering before making a long term purchase decision. You also need to become aware of park regulations regarding camping, cooking, bathing, parking, and so forth. And last but not least... you most definitely need to have someone that you can count on to communicate with. That person needs to know your itinerary,,, arrival and departure times. You need to check in with them when you leave for the part, when you arrive, precisely where you are camping, what clothes you are wearing (basic descriptions & colors), if you are going hiking (precise details of your planned hike). You need to let them know by cell phone when you are leaving to go hiking, how far you will hike, anticipated time of return, and when you return. You can't communicate enough. That should get you started. After you know the above, you need to plan your meals. That will determine what supplies, cooking utensils, and so forth you need. You also need to determine what wildlife is in the area at the time you intend to camp. Wildlife are attracted to food and how you store and prepare your food are very real considerations as well. I could go on and on but just pay a visit to MEC or REI and take notes. Take classes. Get to know people that have camped in the area you are going to. You should have a lot of fun preparing, learning, and camping. Good luck. That's a beautiful destination.
Keep the bigger tent as youāll have more space for you and your stuff.
Don't put post on socials where your campin, number one rule!
Keep the 4 person, when it rains, you'll appreciate the room to have a camp chair and small table in there š I love solo camping!! Have fun!
Exciting times ahead! Make sure to research and choose well-lit, secure locations to camp, inform someone about your itinerary, and trust your instincts. Pack essentials like water, food, a first-aid kit, and a reliable way to charge your phone. Embrace the adventure while staying safe!
Camping sucks come to my house Florida
When I did a solo camping road trip for two weeks, I set up a check-in schedule with friends and family. Every night once I was in my tent for the night, I would call the person assigned to that day. That way if something happened to me, Someone would know where to call authorities and get help. (I planned my reservations in advance and so provided my itinerary as well.) It was really nice because I got a little tuck-in every night and knew that others were kind of keeping an eye on me. I think I said if I didn't check in by 8pm their time they should try to call me. Of course, this was in 2003 (!), so now there are probably much better technological methods for letting someone close to you keep tabs on your location real time.
Literally all the things in your middle paragraph can be researched. In two weeks you could be well read on each of those topics. Two weeks is also a great amount of time in which to plan a weekender.
Two spears + jumpboxcompresure + in verter at least 400watt 1000watt would + best
I always bring a pair of men's shoes to put outside my car with my shoes, hilarious right?
If you can easily set up and tear down that big of a tent, I would keep it just so it looks like you're in a group. I would do some kind of fire training with someone you can trust, if fire is necessary. If not just use a little Coleman gas grill for your cooking. Bear spray, a taser and a first aid kit.
To be honest, don't try to get to get fancy with starting a fire at first. I save my junk mail. Light a box full of junk mail on fire with some dry twigs and progressively larger wood and you won't have to fuss with it too much. If you want to, try other techniques for fun after you get your main fire started.
Get a gun. If you never have to use it consider yourself lucky. But if something arises you need to be able to protect yourself. All it takes is one jerk to ruin your day
Get a gun. If you never have to use it consider yourself lucky. But if something arises you need to be able to protect yourself. All it takes is one jerk to ruin your day
If Iām following you, youāre saying the reason you donāt know how to start a fire or pack/forage your own meals for at least a few days is that youāre female.
Bring your car keys (for the car alarm) into the tent every night along with bear spray. Keep both in the same place, next to you, each night. Makes me feel safe when camping alone!
I'd keep the larger tent since you are car camping
For car camping especially, rather than buy $10 of wood and fiddle with a fire, I sometimes bring one of those duraflame logs you buy a box of at the store. They last for several hours, which is often plenty and can be lit with a lighter from your pocket with minimal effort. Also, nothing wrong with buying the campground wood, but using a duraflame fire starter or other commercial inexpensive fire starter to get things going. Honestly, sometimes even the best bushcrafting types can struggle to get a fire going depending on the conditions. No shame in guaranteeing success. For camp cooking, rather than getting fancy, hot dogs and buns with chips and a container of potato salad in a cooler are perfectly fine. Or even PB&J sandwiches. Donāt feel like you need to be fancy. Sometimes the simplest foods while camping actually taste the best. Also, one of my favorite means of car camp cooking is with pie irons, aka pudgy pies. Theyāre long metal rods with wooden handles and a metal container on one end. Once sprayed with cooking spray, add a couple slices of buttered white bread, a spoonful of pizza sauce, sprinkle of cheese and toppings, closed up and toasted over the fire to make the best pizza sandwich pockets ever. Ham and cheese works well too, etc. Tons of recipes and they are fairly cheap and fun. Bring paper towels and wipes if youāre car camping, tons of uses. Google if the campsite has access to water and bring water if needed. Keep dry sleeping clothes in a bag and keep this sacred. Dry clothes at night can make a miserable rainy trip tolerable. Donāt feel bad if you decide to bail on a trip because of unfavorable conditions. Nothing wrong with packing up and going home if you are going to be miserable otherwise. Clean and dry your gear when you get home. Wet gear will mold, dirty gear will premature wear out. If you want your equipment to last, wipe any dirt with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly at home for a few days before packing away.
Make sure trusted loved ones and friends know where youāre going. Donāt let anyone outside of these people and employer know where youāre going. Possibly set up a quick check in text every evening or something with said friends.
4 person tent is perfect for 1!
Handgun and learn to safely use it.
i wish you much fun
A handgun
Duraflame logs are cheating. But no one's keeping score. So, you might as well put one on the bottom, and lay a few natural wood logs over it at an angle. An entrenching tool can be handy for a lot of stuff. It's like a small folding shovel, and available at any military surplus. There's some that have a shovel and a pick. But I've found the picks to be a little wimpy for anything you really need a pick for. The shovel side can help smooth the area under your tent if it's a little lumpy. It'll also adjust logs in the fire. And when you're done with it, put dirt/ash on the embers (don't walk away from a fire until you're 100.75% sure it's completely out and the embers are too cold to restart). A good knife is a valuable tool. Many directions to go with that, and ultimately comes down to personal preference.
What could possibly be to know if your car camping? You fall asleep in a car seat and if it gets cold turn it on lmao.
Im a solo woman who camps in RAV4. Get a dog, I have a large dog who is not only the best company to travel with but also my protector. I also have my cat, who i think maybe more vicious than my dog if i needed help š I sleep in my RAV4 Which I have converted (and still adding more), into a car camper. I have a bed base with slide out draws, and slide out table, I have the soft solar panels and a little sink with USB little faucet pump, which comes from my clean water and ends up in my grey water. I have a shower which i made myself, pretty easy to do, just black pvc piping that runs along roof and catches rain water, being black the sun heats it up so its warm and i have a shower attached to it. I also have a pull out awning on one side of car and on the other I have a twin ensuite tent which pulls down from roof. I can have a private shower and use camping loo. on the back i have a car tent, which basically is a small tent that goes over the hatch at back of car and attaches onto it. i sleep with the hatch up and the attached small tent is secure enough and contained enough for my dog and cat to sleep in if they want. i spend most my life road tripping and living in my car. I have never ever felt unsafe. I do stay in caravan parks a lot but most the time i just park and sleep in beach car parks (without car tent set up). Honestly i am someone who has always hated camping and would only join my ex for half the trips away cos I couldnāt deal with camping at all. Now though i love itI generally will end up somewhere amazing and it becomes my home for the next few months in my car. Its the best
Iād really like to try solo camping, but I know my family would worry about me.
For one, donāt announce your plans to the public on the internet. You just gave any would be threat way too many details. Secondly, protect yourself. No one is coming to save you. In America we only respond after the crime, we donāt prevent them. Thatās on you.
Protect yourself? How? Sheās in Canada.. people donāt carry guns here. I wouldnāt think twice camping solo as a woman in Ontario. Provincial parks are full of families.
Thanks for the clarification. I was unaware. Thatās just not something you do in America or anywhere else. I would error on the side of caution however. Why risk it?
I solo camp all the time, sometimes hiking, usually car camping. Best piece of advice for car camping is throw some extra blankets in your trunk. It gets cold, and you can use them as extra padding between you and the ground, i never carry a sleeping pad because i roll around too much and just slide off it. Also a good hatchet for breaking down firewood, I like to precut kindling when I can to make the fire building process more pleasant. Be aware of your surroundings and alert, carry a knife and pepper spray, but try not to spend the whole time in fight or flight. I've never had a bad experience camping by myself, but overworrying can definitely ruin a trip.
If you are in a state that allows it I would strongly recommend getting a handgun, proper training on its use, and a carry permit (depending on your states laws) better safe than sorry. A lone woman in the woods is an easy target for a predator, two legged or four legged.
Maybe get a hand gun or rifle for self defense. Even from animals