Tips for Your First Solo Female Camping Trip
Growing up female, we’re taught to act a certain way so we don’t provoke men. We can’t wear a low-cut top or tight shorts without a man thinking he has the right to assault us. We’re constantly warned about doing activities on our own and how dangerous it is. Even going for a walk down the busy street is dangerous; men will catcall you or try and grab you.
No matter where we go as a woman, we’re always running the risk of being assaulted. So as long as you prepare probably, then why should you be denied the opportunity to do something you love or wanna try just because of a man? Don’t let others talk you out of it either. My parents and close friends were extremely worried and would rather I didn’t go, but they also knew they couldn’t stop me once my mind was made up.
I may not have extensive experience with camping or even hiking, but I am one to do a ton of research before going places. So I wanted to share the tips that have gone well for me so far! But these are my own experiences and opinions, so make sure you do your own research as well on what to bring/where to stay/etc.
Benefits of Camping Solo as a Female
While it can be extremely nerve-wracking to go camping by yourself in the woods, I promise you it’s worth it. Being able to spend a night under the stars around a campfire with a good book and some music… heaven. Can it be lonely? Maybe. But at the same time, it’s nice to get away from any drama back home and just focus on yourself and your own happiness.
Solitude
Picture this… being able to do whatever you want and not have to worry about someone else. You can cook whatever you want for dinner, hog all the blankets in the tent, take a break whenever you want, and go at your own pace. Sounds nice right?
Bravery
Being able to say you did something without a man is an incredible experience, especially if you’ve always relied on them in the past. Waking up at the crack of dawn and going to bed late at night, spending the entire day all alone… it’s beyond brave. You might not have any issues when going solo, no creepy men, no bad feelings; but just the fact that you were willing to risk it and do what you love. That’s bravery.
Camping in general
Fresh air
Less stress
Sunshine
How to Prepare for your Solo Trip
I know some people can just decide on a whim they want to go camping, and maybe I’m an over-thinker, but I believe there’s actually a lot of things you need to do before heading out on your camping trip.
Do your research
First off, you gotta decide on what landscape you want to explore (i.e. mountains, lakes, etc.). Once you figure that out, you can narrow it down to the state and park before looking into what campgrounds are in the area. Depending on where you want to go, you should look into if the park/area has any major safety issues.
Consider looking into some backup campgrounds in the area, especially ones that are first-come-first-served so you can just show up whenever and start camping (these might fill up fast though depending on when you go). I say this because if you happen to not feel safe where you are, you have every right to leave and stay somewhere else.
Choosing Where to Camp
I personally have only stayed at state or federal campgrounds and not family-owned or other small campgrounds. I did this for my first few times camping because I felt safer knowing rangers or staff were walking or driving around to check on campsites. Not that there’s anything wrong with those other types of campgrounds, I just felt more comfortable going to an established campground.
Consider a campsite with parking
When choosing where to camp, I definitely recommend choosing a campsite that allows you to park right there instead of one where you have to walk/hike to it. I felt safer knowing my car was right there on the off chance I needed to get away. It was also nice to be able to have the car right at the campsite so I didn’t have to carry things a distance and risk not having my hands full if someone was coming at me.
Camp near other people
Whether you’re booking a campsite online or doing a self-register/same-day one, try to pick a site that is near other people. You don’t necessarily need to choose a site that is right next to another camper, they could be across from you or two sites away. I personally felt safer knowing there were people nearby and I wasn’t all alone in the wooded area. If you’re worried about walking to the bathroom at night, then you could also try choosing a campsite that’s close to it; there are usually lights on outside the bathroom as well adding some more safety.
Secluded versus privacy
Many campground websites usually show a picture of the site which is super helpful when choosing which one you want. I personally like a super secluded/wooded site so I can have my privacy, but I know some women might prefer a little less privacy for safety reasons.
Essential Items to Bring
Tent gear - tent, sleeping pad/bag, pillow, blankets, tarp, rain cover
Safety gear - switchblade, pepper spray/mace, bear spray/bells
Electronics - phone, chargers, power source
Cooking stuff - utensils, pots/pans
Food/drinks
Firestarters
Furniture - camp chair, table, lantern
Cooler/ice
Music/books/etc.
Personal hygiene products
Appropriate clothing and shoes
Car emergency kit (Read this post by the Mandagies for what to have in your emergency roadside kit)
Other Planning tips
I always download an offline map on my phone, especially if it’s an area that lacks cell service. I also do this with any hiking trails I’ll be on during my trip.
Safety Tips for Camping Alone
My number one tip is to always have some safety gear. I keep pepper spray and my switchblade at the ready when hiking and camping. I’ll even go so far as to make them visible on my person to ward off any potential attackers so they know I’m prepared. It might not matter to them but at least I can say I tried.
Tell someone your plans
Always tell someone where you’ll be camping (and any other places you might visit in the area). Sometimes you won’t always have cell service depending on where you camp, for instance, a remote mountain area, so I do my best to find a location with wifi (like a coffee shop) so I can update my person that all is okay and what my plans are for that day.
Trust Your Gut
To be completely honest, when I went camping in the West Virginia mountains, I was more concerned a bear would show up at my campsite than a creepy man. You just gotta stay alert and if something feels off, trust your gut. I kept thinking I was hearing a bear one night and sprinted to put my sleeping stuff back in my car instead of my tent for that night. Better safe than sorry! This leads me to my next point… don’t be afraid to camp in your car if you don’t quite feel safe in the tent. Your car can be locked and you’re better hidden. It’s not 100% safe but it might make you feel better. And remember, if you still don’t feel safe where you are, there is nothing wrong with leaving the campground and finding somewhere else to camp.
Nervous? Try Other Solo Activities First
If you aren’t comfortable doing everyday activities on your own, then how can you expect to be able to camp solo? Go shopping, eat at a local restaurant or bar, go for a jog, just find normal activities and do them all alone. Once you’re good at doing that, switch to hiking solo. Don’t get me wrong, solo hiking as a female can be scary at times too. But at least when you go hiking you’re alert the entire time, whereas you’re vulnerable during sleep while camping.
Don’t push yourself to do something if you really don’t think you’re ready for it. I had never been camping before, and chose to make my first time a solo trip, but if you’ve never been camping and are too afraid to go alone for the first time, consider inviting a friend to help ease into it. Also, consider joining female outdoorsy groups on Facebook like Women Who Hike where you can join/learn from other women about hiking and camping.
>> Related: Hiking As A Solo Female: 5 Tips <<
My Personal Experience
I’d like to note that I am writing about my experience as a white female living in Northeast Ohio. While I do go camping mostly out of state, I do most of my hiking within the state of Ohio. I can’t speak on the experiences a person of color may face in any state. Please treat everyone with respect, regardless of color. We’re all here for the same reason: to enjoy nature.
What got me started Hiking Solo
I started solo hiking after a bad breakup with a boyfriend when I was 23. I always loved the outdoors but was always dating a guy that didn’t, which mean I couldn’t go outdoors the way I wanted to. But after the breakup, I wanted to take time alone, and I took it as an opportunity to get into photography the way I always wanted to and start exploring the local parks.
Was I nervous?
I was so nervous at first, I downloaded trail maps and told my parents where I was going. I had pepper spray at the ready and even had my switchblade attached to me in a way that was clearly visible to any potential men. But I quickly realized how amazing it was to hike alone… I could collect my thoughts, enjoy nature, learn history, and more. I went out constantly after work and on the weekends to explore new trails. Eventually, I made my first big hike down to Hocking Hills State Park, which seemed nerve-wracking at the time cause of the size of the park and lack of cell service. But it ended up being one of the best days.
Why I decided to start camping solo
Fast forward a couple of years to the coronavirus pandemic… I lost my job and was having no luck finding a new one. I decided to do more exploring further away from home. So I explored all over Ohio and decided I really wanted to try camping. I really wanted out of the state, so instead of camping here in Ohio, I decided to go big and do my first camping trip in the mountains.
I’ve only seen the mountains a couple of times in my life, and West Virginia was only about a five-hour drive from my house so it made the most sense to go there since it wasn’t a far drive. I did my research and chose to stay at the state park since I figured it would be safer. I even chose a campsite that was close to the camp office. It ended up being one of the best trips of my entire life. I had so much fun by myself at my campsite; I played music, read a book, attempted to shoot the milky-way, and just enjoyed the sounds of nature. I ended up going on three different camping trips that year and stayed at a variety of campgrounds.
Was it difficult?
I definitely failed at setting up my tent for the first time in my backyard numerous times before figuring it out. Setting up the tent at the actual campsites ended up being easy, but they were campsites with no designated spot in the site for the tent. Meaning you could set up wherever in the campsite. So it was difficult to find a spot that wasn’t too rocky or right next to your neighbor’s tent.
What I wish I did differently
I wish I planned a bit more time at the actual camp, instead of focusing on the hiking or other activities I have planned. I kept feeling like I had little to no time at the actual camp. I was always rushing out first thing in the morning and couldn’t cook the pancake mix I brought, lay on my hammock, or eat dinner before it got too dark out.
Leave No Trace when Camping Solo
Always remember to follow the Leave No Trace 7 Principles when out in nature. These principles can be applied anywhere, whether you’re in the backcountry or a local park.
Plan Ahead & Prepare
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
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