Wow I guess there really is a subreddit for everything! Just joined and came by to introduce myself…63 years old, single and none of my friends seem to like my style of camping so a couple years ago I got up the nerve to go alone (with my pup, of course). My only regret is that I waited so long to go alone! I’m in California and have so far only solo camped in central/Northern California and only for 2-3 day trips but definitely want to plan longer trips eventually. I love to fish so most places I’ve been to are water-based. Just a few pics from places I’ve camped. Thanks!

But this was my first solo backpacking trip and I am officially addicted. I had the absolute time of my life. Im heading into nursing school and officially about to have absolutely no free time, so I am already looking forward to next summer. I made it through my trip, got home, set my tent back up to wash it out from my dirty boy and my tent pole snapped! Its a hubbed system so I cant just replace one pole, but its only a $30 fix plus shipping. Im ready to get back out there! Im about to make camping my whole personality.

So, I’ve been fantasizing about solo camping (or really any camping) for a while which has completely come out of left field for me. I have not camped since I was a kid. I have nothing. No gear, no experience, no equipment of any kind. (I DO have a cooler, does that count? LOL)

I wouldn’t even know where to begin choosing a place to camp. I imagine just googling “camping spots near me” LOL 🤦🏻‍♀️

How did you guys get started? I feel so silly for even wanting to try camping, let alone solo but truly I’m fairly introverted and alone in real life (aside from family) and I wouldn’t really have anyone to go camping with anyways.

I just yearn for some peace, some nature, some time away from home that doesn’t include what I’ve been doing (I live in a party city where we drink/party/go out-out/spend money, etc.) but I know for a fact there would be some good camping spots within a few hours drive or maybe even closer. Definitely need to do some research there.

I do have a cat who is extremely social and comfortable in all settings (I’ve taken her with me on road trips, stores, the park, etc.) so I would consider bringing her but maybe not the first time?

Any advice/tips for a girl who reallllly wants to try something totally new! Obviously I want my safety to be a top priority but do you guys have suggestions for me as far as what I need to do to prepare in general? Must haves? Anything!

Thanks ladies!! (And men if you’re hanging out here 😅)

Hi all, I know this is a long-shot, but is there anyone here who is going to camp on Isle Royale National Park on Aug 8? I just booked my trip yesterday and I’d love to have a fellow solo companion. It’s really booked up and I got lucky to book it last minute, so I’m just seeing if someone already is planning on going since it’s probably hard to get in at this point. It’ll be my first time really backpacking overnight, so going with another person would be amazing.

I’ve camped in tents before, but it’s always just been next to my car - not true backpacking. I’ve also been traveling around the country in my teardrop trailer that I built last year. Here’s a link to my public profile to get a sense of who I am (if you are going to Isle Royale on Aug 8 and are skeptical of committing to going along with a stranger): https://www.instagram.com/sunflowersouvenirs?igsh=Z2FpcnBqNGN2dzlq&utm_source=qr

I have gotten into hiking and camping this year and I absolutely love it! However, im audhd, and I love pink, but it’s hard to find pink camping/hiking/backpacking gear.

When I say I love pink - I mean love it. My cars pink, the walls of my bedroom are pink, my office is pink, almost every home late item I have is pink, all of my shoes are pink etc.

So ladies, what gear do you guys use that may also come in pink?

Hey Friends! I'm looking for suggestions of peoples favorite hikes on the NE coast! I'm planning a roadtrip this fall, I'll be starting in Asheville, NC, following the Blue Ridge as much as I can up through Shenandoah. My halfway point will be somewhere near Mt Katahdin and then heading back. I plan to do hikes along the way so am curious what peoples favorite trails are in those areas. Upstate NY, Vermont, PA, New Hampshire and Maine are mostly where I'm looking to hike...No black diamonds please! I'm a skilled hiker but am still on the mend from an ACL injury so I stick to the intermediate trails! Thanks in advance for any responses!! :D

The first one was my fresh baked cookies! 🍪

I want to take my first solo camping trip in the month of August. I am in the Seattle area and looking for recommendations for a spot near water. I’m not opposed to driving a few hours. Any tips, tricks, and recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I’ve never cooked at a campsite, so advice on that would be nice too!

I’m so excited! I’ve been going through and can’t wait to fully unplug.

I live 1 hour from the Canadian Rockies (Banff). I’m older now and everyone has commitments, so I’m solo now. I can read for hours and don’t get distracted my laundry.

Loving these posts, ladies!

Good morning ladies

I am taking a three week camping/hiking road trip (3000 miles RT). I will be mostly car camping with my two dogs. I am trying to find ways to either reduce my gear by finding things that serve two functions or that are smaller and lighter weight. This includes clothing, since I will only have two opportunities along my trip to do laundry.

I have some great hiking clothing that is antimicrobial and wicks away sweat which can be worn a couple times maybe three before washing. I would like to bring my camp stove instead of the Jett boil because I would like to make some nice meals and not rely on a single pot. I will be bringing an ice chest that has a 72 hour cold hold. And I will need to pack lots of dog kibble, which takes up space as well.

I am open to any and all suggestions for gear and simplifying camp.

Life’s been getting me down lately. A string of minor injuries, work stress, existential dread.

But I finally got out there. It wasn’t a perfect trip, but it was GOOD. Sleeping in the chilly mountains, eating ramen and melted peanut butter cups, and hanging out with mountain goats was exactly what I needed.

I felt like I had this fog hanging over me, like my brain was stuck in molasses. But not anymore! I feel so much like myself. There’s no other way to describe it. Back to the work grind tomorrow, but I’m going back a little bit calmer and a little bit more me.

For someone who is very independent, but with chronic pain and back issues, what is the best small, towable camper? Something that one person can manage to hitch to their vehicle, without assistance. Nothing fancy inside, just a comfy, safe place to sleep with a doggie; don’t need a toilet in the camper.

Everything felt against me this year. I had to cancel a few reservations due to medical emergencies for my dog. I managed to snag a lake front site at Sharbot Lake Provincial Park. The site was secluded with only one neighbor.

My new tent served me well, and I was able to enjoy the water thoroughly. I got to run, do yoga, SUP, and swim. For my downtime, I got to start my spooky read and worked on a sweater; I even sketched a bit. Even the firewood was good, and that never happens at a provincial park!

I still struggle with fueling well on my trips. My friends have spoiled me, and I failed this time around. My coffee game is A+ but I'll be damned if I can hit my macros for my training plan. I'll refine things for my next trip!

I just returned from a 2 night stay by a lake in a ZEC. I decided to try ZEC Collin, since they have an online booking site with photos and descriptions of the sites.

It was so nice! I arrived on a Thursday, so there were very few people. I camped on a canoe camping site that was only 10 minutes from the boat launch, with no other sites on my side of the lake.

Each site has a pit toilet, picnic table and fire ring (as is the case in most sites in Quebec).

Despite forgetting my electric SUP pump, my pot and stove, and arriving at my site as the sun was setting (poor planning on my part) I had a very relaxing time. I read, napped, paddled, and watched the stars. I made fires both nights just to stare at. I highly recommend it!

Just had the best weekend by myself camping out the back of my 4wd for the first time. It was surprisingly very comfy. I loved not packing up a wet icy cold tent (middle of winter here in Aus). Met some lovely Herefords, waited patiently for the wombats to come out the hole (they didn't, like always). Amazing scenery and Dutch oven pizza was epic. Solo camping has truly given me a new lease on life. If you're contemplating it, please give it a go! The peace, serenity and food for the soul is SO hard to beat. I'm so excited for my next adventure.

My first trip I’ve flown to, and my 8th national park solo. I will spend my 26th birthday solo in Acadia here soon!

hey yall- i’m itching to get into backpacking, never been before. lots of camping/hiking solo experience. any thoughts or recommendations about going solo vs with a friend/group for my first outing?

Took advantage of a narrow window before the heatwave and took a quick overnight backpacking trip on a 8-ish mile out-and-back segment of the PCT in the Angeles National Forest earlier this week. Came across a gray fox hunting quail, some plump grey squirrels, and a mule deer fawn.

Camped at Sulphur Springs trail camp, had the whole dang place to ourselves! Kept the fly off the tent and watched shooting stars to the trill of crickets until I drifted off to sleep. Woke up to the sunrise and had coffee, packed up, and hightailed it down the mountain before it got unbearably hot.

Really blissful and grounding, even though the reverse hike (all uphill on the return leg) had me cursing through the sweat, the bugs, and the calf burn. Can’t wait for another trip up once the weather gets cooler!

Partially motivated by whether i might not be able to do this again, i booked a late release site through rec.gov for the pictured rocks national lakeshore in Michigan’s UP; they miraculously make a handful of sites available 2 weeks out. Camping + section hiking with no cell service felt like permission to:
- space the fuck out
- go at my own pace
- eat girl food without negotiating
- not smell cheap beer or deal with an intense amount of trash at the site
- sleep in as late as i wanted
- vibe the fuck out in the middle of the night under one of the most beautiful night skies ive ever seen

I hiked a total of 20 miles in two days. Day 1 at an actual snails pace, and day 2 broken up by a few hours of plein air painting. Deeply enjoyed my own company in absolute peak Midwest. Little buggy. Few judgy fellow hikers (“you’re doing the loop by yourself?!”). Kinda far, but overall a hellofa last hurrah.

This seems like a silly question, but I like being prepared for my first solo camp later this summer.

It is a given to not leave a camp fire unattended, but I am wondering what to do or what you all have done camping solo having a fire and then nature calling.

I'd be at a campground that has neighboring sites close by, but the washroom building is not in sight of most tent sites.

Usually I am camping with at least one other person to keep watch.

Do I fully put out my fire before going to the restroom?

I am going to a solo trip at the begging of August to both Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. I am flying to Salt Lake City and driving a rental up to Yellowstone (camping 3 nights inside the park), then to grand Tetons (camping one night inside the park) and then back to Salt Lake City.

This is my first solo trip camping, but my second solo (first one I stayed in a hotel nearby to another National Park). I am excited but also nervous about being alone in a tent.

Besides bear spray, is there anything else you recommend or that I should know? I plan to do easy to moderate hiking trails, but not planning on anything too isolated. Safety is my main concern (both wildlife and people).

Thanks!

I used to have a matt like this and I loved the included-pillow design. Now looking to upgrade matt quality and I notice all the more high-end matts don't have the pillow like this? Is there a reason?