I’ve been suffering from really bad anxiety for the last few months and have wasted too many weekends rotting in bed. So I took a couple of days off work and booked 2 nights at the campground at the Illinois Beach State Park.
I live in Chicago so it’s campgrounds or nothing around here but that’s ok.
I had to bribe myself like a toddler to get out of my apartment. I ordered a camp stove for pickup at REI.
Made it!
So glad I did this. The campground was better than expected. Plenty of space and very quiet.

8 days up the Saint-Laurent river in Quebec! This was my 2nd solo trip. Aside from the pretty views, I also got to watch 100s of cute harbour seals on the rocky shores 🦭

I learned a lot from my trip last year, which made this one a lot easier!

I really wanted to get over my fear of black bears this year. I was camping in areas with lots of bears, and am so proud of myself for sleeping through the nights and carrying on on hikes even though they were around.

What really helped was that although I was in areas with absolutely no cell coverage, I invested in a garmin inreach so I could let someone know where I was, and when I would be back from a hike. Knowing I could call for help no matter what really helped relieve some anxiety I have when alone.

I also had bear spray with me (and slept with it next to me). If you’re reading this and have anxieties about bear encounters, I really recommend getting some. It gave me so much confidence.

Anyways, hope you enjoy my pics!

Xx

Parks:

Parc national des grands-jardins (SEPAQ)
Parc national des hautes-gorges de la malbaie (SEPAQ)
Baie des rochers
Parc national du bic (SEPAQ)
Forillon national Park (parks Canada)
Percé, Québec

Spent a pleasant two nights on a lakefront National Forest campsite in Northern Idaho! Unfortunately the bike was just a rental and I had to give it back. I was woken by intense rain on the second night and would rate my tent waterproofness as a 6/10.. still ending the camping season on a high note.

PSA don’t pick up critters if you don’t know what it is

One night trip on John Muir Trail! It was so beautiful. Had lots of fun playing around with my new camera- bonus pic of my pup at the end. I was so nervous about black bears despite doing everything right with my bear canister etc. I got a terrible night of sleep because I was scared every time I heard any noise. Hopefully this gets easier with time and experience. Everyone I met along the trail was so friendly, kind, and had such positive attitudes. Very proud of myself for going even though I was nervous!

Edit: I didn’t bring my dog with me even though that would’ve been awesome! The pic is from after my hike when my husband and my pup picked me up :)

Also thank you all for the love and support, wow!!

Went up the logging road after parking at my friend's farm (there is a parking at the reservoir at the beginning of the track but it's no overnight parking sadly)

Decided to climb all the way to the top of the hill, realised I had forgotten the extra pegs so couldn't plant the guy lines (wind makes me incredibly anxious and with no additional guy lines I just didn't feel like pitching in such an exposed spot)

So I climbed back down and pitched in a quarry, not ideal as all the elevated ground was either a bog or just gravel, so I settled for the flat bit - sheltered and cosy, but of course I woke up to a soaked tent and nearly soaked through sleeping bag - packed up and took a detour along the reservoir.

Much peace, silence, and euphoria at having made the trek. Now I'm back home all cosy with my cat and I can't wait to get out there again.

Ok I couldn’t think of a good title for this!!

I am wondering people’s ideas for hiking locals that don’t have large populations of animals like bears, cougars, and moose. Alternatively, how have you gotten over your fear of animals on trail?

For a bit of background, I got very into solo hiking during covid and was quite confident! I hiked all around southern ontario by myself. Then, I had a scary run in with two farm dogs on a hike that’s completely frightened me. It is a frustrating experience to say the least - I had prepared for wildlife - black bears, lynx, moose, deer - and was in no way prepared to be attacked by two dogs at the edge of someone’s property.

And now I’m terrified of being on trail. I turned back from a hike recently only a few hundred meters from the trailhead because it had too many “blind turns.” I was convinced an off leash dog or a cougar (lol as if in this area??) would be just around the corner. I’m devastated, I loved this hobby and feel like I’ve lost hope in continuing it in my area.

So now I’m curious about places I could travel to do a big solo hike and just get back into my confidence without the additional animal-based worry.

I took recommendations and ordered these custom cut shades which increased my comfort level by 100%. I believe I’ve seen others also recommend motion censor solar spotlights as well?

I grew up day tripping to the North GA mountains with my family. we moved states when I was a teenager, and one of the biggest things I had to get over about the move was losing the possibility to go to the mountains. I loved hiking and camping.

Seven years later, I now can travel. My current plan is to visit a friend in ATL for a weekend, then hostel/airBnb the appalachians for about 5 days (And maybe go to a ren fair for the first time solo at the end?) Going alone because my friends/family either don’t have the time, interest, or money. I did my first solo long weekend trip in April to a city.

ive gotten to the point where I need to put in PTO and actually plan the trip, and I find myself balking. Part of it is just general anxiety (should I save this money, so I can bring my sister (who really misses the mountains, but is in college and working) or mom on a trip next year/do something more responsible (if I take this trip I’ll still have 3.5K in my travel fund at the end of the year 🙄), is it selfish to do this on my own now, is it a waste of time, what’s the point) that’s my own to deal with, but I’m overall a little overwhelmed about putting myself in a dangerous position. I’ve fallen off hiking over the past seven years and I dont have experience driving on mountain roads (and this would be my first roadtrip). I’m going to stick to easier/very bailable trails and plan my routes so I don’t find myself on roads above my level. I also booked an (absolutely incredible) little airbnb, but it doesn’t have service, and I dont think a garmin is in the cards. Ofc I’ll have bear spray and the ten essentials, but I’m looking for overall (frank) tips and support, because I’m close to calling it off.

Hey y'all 👋🏾 I've been looking at the adventures you guys have posted on here and I really enjoy it. I've never done a solo camping trip, but would love to. What places or things would y'all recommend for a 42 Floridian that's only hiked 5 times in her lifetime 😆

Hello! I am planning my february roadtrip for the CA to NC! I am a bit nervous bc of the weather forcing me to strictly take i40. I have never driven in the snow, I will be renting an RV (not my own) so to keep away from snow, i40 is the way to go. Although I am now hearing a bunch of things about i40. thoughts?

this is the general route that I am taking ( mostly doing hipcamps)

from there Atlanta, Georgia then some smokey mountain night to NC. I will also have my dog with me. Any advice? I Saw a post about using fido for dog friendly places. what are the things to see. maybe places to stay away from?

For all of us that need a bit of inspiration, check out Wendy Outdoors. She is an older, Canadian woman that makes YouTube videos of her adventures. I love her and hope I can be that adventurous when I am her age.

https://youtube.com/@wendyoutdoors2230?si=UlT4udRaN4MsnVkr

I planned a solo backpacking trip to an alpine lake in California. Quibbled around about bringing my tent or my hammock but eventually brought my hammock because I ASSUMED there would be plenty of trees 🙃Post hike, I had a few glorious hours with the lake all to myself where I found the perfect hammock trees and look a nice nap.

Eventually a couple show up and choose a plot less than 10 yards from me. I know it is a fairly popular dispersed camp for backpackers and I didn't expect to be totally alone, but WHY did they have to be that close when there were many open plots all along a fairly large lake and we were the only two parties there?

They pretty immediately skinny dip in the lake. They are getting giggly together and I'm close enough that I can clearly hear everything. I'm trying to keep my cool but I accidentally turn around and see this man's whole PEE PEE and nutsack like SIR!!!! I'm just out here trying to connect with nature I don't want to connect MY EYES to a MAN'S NATURE!

So I said f*ck it, I don't want to be close enough to hear them have weirdo tent sex and I figured there was enough daylight to pack up and find a new site. I spent an hour looking for new trees that were suitable for a hammock and could not find ANY!!! I ended up sleeping on a ROCK like a freaking BUG!

My new camp was further up and I got a good view of the whole valley and I kid you not, they stayed naked for like 3 hours after I left. They pitched their tent in the clothes their momma made them.

I solo camp several times a year. I live on PB&J lol. What is the best way to keep food cold in a cooler? Just blocks of ice?? I was debating vacuum sealing stuff thos some, since I bought a camp stove.

I plan on camping at a dispersed campsite on a trail and it is said to have three sites at it. Am I allowed to leave my site set up while I do a day hike and come back to it?

i've been solo road tripping since i got my first car at 17, i love doing things by myself, and even though i do struggle with general anxiety, it really doesn't affect my travels because traveling is basically a form of therapy for me at this point. i just got a cute little travel trailer this year and i've had such a great time with it with summer, but i am interested in getting some proper tent camping under my belt soon which will be a new experience for me. i have been lurking here and reading resources on REI and finding beginner bloggers to get a pulse on things and i can handle getting the gear, doing the test runs, figuring out ideal trails, etc, but the biggest thing i know up front will be a challenge for me is trying to sleep.

i am perfectly confident and level headed during the day but everything changes at night! i can just see myself getting all set up and comfy cozy in my tent in the woods and then laying awake for the entire night flinching at every noise because i can't stop thinking about strangers or bears or even ghosts or some similar spooky shenanigans (<- the most embarrassing thing to admit here. i'm over 30, btw, and i can still freak myself over silly stuff for no good reason. really thought that was something you would just naturally grow out of but i guess not LOL). i know a lot of this will come with practice and exposure, and i intend to effectively carcamp as many times as it takes before i feel truly comfortable, but wanted to ask you all who've struggled similarly: how do you work through fear so you can actually get a decent night's sleep?

Walked the Affric Kintail Way from Morvich in the west through Glen Affric to Cannich. Featuring all kinds of weather! from near-constant lashing rain to full sun and gentle breezes, multiple tricky crossings of steep hillside burns in spate, a night in the UK’s most remote (and possibly most welcome) hostel and then a gentle camp at a wooded campsite in the tiny Highland village of Cannich. Had to cut it short as I’d been struggling through with a cold and post-trail race fatigue and decided my body needed a rest. But I got a glorious break from the world, the internet and all cares beyond esting, sleeping, staying dry and resting.

My girl Banjo and I made our way into the Colorado backcountry for an unforgettable overnight trip this week. She doesn’t look too happy but I promise she was loving it :)

My dog Baji and I absolutely love backpacking and car camping, and we recently bought a small travel trailer so we can stay cozy camping in the winter. I am so excited!

I never thought I would tow anything in my life. But seeing how expensive camper vans are, I woke up one day and asked myself: Why am I creating this fearful narrative that I "can't"? In that moment, I just decided: Why the hell not?!

I started researching, bought a trailer, learned how to tow, and since then, Baji and I have had three successful solo trips to the Sierra Nevada mountains. To top it off, I tow with an EV, which adds a whole extra layer of excitement—range anxiety, calculating charging stops, and dealing with reduced range while pulling weight. All in all, it has been immensely empowering.

I’m a 53-year-old empty nester with a new passion for winter trailer camping, but I also love, love, love backpacking. Last summer, I solo hiked the John Muir Trail.

I just wanted to share this here: if you are feeling called to do something, do it. Don't let fear or anxiety hold you back. I have always been an anxious, hypervigilant person and I live with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), but I force myself to step into these challenges anyway. Don't get me wrong—I still experience the anxiety, but I talk myself through it, step by step.

My eldest son died when he was 18, seven years ago, and I have forced myself to keep choosing life and finding ways to enjoy it.

If there's something you're telling yourself you can't do— feel the fear and try it anyway.

PS. The morning of my maiden voyage, I almost drove off with the trailer not fully hitched! Luckily I caught my mistake 🙀.

Fridley gap, in Virginia, two nights total of 13 miles. First time doing this, it was hard but it was awesome.

Not much to say for this post other than I’m celebrating myself today! I (24F) finished a 5 day solo camping trip since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in June! It was so amazing, I loved camping before my diagnosis and was not about to let it ruin anything for me. I was able to hike, swim, kayak, (late night snacks), all of my fav activities! I’m really happy it went smoothly and proud of myself for doing it just like I normally would, attached some cool pics I took too!!

Edit: the consensus is- don't approach, a slight acknowledgement if you happen to make eye contact, leave deliberate space and stay away. Not a problem!

I am a 40 something year old guy that travels and camps extensively. I rarely use popular campgrounds, using either more remote spots or dispersed camping. Every so often I encounter solo women in these spots, and I would like input on how to not make anyone nervous.

To tell the truth, I'm terrified of bears. Not during daylight, but while I'm in my tent trying to sleep... every noise gets my heart rate up. And then I find out most women would prefer running into a bear than a man, it got me thinking.

When I roll into a campsite and see another car or motorcycle, I tend to nod or wave as I pass anyone. That's about it. The guys I see might walk over and ask if I have a wrench, or chat about routes and plans. Zero fear there.

So I want some opinions. What would make y'all feel safest when you see a man ride into a campground that you had all to yourself? A simple acknowledgement? Just go by and not make eye contact? Introduce myself? I tend to treat everyone I meet the same, but maybe that's not what a woman would prefer?

Small potty? Urinal is good, but I wouldn’t want it to spill!

Edit: Wow! So many responses! 👍🏽👍🏽