13 Tips For Staying Safe While Solo Camping

So you have finally decided to enter your peaceful and ‘into the wild’ era. I can totally relate because after watching that movie, I wanted to backpack, leave the chaos, and enter into self-care mode with trees too. So I did.

Although the movie was based on a true story, life can be unpredictable for you and not that cinematic. Without proper planning and mental awareness, this peaceful mode can turn into a horror story. After all, you do not know what plot twist and anti-climax might happen in the woods.

Hence, to be on the safe side, I follow some camping tips as a solo camper. Thanks to these tips, I did not encounter any major problems, except for getting a few mosquito bites. However, I find these mosquito bites to be memoirs from my solo camping trip.

Now, I am already planning to go for my 12th solo camping trip, but before that, let me share some tips with you so that you can get the final push for it. Get your notebooks because missing this one can be fatal.

Choose The Right Tent

Choosing the right tent can be difficult for you because there are so many types of tents available. There are glamping tents, overnight tents, caravan tents, and so much more. Since I was going for it solo, I wanted a tent that was not for aesthetics but for survival.

Also, when it comes to basics like tents and gear, I believe in buying well and buying once. Trust me, you do not want a tent that looks good but feels claustrophobic. Based on the weather conditions, camping ground, and duration, you can pick the one that fits the purpose.

Plan The Right Meals

Being hangry while camping is one of the worst feelings. Most people believe that camping means instant and dry food, which is totally wrong. I mean, there is nothing wrong with instant food, but you can also carry a gas stove to cook meals and enjoy the real essence of camping. Packing a gas stove can be another helpful tip; however, I prefer to pack my own food and avoid the hassle of cooking until I’m camping overnight.

Some of the delectable food options include s’mores, wraps, loaded burritos, and nachos. Another bonus tip is to pack extra. For my usual trips, I always prefer being lightweight, but when it comes to food for camping, I get into beast mode.

Have A Good Service Signal

I know nature’s wild, but not having the signal can be wilder. If this is your first time going for solo camping, then trust me, having a working signal can give you a lot of mental peace and clarity.

Also, who knows if you need to look up how to make tents, call your emergency contacts, and post fire camping pictures before calling it a day. Hence, a working signal is a must, especially for newbies.

I usually research camping grounds that might have network service issues and install ExpressVPN beforehand. This ensures that even if your signal ghosts you, VPN won’t. Overall, this little step saves me from being oblivious in the dark, which is one of my worst fears.

Be Aware Of the Weather

I know you are pumped for your first solo camping trip; however, don’t be reckless. Always check the weather conditions first to avoid chaos from Mother Nature.

I started stalking the weather forecast like a crazy ex a week before my trip. Over the years of camping, one thing I’ve come to realize is that Mother Nature can be moody at times, and if so, your entire trip can be disrupted or cancelled.

Get A Sleeping Pad

After a long day of hiking and trekking, and putting up the tent, I need a good night’s sleep. Sleep is the one thing that I cannot compromise on. This is why I go for warm and insulated sleeping pads, which keep me warm throughout the night. I go for a single, narrow sleeping pad, but you can also go for wider sleeping pads if you have a habit of rolling in the bed.

Right Aparell

Clothing is a must for me, but in the case of camping, not in a fashionable way, but in a durable way. I love a good fit of denim and cotton; however, it is a big no-no while camping.

These materials absorb dirt and water quickly and take a long time to dry. Hence, I go for camping wear which is made up of polyester blends.

Camping Boots

Once you have your camping outfit ready, you need to get the right camping boots as well. I know a lot of beginners find camping boots to be a bad investment, but they are not.

You will be practically moving around with them throughout your entire trip. The trails for camping are often harsh, and good, reliable, and durable camping boots can make it or break it for you.

Select Established Camping Properties

I know seeing campers hike across big trails may tempt you to do it too. However, when I did my first camping as a beginner, I went to adventure parks and camping grounds.

These spaces have established properties that make camping easier. I mean, if I were to tackle the job of hiking, setting up a tent, and battling nature all by myself in my first attempt, I would have collapsed.

Another good thing about camping on such properties is that it allows you to stay in the vicinity of other experienced campers. This gives me enough validation to sleep like a baby.

Use A Water Purifier

Although my first solo trip was short, and I did pack extra, carrying a water purifier can never be a bad idea. There are plenty of promising yet affordable water purifiers available online. I mean, you can never go wrong with this, and who knows how much water you will chug down once you set up your tent.

Also, things can head south, and you might face delays. In such cases, you need to do your best to work with available resources. For me, I can go for hours without food, but not without water, so this is non-negotiable for me.

Have Time On Hand

An important lesson that I have learned in my solo camping era is that you cannot romanticize life if you are running low on time. I try to run faster than my clock, or else I’ll face an emotional marathon later.

Before solo camping, I thought I would have plenty of ‘me time’ to enjoy. However, it takes only one incident for everything to go downhill. Hence, I like to be overprepared and not over-panic, which is why I avoid winging it. For real, a week before my solo camping, you will find me with a coloured to-do list to avoid chaos in advance.

Check Gear At Home

I am a big planner, which is why I always practice with my gear at home first. Nothing can be worse than when you are stuck with tent poles, no signal, and zero idea on how to set it up. At home, you can also get help from your friends and family to understand and experiment with your gear.

Even if you are booked and busy during the week, try to do it on the weekends to avoid being clueless on your solo camping trip. Trust me, you do not want to be a beginner with zero knowledge when it comes to camping gear.

Have A First-Aid Kit

Let’s be real, can you enjoy camping with a bad headache, a bug bite, and muscle pains? I bet no. That’s why a first aid kit is a must-have for ‘what if’ and ‘it can make you cry’ situations.

Being an over hoarder, I have my survival kit with band aids and allergy medicines and also an advanced kit for more intense situations. Health is wealth, and I never related to this quote more until I was out in the wild doing it solo.

Respect Camping Rules

Unfortunately, camping grounds are nobody’s personal backyards; hence, there are some basic rules that you need to follow. For example, avoid making the area too dirty, don’t play loud music, and don’t start wildfires. Camping is meant to be fun, but not at the expense of ruining it for others.

Being an introvert, I have no problem staying under the radar. Also, after all the hard work that I had to do solo, I knock out on my sleeping bed and got tucked into my dreamland.

Conclusion

And that’s a wrap! Once you follow these tips to the T, there is a probability that you will be mentally unwell but well organized . After you get these necessities out of the way, you can enjoy, take pictures, and have a sip of coffee at peace.

I like to enjoy my camping day in soft mode and not survival mode, hence I make sure there are no loopholes. Also, camping can be fun and easy without entering the ‘Bear Grylls’ mode.. Hopefully, now you have the zeal, tips, and plan to have a great solo camping trip with no fear and no drama.