Top Tips For Solo Female Campers | Women's Camping Essentials And Necessities
If you click and purchase with one of our links, we earn a commission. Thanks.
You might be feeling spontaneous and craving to go for an adventure. The next thing you are thinking about is pumping up the gas, starting the engine, and going for a road trip to explore the stunning landscapes alone.
Maybe your friends’ schedules don’t match yours, or perhaps you just want to spend some time alone. Whichever the case, the fact is that it takes independence, a curiosity that outweighs the risk aversion, and serious brevity to embark on a solo camping adventure.
This guide provides some practical tips regarding solo camping for women. It details valuable advice on what you will need as a lone female camper. Hopefully, after reading this article, your anxiety will be gone, and you’ll find yourself preparing for your next solo camping trip.
Is Solo Camping Dangerous?
When many people talk about camping, they associate it with a group of friends going for an outdoor camping trip. But what about a solo camping trip? Can it be dangerous?
According to an Outside Magazine study, around 66% of females are worried about their safety when camping outdoors. Walking for hours without seeing another person is not for the faint-hearted.
Ultimately, it is safe to go camping solo, even as a woman. You can camp in both wildernesses and developed campgrounds without issues. One excellent way to improve the safety of your solo camping experience is by choosing the right location. Choose a site that you are comfortable and confident in navigating. You will also need to do some extensive research, so you’re equipped with solo camping safety knowledge, how to interact with the wild, and what to carry.
How To Be Safe When Camping Alone As A Female
Always be cautious about how you navigate the terrain and how you interact with strangers. Here are valuable tips that will help you be safe when camping alone:
Choose A Location You Are Familiar With
Make it a mission always to understand the dynamics of the environment that you are camping in. You should be able to check the surroundings and determine what is safe and what is not.
It is advisable to find a developed campsite when you are going for your first camping trip alone. Ensure that you check the reservation schedule before heading for the trip. Check the layout of the campsite and try to position yourself in a reasonably populated area.
It’s safer to be in an area that you know well and can navigate with ease. Once you are at the campsite, it is advisable to introduce yourself to the park ranger or the camp owner. Take their phone number so you can contact them in case you face any problems.
You can ask them to stop by your tent and check on you when they’re making their regular patrols. If you feel vulnerable, you can introduce yourself to the nearest family, female group, or a couple.
Avoid walking in the dark alone, and if you have to, carry your mobile phone and a torch. You can even take a personal alarm to make you feel more secure. You can ask for a 24-hour number which you can contact in case of problems.
Ensure You Are In Constant Touch With Someone At Home
Do your friends know where you are? What about your family? Always let your loved ones back home know about your plans. Remain in touch with them through your mobile phones at different times of the day. Even if it’s making a call or sending a text message at various regular intervals, ensure you stick to the plan.
Failure to do this can cause stress to your loved ones. They might panic about you and end up calling the park ranger service or the police. It’s in everyone’s interest when your loved ones are aware of your whereabouts.
Ensure Easy Access To Your Car
In case you travel by car, make sure that your vehicle is not boxed in at the campsite. This makes it possible for you to make a quick getaway in the event things get uncomfortable or unsafe at the campground.
You can abandon your plans of sleeping in a tent and sleep in your car. You can do this if you feel nervous and lock the doors if necessary.
Constantly Check The Weather Update
Nothing is more annoying than getting yourself ready and only to have your camping trip ruined by extreme weather. You can put yourself in dire situations in high-altitude areas subject to freakish events and snow.
Ensure you keep an eye on the weather cycles days before traveling. Keep an eye on the weather trends at least a week earlier as some weather conditions change fast.
Don't Make It Known To Everyone That You Are Alone
Sharing food or beer and being a good neighbor is a good thing to do, but making friends when camping poses some risks. Play it cool, and don’t advertise too much about yourself. If camping near a town, don’t reveal that you’re camping alone, your campsite, or a campsite number.
If you feel uncomfortable or the situation forces you to reveal details about your trip, follow your gut instincts. You can give excuses to avoid disclosing too much.
Steer Clear Of Wildlife And Strangers
Always be ready for self-defense. Ensure you carry safety devices in the event you encounter a suspicious person, a mountain lion, or a bear.
You can carry a headlamp or a blinding flashlight. These essentials come in handy when you need to protect yourself from a suspicious person or stop a wild animal. You can also carry a bear mace to frighten bears that you may encounter on your way. If you can access an air horn, it is ideal for interrupting people and wildlife. The air horn is a good tool in an emergency, for it can be heard miles away.
Embrace The Change
Nowadays, people are constantly being engaged in the digital world and forget what absolute silence means. Although true silence may cause you to panic, it allows you to refresh your mind.
Listen to the melodious birds in the trees and feel the fresh air. Let yourself go! Concentrating on these things will ease your anxiety and loneliness when solo camping.
Bring Your Canine Friend With You
If you have a canine companion, consider bringing them with you on your trip. Dogs make great alarm systems. According to the North American Bear Center, even small dog breeds can scare bears. You should ensure they are allowed in the area you are camping.
Prepare Yourself Mentally
Women solo camping poses many more risks than being in a large group. As a rule of thumb, ensure that you’re physically and mentally equipped before embarking on a solo camping trip.
If you’re camping for the first time, be ready to hear noises you are unfamiliar with. You may hear rustling sounds from small critters crawling over branches at night, lapping at the lake or wind.
These noises are not uncommon in the wild, and they may cause a sleepless night for a greenhorn. To ensure comfort while sleeping, make sure you position your protective tools on your side. Do a thorough last-minute check before retiring to bed.
Always be ready to take action in any situation that Mother Nature may throw at you. Think on your feet, and whatever the situation, try not to get overwhelmed.
Take Note Of Your Movement
Once you arrive at your campsite location, it’s advisable to find a map and take notes of everything you are interested in. According to the US Forest Service, you should always be prepared to get lost.
Write down the location of the nearest dwelling, landmarks, and emergency points. If planning to carry out any activity, take note of your coordinates of where the action begins and ends. Familiarize yourself with the map and learn the surrounding terrain.
Choose Your Mode Of Transport Wisely
Most women find it difficult driving around rough terrains. When planning a female solo camping trip, it’s advisable to choose your mode of transport as early as possible. It allows you to prepare for various aspects of your trip early.
The plans may include the terrain you will explore when you get there and the gear to stow your vehicle. You can use a four-wheeler vehicle when exploring rough terrains due to its minimal chances of breaking down.
How To Pee
If you are camping in a frontcountry car camping campsite you can use their restrooms. These are often clean. Even in the most remote parks such as Big Bend National Park, the restrooms have been amazingly clean.
If you are backpacking, then you will have to learn how to pee in the woods. Make sure you are at least 200 feet away from camp or any water source. Many women find a pee funnel one of the best camping luxury items ever invented.
Don’t forget to wipe yourself dry and you will likely need to bring multiple changes of underwear to avoid UTI or yeast infections.
When in your tent, you might wish to use a pee bottle, in particular, when it’s cold outside.
What You Need For Your Solo Camping Trip - Camping Checklist And Packing List
Women solo camping is becoming popular as many enjoy the varying challenges, particularly if they become complacent with life. During this time, many women enjoy testing new camping gear and practicing new hobbies such as photography.
You are alone at the campsite, and all you have is what you carry with you. To the comfort and serenity of solo camping as a female, bring with you the following:
Here are essentials that you’ll need to make the most of your solo camping trip:
Pants
- A pair of jeans - serves both as a casual and smart wear
- Hiking pants that can be zipped off can be used as shorts, and they’re easy to use.
- Tracksuit pants - During winter, they will help keep warm around the campfire.
- Shorts- During the day, you may feel comfortable and warm wearing shorts.
- Underpants- Carry at least five pairs of underpants that can be hand washed.
Tops
- T-shirts- T-shirts are great as you can roll them to save space. Include a long-sleeve T-shirt for extra evening warmth.
- Bras-Carry a minimum of two bras which you can hand wash after a few days.
Footwear
- Socks- Include at least three pairs of running socks, a pair of thick hiking socks, and one pair of bed socks.
- Walking boots or shoes- Ensure they are comfortable and easy to walk in.
- Sandals- One pair for adventure with thick soles that are easy to wear with socks.
Medicines And Toiletries
- Lip balm: During the cold winter nights, lips get so dry, and you will need a lip balm
- Moisturizer: It moisturizes the skin during the cold seasons in the campsites.
- Insect repellent: It is essential during the spring and summer nights to repel the insects.
- Sunscreen: They protect your skin from sunburns which may make you uncomfortable
- Baby wipes: Rather than using reams of toilet paper, you can use them to freshen up after a short call.
- Sanitary towels and tampons: Make sure they have them in case they get their periods.
Other Clothing
- Gloves- They are essential during winter seasons to cover your hands
- Flynet- If camping during the warm months, a fly net is crucial, especially at night.
- Beanie- It is usually knitted with wool and perfectly covers the head during the cold season.
Tips For Camping Alone In A Campground
Solo camping allows you to take everything at your own pace and terms. It is also an excellent experience for your soul. Solo camping may sound dangerous and scary, but the benefits outweigh the downsides. Below are some useful tips from female campers on how to make the most of your solo camping trip in a campground:
Explore
Just because you are solo camping does not mean you have to remain at your campsite full time. Exploring the area and sometimes revisiting places you love it’s a good experience. Get out there and enjoy yourself.
Be Authentic
Solo camping allows you to know who you are when you are alone. It is your ideal time to spend on what you love and want. It can be your perfect opportunity with mother nature to play your guitar, write poetry or finish a book you have been reading.
Breath In
Having stress in your day-to-day life is normal, but you should always find a way to relieve yourself through solo camping. During these moments, no one is around to criticize your TV show choices or your cooking.
Treat Yourself
When you are out there camping, treat and enjoy yourself to the fullest. Plan your meals and think ahead of the type of weather you will be facing. Towards the end of the night, treat yourself with a beverage and a sweet snack sitting at a fire.
Backpacking Essentials For A Solo Camping Trip
1. Camping Tent
Ensure you carry a single-person tent. The tent should be durable, weatherproof, packable, and breathable. Your tent must be sturdy even in windy conditions. If your tent meets these conditions, it’s advisable to practice assembling it before venturing out.
2. Lightweight Sleeping Bag
If you are new to solo camping, it’s easy to get carried away with the preparations. This can result in you forgetting to check your camping supplies. Before leaving, ensure you pack a sleeping bag. Remember that your life depends on this equipment.
Today, there are sleeping bags that are designed specifically for women. These sleeping bags designs meet female Anatomy needs such as varying temperatures and shapes. These advanced sleeping bags have a feminine silhouette with narrower shoulders and more full hips.
These sleeping bags have a rating of high temperatures. Ensure you are confident and comfortable with the sleeping bag you plan to carry to your campsite. If it’s in bad condition, consider repairing it or buying a new one.
3. A First Aid Kit
Anything can happen when you are alone. For this reason, never leave your first-aid kit behind. You can assemble one using painkillers, tweezers, bandages, Neosporin, and hydrocortisone. Remember to carry your medical supplies if you are on a regular prescription.
4. Cash
You might need to pay for an extra parking spot or buy firewood. You might need to pay for the campsite at the ranger station. Some of these places might not take cards and so it is advisable to carry cash.
5. A Camera
You may want to take photos or capture videos of memorable moments of your lone camping trip with a telelphonic lens that can capture details that your phone cannot. Carry your camera and an SD card with enough storage space, a 12-volt charger, and a camera manual. For quality video or photographs, you can carry additional photography gear. It might include a tripod and a spare camera battery.
Preparations Before Going For The Trip
Apart from the mental preparation you need before going on the trip, you need some physical preparations. Here are some of those preparations:
- Avoid doing your nails: Avoid trimming them if they are already short
- Have a good shower before leaving: You should wash your hair thoroughly and avoid applying scented items that may attract wildlife such as bears.
- Wear a hat or braid your hair: This relieves you from worries about your hair all the time.
- Prepare for harsh weather: In the camping sites, you will get dirty, hot, cold, wet, and uncomfortable. You become one with mother nature. You will be able to relax and have a lot of fun when you stop resisting.
- Put on the bulky stuff when leaving: It helps you to save some space in your bag.
The Benefits Of Camping Solo
1. You Get To Know More About Camping
When camping as a group, one person puts up the tent, and there’s one who pretends to be a human compass. When camping solo, you have to carry out all these tasks alone. Although it’s challenging, it assists in sharpening your skills.
2. It Makes You Feel Connected To Mother Nature
Group camping means you spend much of your energy and time connecting with friends. You get entertaining hikes and late-night chats as a group. In doing so, there is no chance to connect with the inner you or nature.
There is no one to distract you from solo camping, and the chances are you will feel more connected to nature and yourself when alone.
3. It Increases Your Confidence
Whenever you camp as a group, you have people to rely on in case you forget something. Knowing that you all alone boosts your confidence and assists you in understanding the other side of yourself you didn’t know.
Final Thoughts
Solo camping is an excellent way to disconnect yourself from your busy everyday life and reconnect with nature. However, for beginners, the planning and preparation processes may be challenging. That’s precisely why you need to do your research to know everything you’ll need for a fun and safe solo camping experience.
Keep in mind, solo female camping poses some risks, and you need to be proactive to ensure your safety. Are you ready for the campground? Make use of the above tips to enjoy the full benefits of a solo camping trip without the hassle of coordination.
