03 Apr Planning your first solo camping trip? Here is everything you need to know. 

There are some important things to plan before your first solo camping trip. I know you are thinking about it otherwise you wouldn’t have clicked on this post. Camping solo has never really appealed to me up until now. After a few solo camping trips I have noticed there are some stand out things you need to start planning, before your first solo camping trip. Everything from safety, things to pack and entertainment.

Below are some tips to give you the confidence you need to be organised and finally plan that solo camping trip you have always wanted to try. Lets dive into these tips so you can get planning.

3 key key tips for planning your first solo camping trip. 

1. Travel light. You don’t need a lot of things to have fun. Make sure you can lift and set up all of your equipment easily. 
2. Check if there is phone reception at the campsite. So you can notify friends / family once you arrive or for safety communication.
3. Check the campsite facilities. Are there picnic tables provided? Is there a camp sink to wash your dishes? 

The key to solo camping (in my humble inexperience) is to travel light. Pack what you need so the set up is easy and quick for one person. You want to leave time for relaxing and exploring. Make a list of the absolute bare essentials you need. Plan and be organised, it removes a lot of anxiety. If you need help planning what you need, HERE is a list for minimal weekend camping items.

The tent you take should be easy for one person to set up. If you have never done it before, always attempt to erect the tent prior to going camping so you know how to set it up and also how to pack it away.  

Depending on where you choose to camp, you will find most places provide picnic tables, some places provide bbq’s or a communal under cover area with a sink and a bbq. These additional facilities will make your life easier because it might mean you wont need to pack a table or chairs or a kitchen sink.

Check the phone coverage or reception for the area or camping ground. You can find good reviews on WIKI Camps app or check your phone network coverage. If you are going to be out of range make sure you text or call a family member with your safe arrival/departure dates. Make phone notes on anything suspicious.

Camping Essentials

• Pillow
• Sleeping bag
• Lights (headlamp + lantern) (affiliate link)
• Tent/swag
• Mattress
• Cooking equipment. Cooker/gas bottle or butane cooker. 
• Chair 
• Table (if you have space or if camping area does not provide picnic tables)
• Power pack
• Beach towel / bath towel
• Water.

Make a list of what food you plan to cook or bring. Breakfast, lunch dinner etc, so you only bring what food/ cutlery/cooking stuff you need. 

X1 set cutlery, plate, bowl, cup, knife etc

Safety for solo camping

All of my solo camping experiences have been enjoyable, however being a young female there is always safety to think about. I have plenty of camping experience so I am a confident camper, however that may not be the case for you. If you are worried about safely, choose a camp site that is not open and exposed. If the site you choose is quite secluded it won’t be too obvious you are camping alone.

If you do spark some friendly conversation with other fellow travelers be careful who you tell you are camping alone. Or better still, don’t tell people you are riding solo unless you feel they are safe, friendly people. For example weave a safety line into the conversation like “my partner” or “my husband” even if you don’t have company.

Again, as mentioned above, make notes on anything suspicious. Car rego’s or people at the campsite that give off bad vibes. If you don’t feel safe, don’t camp there. Just pack up and move on. Trust your gut, your intuition is a very real indicator for your safety and enjoyment. If you feel unsafe you will not enjoy your solo camping experience. There is a difference between nerves / anxiety and your intuition telling you, you might be unsafe.

Always tell family and friends you are going camping solo and text or call them when you are arriving or leaving.

Some little extra things you need when solo camping.

• Ear plugs. Assuming you will hear noises at night, ear plugs will come in handy to keep any anxiety about solo camping at bay. Luckily we don’t have any predator’s in Australia so any rustling at night will likely be a possum, small rodent or a kangaroo. 
• First Aid Kit. Always take a first aid kit with you when you go away camping, and make no exception when you are solo camping. 
• Extra warm clothes, you will be amazed how cold it gets when you sleep by yourself.

Entertainment

• Personally I love photography so that’s my form of entertainment at sunrise and sunset.  
• Single player card games.
• Cook up an extravagant meal. This is a great way to kill time.
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Reading or drawing.

You may just want to relax and have some alone time, but you will get bored. Plan and pack some things to do. Personally I love cooking so I prepare something that will take time. This kills time as well as being enjoyable or entertaining, if you enjoy cooking. If you have reception you can probably stream netflix and watch a movie. You do you, but definatly plan activities to do.

5 campsites I would be confident to camp solo (in WA)

• Wellington National Park (either Glencoat campsite or Potters gorge)
• Fitzgerald River National Park (4 Mile campsite)
• Lane Pool Reserve, Dwellingyup (Tony’s Bend campsite)
• Sandy Cape
• Parry’s Beach
• Logue Brook Dam, Harvey

Final Thoughts

Full disclosure, I’m a social butterfly but I do appreciate a bit of peace and quiet. That’s why I decided to finally take the leap and try solo camping. There is something special about being comfortable alone, enjoying your own company. We live such fast paced, busy lives it is ok to stop and slow down every now and again. Not to mention all of my friends have children so it has become harder and harder to get away with friends on the weekends. So I just decided I am not going to let that stop me.

After quite a few solo camping adventures now under my belt i feel confident to give some good advice. I hope this gives you the confidence to start planning your first solo camping experience. 

Happy camping.