The idea of a solo camping experience was one I’d toyed with for a while. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s something I find very alluring about spending a night under canvas.
Finally I got around to giving it a go!
What Is Solo Camping?
Essentially, it’s going camping in a tent on your own. That means you set your own pace, decide where you are going to go, carry all of the kit you’re going to need, and ultimately fend for yourself.
Whilst some people will argue it’s about heading off into the wilds and camping somewhere off grid, I’m of the belief that you can still call it solo camping if you stay on a campsite. You still have to make the decision of where to go, get yourself there, and carry all of the equipment you need. There just might be a few little extra luxuries such as toilets and showers and perhaps a shop or cooking area.
Whichever view point you take, it’s still an adventure, and if you’ve never been camping on your own before, why not give yourself a break and make it a little easier on yourself to learn what works well and what you’d do differently before you head off somewhere more remote.
Fears About The Solo Camping Experience
My imagination is quite vivid at the best of times and on a previous tent camping trip with the Other Half I had barely got any sleep as a tea towel pegged onto a guy rope flapped around our canvas shelter in the wind. Despite knowing this rational explanation for the disruption, my imagination did a very good job of convincing me it was the Blair Witch and I was too scared to go back to sleep!
I wondered how I’d fair on my own. Could I rely on me, and me alone, to get myself somewhere, provide shelter, and survive a night. Would I cope or would it be too intents? (Sorry! I couldn’t resist!)
Deciding Where To Go For My First Solo Camping Experience
I had bought a one person tent the previous summer but not had the chance to use it. My reason being that the Other Half was often away with work, so I thought I might use it on one of those occasions for a mini adventure.
I’ve seen many people heading out on hikes or rides over weekends and pitching up tiny tents, wild camping as part of their expedition. I thought I’d play it safe for my first outing and go to a campsite not too far away. That way, if anything did go wrong, if I forgot anything, or had any problems, then it would be fairly easy to find a solution.
I did a bit of research to find a campsite a couple of miles away that had space for me and my little tent. Loading up my bag, I didn’t think I had too much stuff but it took up a lot of space. I could just pull the zip around to close the bag and thankfully as I lugged it on to my back it wasn’t heavy, just bulky.
Setting Off
It was a drizzly four mile walk to the campsite, after which it was a welcome sight to see the shop at reception where I checked in and picked up a few snacks for the night. The owner showed me to my pitch, a large grassy space between a caravan and a much bigger tent.
I had never fully pitched the tent before, but the instructions were clear and the ground was soft to easily hammer the pegs in. I was really grateful it wasn’t raining at this point, because I’ve no idea how I would have kept anything dry. It was the wind I had to watch out for as it could easily have carried away my lightweight shelter.
Pitched Up and Relaxing Into The Solo Camping Experience
Canvas pulled tight, pegs securely hammered in and guy ropes tort, my tiny accommodation for the night was ready. It was incredibly low to the ground, and not enough head room to actually sit up inside of it. The neighbouring tent dwarfed mine. The head end was the highest point and it tapered lower towards the feet. It was a good job I wasn’t claustrophobic!
The other campers milled around as the evening wore on. I couldn’t easily sit up in my tent so I sat outside and lost myself in my book for a good few hours. It’s not often I get time to really get into a book undisturbed so whilst I could have gone off exploring, I was quite content to explore the world on the pages.
I tucked into my dry snacks. Not the most exciting meal, but fine enough to keep me going for a night.
Turning In For The Night
As dusk turned to darkness bringing with it cooler air I got myself ready to turn in for the night. Crawling into my den, it was very cosy. There was plenty of room at the head end to be able to put my bag which I used as a pillow, and it was wide enough to be able to turn over ok. Drifting off to sleep was a breeze. I felt safe knowing other campers were about and the gentle sounds of their chatter lulled me into my slumber.
Of course this didn’t last. I was protected from the elements by a thin canvas sheath which seemed to amplify the slightest rustle of a leaf on a tree. The wind had picked up and it took a lot of focus to quieten my catastrophising mind from thinking a tree was going to blow down onto me with the next big gust.
Night Calls
A call of nature woke me next. I was incredibly snug in my sleeping bag and really didn’t fancy the prospect of venturing out across the grass to the facilities. However, returning to my little cocoon, zipping up the door behind me and snuggling back down into my bag felt like a comforting welcome back hug.
I didn’t sleep entirely soundly. Almost every rotation from one side to another woke me momentarily, but I did sleep, and my imagination didn’t run away with itself or keep me scared and awake – a big result for me!
The Morning Chorus - Solo Camping Experience
As the birds sang and dawn broke I lay contentedly in my tent listening to the world waking up around me; breakfasts being prepared, cars being packed to go home, dogs being walked, and more traffic moving about on the road. I loved it!
Whilst the rising sun illuminated (and heated!) my tent, I did some moves a gymnast would be proud of. Managing to contort myself in my tiny space to get into my running kit, I was pretty impressed none of it was inside-out once I was finally changed!
I headed out for a run around the local woods following a popular walking trail. On my return and after showering, I set about taking the tent down. The lovely couple from the caravan next to me came out to ask if I wanted a cup of tea.
It was incredibly sweet of them and I felt a bit rude turning them down, but I was almost packed up and ready for off. I didn’t have any means of heat with me and a cup of tea would have been very welcomed but I had decided that I would stop at a café on my walk home for some breakfast.
Rewarding Myself With A Delicious Breakfast
Tucking into deliciously runny eggs and thick cut local ham on a toasted muffin with creamy hollandaise sauce and a lovely pot of earl grey, I felt really pleased that my first outing in my tent had been a success!
I had survived, I hadn’t forgotten anything, the tent had stayed up, and, the tent had gone back into its bag afterwards too – which is often a feat in itself!
Dispelling The Nerves Of My First Solo Camp
I had been a little nervous that the other campers would clearly see the inexperience I had with my tiny tent.
I’d been a little nervous that I would stick out like a sore thumb and seem a bit weird being on my own when everyone else on the site had companions.
I had been more than a little nervous that someone might not see my tiny tent and drive over it with me inside! (Did I mention I have an overactive imagination?!)
However, campers are friendly people, and just because I was on my own in a tiny tent, it made no difference. People said hello and raised a smile as they passed, but no one made me feel like I shouldn’t be there. Everyone was happily engaged in their own conversations and relationships leaving me to my own devices, and it was incredibly lovely having a bit of time to myself.
My pitch was on the grass and there was a clear gravel path for vehicles so I really need not have worried about being run over as there was a very slim chance of that happening.
Solo Camping Success
It felt good to be able to confidently answer the questions I’d had at the start; I could rely on me, and me alone, to get myself somewhere, provide shelter, and survive a night. I definitely could.
With this new found confidence in myself I could start to plan some future mini adventures!
Want To Try It Yourself?
Anyone who regularly camps on their own will no doubt find this an easy thing to do, but as this was my first time, with a new tent, it was definitely a challenge.
- If you’ve already got the kit, all you need to do is find where to camp and pick a date!
- If you don’t have any camping equipment, why not see if you can borrow some of any friends or family before you commit to buying the kit.
- Take a look at my other active new experiences, or the more daring new things I’ve been trying as part of Challenge Fifty-Two.
Cost Of Experience
The campsite I stayed at was £19 for the night off season. Of course this will vary depending on campsite and whether it’s high season.
- There are many campsites which are much cheaper, and you may find you can pitch up for as little as £5 for a night.
- Of course, if you are camping off grid, there will be no cost at all!
If you need to buy any camping equipment the cost of the experience will of course be more.
Recommendations
- If this is your first time solo camping, I highly recommend staying on a campsite. It just gives you that extra layer of security and safety in case anything doesn’t quite work out as you planned it.
- Check the forecast before you go and pack accordingly. If it’s going to be really bad weather perhaps pick a different date if you’re able to.
- Let someone know where you are going, and when you are planning on returning.
- Don’t forget it can get cooler on a night so take some layers.
- Make sure you take enough food and water with you.
- Craghoppers have a helpful guide for Solo Camping for beginners and PitchUp have also put together some useful resources about solo camping
- Don’t forget to take some pictures! If you do give it a go, I’d love to know how you get on!
I have not been camping for decades, and definitely never tried it out solo (which actually sounds great and something I would enjoy). There is a local park that has camping spots you can rent out so I think I will have to look into this!
Oh I really hope you get to do it! That’s great to have somewhere near by that sounds a brilliant safe place to give it a go. Happy camping! Please do let me know if you go!! :o) (Sorry for so many !!!! – I’m really excited for you!)