Solo camping is a unique opportunity to experience the outdoors entirely on your own terms. Unlike the shared responsibility of camping in a group, solo trips are a true test of your ability to be self-sufficient.
For most, however, camping alone also presents a variety of intimidating challenges, particularly once the sun goes down. The minute the sun ducks below the horizon, it’s hard to escape the illusion that there are apparent risks and dangers lurking just outside your door.
To help combat your fear of sleeping alone, we’ve put together a few tips to try and help keep you safe (and calm) and allow you to thoroughly embrace and enjoy the solitude of your next solo adventure.
1. Find a safe location and plan ahead
If there’s anything to be learned from binge-watching sensationalized survival stories on Nat Geo, it’s that you can never be too prepared. Your best defense to sleepless nights on the road will always be ample preparation and awareness.
Fortunately, finding a safe campground to sleep is easier than ever thanks to apps like Allstays or hipcamp. These apps were designed to not only help you locate a perfect place to park, but also offer reviews and ratings from former campers, along with pictures of campsites, so you can rest easy knowing you’ve found a safe oasis in the woods.
If you’re new to sleeping in solitude, look for popular or reputable campgrounds at state parks, RV parks, or KOAs. Generally, these sites will offer ample resources, modern amenities and you’ll sleep soundly knowing you’re surrounded by friendly campers. Once you’ve created an itinerary, reach out to a local park ranger, camp host, or friends and family that are familiar with the area.
Familiarizing yourself with your surroundings and knowing what to expect is the best way to appease your anxiety about being alone.
2. Tell someone where you’re going
Unless you’re the Cheryl Strayed or Christopher McCandless type, solo travel doesn’t mean you’re sworn to secrecy. Besides, letting someone know your plans doesn’t make you any less adventurous! Before you set off on your solo journey, sit down with a friend or family member and let them know the details of where you’ll be and when they can expect to hear from you.
Keep in touch daily. Although unlikely, if things were to go south, having a confidant at home provides assurance that someone will be able to pinpoint where you are or where you’ve been.
3. Keep yourself occupied
As the old saying goes, an idle mind is a dangerous thing. One of the hardest things to combat, when sleeping alone on the road, is getting comfortable with complete silence. If you allow yourself extra time to think about all of the scary things that could happen, you’ll end up convincing yourself that they will happen.
If you don’t want to leap out of bed every time a branch cracks outside of your camper, keep your mind occupied with something that isn’t relative to a True Crime documentary. Reading a book, listening to a podcast or breaking up the silence with a soothing soundtrack are all great ways to keep you occupied so you can spend less time staring at the ceiling and thinking about the ‘what ifs’ or ‘what’s out there?’
Conversely, plan to keep yourself busy during the day. It’s a lot harder to relax your nerves at night if you’re wired from a midday nap. Take a hike, go for a swim, or find an alternative way to drain your energy. By the time you make it back to camp, you’ll be so thrilled to see your pillow, you won’t have the energy to fret the unknown.
4. Promote privacy
It’s helpful to remember that people outside of your camper don’t know who or what is inside of your camper. If this is your first time camping alone, you can calm your nerves by creating the illusion that there are multiple people in your party by setting up multiple chairs or keeping a light on in your trailer.
When I embarked on my first solo trip, I would periodically talk out loud to my faux husband, to give the impression that he was just out of sight. If nothing else, this silly tactic helped me cope with the realization that I was alone. Mind over matter, right?
It goes without saying that you want to avoid inadvertently luring opportunists by stashing valuables during the day and keeping items of value out of sight while you sleep.
If you’re camping in your car, you can place a sunscreen over your front windshield, hang curtains, or drape items of clothing over windows to keep others from peering into your car. Doing so also has the added bonus of preventing people from knowing whether or not you’re sleeping inside and will help you feel safe and sheltered inside.
5. Know how to defend yourself
There’s something inherently reassuring about knowing that you could deliver a swift kick to the jugular and escape a perpetrator at a moment’s notice. Taking a course on self-defense or a wilderness first-aid course is another excellent way to prepare yourself for a self-reliant solo trip.
When planning your trip, it helps to make a list of potential dangers or risks that you’re nervous about. Next, ask yourself what you would do or how you would defend yourself. If you’re unsure, it’s time to elicit the help of a professional.
Outdoor retailers like REI offer extensive courses on self-defense or wilderness survival techniques. Arm yourself with knowledge and feel confident in your abilities to handle any challenges that are thrown your way.
6. Have a plan
Don’t feel paranoid if you’ve already thought through the worst-case scenario. Statistics will tell you that you’re more likely to be killed by a bee than a rogue black bear, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared for both. When camping alone, plan an escape route or have a contingency plan, just in case.
When car camping, keep your key fob close by so you can set off your car alarm and signal to others around you that you need help. It goes without saying, but lock your doors and make sure your driver’s seat is accessible for you to get up and go at a moment’s notice.
Some campers seek comfort in having bear spray, mace, or other protectants nearby, while others carry personal locator beacons or stay well within cell services, so they can quickly reach out for help.
Regardless of your preference, having a plan in place will allow you to spend less time thinking about your safety and more time enjoying the tranquility of camping alone.
In conclusion
It’s easier said than done, but the more you camp alone—and nothing scary happens—the less you’ll think about the things that could happen. Essentially, the best way to conquer your fear of sleeping alone is by sleeping alone. Although it’s important to understand the risks associated with venturing out in solitude, the benefits of a solo trip always tend to outweigh the danger, especially if you’re well-prepared.
