Solo Camping
Camping trips make superb options for a family holiday or a trip with a group of friends, but solo camping can be just as rewarding, giving you the chance to organise your break exactly as you please and soak up the peace of nature with no distractions. And there are plenty of people out there doing just that – in fact, around 8% of campsite bookings made through Pitchup in 2022 were for solo travellers.
If you’d like to try out a solo outdoor adventure, you’ll be completely self reliant so you’ll need to make sure your camping skills are up to scratch. This guide will help you prepare for your solo camping trip – from what to pack to how to stay safe – as well as explaining why going camping on your own can be a wonderful thing.
Is it safe to solo camp?
Let’s get that all-important question out of the way first. Although it can seem intimidating at first, in the vast majority of cases it’s safe to camp alone on a campsite. Over time you may develop the confidence to go wild camping, but for your first few forays into solo trips, it’s advisable to pick an official campsite with other people around in case you need help with any aspect of your stay.
It’s a common belief that solo camping is inherently less safe for women, and while there may be some truth in this, camping remains a low-risk activity as long as you’re well prepared and well equipped. Exercise sensible precautions; don’t advertise your plans or destination on social media until after your trip, and carry an alarm like an air horn for extra peace of mind.
Most of the issues involved with camping alone apply across the genders – aspects of weather, tent construction and tent security – are universal.
10 hints and tips for solo camping
With the above in mind, we’ve put together a collection of solo camping tips to keep you safe and comfortable while camping alone. Preparing carefully for potential issues of weather, security and comfort – as well as the mental challenges of going it alone – will help you have a trouble-free and enjoyable solo camping trip.
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Start small. Dip your toe in the water with a one-night/weekend stay somewhere close to home (Pitchup’s ‘campsites near me’ filter is handy for this). This will help you practise your skills and see how you take to camping alone.
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Try a solo stay on a dedicated campsite first. This will give you the security of other people around to lend a hand if needed. Back-to-basics campsites with minimal facilities can give you an initial taste of wild camping if that’s what you’re ultimately aiming for.
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Choose your tent wisely. You’ll need something that’s easy to pitch but has enough space for you and your luggage – ‘one-person’ tents rarely have enough space to store all your gear.
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Practise putting the tent up and taking it down several times before leaving home. Even if it’s one you’ve used before, you may find pitching your tent on your own is awkward at first.
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When you arrive on site, introduce yourself to site owners/staff and ask them to recommend the best spots on the site. Save an owner/staff number on your phone so you can call for assistance if you need it.
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Saying hello and chatting to your campsite neighbours – however briefly – will help you to relax too.
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Tell site staff/fellow campers roughly what your plans for the day are, so they’ll know when to raise an alarm or where to send help in the unlikely event of you getting lost or injured.
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Share your location with a trusted friend or family member back home via mapping apps. Download the What3words app to pinpoint your exact location if you need to call for help. The Google personal safety app and iPhone Emergency SOS settings are worth exploring too.
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Have a backup plan if you feel uncomfortable for whatever reason – this might include sleeping in your car or packing up and going home if something doesn’t feel right.
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Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it – whether that’s dealing with unwanted attention from a fellow guest or needing extra strength to pull out a stuck tent peg.
What to pack for solo camping
Packing for a solo camping expedition is all about self-sufficiency, so you’ll need to pack carefully and cover all eventualities. Pitchup has a definitive camping checklist, but there are a few extras that will help you stay safe when solo camping.
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A multi-pocket rucksack to carry everything you need for the day.
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A sturdy pair of walking boots to prevent accidents when hiking.
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A whistle as part of your walking kit.
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A phone for taking photos, using a mapping app, sharing your location and contacting people in case of (unlikely) emergencies.
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A detailed Ordnance Survey map; don’t just rely on a mapping app in case your phone battery dies.
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A phone charger if your campsite has a source of electricity or otherwise a battery-pack charger.
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A first-aid kit with pain relief, bandages, plasters, sterile wipes, tweezers and scissors.
Where is good for solo camping?
You can go solo camping anywhere – national parks and coastal areas are popular, but a quick escape to a local farm or woodland site will give you an equally enjoyable and relaxing break, especially as a first timer. The key is to choose your campsite well – and Pitchup’s independent user reviews are particularly useful here. They’ll give you a good sense of the style and atmosphere of a site as well as details of facilities and location.
If you want to see what solo campers think of a site, there’s a ‘Filter and sort’ button on the right-hand side of Pitchup’s reviews page; click on it and select ‘all types of reviewers’, then pick ‘male travellers’ and/or ‘female travellers’ from the dropdown menu.
As a solo camper, look out for information on security features, staff availability and lighting after dark. For peace of mind, why not look for a site where you can park by your pitch? This will give you the peace of mind that you can move into your car if you feel uncomfortable or if the weather draws in.
Good to know: not quite ready to go camping completely solo? Find a dog-friendly site and take along your pet; you’ll have company and also an instant alarm should anyone (or anything) come near your tent at night.
Six great reasons to go solo camping
And finally – what’s so wonderful about going camping on your own? Setting out alone for the first time may be daunting, so here are six of the many benefits of a solo camping trip to get you motivated.
You’ll test your organisational skills
Embarking on a solo camping adventure means very careful preparation. You’ll need to pack carefully and to master the technique for pitching your tent or lighting a campfire – a few practice runs are advisable before you leave home.
You’ll learn new life skills
Setting up your pitch, cooking food outdoors and navigating each day on your own are excellent skills to have – and you’ll have to do everything for yourself as there’s no-one else to rely on. Even if you do hit a few issues along the way, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you were able to cope with it all
You’ll readily reconnect with nature
With no-one to distract you, it’ll be easy to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature. You’ll appreciate being out in the fresh air, hearing birdsong and spotting wildlife – and if you’re staying on a dark skies site, you can watch the stars glittering on clear nights.
You’ll feel the social benefits
Camping solo means you can be as sociable (or not) as you want. Some larger sites have pools, sports facilities and evening entertainment, making it easy for you to chat with people, however briefly. You’ll probably meet fellow guests while pottering around your tent too – and without a partner or friend to cling to, you may find yourself more open to meeting new people.
You’ll set your own schedule
Solo camping also means you get to set your own agenda, with no issues about who wants to do what and when. Just decide on what you fancy doing for the day – following a new hiking route or going for a bike ride perhaps – and do it. And if you don’t feel like doing anything at all, simply put your feet up in your tent and read a good book.
You’ll grow in confidence
Doing something all by yourself is a real confidence booster, and some people love solo camping so much that they go on to wild camp alone out in the countryside. If you’d like to give it a go, remember to pitch responsibly and legally, and be aware of the different rules for wild camping across the globe.
Five fantastic UK campsites for solo campers
Many campsites offer a warm welcome to solo campers, but there’s nothing like a personal recommendation to help you find a great place to stay. With that in mind, we’ve created a list of five UK campsites that have been well reviewed by Pitchup customers on solo camping trips.
Blue Hills Touring Park, Cornwall
‘Blue Hills is a very well run site, very clean, nice and quiet. The wardens were very friendly. The site is accessible by coded electric gates. As a solo traveller (except for the dogs!) I felt very safe being there alone and didn’t once have any concerns.’ Anonymous
Rectory Farm Fishing and Camping Site, Norfolk
‘This was my first time camping solo and couldn’t have chosen a better campsite, the facilities were excellent and most of all the peace and quiet that you don’t get living in a city. The owners were very friendly and I will definitely book for longer next time.’ Paul
Fire and Stars Woodland Camping, Leicestershire
‘Absolutely beautiful and secluded with friendly staff. Completely idyllic place to unwind. It was my first solo camp and I’m so glad I chose here to do it.’ Alice
Riverside Caravan Park at the George, Gloucestershire
‘The spacing was good between pitches with 2 pitches separated by a hedge in between. It was well lit at night – especially being a solo female, trip to the toilet felt safe.’ Kaz
Sychpwll Camping, Powys
‘A gorgeous stay at the Sychpwll Centre, Powys. Such a beautiful, peaceful spot in a lovely location, with nice eco-friendly facilities, and the nicest people (who couldn’t have been sweeter about me fretting over my first solo camping trip). Definitely a Five Star - and somewhere I’ll be coming back to again and again.’ David
Not found the right location for your solo camping trip yet? Pitchup has campsites available to book all around the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.
Now you’re all prepared, it’s time to get booking that solo camping adventure…