7 things you should never do when you go camping alone

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👉 The key facts from this guide

Alone camping can be scary, especially if it's the first time.

You have to be especially careful with your surroundings and the people you encounter. In the wilderness, you should rely on no one but yourself.

As with any outdoor excursion, there are rules and regulations that you should follow for your comfort, safety, and overall enjoyable experience.

Here are 7 things you should never do when going alone into the woods and camping there.

1. Start without preparation

This is the most basic and important thing to remember - be prepared.

As mentioned before, you can only rely on yourself in the wilderness.

So learn how to set up a tent, ignite a fire, and prepare a meal for yourself. Pack everything you need, from food, water, hygiene items, medication, sleeping gear, cooking utensils, a first aid kit, etc.

It is also important to bring a map, a compass, a GPS, a whistle, and some chalk in case you get lost.

Learn how to use a compass and map naturally beforehand. Otherwise, a compass is as useless for navigation as a GPS device without batteries.

Reading tip: 3 primitive signals to attract attention in an emergency

2. Don't tell anyone

Another important thing to consider is to inform a family member or a friend about your trip.

Provide all important information, such as your entire travel itinerary, the exact places where you will be staying, and when you will be returning.

That may sound a bit excessive, but it's important to be on the safe side. Even if I'm just taking my children to the forest for an afternoon, I always let my wife know where we'll be.

I recommend using the service What3Words to share your exact location based on geographic coordinates. This is especially helpful if you are not near landmarks like street signs.

3. Overestimating Your Abilities

Walking 20 kilometers on a familiar path back home is entirely different from hiking 35 kilometers alone in the wilderness. And that with a heavy backpack on your back.

Make yourself comfortable on your first solo trip and choose activities or take hiking trails that match your abilities.

Don't try to take on too much at once. One or two nights of camping alone should be enough for the first time.

Read also: The first night in the forest: how to sleep well in your camp [Location, Equipment, Attitude]

4. Arriving at the campsite at night

This is not ideal for a first solo tour. In the dark, you are disoriented, and it becomes overall more difficult to find and use equipment.

So make sure to arrive at your spot at least two hours before sunset to allow enough time.

After all, you have to find a good spot to set up your tent or tarp. And dinner is still on the agenda.

Read also: How to find the ideal location for your bushcraft camp

5. Forget about entertainment

Since you are alone, it is ideal to entertain yourself during downtime on your journey. Bring a book, write in your journal, or get an adult coloring book.

You could also train other skills. For example, I constantly look for animal tracks in the area, or I practice making ropes or carving a wooden spoon.

6. Don't fight in public

Telling your loved ones where you're going is good. Informing strangers on the internet that you're not at home can be a mistake.

Post the wonderful sunset after your trip instead and avoid sharing any location data that precisely describes where you are. It can have a significant impact on others knowing your plans and making you vulnerable to attacks.

7. Freaking out

I understand that. Don't worry. Because I know the feeling.

The sun has disappeared below the horizon, strange owls are hooting, and branches are cracking in the forests around your tent.

This is a perfect combination of events to cause fear - but freaking out will not change or solve anything.

Camping alone can be stressful if you let your imagination run wild.

Don't let that happen. Instead, stay calm and rational and recognize that all these wilderness sounds are normal. Just you, nature, and a lot of tranquility - and that's a good thing.

Summary

I can't express this enough: Don't be a fool.

Camping alone is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. However, you must know what you are doing in the wilderness before you set off.

If you are a beginner at hiking, Bushcrafting, or camping, it is probably best to avoid solo trips until you have more experience under your belt.

This is for your safety. Because there is always the risk that something goes wrong on your journey. And it will be much better for everyone if you are prepared and skilled enough to handle the situations.

Much of this experience can only come with time. If you are a beginner, grab your friends and go out. That's the only way to practice and gain the necessary experience.