Camping Solo: One Is Greater Than None

Why do we camp? We don’t go into the wilderness to find comfort, and we don’t seek out the unknown to be familiar with our surroundings. So we’re left with an immeasurable amount of wonder as to why we chase exploration. We see this trend of traveling canvassed over our social media channels; a group of young adults in a picturesque setting sharing a fire and fresh brewed coffee at sunrise. Without discrediting the occasions on which this scenario actually happens, this is meant to explain how camping doesn’t always look like that, and that’s okay.

If you’re fortunate enough to live in a paradise with a group of friends who are never preoccupied in their work or classes and have an unlimited amount of gear, then none of this may apply to you. This is for those attempting to juggle all aspects of their lives, and pursue their passion for the outdoors simultaneously. I happen to fall into the latter category, and by having a full-time job for the past year along with freelancing on the side, I’ve felt the strain it can have on my passion for traveling.

Whenever you are faced with a free weekend, or even a few hours of freedom, you have an option; stay or go. You can relax inside, or go out and try something new. That internal voice has to be strong enough to discredit any obstacles in your way (bad weather, lack of gear, lack of friends to be with). If you want to go, not for your friends and not for social media but for your own sense of adventure, then nothing can stop you. But it has to push through all of the doubt.

This doubt can be boiled down to a few factors. For myself, it was the gear I owned, the conditions of where I’d be staying, and how many friends could join. There’s an important thing to note about these elements; none of them matter. Nature doesn’t care what brand name is on your backpack or which water bottle you carry, as long as it gets you where you’re going that’s all that matters. Nature also doesn’t care how many people are in your party. It doesn’t function solely for our own benefit, but rather we go into nature to appreciate and respect it. As for weather, as long as you are sensible and cautious, a little rain shouldn’t deter you from pitching a tent.

“You could see all 417 National Parks for the same price as 16 cups of coffee.”

The purpose of all this isn’t meant to boost your morale and send you on your way. There is some tangibility to these ideas, and here are some factors to keep in mind:

1. The brand of your gear doesn’t matter. You could get it from a thrift store or the top of the line, but as long as it functions, you can be on your way.
2. The list of gear is flexible. Not everyone needs an AeroPress or hammock. As long as you can find a place to sleep with some form of shelter, you’re covered. (The photo below is an illustration of the gear I bring with me on solo trips.)
3. Your budget is irrelevant. An annual pass to every National Park is a measly $80, and campsites range anywhere from $15+ a night. Food for one is as cheap or expensive as you make it, and gas is at an all time low price in several regions. Putting it into relevant terms, you could see all 417 National Parks for the same price as 16 cups of coffee. You could spend a night camping in one for 3 cups. (Take that into consideration next time you hear someone groaning on about entry or camping fees.)
4. Location and time are irrelevant. There are fantastic sights to see across the country, regardless of where you are or how much time you have available to see them. As long as you have a well thought out travel itinerary, budgeting time will allow you to maximize your time spent on exploring and minimize your time spent on commuting.

It’s a process, and it can’t come in one occasion of persistence. I personally have had to work on constantly pushing myself in every scenario, regardless of if my friends could join, if the weather was ideal or if I knew enough about the area to feel “comfortable” with the situation. However, the practice has begun to pay off, and ever since this new sense of yearning for more has settled in, I’ve learned exponentially more about myself and the world around me.

A prime example of this occurred this past weekend. I accepted a Hipcamp Field Scout assignment (see Get Paid to Road Trip for Hipcamp) that took me to three separate campsites over the course of three consecutive days (Modern Harvest Farms, Camp Clatworthy, Sole Farm). Each site was in an area I was completely unfamiliar with, in environments I had not camped before. On top of it all it was a solo trip. The first night was shrouded by a massive thunderstorm, but was filled with tense excitement. I set up my car tent in the storm and hunkered down for the night, waiting to see if the tent could hold its own against the weather.

The next two nights were followed by nearly perfect conditions, and provided a relaxing experience. All three sites included something I had never witnessed while camping; an education. Each land owner and camp host of the site greeted me at my arrival and took me on a tour of their land, providing facts and answers to my questions about what they did and how they sustained their land. All three hosts were concerned with conservation of their own land and sustainability of the environment. They walked me through their gardens and along their trails while explaining the list of factors that convinced me I was in good company.

This past year, I’ve been constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone. It’s widened my reach in the people I’ve encountered and stories I’ve witnessed, and it’s all been accomplished by persisting through storms, conflicting schedules and putting passion before finances. That’s what I believe many of us who camp have in common; the pursuit of our unwavering passion. For those just starting out, keep in mind that it’s not always easy or instant, but the lows will raise you up. Through the cons you’ll come closer to being a pro, and regardless of the conditions it’s always a great day to get outside.

Andrew is a Hipcamp Field Scout and roaming photographer/filmmaker striving to produce work that protects the environment. Passionate about getting outside and sharing stories. Follow his stories on Hipcamp and Instagram.