A solo camping checklist is the best way to plan ahead and simplify your trip as a single traveler. By being proactive from the start, you can ensure a smooth-sailing experience throughout. While things might not always go according to plan, you will at least be prepared for whatever may come.
Camping alone is no doubt a highly rewarding and transformative experience. In fact, it’s known to be good for your wellbeing and your focus. Despite that, many people are highly intimidated by the prospect of being alone in the wilderness. That’s where our handy backpacking checklist comes in!
Planning to take on the wilderness alone? Read on to explore our comprehensive camping list and make your solo trip a resounding success.
Top Essentials You Need for Camping Alone
From tents and sleeping bags to cooking equipment, you need a variety of essentials when you’re going camping. Since you’re going alone, the responsibility of packing all this falls on your shoulders. Maintaining a simple checklist of items can help you stay on track.
Here are the top things you need to add to your solo camping gear checklist:
The Right Tent
If you are aiming for a complete camping experience you should probably opt for a comfortable tent to camp out in. The tent will shelter you from the elements and provide a nice place to rest at night. Unless you’re on a tight budget, even as a solo traveller it’s recommended to go for a two-person tent. They offer adequate space for you to rest after your day-long expedition.
Also keep in mind that you’ll be out there alone, so you should opt for a tent that you can easily set up. And don’t forget to factor in the weather as tents can get pretty hot and stuffy in the summers. You might want to look for a tent air conditioner to cope with the heat.
Comfortable Sleeping Gear
Camping trips can unarguably be rough but, there’s no reason to compromise on comfort. That’s why it’s recommended to pack a sleeping bag or mattress. You can snuggle up inside the sleeping bag instead of lying on the cold, hard ground in the middle of winter. Even when you’re not sleeping, it can be fun to sit back and relax in your comfy tent after a tiring day.
The Survival Gear Essentials
Heading out into the wild can often bring you face to face with unexpected challenges. If you’re in a sticky situation, having the right survival gear by your side can be a life-saver. That’s why the following survival gear is a must-have on your solo camping checklist:
First Aid Kit
The importance of having a first aid kit cannot be stressed enough. Your first aid kit should include basic medicines, antibacterial ointments, bandages, and other medical essentials. If you have any allergies or conditions, keep backup medications, inhalers, or EpiPens to help in emergencies.
Knives and Multitools
From cutting various things to sharpening sticks – knives and multitools can help you a lot in the wild. These little tools will make you fully self-sufficient out there.
Fire Starters
Make sure you have multiple ways of starting a fire at your disposal. Starting a fire can be a laborious process and going without it at night can be brutal in winter. Keep multiple types of fire starters in waterproof packages. Some fire-starting tools you can keep include a lighter, dry tinder, and striker. This way, if one method fails you can always rely on the other one.
Map and Compass
While you may be used to depending on Google Maps back in the city, technology isn’t too dependable in the great outdoors. Especially if you’re visiting a remote area, prepare for your battery dying or GPS not working. In that case, you have to resort to a trusty map and a compass for navigation. Make sure to get some basic knowledge of how to use these tools before you head out.
A Flashlight or Headlamp
After the sun goes down, you’ll be needing a reliable light source to get you through the night. A headlamp can be useful for reading and doing various activities inside the camp. You should also keep a flashlight with extra batteries.
Water Purification Essentials
Humans can only survive for two to three days without water. You should be ready to drink natural water in case yours finishes up. However, you need a water purification system or tablets to make the water drinkable.
Pre-packed Meals and Cooking Utensils
As a solo camper, it might be tedious to make meals for yourself three times a day. To ensure you get the right food intake, you can take pre-made meals with you. In case you run out of pre-packed meals, you should always have some basic utensils to cook something. The first thing you should get is a small cooking stove.
If you can’t find a stove, you can always cook over a fire. However, that may be a bit more time-consuming and difficult for beginners. You can also keep a lot of healthy snacks and other dry foods to keep your energy up throughout the day.
Extra Clothes, Hiking Accessories & Toiletries
Staying organized, clean and comfortable during your camping trip should be the ultimate goal. For that, you need to keep extra clothing, the right toiletries, and accessories.
Hygiene
If you’re not camping at the most sophisticated campsite, it can be hard to maintain good hygiene while camping. However, with the right toiletries, you can stay clean and fresh. Here are some things to add to your toiletry bag:
- Eco-friendly Deodorant
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Soap
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent
Organization
Organizing all your stuff as you hike, travel, and camp can be tricky. If you’re backpacking, the best thing to do is get a good-sized hiking bag with lots of compartments. Choose a bag that can fit all your essential gear so you can access it all on the go.
Comfort
Camping is not a luxury experience, you should still ensure that you feel as good as you can. Here are few important things to add to your checklist for comfort:
- Spare clothes including extra socks, underwear, and pants.
- Rain jacket or water-resistant clothing.
- Super comfortable shoes depending on the terrain. Also, keep an extra pair in case of emergencies.
- If you’re camping in the winter, keep heated socks and gloves to stay warm.
Bottom Line
Many people hesitate to turn their solo camping dreams into a reality. It’s time to stop thinking and start doing! You can start making an effort today by making a solo camping checklist of your own. Just follow our helpful guide and explore the world on your own terms. Happy camping!