The Solo Backpacking Experience

Do you ever notice how you have your best thoughts in the shower?

What if I told you could extend that feeling of quiet solitude for days at a time?

Solo backpacking is an excellent way to escape the distractions of your day-to-day life. To unplug from your hectic modern life, and seek a new start and a clear mind under the stars.

You might even discover some things about yourself you didn’t know before.

Trust me. There’s nothing better than getting out into the great outdoors — except doing it alone.

Why Do You Go Solo Wilderness Backpacking

While camping with friends is an absolute blast, there’s something special about doing it by yourself.

Peace and quiet

Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city is one of the main reasons anyone goes camping.

Solo backpacking maximizes that experience.

The chirp of the birds seems clearer, and the lap of the waves on the lake sounds fresher when you’re not distracted by anyone else.

And one of the best parts of solo camping is you get to make it whatever kind of experience you want.

If you want to go for a super long hike one day, you can do it without having to rouse anyone. If you just want to lay in your tent and watch the sunlight slowly move across the fabric, you don’t have to feel guilty about being boring.

Solo backpacking is also a great time to try out new skills safely and without judgment. Never fished before? Try a few casts and see what happens. Just don’t forget your camera, or no one will believe you when you tell them it was “this big!”

Between work and social engagements, modern life can often feel as though you’re not in control. Solo backpacking is the exception. It’s your trip. You decide what happens.

Personal reflection

Many people — myself included — find it hard to organize our thoughts day-to-day. You’d be surprised how easily things come together when you’re focused only on meeting your own needs in the great outdoors.

Something about the fresh air, lack of distractions, and beautiful surroundings puts me in a sort of meditative state.

It’s a similar feeling to being in the shower at the beginning of the day. Solutions to my problems seem to come to me there, where I’m unconcerned with distractions that can instantly derail my train of thought, like emails or Twitter.

How to Prepare for a Solo Backpacking Trip

The most important part of your trip happens before you leave. Sort out where you’re going, how long you’ll be gone, and what you’ll do in case of emergency to make the voyage as smooth as possible.

Make a Plan

You should know where you’re going to go for your trip, of course.

More specifically, you should pick out a campsite or geographic coordinates where you’ll be staying.

If you have to reserve it in advance, do that. You don’t want any surprises when you show up.

Also, decide how long you’ll be away. Many campsites will allow you to book a certain number of nights.

For your first solo trip, I’d recommend a short weekend getaway of one or two nights to keep things easy. You can always go longer next time.

Many backcountry sites require permits from state or national parks.

Make sure to do your research beforehand and find out what’s required — as well as what you can buy online, versus what you’ll have to get in person once you’re there.

And figure out what kind of gear you’re taking on the trip. This is your chance to find out what you have and what you need.

Don’t bank on your school backpack holding everything you’ll need. Try packing everything well in advance of actually leaving. If it doesn’t fit, you’ll need a bigger bag (or to bring less stuff).

Check out some packing lists for the region and the type of camping you’ll be doing. Make sure you have all the essentials well in advance.

Outdoors stores are often sold out of camping gear early while supply chains are still messed up.

Tell Someone

When you leave for any trip, you should tell someone where you’re going, what you’ll be doing, and when you expect to be back.

Then that person can try to get in touch with you and alert the authorities if you’re not back in time.

Make sure this is someone you trust. This is not a job to be taken lightly. A best friend, significant other, or family member is your best bet.

Prepare for Failure

On any trip, things will go wrong. That’s why the Scout motto is “be prepared.”

Preparing for failure means establishing backups. If you’ll have to filter your own water, bring a filter and purification tablets. Take an extra strand of paracord in case one breaks. And for the love of all that is holy, bring more toilet paper than you think you’ll need.

What to Bring Solo Backpacking

Your packing list will be affected by many things, including the location and duration of the trip, your experience level, and how much you’re comfortable carrying.

But there are some items you should take on every solo backpacking trip.

For Safety

The number one most foolproof way to get yourself out of a dangerous situation is to avoid it in the first place.

After that, it’s a GPS satellite phone, like a Garmin inReach or similar. These let you contact emergency services from anywhere in the world. It’s a no-brainer if you care about your life.

Bring a paper map of the area, which won’t run out of battery.

That doesn’t mean your phone is a bad idea, though. In addition to a paper map, an app like Alltrails or Google Maps can be helpful to show your position along a trail. And your phone’s GPS location service will work even without a cell signal.

A medical kit is essential for emergencies. You can customize yours however you like, but it should have at least:

• Some fabric bandages
• A tourniquet
• Sterile gloves
• Antiseptic wipes
• Gauze
• Ibuprofen
• Antihistamine
• A small utility tool, like a Swiss Army Knife
• Your medical information, including allergies, for first responders

You can also include in this emergency kit other gear, like:

• Foil blanket
• Whistle
• Waterproof matches
• Rope
• Duct tape

Remember to be bear safe. Strap bear bells to your backpack to ward off curious, deadly animals.

Bring bear mace if they’re a threat and if it’s allowed where you’ll be visiting.

Store your food in a bear barrel or bear-proof bag. And if you’re going to hang your food, look up how to do it properly.

Lastly, your phone could end up being your last line of defense. If you have a signal and need to make a call; if you need a flashlight; if you need to look up whether that mushroom was poisonous, you’ll want it to be charged.

That’s why you should always bring a power bank for your key electronics.

And make sure it doesn’t get cold, which can drain its battery completely. Keep it on your person — and in your sleeping bag — to keep it warm.

For Fun

You’ll only have yourself for company, so you’d better help yourself have a good time.

It’s a good idea to bring a journal, even if you don’t journal normally. This can help you organize your thoughts. And trust me, you’re going to have a lot of them.

Don’t force yourself to write an essay. If you express yourself better in pictures or mind maps, do that.

And if you’d rather let your thoughts float away into the evening mist, that’s what you should do. This whole trip is just for you, after all.

A sketchbook can be a great idea if you’re into drawing. Even if you’re stickman-level at visual art, it’s fun to mess around and draw what you see. Bonus points for bringing some watercolors to let out your inner Bob Ross.

A camera can help you capture your surroundings as well. Your phone camera can work great here. Just be careful not to deplete your battery.

There are, of course, other substances that you can bring to have fun in the wilderness.

Just be careful if you plan on changing your mental state. Nature is unforgiving. This isn’t the time to play around with new or higher levels of intoxicants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is backpacking solo safe?

Yes — if you prepare for it correctly. Read the sections above on safety equipment and what to do before your trip.

And don’t take on any trips you’re not prepared for. If you’ve never paddled a canoe or been into the backcountry, a solo trip is likely not the time to try it for the first time.

How do I get over my fear of solo backpacking?

The key is to be well prepared — and then to do it. You won’t get less scared of something if you don’t face it head-on.

Give yourself the best odds of having a good time by being well-prepared, but the best preparation is expecting the unexpected. Try to go with the flow.

Final Thoughts

Solo backpacking can be a perfect way to escape the distractions of modern life and reconnect with the most important person in your life: yourself.

Just be sure to make a plan well in advance. Being as prepared as possible will make everything much easier and more enjoyable once you’re there.

And be safe. Bring the safety gear you hope you won’t need, but will be thankful to have if the situation calls for it — like bear mace and first aid supplies.

Check out our complete guide to planning your first backpacking adventure here.

Once you’ve got your campsite booked and your backpack packed, there’s nothing left to do but set out, and discover what you’ve been missing with the joys of solo backpacking.