I’m 42 years old and I am still learning about the camping experience. I have been camping on my own a couple of times this year and want to do it again. Any advice would be appreciated
Firstly, you are one of many who camp alone, so absolutely nothing wrong with it or particularly unusual! There are a number of us on this forum. People do it for all sorts of reasons - no partner, partner wont/cant camp, friends not into camping etc. etc.
For my part, mostly just me and my dog in my caravan, been doing that multiple times a year for over 6 years now. It's pretty common to meet other solo campers on site. I usually have a purpose for my destinations, so always something to fill my time, not just 'going away' for the sake of it and twiddling my thumbs wondering what to do! Often I'll plan a solo trip and a friend or two will ask if they can tag along if my destination appeals to them, so my solo trips end up as a pals trip, they'll often bring their own tent/caravan/MH! Also if I have friends in the area, they may day visit or even crash out for a night or two in the spare bed (there may be a drinky or two involved!!!). I suppose I'm fortunate in having a wide circle of friends scattered across the country, so not many places there isn't somebody to catch up with!
If you fancy a little company and friends wont/cant oblige, there are a number of 'Solo Campers' clubs who organise group trips away, where you can mix with the group or isolate as you wish, but you are still solo camping without sharing accommodation. Google 'solo tent camping groups'.
From time to time there are a few solo campers on this forum who throw open an offer to get together a group of other 'solos'. It's sporadic rather than regular.
I've always found regular camp sites to be generally friendly places, and easy to pass the time with a little chit-chat with fellow campers, so never a case of not speaking to another soul for days on end. TBH think my dog helps with that, she's a bit of a people magnet, pretty and friendly, so attracts a fair bit of attention, which leads to conversation. If nothing else, she's a 'perfect camper' who doesn't upset the neighbours, and often gets complimented for that when the other dogs around are often noisy and a bit of a nuisance, that seems to make her all the more appealing to fellow campers!
I find solo camping very appealing, I can please myself with what I do, and when I do it! I don't have a problem with being alone (well, I'm not truly, I've got my dog), and I'm happy with my own company. Only time I wish for company is when I want to Hill Walk, not always wise to go too far off the beaten track alone in case of accident or illness!
Thank you Monty15. Sounds like you have a great time when you travel around and have some good times. I hope that I can get to the same sort of level eventually. Good to hear that you have such a lovely dog for company too. Thank you for sharing your story and taking the time to reply.
Happy camping
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Most of my camping is wild camping up on the fells, but I do occasionally stay on a campsite, where a good pub nearby is highly desirable. Strangely, I relish being on my own when I am out in the wilds, but prefer company if I am on a campsite - campers are generally a pretty friendly bunch.
Is there any specific advice that you are looking for?
I camped on my own for a while. Sitting outside the tent for breakfast, while bacon fried & I made coffee with the stove top espresso gadget, meant many people said hello as they passed & a few stopped for a wee chat. So - don�t put up a shield unless you want to say �I want privacy, I do not want to be sociable�; I enjoyed these interactions, I didn�t feel lonely. And being on your own means you can get up or go bed when you want - and read late without keeping anyone else awake.
(Sorry for symbols, it happens when I edit on the iPhone).
Camping alone allows you to use smaller tents that are quicker to put up and take down, cooking is also a lot quicker but you have to do it yourself but there's hardly any washing up.
This means you can tour or go on long trips on foot, by bicycle or by car.
I managed to get to the South of Brittany by bike and to the Bordeaux coast by train. I went to both by car as well.
I'm a leader with a men's outdoor activity group, currently unfit to lead a walk I'm planning a series of weekend camps next year starting with a Derrick Jarman Camp near Dungeoness.
I took a group to the Surrey Hills last August, I let someone else lead the walk and we visited a Car Show. A group of "abandoned" 14 yo's nearby were really jealous of us, we all had nice tents and camping gear and were sitting around the camp fire chatting and sipping beer.
Camping alone doesn't mean you can't go with a group, you can opt out of the walk or the Car Show and spend the evening in the pub if you want to.
Thank you. I guess I will just keep trying and it should get easier. I’m just on my own as my other half does not like it and my kids don’t want to either.
I really like hearing your stories and experiences.
Thanks for all your help fellow campers.
Maybe if you find out why your OH isn’t interested, you could remedy it? Warmth, comfort, beetles, no en-suite… I convinced a friend that camping was ok by offering her a chilled white wine or a G&T with ice when she arrived, 40 years ago, and she’s never looked back.
TBH, you can make camping a bare bones 'test of endurance and fortitude', or do it in style and relative comfort!
You can go from one extreme, of sheltering under a bivvy and eating 'road kill', to a decent sized tent with chairs, table, decent beds, kitchen 'furniture', stove with oven, fridge etc. and live a very civilised and comfortable lifestyle.
Partly depends on transport potential for all the 'luxuries', partly gaining experience on how to up your game with pre-prep and planning.
We've sat down at a decent table to a Full Sunday Roast Beef Dinner with ALL the trimmings, 'cooked' (technically re-heated in most part) on a basic camp stove and BBQ, in the comfort of a large tent, whilst our neighbour ate 'beans and sausages' heated in the tin over his tiny stove, whilst sat on the ground under his bivvy tarp!
Last time in France, we 'roughed it' with a minimalist set up for us, a couple of basic 2 man tents just big enough to sleep in, a decent tarp to give shelter (from both v hot sun and heavy rain) for the 'kitchen' and sitting/dining (plate on lap!) area. Did have a 2 burner stove and fridge, so again we ate very well indeed, AND the beer was cold and wine chilled!
Camping doesn't have to be grim, but you can make it so!
I often camp alone, I enjoy it as a change from camping with friends, family etc.
I always prefer quieter ‘wild camping style’ sites rather than busy sites with rows of defined numbered pitches, and I make a thing of the quiet and self sufficiency. I have a fire (always choose a site that allows campfires) and often cook on it.
I tend to go to places where I am interested in a particular walk or historical or artistic attraction. Or visit people I know in different areas.
I have my ‘pack and go’ simple camping list so can be off and out at short notice, relying on the excellent tins in M&S if I want to take my one ring stove rather than the full campfire cooking set up.
Choose your essential ‘desert island’ luxury, whether you are back packing or filling the car, trailer and roof box. For me it is good ground coffee in my cafitiere or stove top espresso maker. Oh, and red wine. And campfire.
Do what makes you happy, we don’t camp to be miserable.
Maybe just that it's been brought to mind more though posts like this, but on this years caravanning trips, I've noticed just how many solo campers there were - a significant percentage of my site neighbours! I'd hazard a guess at 20-40% on some sites/days!
No idea why, never got to chat, but they all appeared well practiced with their set up and lifestyle, so it would seem some history of doing it.
Personally can't think of reasons not to go solo if camping's what you want and others don't wish to share.
I’m the same I much prefer to go camping somewhere where it’s quiet and you can just relax and enjoy the area that you’re in. You can’t beat some good food and a beer while you’re there as well.
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Topic: Solo camping
via mobile 01/10/2024 at 2:19pm
