Solo Camping as a Woman: A Life-Changing Experience

You’re a woman dreaming of solo camping, but uncertainty (or maybe a few fears) are holding you back. Where do you even start? Is it safe? Can you handle it alone? The idea might feel intimidating, but trust me – it’s one of the most empowering experiences you can have.

From wanting to head into the wild with a tent and backpack to actually doing it, some inner work and mental preparation can be necessary – apart from the practical planning, obviously.

Today, I proudly call myself a passionate outdoor woman, sometimes feeling more at home in my tent than anywhere else. But it wasn’t always this way. I had to find some courage first. But I’m telling you, the beauty of resting your head in the middle of nowhere is unlike anything else.

I’d like to inspire more women to be brave and go wild camping alone – so here are my words of advice for you.

Why is it so scary to go camping alone as a woman?

First, let me just reassure you: You are not alone. If you are just diving into the topic of wild camping, it may seem that there are few people at all (or only guys) doing it. 

But if you dig a little deeper, you will find that there are plenty of women and men venturing outdoors on their own, whether adventurous travelers, thru-hikers, or weekend warriors.

So why does it feel like solo camping, especially for women, is such a rare or even risky thing to do? A lot of it comes down to social conditioning.

From an early age, women are taught to be cautious. We hear it all the time: “Don’t walk alone at night.” “Be careful around strangers.” “Always have a backup plan.” While some of this advice comes from a place of protection, it also instills a deep-rooted fear that the world is inherently dangerous for women, especially when we’re alone. Meanwhile, men are often encouraged to take risks, be adventurous, and embrace independence.

This difference in messaging shapes our confidence levels and our willingness to step outside our comfort zones. And when it comes to something like solo camping, it’s no surprise that many women hesitate. Even my mom, who generally always encouraged my independence, was super worried the first times I headed out there on my own.

But hear me out: Solo camping isn’t inherently dangerous just because you’re a woman. Yes, there are risks, just as there are risks in everyday life. But once gain some experience, you’ll see that the world isn’t as scary as we’re often led to believe.

Why you should go solo camping as a woman

We are meant to be in nature

I believe humans are meant to be part of the wild. Forests. Hills. Rivers. They are our natural playground.

People used to live in synchronicity with the rhythms of nature, but sadly, nowadays a lot of this has been lost.

What was the last time you fully felt the cold of the night come without fleeing into your house? When was the last time you saw the magnificence of a sunrise?

Solo camping can remind us very intensely of our natural way of being. One with nature. As humans, we need nature to be happy and healthy.

Trust that you are safe. Once you overcome your initial nervousness, wild camping can become a very grounding and peaceful experience, perfect for reconnecting with nature.

Get to know your authentic self in the wild

In the rawness of nature, it gets easier to feel what is going on inside of us.

When there are no distractions around, no entertainment but the sound of the birds and the wind whistling through the grass, that’s when you can truly feel yourself.

Wild camping gives you time to reflect, connect with your authenticity and find out who you truly are when you are away from the things that you use to define yourself in day-to-day life.

Let nature take off the layers that are not really you.

Give yourself permission to come back to yourself. That’s where you shine the brightest.

Camping alone as a woman gets easier

Solo wild camping is, like anything else, a skill that can be learned.

Anyone who has camped many nights out will confirm that it becomes second nature. You build confidence, know what to avoid and what kind of spots you feel safe in.

The more often you practice camping alone as a woman, the quieter your fears will become. You will realize that the real danger lies in your mind, not in your surroundings.

If you are taking the common-sense precautions (e.g. knowing your gear, not camping too close to towns, or in bear territory without preparing yourself adequately, or right next to a tree that looks like it’s about to fall), then wild camping is a very safe activity.

Once you get used to it, you will realize you are safer in nature than in any big city – especially as a woman.

Other people’s fears are not your fears

More often than our own fears, it is the comments from our surroundings that hold us back from doing what we want.

When telling your friends and family about your wish to go wild camping alone, you may encounter strong emotional reactions – I certainly did. Even though it’s usually coming from a place of good intentions, it can feel discouraging to be faced with concerns and warnings.

Do not make their fears your own. Hear them out, try to understand their perspective, and then explain yours. If they are open to learning what fascinates you about wild camping, maybe they will understand (at least to an extent).

In any case, the wave of criticism is also something that fades with time. Once your loved ones see you go out by yourself, maybe even for longer periods, and come back safely, again and again, they might at some point even forget to ask you to religiously send your GPS location every evening 😉

And after all, it is YOUR dream. It is worth pursuing even if people you care about do not think it is a good idea. And that’s okay.

Be the woman you wish you had as an example

I wish we lived in a world where women were encouraged to live to their full potential. But they are often held small, taught from very early on that there are certain things they cannot do.

Growing up with society’s limitations and seeing how they still affect women today is why I am so dedicated to changing the narrative. I want to be an example for the women coming after me. I want to normalize it for women to sleep outside alone, go on adventures alone, without fear.

We need the next generation of women to be independent, self-confident, and courageous.

By turning your life into an adventure, you show other women what is possible. Role models matter, in business, in ethics, in the outdoors.

We all need positive role models and I encourage you to be the example you wish you had when you were younger – no matter if you want to be hiking the highest mountains or fulfill some other heart’s desire you have.

Wild camping alone makes you a stronger woman

Last but not least, remember that you always come out stronger than you were before when you challenge yourself.

By doing something that slightly (or maybe even wildly) scares you, you prove to yourself that you are stronger than your mind’s fears.

Camping alone as a woman can help you to build confidence. You learn how to trust yourself and your body and you refine your natural instincts.

Personally, going on long hikes with everything I need to survive in my backpack has transformed me as a person. It has made me a stronger and more confident woman than I ever was, knowing I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

Tips for your first night out

If this article inspired you to go camping alone but you still feel nervous about it, my best advice is to take baby steps, for example:

• go for a night walk or hike in nature to familiarize yourself with the feeling of darkness and sounds you might encounter
• listen to YouTube videos to learn to recognize common animal sounds (like mating deer), so you don’t freak out when they happen
• camp a night in your (or a friend’s) garden to get to know your gear and the feeling of sleeping in a tent
• go camping with friends first and share the experience
• head out for a single solo night in a location you know well, close to home

From there, you can grow your comfort zone and tackle bigger & bigger adventures.

It’s also a good idea to connect with like-minded people for reassurance and advice. There are local hiking groups and alpine clubs (such as the German DAV), Facebook groups, inspiring blogs, you name it – find your crowd. And… if they can do it, so can you.

So, why wait any longer? There’s so much to discover.