Camping solo can be a bit of a daunting thing at first, but it can also be so much fun! I personally love camping solo. I do often get asked questions about how I keep myself safe or what to precautions I take while camping.
This was a very requested blog post from my followers on instagram (@beckkyhamilton). So, here are a few safety and precaution tips I have learnt which camping solo.
If you want to learn more tips for specifically travelling around Australia you can read my blog here.
Is camping solo as a female safe?
Absolutely. I’ve camped solo in both developed campsites and extremely remote campsites, and I’ve never had a problem. I was always taught to trust my instincts, so If I roll up to a campsite and I get a bad vibe – I will not stay there. I’ve been taught what signs to look out for, what to be aware of, who to trust/not trust and how to talk to strangers. All of these come with experience too.
I started solo camping when I was 19, and have been camping all around the world and Australia for the past 7 years. I have never run into a problem – especially in Australia, as camping culture is massive here (and everyone on the road is generally really nice).
1. Give someone a copy of your itinerary or route
I always give my family a copy of my itinerary when I go camping, and let them know what campsites I plan on staying at. This itinerary doesn’t have to be exact, especially if you like travelling without a plan. I’d just swing a friend or family member a message to let them know where you end up.
Another tip is if you are travelling to somewhere which is most likely going to be out of service, let your family or friends know. This way if you don’t contact them for a few days they know the reason why.
2. Don’t advertise you are alone
I bet you’re thinking, but Beck we all know you travel and camp alone all the time? This is true, however I don’t advertise on my social media accounts where I am at the exact moment I am there (more on this later). People know I travel alone who either follow my blog or other platforms, strangers do not. I don’t advertise to strangers that I am camping alone, especially if it’s just someone I have run into taking to a petrol station or in a town. Defiantly do not let strangers know where you are camping for the night or what campsite number you are in!
People will usually know you are travelling alone at a campsite, mainly your neighbours. This is hard to hide, but in Australia I have never had an issue. It’s usually a couple or grey nomads and I usually get the “good on you” comment from them. OR people see I am alone and leave me alone. Unfortunately I can’t really say this is the case in other countries!
3. Don’t post on social media where you are at that exact time
As mentioned above, I usually post stories or updates a day after I have left my campsite. This is just for safety as you can never be too sure about who is following you or what their motivation is. Even if you don’t have a following, it’s best to do this.
4. Learn a little self defence
I always recommend even if you don’t travel solo to learn a little bit of self defence. It’s a great skill to have regardless but an excellent to one to have while travelling. It doesn’t have to be anything major, just the basics. You can also carry self defence tools on you if the country prohibits it.
5. Trust your instincts
If you rock up to somewhere and you have alarm bells going off – don’t stay there. This could be from the campsite or from other campers. If you don’t like the vibe you can move. This is one of those things I can’t really give you pointers to look out for, you just have to trust that your body and mind know when something feels off.
6. Don’t stay at campsites without other campers
This is more for people who are new too camping or are still feeling a bit uneasy staying in a campsite by themselves. If it’s a bush or free campsite and you don’t feel comfortable being there alone, find one with other campers. This will give you a bit of confidence as you will have other people around you.
TIP: If you are bush camping in Australia and don’t want to stay at a campsite alone, look for grey nomads – these are usually the safest people to be around.
7. Show confidence
Now what do I mean by this? I mean if you show that you know what you are doing, that you have solo camped before and that you are confident being alone – I do believe that you will be left alone. Also most of the time when you are camping alone, most campers realise that you are probably alone because you want to be alone.
Also, if someone is bothering you please remember that you can tell them to politely go away and if that doesn’t work and they keep harassing you, tell them to ‘f**k off’. You can also tell people no, if they ask to join you or to come have some drinks etc, if you don’t feel safe or just don’t want to.
8. If you are being harassed – Contact someone
If you have done everything you can and someone is still harassing you or doing things that feel off/making you feel unsafe, contact someone. This doesn’t have to be the police, this can be the campsite host, caravan park or the department in control of where you are camping (DPAW for example).
These people are here to make sure you enjoy your experience and will want to make sure you feel safe. If you don’t want to do this you can also go have a chat with another camper in the campsite. Don’t put the expectation on them to do anything for you, but they might just be able to keep an eye and ear out for you.
9. Camp in your car
If you are worried about camping in a tent, sleep in the back of your car. This way you can lock your doors at night and if something spooks you – you can easily drive away.
10. Trust that most people are good
Most people who go camping are not there to cause any issues, they are there for the same reason you are! They just want to get out into nature, enjoy a couple of bevies around a fire and have some chill time.
Don’t stress going into camping thinking everyone is dangerous, because majority of the time they are not!
Other tips I’ve learnt alone the way
Now some of these tips I don’t consider necessary, but unfortunately do need to be done in some countries. These tips can be done if you want some extra safety precautions. I have never done any of these because I haven’t deemed them necessary, but I have met some campers who have.
- Leave an extra pair of shoes outside your tent – this will give the impression that you are not alone.
- If someone asks if you are alone just say “my friend is sleeping/gone for a walk etc”
- Get a safety alert bracelet or necklace – this is one that I think is actually a great idea and will be getting for the World Tour.
- Wearing a wedding or engagement ring – I will say this isn’t a big one in Australia but seems to be a big tip in America.
- If you are camping in a car or van, keep the windows closed.
- Stick a you are being filmed sticker on your car or van – gives the impression if someone is doing something sus around your vehicle that they are being filmed.
Let me know your safety tips down below
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