If you fail to plan, you plan to fail, right? Well, I barely planned at all for my first time solo camping. However, I’d say it went pretty darn well.
My family camped relatively often growing up. Always in state parks, often on road trips. After I quit my job, I decided that it was time to see more of the U.S. so I set off on a two-month road trip.
My main reservation wasn’t with the camping, sleeping alone in a forest, or managing to make food. It was the idea of not having anyone around if I needed them or just the sanity check of having someone to talk to.
My First Night of Solo Camping
One of the things I failed to plan was reserving a campsite. I pulled in to Vedauwoo Campground in Medicine Bow National Forest around 6:30pm after a 2h15 drive from Denver. The campground had two other cars in it, both with 5th wheel campers. Being the day after Labor Day, I figured there would have been more long-weekend stragglers. I drove around and chose a spot that was about 100m from the bathroom. I figured it’d be close enough to be comfortable, far enough to not smell it or hear the door slam.
The pop-up tent that I brought is so easy to put together. It took about two minutes to get ready! I staked it down and used my car air pump to pump up my queen size air mattress. Then, I put the fitted sheet on it (because nobody likes sleeping on plastic) and had the bed and tent ready to go within minutes. I cracked open a beer and watched the sunset.
When I walked back to my car to get fire starters and a lighter, I noticed my neighbor watching me. He wasn’t creepy, just one of those folks that you can tell doesn’t get a lot of social interaction. It could have been unnerving since it was my first-time solo camping, but I leaned into the situation.
I went over and introduced myself to him and his wife. Within 30 seconds I had an invite to come over for dinner tonight. They told me if I needed anything to come knocking, and that they’d keep an eye out for my things while I was out hiking today. Campers are the best 😊
I declined their invitation to come over that night, so they came to keep me company while I started my own fire. After a few comments on my veggie burger, we shared a beer and a few comments on the weather. Together, we watched a lightning storm approach. Again, they offered that I could come to their camper if I needed anything. I learned later on that it hailed hard on some campsites about 6 miles west of us, so I was grateful for the friendship.
I was super nervous about sleeping in the middle of nowhere alone. The best thing I did was bring an extra blanket and a flashlight. It got down to the 40’s but I was cozy as I read in bed and drifted off to sleep. I got a full 11 hours of rest and loved waking up without any technology.
First Day of Solo Camping
Another thing I forgot to plan? Filling up my water bottles and Camelbak before I got to the campsite. There was no running water after Labor Day, so I had to drive about 6 miles to find water.
I also forgot to plan anything to do while out there. Go ahead, roll your eyes.
I knew that ranger stations typically had plenty of maps and knowledgeable staff, so I chatted with the rangers while at the station. I lucked out because the Rest Area had Wi-Fi, clean water, and great staff.
The ranger had great tips for a hike that started about 1km down the road. So, I took off from there on foot to hike for about 8 miles. I had a sandwich, a banana, some cashews, and 2L of water on me when I left.
Ultimately, the first day of my first time solo camping went a lot better than it probably should have. I should have planned more than just food and a tent, but I fared pretty well.
After the day I just told you about, I spent an extra day in Vedauvoo National Forest. After that, I headed to Jackson Hole then onward to Montana for two weeks. Solo camping left me feeling so independent and free. I’m so proud of myself for doing it, and can’t wait to have another go at it somewhere else!
So, failing to plan might not always mean planning to fail, don’t you think?