Solo RV camping can be an incredibly rewarding experience. While it offers the standard opportunity to truly recharge and relax that all camping offers, it provides something else too. Camping on your own allows you to embrace a level of freedom that few humans ever get to experience. It lets you camp exactly the way you want. In places you love. On your own schedule. The benefits of solo RV camping don’t end there. It also gives campers a rare opportunity to experience and connect with nature in a supremely intimate way. Its blend of peaceful tranquility, adventure, and complete and utter freedom have made it addicting for many people. It’s no wonder solo RV camping has gained so much popularity in recent years.
However, this level of freedom comes with certain caveats. By definition, solo RV camping means camping by yourself. For some, solo camping is a celebration of independence and self-discovery. For others, it can be a reminder of just how much they appreciate the company of other people.
Practically, how much you enjoy solo RV camping may depend in no small part on how much preparation you do in advance. That being said, you’re less likely to crave the company of other people when you have everything you need to be happy without them. In this article, we’ll take a look at everything you need for a safe, enjoyable solo RV camping trip.
1. Decide on a budget — and a timeline.
Solo RV camping can be a fantastic way to reconnect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, it can quickly become expensive if you’re not careful. Knowing how much you can expect to spend on each camping trip — and how long you want that camping trip to last — will help you to manage expenses. These are the foremost expenses your should consider.
- Camping gear
- Food
- Fuel
- Propane and firewood
- Restaurant meals
- Entrance fees for attractions
- Campsite fees
2. Pick an RV or tent that suits your needs.
There are really only two types of campers. There are campers who prefer to get back to nature with rustic tent camping. And there are campers who won’t consider camping without the amenities and relative security of an RV.
If you’d like to try solo tent camping, it’s a good idea to have a relatively lightweight tent that goes up (and comes down) with very little effort. There are many tents available, but with set up time of just a few seconds, pop-up tents are by far the easiest to set up and take down. The drawback of pop-up tents is that they tend to weigh slightly more than other styles of tents.
Solo RV campers have a variety of options. If you don’t already own an RV, there are a few things to consider before picking out a model for your solo RV camping adventures.
- Do I want to be self-contained? Many solo RVers who boondock or travel extensively prefer to have a fully self-contained Class A, B, or C motorhome. The ability to quickly jump in the driver’s seat and drive away, letting them escape any potentially dangerous situations.
- What is my camping style? For example, Do you prefer being off-grid or do you love having all the amenities of a luxury RV park?
- Should I rent to do a test run? In short, yes. Consider renting a few different RVs so you can decide while one is best for you.
- Do I need to train up? If you aren’t confident with your present RV driving skills, consider taking an RV driving course. RV driving courses offer instruction to help you drive and back any RV with confidence. Remember, if your goal is to experience a new level of freedom, you need to be self-reliant. Train the skills you intend to use.
- Does location matter? Some states and provinces require a special license endorsement to tow or drive some RVs.
3. Make safety a priority.
In spite of what you might have heard, solo RV camping isn’t inherently dangerous. As a matter of fact, it’s probably one of the safest activities you can do, perhaps especially if you’re a woman. After all, violent crime rates are almost nonexistent in campgrounds, even in dispersed camping areas. The same can’t be said for cities and towns.
With that being said, there still are some good reasons to keep personal safety in mind when you’re camping on your own. Yes, solo RV camping is all about exploring the natural world independently. But it’s also no fun being injured and by yourself, especially in an unfamiliar area. So, it makes sense to find safe places to camp. It’s also wise to be aware of your surroundings and avoid unnecessary high-risk activities. Additionally, these safety tips will help you to stay safe when you’re camping by yourself.
Safety Tips for Solo RV Camping
Equip Yourself for Success
- Pack at least one class ABC fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers are classed A, B, C, or D according to the type of fire they’re designed to put out. An ABC fire extinguisher is designed to extinguish any fire you’ll encounter when camping. This includes ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and energized electrical equipment.
- Take a standard first aid course and pack a first aid kit.
- Bring a hand crank weather radio to stay up to date on weather alerts.
- Stay connected via satellite when there’s no cell signal available. For Apple users, iPhones 14 and up with IOS 18 have a feature that allows you to connect via satellite in case of emergency, or to send a text message.
- Bring more water than you think you’ll need.
- Use an old-fashioned paper map to map out your route. That way, if your favorite map app directs you down some side road towards a certain danger, you won’t fall for it. (Don’t ask me how I learned this).
Practice Good Situational Awareness
- Don’t advertise that you’re solo camping. For instance, if you have only one camp chair by the fire pit it is pretty obvious you’re on your own. Instead, put two camping chairs out.
- Let someone know where you’re headed and when you intend to return.
- Exercise situational awareness and never open your door to strangers, especially at night.
- Never feed or attract wildlife. Bring any food items or pet food into the RV at night. If you’re tent camping, lock food in the trunk of your vehicle or use a cache.
- Trust your instincts. If a campground or camping area feels sketchy, it’s usually for a good reason. Campgrounds can look great online, but sometimes when you get there, you get a different picture.
4. Use apps to plan your adventure.
Map apps and camping apps can be very helpful when it comes to planning a solo RV camping trip. Map apps can help with route options. Camping apps can give you a general idea of the good, the bad, and ugly about possible camping spots. Here are a some of the more popular apps for planning camping adventures:
- iOverlander: overnight spots, campsites, campgrounds, and more with user reviews.
- Free Campsites: overnighting spots and campsites with user reviews.
- RV Life Campground Reviews: RV-friendly campgrounds with extensive information about amenities, photos, and user reviews.
- RV Life Trip Wizard: A complete trip and RV friendly route planner, especially for RV campers.
- Harvest Hosts/Boondockers Welcome: Self-contained RVs can overnight at wineries, breweries, golf courses, and on farms with this subscription based app.
- Hip Camp: Campsites for every camping style.
- Google Maps: This map app help with route planning and directions, but be warned: The directions function on Google Maps sometimes misroutes travellers, and can get you lost. (Always use this app in conjunction with a traditional map to avoid this issue.)
- Apple Maps: This map app that is slightly more reliable than Google when it comes to directions. Even so, still use this app in conjunction with a traditional map to avoid the possibility of getting lost.
5. Plan your first solo run close to home.
It’s a good idea to plan to do a “trial run” close to home if you haven’t solo camped before. This will allow you to work out any bugs and lets you run home for anything you wish you’d brought.
6. Pack for solo RV camping.
When it comes to packing for a solo camping adventure, everybody has their own preferences when it comes to what to bring. However, the following list is meant to give you an idea the basic supplies you’ll need for camping
- A tent (for tent campers especially)
- A sleeping bag and sleeping pad (for tenting)
- Bedding and pillows for RV camping
- Clothing appropriate to the season
- Toilet paper
- Personal grooming supplies
- Rain gear
- Towel
- Pet equipment including food, bowls, bed a towel and at least a gallon of water for each day you’ll be camping
- Water (count on using three gallons per camping day)
- Food and beverages
- A cooler (if tent camping)
- Eating utensils and cups
- Cooking utensils
- Coffee maker
- Dish cloth and towel
- Paper towels
- Lighter, matches or ferro and striker
- Tinder, kindling and firewood
- Flashlight
- Camping lantern
- Propane
- Optional: self-heating beverages
Final Thoughts About Solo RV Camping
To be honest, sometimes the best company is your own. Solo RV camping offers a delightful escape from the noise and chaos of everyday life. You can camp on your own schedule, go wherever you want, and enjoy your favorite activities without judgment. Camping on your own allows you to experience nature in a whole new way, at your own pace.
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