Getting away from it and heading off to a national park, local mountain range or far-flung beach destination where you can spend a few nights under the stars is a great way to reset, recharge and commune with nature especially when you do it alone.

Solo camping can be very rewarding in so many ways, but if you are planning on taking a solo camping trip, there are a few things you will need to do to ensure that you stay safe, including the following:

Ensure you have the right equipment

First and foremost, if you are camping solo, you need to be even more certain that you have all the right equipment to keep you safe because you won’t have a buddy along with you to help you or raise the alarm should you get into difficulties. If you don’t know what to pack, a company like outdoorcommand.com can help you get everything you need ahead of your trip. You’re flying solo so you cannot afford to be lax with your packing.

Tell someone your itinerary

If you’re camping alone, it is really important that you draw up an itinerary before your trip, and that you try to stick to it as far as possible That way, if you don’t show up where you are supposed to, the person you have shared your itinerary with will be alerted and able to raise the alarm and get you the help you need.

But don’t advertise it to everyone

Although you should absolutely tell a trusted friend or family member where you are going to be, it is important that you don’t advertise your location to everyone and anyone on social media. As a lone traveler, you’re very vulnerable and if the wrong person finds out you will be alone at  X location at X time, there is a chance they may find you and do you harm. Sure, it might not be super likely, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Maintain awareness of your surroundings 

When you’re a solo camper, it pays to stay aware of your surroundings. You should always be on the lookout for any suspicious activity like your things being in a different location to where you left them or a guy who keeps circling back to your campsite time and again. The more aware you are, the more likely you are to sense any danger and get yourself to safety.

Get to know people

The more people you can befriend, especially those in a position of authority like park rangers and staff at your location, the more likely it is you will be missed if you have a fall or get lost or whatever, and the faster help will come your way.

Trust your gut

Most people are good, but if you have a bad feeling about anyone or anything, it is always better to act on that and do what you can to get to a place of safety. So, if you feel uncomfortable, don’t just shrug it off.

Stay safe and have an amazing time on your next solo camping trip – it’s a wonderful world out there!