Guide To Camping Solo in Minnesota. How to camp by yourself.
The Beginner’s Guide To
Camping Solo in Minnesota
If you’ve never done it before, the thought of camping solo can seem really intimidating. You might have a lot of questions.
Where would you camp?
Would you feel safe?
What about falling asleep at night, won’t your mind start racing with every crack of a twig or rustle in the bush?
Is it safe for females?
I wondered all these same things but still I was drawn to spend time outdoors solo. And I’m so thankful I did.
Here’s everything you need to know to get started on your first solo camping trip!
Ease Your Way Into It
Start small. Try local camping with other people around before you jump into a big backcountry trip.
Pick somewhere close to home.
Minnesota is full of state parks. Most likely, there is a campsite nearby where you could give camping solo a try.
If you hate it, you could always pack up and come home.
Buuuuuut I doubt that will happen đ I wasn’t sure how I would like it but all it took was one trip to get me addicted to camping solo!
Start with a drive-in site.
Rather than a cart in site (which would mean you are carrying your gear from a parking spot down a trail to the campground) opt for a drive-in site for your first time!
If you’re feeling nervous at all, having your car right there will eliminate a lot of your fears. If anything went wrong, all you’d have to do is walk a few steps to your car and drive away.
Camp at campground with wifi if you’re scared about going solo.
If you want to ease yourself into camping solo, picking a campground that has wifi or at least cell service will put your mind at ease.
While I am all for disconnecting and putting away technology while camping, it’s nice to know when you’re starting out that if you had to get ahold of someone you could.
And if you have trouble sleeping at night in the quiet, you could turn on some music or watch a movie in your tent before bed to help ease the transition into sleeping alone outside!
Be prepared to calm your mind.
You might get nervous your first night if you hear a rustle in the woods. A passing-by squirrel or a rush of wind can seem off-putting to the overactive imagination. Be prepared to calm your mind with a little mantra or pep talk. If you need to, you can always play a little music to help you fall asleep.
Safety Tips
Although camping solo at a campsite with other campers is perfectly safe, here’s a few helpful things I’ve learned along the way.
Always let someone know where you are staying.
It only takes a moment to update someone on your travel plans and it’s always a smart move. Even switch on the “share location” option if you have an iPhone with someone to put your mind ease!
Don’t post your location in real time.
As someone who shares all their travels online, I have had to adjust and start posting about my trips after the fact. Announcing online that you are camping solo somewhere just isn’t safe. Share all your amazing photos once you’re back!
Make sure you have a portable charger to keep your phone charged.
Whenever you travel solo, it’s smart to have a backup charger because letting your phone go dead can not only be inconvenient, it could potentially be unsafe. The first two times I camped solo, my phone died before I laid down for bed. I would have been more at ease with a charged phone, knowing that if something went wrong I could call someone.
Yes there may be some campsites where you don’t have service but when you’re new to camping, it’s a good idea to have it charged in case. You’ll feel more at ease đ
Have a light source.
Whether it’s a simple flashlight or a fan/light combo for your tent, just have something to illuminate your tent at night.
Things To Know
Firewood
Most state parks won’t let you gather firewood or bring your own, you’ll need to buy a bundle when you arrive. It’s usually $5 or $6 cash but it varies per park.
Bear safety
Seeing bears in Minnesota isn’t common but if you’re far north on the Gunflint Trail, it’s possible you will encounter bears. We saw a family of bears multiple times while staying at the Gunflint Lodge.
Keep in mind these safety tips from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:
- Do not feed bears or allow bears access to any human-related food sources.
- Do not bring food or other scented toiletries (including lip balm) into your tent or camper. Using these toiletries (e.g., strawberry scented soap) can also attract bears, so itâs best to leave these at home.
- Keep a clean camp. Make sure food/trash (anything with an odor) is stored in bear-resistant canisters. Other storage options include:
- Trunk of car
- Food lockers (when available)
- Clean your cooking area well.
- Cook away from the tent and donât sleep in clothes you wore while cooking.
- Do not bury food scraps;Â pack them out with your trash in a bear-proof canister or airtight bag.
- Remove all garbage and fish remains from camp every evening.
Wipe your shoes at the start of a trail to prevent the spread of invasive species.
At the start of many trails, you’ll see a small station to wipe your shoes clean of the potential invasive species you may be unknowingly carrying on your shoes. It only takes a moment to clean them off!
Have The Right Gear
I recommend still having a two-person tent. I’ve slept in single person tents and they are so small that sometimes I feel like I don’t have room to sit up or have my bag next to me etc.
And even if you are interested in camping solo, there may be times in the future you go with a partner.
This orange tent is the exact one from Amazon I bought and so far, I love it! It’s VERY easy to set up, the rain tarp is sturdy and the pockets inside are useful.
There are much more expensive tents out there but so far, I have found this to be an excellent option.
It’s also lightweight if you plan to go backpacking with it.
And if I’m being totally honest, orange *pops* really well in photos so the photographer/blogger in me was happy to find a great tent that would also photograph well in mostly lush, green landscapes!
My favorite piece of camping equipment is definitely my hammock!
Not a necessity but awfully nice to have as well đ You can carry it in your backpack on a hike and enjoy the views from the top!
How To Find Campsites
So now that you’ve made up your mind to try solo camping in Minnesota, how do you find a campsite? Check out these resources.
Minnesota State Park Campsites
This is the official page for Minnesota State Parks and Trails. Here you can search campsites based on your travel dates, number of nights and rental type.
Hipcamp
This site is like Airbnb but for campsites. They are all privately owned and vary from a spot in someone’s backyard for a couple of dollars to full blown “glamping” resorts like this one we stayed at called P2 Rendezvous and Retreat.
RESERVING A CAMPSITE
If you reserve your campsite online the same day you plan to check in or upon your arrival there is no reservation fee.
I am often able to skip the fee by reserving mine the morning of my trip. However if there is a specific campsite you want or youâre going during a popular time/weekend, you will need to reserve ahead of time.
This will include a $7 non-refundable reservation fee. (Or $10 if you call to make the reservation!)
MINNESOTA STATE PARK PASS
In addition to the cost of your campsite, a Minnesota State Park Pass is required here.
You can purchase one when you arrive or ahead of time here.
Itâs $7 for a day or $35 unlimited for the season for ALL Minnesota State Parks. If you plan to stay more than one day or visit any other parks in the following year, itâs worth purchasing the unlimited pass.
Just note: the pass is car specific. So if you have more than one vehicle, you wonât be able to switch the unlimited pass to another car later in the year, youâll have to add a second vehicle.
How to Find Hiking Trails
This official site will help you find whatever it is you’re looking for in Minnesota whether it’s long trails, winter trails, nature programs etc.
AllTrails
You can download the app or use their website to find trails nearby. Think of it as Tripadvisor but for hikes.
You have the option to search for hikes close to you, read reviews, see photos of the trails and get updates on closures etc.
It’s a really great resource for finding trails you’ve never heard of before!
And check out my list of the best short but scenic hikes in Minnesota.
This list includes some of the shortest hikes with the biggest payoffs! So even if you don’t consider yourself an avid hiker, it’s an easy introduction to hiking in the state of Minnesota. And these are some views you won’t want to miss!
The Joys Of Solo Camping
If you’ve ever traveled solo, then you understand the immense joy and freedom it can bring into your life. Solo camping gives me that same wonderful feeling of self care and relaxation.
You can wake up when you like, hike whatever trails you like and eat whatever you like on the trip. There is a much deeper connection with nature that happens when you’re by yourself.
I love camping with my friends and family but there is no denying travel in a group can be stressful at times. So I like to have a mix of both solo and group adventures in my life!
Read: 10 THINGS TRAVELING SOLO HAS TAUGHT ME
Check out some of my solo camping adventures around Minnesota!
If you’re in the Minnesota area and looking for a great intro to solo camping, I highly recommend Blue Mounds State Park for your first place!
This campsite has great indoor bathrooms, easy drive in sites and wifi at the campground. If you’re scared to start solo camping, it’s a great introduction because having your car right there and a wifi connection if you needed something will erase a lot of your worries.
The second park I camped solo at was the beautiful Great River Bluffs State Park. There was no wifi but still great facilities and campsites that felt private but had other campers nearby!
Another Minnesota favorite is the stunning Split Rock Lighthouse campgrounds!
Camping Solo in Minnesota.
How to find friends who are interested in camping
I see people asking online how to find friends who are interested in doing outdoor or camping trips. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea! I hope this post gives you the confidence to try it solo because it’s incredibly rewarding.
But if you’re still looking to find friends to join you, there are so many groups you can join to meet people!
Women Who Hike Minnesota
She Ascends
Women Who Explore: Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN Area
Don’t be afraid to use social media to find other outdoor enthusiasts! Try searching hashtags and finding accounts or users that you could invite to join you on a hike. It might seem weird to reach out to someone you don’t know but you’d be surprised how easy it is to make friends this way!
DONâT FORGET TO PACK:
- Your camping gear! I recommend this tent, this sleeping pad and this sleeping bag.
- Bug Spray
- Sunscreen
- Portable charger
Looking for more adventurous things to do this summer in Minnesota? Try ziplining at Kerfoot Canopy Tours!
Save “The Beginner’s Guide To Solo Camping in Minnesota” on Pinterest for later!
More on Minnesota:
- THE BEST MINNESOTA TRIPS YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY TAKE THIS SUMMER
- 3 DAY MINNESOTA NORTH SHORE ITINERARY WITH VOYAGER CAMPERVANS
- THE BEST EASY BUT SCENIC HIKES IN MINNESOTA
- GLAMPING IN MINNESOTA: THE PERFECT SUMMER GETAWAY!
- PELLET ISLAND: A MUST-DO TREK FOR THE ADVENTUROUS MINNESOTAN
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Guide To Camping Solo in Minnesota.
