Considering camping solo for the first time? We've got you. I don't believe in overdoing it but you absolutely do need the right gear for solo camping to be fun.
I've been camping since I was a kid. Not interior, backcountry, or wild camping. I've been car camping. For decades I've enjoyed time in the fresh air of provincial and state parks where there are amenities but also forests and some distance between campsites.
If you're going for an interior camping experience, you will need more than what is on the list below. But if your desire is simply to live in the fresh air, be in the woods, and forest bathe for a while, here is the list of gear you need for solo camping.
You may also benefit from reading Solo Camping: Tent Camping, Safety, and the RV Option.
Basic Gear for Your First Time Camping Solo
There are five basic pieces of gear that you need to car camp in a tent.
Your packing list is, naturally, longer than these five items but this is the gear that you likely don't have if you've never camped before. There's much more that you could buy but this gives you the fundamentals for a great trip. Below you'll find the camping packing list.
Tent
This is a brilliant tent for a first-time camper.
This tent is similar to the one in the photo above. It's large enough for you and your gear inside and fits a queen size air mattress.
What's amazing about it? The hydraulic mechanism makes it super easy to put together. The poles are part of the tent so a few clicks and it's up or down. It comes with a small fly and ground sheet. The downside: you can't stand up in the tent. It's 52″ high.
Moon Lence Instant Pop Up Tent: About $120 on Amazon.
Sleeping Bag
A basic, warm weather sleeping bag.
Personally, I don't like a mummy sleeping bag. It's truly not necessary for most camping situations. The challenge with sleeping bags is to get warmth without too much packing bulk. I've chosen The North Face Eco Trail Bed 20 Sleeping Bag. It will take you as low as 20ºF (-7°C ) yet it weighs only 5 lbs and packs down to an 11″ x 20″ stuff sack. Ideal for your first time camping solo.
Want more room? Buy two bags and zip them together.
Air Mattress
Balancing comfort and price in an air mattress.
This inflatable mattress has a built-in pump so there's nothing extra to carry, and it inflates in about 1 minute. It's also very compact for packing and carrying.
Tarp for Protection from the Weather
A multi-use tarp.
If you're just on an overnight stay and the forecast is good, there's no need for a tarp. However, any more than one night and I put up a tarp for protection from rain as well as wind. I typically put it over my picnic table, however, the gale at a campsite on the shores of Lake Superior once had me positioning it horizontally in front of my tent to break the wind.
This link goes to information on how to put up a tarp.
Pots, Pans, Cutlery
Basic pots, plates, cups, and cutlery.
You don't want to take your pots and dishes from your home kitchen. Here's a simple kit for your first time camping solo which you may want to augment with a few items.
Stove
A one-burner stove.
This is a simple single burner stove that is tried and true. I find one burner is enough but you can get a two-burner unit. Don't forget to buy the fuel. Of course, you can also cook over a fire.
Camping Without a Tent
For your first time camping solo, if a tent is not for you and you have an SUV, minivan, or van, you can sleep in your vehicle with a mattress like this. Don't forget to put your food box and cooler on the front seat at night so that animals are not invited to your site. Available on Amazon for about $70.
The Complete Packing List of Gear for Solo Camping
Think about packing like you think about your home. Pack by kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and entertainment room. Some of these items I've given links for but some you can take right from your home. There's no need to overcomplicate things with a lot of specialty gear.
The Kitchen Packing List
- Stove – as above
- Pots & dishes – as above
- Cooler – with wheels on one side and a handle on the other, this cooler is easy to transport.
- Tarp for over your table – not a necessity but recommended for protection from sun and rain.
- Plastic table cloth
- Can opener
- Cork screw
- Paring knife
- Cutting board
- Collapsible colander
- And, of course, your food
The Bathroom Packing List
I use a small gym bag or tote bag, often referred to by my family as the bathroom bag. If you're worried about accumulating a lot of things for your first time camping solo, don't. You'll have most of these things at home already.
- Insect repellent
- Calamine lotion or some other bite treatment
- Sun screen
- Aloe vera gel in case of sunburn
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Brush/comb
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Soap (Please don't use it in lakes. Here's why.)
- Vitamins
- Medicine
- First aid kit
- Towel
Bedroom Packing List
- Tent
- Mattress
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow – I definitely suggest bringing your own pillow.
- Clothes – Check out our Bare Minimum Packing list.
Entertainment Packing List for Your First Time Camping Solo
- Folding chair
- Hammock
- Books
- Playing cards
- Scrabble
- Drawing materials
- Kayak
- +whatever strikes your fancy
Happy Camping! You might also enjoy this post: 10 Lessons Learned from a Solo Camping Trip.
