Solo Camping: Tent or RV? What You Need to Know

Solo camping is a transformative experience—one that invites peace, self-reliance, and a deep connection with the world around you. Whether you're pitching a tent in a secluded forest or cruising down backroads in your RV, camping alone can be empowering and rewarding. But when planning a solo camping adventure, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is this: tent or RV?

Each option offers a distinct experience, with its own advantages, challenges, and vibe. Below, we break down the pros and cons of each and explore essential safety tips, ways to deepen your connection with nature, and expert advice to make solo RVing a success.

Camping Alone: Tent or RV?

The decision between a tent and an RV when camping solo depends largely on your travel style, budget, comfort needs, and how close you want to be to nature.

Tent Camping: The Back-to-Basics Adventure

Tent camping is raw and immersive. It invites you to experience nature with few barriers and a heightened sense of awareness. This option is more budget-friendly and allows access to more remote or primitive campsites. You're also more likely to meet fellow campers at walk-in sites, especially at national parks or along popular trails.

Pros:

• Low-cost and flexible
• Easy to carry into backcountry or remote areas
• Encourages a minimalist lifestyle
• Strong connection with natural surroundings

Cons:

• Exposed to the elements
• Less secure from wildlife or human intrusions
• Limited storage and amenities
• More physical effort required for setup and transport

RV Camping: Comfort on Wheels

RV camping offers mobility, comfort, and the convenience of having your shelter, kitchen, bathroom, and bed in one place. For solo travelers, especially those on extended trips, an RV can feel like a home on the road—ideal for working remotely, staying safe, or traveling through diverse climates.

Pros:

• More comfortable and weatherproof
• Greater safety and privacy
• Built-in kitchen, bathroom, and electricity
• Ideal for long-term camping and digital nomads

Cons:

• Higher upfront and maintenance costs
• Requires fuel and parking considerations
• Not ideal for remote or rugged terrain
• Can feel isolating if always inside

In short, choose tent camping if you want a back-to-nature experience and have minimal needs. Opt for an RV if you're seeking comfort, convenience, and a mobile lifestyle.

Solo Tent Camping: 3 Ways to Camp and Connect to Nature

Solo tent camping isn’t just about where you sleep—it’s a way to unplug, reflect, and engage your senses. Here are three unique ways solo tent campers can deepen their experience and bond with the natural world:

1. Backcountry Camping: Solitude in the Wild

Backpacking into remote terrain and setting up camp away from crowds offers unmatched solitude and immersion. You’ll need to carry everything, practice Leave No Trace principles, and be completely self-sufficient.

Connect to Nature By:

• Listening to natural sounds without human interference
• Watching wildlife undisturbed
• Observing stars in dark sky locations

Tips:

• Use lightweight gear and pack efficiently
• Learn how to read a map and compass
• Share your route with someone back home

2. Car Camping: Easy Access, Wild Feels

Car camping lets you drive directly to your campsite, giving you the convenience of gear storage and the flexibility to sleep in your car if needed. It’s a great entry point for solo tent camping with quick access to nature.

Connect to Nature By:

• Setting up at parks with trails, lakes, or wildlife viewing
• Creating rituals like morning coffee with the sunrise
• Journaling or meditating at dusk

Tips:

• Choose campsites in natural preserves, national forests, or provincial parks
• Keep a camp kit in your car for spontaneous weekend escapes

3. Stealth Camping: The Art of Urban Nature

Stealth camping involves setting up a tent in unexpected or semi-hidden places, often in urban or semi-rural areas. While it requires discretion and research, it’s a favorite of long-distance cyclists and minimalist travelers.

Connect to Nature By:

• Observing how nature weaves into urban spaces
• Practicing gratitude for small, quiet moments outdoors

Tips:

• Always respect private property laws
• Pack up early and leave no trace
• Stay alert and trust your gut

No matter which form you choose, solo tent camping allows you to be fully present and mindful. Each rustling leaf or change in wind direction becomes part of your story.

Solo Camping Safety

Camping solo brings freedom, but safety should be your number one priority. Without a travel buddy to rely on, you’ll need to be more self-aware and prepared.

Before You Go

• Share Your Plan: Always tell a friend or family member where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
• Check the Weather: Solo camping in severe weather is dangerous. Have a backup plan.
• Test Your Gear: Practice setting up your tent or checking your RV systems before you hit the road.

On-Site Safety Tips

• Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: Familiarize yourself with the terrain, water sources, and escape routes.
• Secure Your Food: Bears and other animals are drawn to food smells. Use bear-proof containers or hang your food when tent camping.
• Lock Up When RVing: Keep doors and windows locked when you're asleep or away from your RV.
• Have a Light Source: A reliable headlamp or lantern is essential.
• First Aid Kit: Pack a fully stocked kit and know how to use each item.
• Signal Availability: In remote areas, consider a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon.

Mental Safety

• Trust Your Instincts: If a place or person makes you feel uneasy, leave. Your intuition is one of your best tools.
• Stay Busy but Present: Solo campers sometimes feel lonely at night. Reading, journaling, or enjoying the fire helps ground you.
• Practice Mindfulness: Anxiety is normal. Breathe deeply and connect to the present moment.

Being alone doesn’t mean being unprepared. Smart safety habits allow you to enjoy every moment, free from unnecessary worry.

Solo RVing: 18 Tips for Traveling Solo in an RV

Traveling alone in an RV is a unique lifestyle choice—and one that can feel incredibly liberating. Whether you're a weekend wanderer or a full-time nomad, these solo RVing tips will help you stay safe, sane, and inspired.

Planning and Prep

1. Choose the Right RV Size: A smaller Class B or campervan might be easier to maneuver and maintain for solo use.
2. Practice Driving and Parking: Know how to handle your RV in reverse, in tight spaces, and during bad weather.
3. Use Checklists: From pre-departure to setup, checklists help avoid simple but frustrating errors.
4. Plan Your Route (but Be Flexible): Map out major stops, but leave room for detours and spontaneous overnights.
5. Book Ahead During High Season: Solo or not, sites fill up fast in summer.

Safety First

6. Lock Doors and Windows at Night: Always double-check before bed or leaving the RV.
7. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: Park in well-lit, populated areas if boondocking.
8. Carry a Personal Safety Alarm or Pepper Spray: For peace of mind.
9. Have Emergency Contacts Easily Accessible: Both physically and digitally.
10. Know Your RV’s Electrical and Water Systems: Avoid surprises when your water pump goes out or you blow a fuse.

Solo Living Hacks

11. Keep Essentials Within Reach: A headlamp, flashlight, snacks, and multitool should be easy to access.
12. Create a Daily Routine: Helps structure your days and reduce loneliness.
13. Embrace Audio Companions: Podcasts, audiobooks, and music are great company.
14. Decorate Your Space: Personal touches make your RV feel like home.
15. Cook Simple Meals: One-pot recipes or an electric skillet make life easier.

Connection and Community

16. Join RV Communities Online: Forums like iRV2 or Facebook groups help with troubleshooting and meetups.
17. Attend RV Meetups or Solo Rallies: Organizations like Escapees or Sisters on the Fly offer events and support.
18. Volunteer or Workamp: Consider seasonal gigs at parks or farms to stay active and meet people.

Solo RVing isn’t just about driving—it’s about discovering your rhythm, your confidence, and a new way to engage with the world.

Final Thoughts

Whether you sleep under the stars in a tent or hit the highway in your RV, solo camping invites transformation. It's an invitation to slow down, reflect, and embrace your independence. Tent camping brings intimacy with the earth. RVing brings comfort and control. Both are valid and beautiful in their own ways.

So what’s your style? You don’t need to choose just one. Many solo adventurers switch between both, depending on the trip or mood. What matters most is that you feel safe, free, and connected—to yourself and to the world around you.