There’s something special about a quick solo overnight. You paddle or hike in after work, set up camp, cook a simple supper and fall asleep to the loons. In the video below, Joe Robinet does exactly that in Ontario’s Algonquin Park. He canoes in right before supper, enjoys a great evening, and then gets rained out the next morning. It’s a perfect reminder that even short trips deserve a bit of planning.
Why try a solo overnight?
A one-night trip is the easiest way to build confidence camping on your own. You don’t need much time off, the gear list is short, and if something goes wrong you’re never far from the car. Solo trips also let you go at your own pace. You can stop when you like, eat when you’re hungry, and spend an hour by the water without checking with anyone.
Plan before you go
Pick a familiar or well-traveled spot
For your first solo trip, choose a route you know or one that’s popular and well marked. A short canoe or hike-in site close to an access point is ideal. Parks like Algonquin require backcountry permits or reservations, so check the park’s rules and book ahead.
Leave a trip plan
Tell someone where you’re going, which site or route you’ll use, and when you’ll be back. Agree on a time when they should raise the alarm if they haven’t heard from you. In areas without cell coverage, a satellite messenger adds peace of mind.
Check the weather, then pack for worse
Joe’s trip ended in rain, which happens. Look at the forecast, but pack rain gear and a way to keep your sleeping bag dry no matter what it says. On the water, wind can matter more than rain. Have a plan for waiting it out if the lake gets rough.
Pack light, but don’t skip the essentials
On a short trip it’s tempting to bring everything “just in case.” Instead, focus on a few essentials:
- Shelter: a small tent or a hammock with a tarp you can pitch quickly in fading light
- Sleep system: a sleeping bag rated for the night’s low and an insulated pad
- Kitchen: a compact stove or a small nesting pot set, plus a simple, filling meal
- Water: a filter or treatment method, even if you plan to carry water in
- Light: a headlamp or small lantern with charged batteries
- Safety: first-aid kit, map, fire starter, knife or multi-tool, and a whistle
- Paddling extras: a properly fitted PFD, a spare paddle and a bailer if you’re going by canoe
Setting up camp alone
Arriving before supper, as Joe does, buys you daylight. Set up your shelter first, before you’re hungry and tired. Then collect firewood if fires are allowed, filter water, and cook. Hang or store your food properly. In bear country, use the park’s recommended method, such as a bear hang, a bear barrel or provided food lockers.
When the rain comes
If you wake up to rain, don’t rush. Have breakfast under the tarp or vestibule, pack the inside of your tent while it’s still sheltered, and save the wet fly for last. Pack it separately so it doesn’t soak everything else. Dry it out at home as soon as you can.
Staying comfortable and safe on your own
- Take your time on the water and trail. A twisted ankle or capsized canoe is much more serious when you’re alone.
- Keep your phone dry and charged for the map and emergencies. A small power bank helps.
- Trust your gut. If a site, the weather or the water doesn’t feel right, change plans.
- Enjoy the quiet. Bring a book, a notebook or a fishing rod, and let yourself slow down.
For a fuller gear rundown, see our list of camping survival must-haves for your trip.
Shop the gear
- Trekker Tent 1 (1-Person Trekking Pole Tent)
- Ultra-Light Nesting Aluminum Cookware Set
- Waterproof Solar LED Lantern
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FAQ
Is solo camping safe?
It can be very safe with sensible planning. Choose a familiar area, leave a trip plan with someone, carry the essentials, and avoid unnecessary risks on the water or trail.
What’s the best first solo trip?
A single night at a site close to an access point, in good weather, somewhere you’ve visited before or that’s well traveled.
Do I need a permit for Algonquin’s backcountry?
Yes. Backcountry camping in Algonquin requires a permit or reservation through Ontario Parks, so check current rules before you go.
How do I keep gear dry in the rain?
Line your pack with a waterproof bag, keep your sleeping bag in a dry bag, and pack the wet tent fly separately.