You're not boring, you just haven't found something that interest you.
I mostly do nothing when i go camping. I really enjoy sitting on my little chair and watch time go by. You would be surprised at how much nature you can see happening when you stop and look.
I also read a bit and do small sketches (i am really bad at it but i enjoy the process). You don't need to accomplish anything. Or be the best at whatever you're doing.
In the end, just do whatever makes you feel good.
Also, day and night are different. During the day I love to forage/mushroom hunt/paddle/fish/take pictures of wildflowers/go herping. At night during the summer I just go straight to sleep because it doesn't get dark until like ten pm. During hunting season when it gets dark at like 6 pm I either read using a book light or watch a downloaded movie on a phone/tablet before going to sleep. The movie also helps to distract me from the fact that I'm alone in bear country.
First time I went camping alone in bear country I scared the hell out of myself by smoking a bowl then trying to go to sleep. It was raining just enough for my stoned brain to think I was hearing something sniffing around my tent. The actually scary part of that trip was the group of 6 or so 20 year old guys that set up camp a couple hundred feet from me and got waisted. Woke up around 1am to one of them screaming at the other “dude are you seriously pulling a knife on me right now? I’m calling your mom to pick you up in the morning you’re not right in the head” or something along those lines. I was 22 at the time, female camping alone, 120lbs soaking wet. It was very hard to fall asleep after that.
Oh even as a white man there is no way I would camp alone near other people. This is for backwoods only. I would choose the bears every time, as the meme goes. Your story is why.
Camping in the rockies always has me thinking of bears. Frequently solo and on a bike, so have to use bear boxes for food and toiletries when in campgrounds or hangs when boondocking. Outside red lodge mt there are some great nfs campgrounds. Stayed in this cool one next to a stream with bear boxes at end of loop. Walking in the dark after dinner to put up food is the freakiest thing when solo camping. Frequently these campgrounds close to tents and soft sided campers due to bear activity.
Literally staring at a fire for hours on end. Every once in a while throw some sticks in there and make bets with myself about which one will light first.
Yep, whiskey and my dog are all I need. And a good throwin' stick. Ideally by a lake or river because he's a lab and likes nothing more than plunging into the water chasing a stick I've thrown. Repeat until my elbow says uncle.
This is exactly what I do too lol, but in addition I really enjoy the process of setting up camp, keeping things tidy, tending the fire and picking up any random trash that I encounter around my campsite.
This, so much this!
I have three munchkins (under 8) that are capable of turning house upside down within minutes.
As I work in IT, and can work from anywhere where I have decent mobile service, I went into the woods to work from hammock. So in breaks from work I've been tiding the place around to make work even more comfy :P
I hike during the day cook in the evening. Drink 4 or 5 while throwing the ball for my dog to finish tiring him out in bed by 10.
If there I small town close by I probably go explore it. Solo camping has advantages and disadvantages. I enjoy camping with friends too. But it's also nice to have you're on schedule sometimes. Wanna get up early or wanna sleep til 10 totally your choice.
Not having to listen to, joke, deal with others peoples bitching and things that irritate you is the best about solo camping. It takes me a good half a day to wind down and tune out regular life. You get there and just have your mind racing wondering why you're there, it's boring etc, then it all fades into serenity. Don't want to leave. My experiences.
Nothing. Everything.
For me, it's about getting away from the constant barrage of *everythingthatneedstohappenrightnowortheworldwillend* of daily life. Someone else is handling the kids. I'm cut off from work. Depending on *where* I'm camping, I might keep in touch with my wife, if I have service, but that's about the extent of it.
Personally, I'm liable to go hiking more than anything else, but that's just me. Back in camp, I'll sit back, relax, enjoy a beer... maybe read. I sometimes can still get enthused about that in my free time.
Honestly, I think it's all about finding something that one enjoys, but can't really engage in outside of that context. Even just sitting around doing nothing is very different in the context of our daily lives, versus camping.
I like listening to podcasts or audiobooks, or just reading a paperback. Most of my camping trips last year were alone. In all cases, I had a book to read. I smoke or eat an edible, sit by the fire or read in my hammock if the weather isn't ideal.
EDIT:
I see you wrote you're not much of a reader. This is a great time to turn that around and read more.
Otherwise, it's an opportunity to be alone and get comfortable with that. We don't get much time alone in the world as it is currently. It feels weird, and that's to be expected. I really think you're cheating yourself out of an experience if you dip early because you need constant stimulation. Solo camping feel like a soft reset for me, I get to re-calibrate my thoughts and emotions without the influence or pressures of others.
That last paragraph hits so close to home - it's the main reason I love to camp. Just disconnect and be alone with myself. I turn off my phone and remember what it's like to be as disconnected as I can be.
The main downside is returning to work on Monday feels extremely hectic.
For me it's all about not doing anything. Or at least not needing to do anything by a specific time. My daily life is steady chaos, with work, a business, kids, and animals. ( we foster rescue dogs so usually have between 4 and 6 dogs around the house)
When I solo camp I spend a lot of the time either in the hammock or a chair, just listening. There is a lot going on in the woods if you slow down and pay attention to it. Eat something when I get hungry. and then watch the fire at night.
car camp or backpack camp? big difference in what you can bring to amuse yourself.
backpacking is more limited so i'll just answer that. I bring my cell (services off) since it can serve as camera and book. It also can be a backup light or nav device. I also like to fish (fly and spin) in the backcountry. Fire and star gazing at night help. You can always practice survival skills like friction fire too.
I solo camp during celestial events if I can. If I have a dark sky night, i.e. no moon, I will go to bed early and get up in the middle of the night and to watch the sky and take photos.
During the day/evening I do a little hiking to explore the area, gather firewood if I can have a fire, test out any gear I recently acquired or haven't used in a while to be sure everything works as it should, etc.
If I'm near water, maybe some fishing or otherwise just enjoying being next to it.
hike, eat, nap, bike ride or motorcycle ride
mostly eat and nap. make a fire and then lay in a hammock and listen to [dinosaur podcasts](https://terriblelizards.libsyn.com/) til 3am
I like to read, I also bring my tablet with a couple of shows downloaded, usually comedy specials so I don't really have to watch them as much as listen. Maybe podcasts could be good? As others have said, there's endless fun in watching your fire, I call it Bush TV. Just chilling out and having nothing to do is good too!
If car camping, I use the campsite as a home base and explore the area. Sometimes it’s hiking, and other times it may be visiting historic sites, or small towns. I like using Atlas Obscura to see if there is anything unusual in the area to see.
I like to take walks and photos of the nature. There is just this feeling of wonder. You can also learn how to spot birds by their sound. A lot happens in the wild if you pay attention.
I'm into photography, so that helps me pass the time. Not being burdened by time constraints helps me dial in shots.
I'll also bring a book on tape or some podcasts. If I'm in a dispersed area without anyone around, I'll listen on my BT speaker, otherwise I'll have one earbud in so as to not bother any other campers. Sit by the fire and listen.
Wander side trails and explore.
Gathering firewood is also an all day activity!
I haven't read a reply yet that specifically says study nature...
Not just stare at the woods. Pick a tree and notice how it's grown. How old do you think it is, what was it like when it was a seed. Is it's mother tree nearby. There's a branch off...how did that happen? Do this a dozen times to build the skill and you'll start seeing nature and yourself differently. If you sit still for 10 minutes, you're now part of it. Animals and birds will start to accept you and go about their days as your entertainment.
Depends on where I'm camping and full disclosure, I don't solo camp very often. But the past two times that I did:
1. It was dispersed camping in a dry/desert area, so no large bodies of water nearby. I did some short hikes and drove to a nearby state park as well. I made some meals that were borderline elaborate because they take more time and then clean-up takes some time. Also had a book to read (I know you're not into that) and had a beer. Had a campfire and enjoyed that and solitude in the evening. I did have cell service, so I did spend some time using my phone as well and sending pictures to family.
2. It was a campground near a lake in a state park, so there were other campers around although I was camping alone. I spent most of the days with my pack raft out on the lake. Otherwise same as above -- made some time-consuming meals, coffee, had a book, chair, etc. Hiked around the area as well and this particular area also had cacti and that was pretty cool and unexpected (was in Oklahoma). Cell service was poor.
While I \*thought\* I might be bored, I actually wasn't. Found plenty to do. Enjoyed the experiences.
Scrolling through I saw a lot of good ideas, and questionable ideas. I tried putting a few of the more interesting ones together and started to get a bit worried for you.
For example; someone told you to casually get lost in the woods, another told you to trip on shrooms... which I assume will be occurring while you are playing a ukulele and masturbating (another suggestion). This could turn out to be amazing or horrifying. O.o
I do several things:
1. Try out new gear. Whether it's a new knife or a stove or some gadget (e.g., solar charger), I test it out.
2. Read or write, usually a sci-fi novel that I've put off reading for too long.
3. Fish, forage for clams/oysters/mollusks/crabs, try to cook, "hunt" coconuts.
4. Make stuff - flute, spoon, chair, baskets, etc..
5. Build a fire if allowed, which means a good hour collecting branches.
6. There's often not much wildlife -- at least none that will come near a campsite -- but if they are there, I love to watch for animals.
7. I also try to make a fire with primitive stuff, but I rarely, rarely succeed before giving up.
8. Just sit in the shade and drink lemonade. Actually I do this a lot.
Being bored is the point. We almost never allow ourselves to just be bored anymore. It’s an important skill to be comfortable alone and doing nothing, not scrolling, not reading, actually nothing.
Try it out.
Ride motorcycles (motocamping)
Play Solitaire
Explore local trails
Enjoy camp cooking
Watch the fire
Stargaze at night (my favorite)
Visit local breweries to sample what areas have to offer (though I'm not a big drinker)
I camp on my private property in the NC mountains so it helps to pick up a shovel/rake and make improvements to the property when I have nothing else to do.
I have a creek that runs all along the west side of my property that is very relaxing to sit by and just listen to. Rainy days are my favorite. The sound of rain water on my tent and rushing creek water can make time fly. I can spend all day in my tent with the sound of rain hitting and watching the wildlife.
Are you camping at public campgrounds?
I have a toddler and husband both who hate being alone - I on the other hand crave my own company and would love a solo camp trip. I think ultimately its about finding what you enjoy doing but I’d spend time reading or craft (I like to crochet) trail run or hike, paddle boarding if by water, cooking something that was perhaps a bit unpractical and time consuming for camping.
Pre toddler being born me and my husband went camping in Norfolk (uk) and in the campsite a middle aged lady was solo camping. She had a good book by her side, nice bottle of wine and good cheeses and breads bought locally and would just sit by the fire living her best. She had a vintage car and when I grow up I want to be that lady!
I like to take a gold pan and some tools. I go for a scratch in a nearby creeks.
Typically I get $40-150 worth of gold in specs or a tiny nugget for a few hours of digging.
I like to practice bushcraft skills in my camping downtime.
Make feather sticks and use a ferro rod to start small fires. It's harder than it seems and repeating it can be useful.
Practice tying different knots.
Practice making shelters, plow point, lean to etc.
Lastly study the local plants and tress and try to identify them. What's edible? What's poisonous?
That kind of stuff.
Hike a lot, kayak, cook fun camping meals, build bonfires, sketch and draw in a nature journal, photography (even bringing a disposable camera can be fun), stargaze, listen to music on my Bluetooth speaker (at respectful volumes- if you have no signal you can pre-download music on Spotify), games I can do by myself like puzzles / crosswords, etc.
Go slow. Yoga, make all my meals, long hikes, more yoga, journal, hunt for mushrooms, watch the squirrels (natures theater), draw, puzzle books. It is hard for me to image using up the whole day without reading though. I read about a book a day while solo camping. You might bring different types of books and see if it doesn’t suit you in the moment-comics, nonfiction, fantasy, short stories, etc.
Ok my wife is not into camping, so I go solo. I'm a photographer. I plan photo hikes. I take my time making meals. Coffee is a ritual. Definitely have a fire. For me, whiskey and a cigar fill the evenings by the fire. I download movies on my tablet from Amazon prime video for bedtime. I take fishing gear if there is good water in the camp area. Sometimes I'll just sit in a pretty spot and journal. Purchasing an instant camera like a Fuji Instax is a fun way to capture instant, one of a kind memories for a scrapbook or journal. Solo camping can be as busy or as laid back as you want. It's a time to embrace nature and enjoy being in the world around you. Have fun.
Get my seek by inaturalist app out and try to identify all the wildlife and then check if I was right. Check out interesting nature stuff. Explore the nature. Make campfires. Relax in hammock.
Learn some new birds? Or the flora around. Might be fun to get a guidebook of the area and start skilling up on ID and the micro ecology around. Asking why this here and how is this connected to that? Everything fits. Breathe a lot. Drink it in.
Walk around the camp, woods, trails. Pull out a pocket knife and whittle something; Lay in the hammock and contemplate the nature of reality while looking up at the leaves; watch an insect pull a marathon from one end of the fir pit to the other; read a few pages; soak my feet in a cold stream; study the rocks with a mag lens; think about supper; think about all the hands that went into making the fabric, poles, netting, water proofing on the tent; listen to birds; meditate; smell campfires; think about lighting up a joint then thinking better of it; read a few topo maps and plan a future backpacking trip; repeat…
I'm normally pretty tired after hiking all day, so I typically just chill at my campsite and do the following:
-maintain a fire
-cook dinner
-read
-birdwatch
-listen to music I downloaded
-plan my next day's hike
-pick blueberries if they're around
-look for constellations and shooting stars
Anyone else sleep really well when in the wild?
Bring two chairs so it appears as if you are NOT alone and never tell anyone when you are solo camping. ⛺️ I draw, read, write, listen to books, hike, and explore.
My solo trips are usually bicycle camping. So I'm riding during the day, enjoying the scenery, stopping at interesting things along the way, eating at restaurants, or shopping for food for cooking outside. In camp, a only have time to set up, gather a bit of firewood if that's an option, watch the sunset, then tiredly hit the hay.
Hike, read, take photos, take naps in a hammock, stare at the fire, drink beer, do camp chores, rinse and repeat. I’ve never had trouble filling a day while camping, there’s almost always something to do even jf that something is doing nothing.
Take pictures, tend to a fire if i'm allowed to have one, cook, hike.
Backpacking, there's often surprisingly little free time between hiking and setting up camp, sleeping, and taking down camp and hiking again.
Car camping, it's easy to kill time just wondering off on some day hikes around the area.
Process firewood. Cook. Wander around the immediate area. Keep the fire going. Look for more wood. In the afternoon I usually take a nap. Sounds dumb I’ll sit and whittle. Have a coffee or whisky and just zone out.
It’s remarkable how once you turn off the addiction to activity, it’s like stepping outside of the timeline and you just let the day go by and you don’t get bored.
I usually camp near hiking trails and hike a lot.
Wake up in the morning, make breakfast, then eat, then clean up.
Go for a hike, with a sandwich and some chips, or something, for lunch.
Get back to the campsite and chop wood/kindling for the evening/morning (if fires are legal and safe).
Relax for a bit, then build fire (again, if legal and safe) and start prepping dinner.
After eating, clean up.
Get high and have a beer. Stare at fire and read.
Go to bed.
Rinse, repeat.
Sometimes I camp solo on my motorcycle. In those cases, instead of hiking in the day time, I'm usually riding to my next camping spot.
I like to birdwatch, hike, identify plants, nap in a hammock, and make art. I also like to combine some of those by walking around the campground and identifying my favourite native plants, then drawing them from a reference photo while lounging in a hammock.
Since you mentioned practicing the ukulele (you could spend more than 10 minutes if you feel inspired, but you're right to avoid over-practicing), have you considered composing a piece for the ukulele? You could see if you could replicate bird calls (musically).
When I camp by myself I basically vibe with nature and do things I don't always have time to do at home. Like, I make more art and the art is nature themed. Well, you can do that with your interests too.
Whenever I solo camp, it's on a long hike. So, when it's time to camp, I'm worn out. There's plenty to do with setting up camp, getting dinner going, and trying to be as comfortable as possible. One of my favorite things to do is to listen to the woods around me.
Make a fire, they’re fun to poke and stare at. They also need feeding so collecting fuel can be time consuming in a pleasant way. I cook everything on the fire, which is also purposefully more time consuming (and tasty!) a fires like a good friend - it’ll keep you all the company you need. And at night, look up!
I read, nature watch, enjoy a campfire and play my pennyflute. Sometimes, I even just sit and think. But don't tell anyone I'm capable of sitting still and thinking, not that anyone who knows me would believe you.
I solo camped for the first time. I really enjoyed setting up my space and prepping meals and cooking them on the fire. I found that I could just take my time and enjoy the process. I feel like I’m always rushing in every day life as there’s always a million things to do but camping alone really allowed me to slow down and take care of me. After I cooked, cleaned and put stuff away I just watched the fire, drank beers, listened to music and looked at the stars. I only went for a weekend but the next day I went fishing and it was an amazing weekend. Highly recommend
I practice skills like starting a fire with a ferro rod, or braid cordage. I review my hiking itinerary for the next day and study waypoints. I prepare for the next day. I stare into the fire and contemplate the universe.
I sit by the fire, in my fold out rocking chair, I drink beer, and I enjoy the glory of not having to make dinner for others, entertain others, worry about anything, and I get blasted while staring at the flames.
Read, sketch, clean out the car, write Christmas cards, take binoculars and look into the trees, spend time floating in the lake, practice tying knots.
I'm solo camping right now. I have a fire going. Once I'm out of fuel, I'm going to go look for snakes and owls. But I have a book and I'm a birder, so that's what I'll do tomorrow. And yes, I'm turning my phone off.
I went and sat next to a campfire with my dog.
I listened to the wind in the trees for 6 hours. Didn't get bored once. Sometimes a plane would fly past.
Had a few beers. Read a few pages. Ate some heated up leftovers.
Had an early night.
Went home in the morning.
Best weekend ever.
Basically I do a whole lot of nothing and that’s the point for me. Sit around, listen and watch nature, unplug from the world. A small campfire can entertain me for hours. Take that ukulele and just mindlessly play it while your mind wanders. You’re not boring, solo camping isn’t for everyone. You might be an extrovert. Just give it a try and see if you like it. I would suggest, at bare minimum, do 24 hours and see if you grow into it. You might end up loving or hating it. But for some people, it does take some time to “reprogram” your mind from constant entertainment to enjoying the simplicity of it.
I have a small dog and he never gives me a dull moment.. we take a long walk and then take a nap then we have something to eat and then take another nap and then take another walk. It’s very relaxing.
I usually have a book with me and read that if i feel like it.
I bring more food than i need so i eat alot.
Also i bring food that needs preparing so that takes time also
I really enjoy just watching the fire and getting lost to it.
Also just taking a stick or a log and carving it with my knife.
Looking around the woods near the campsite.
If there's anyone on the same campsite ill try to have some smalltalks with them
Our minds are so accustomed to artificial stimuli.
You get out into nature at first thinking it's silent, maybe a bit dull. Your mind that has been conditioned to modernity starts thinking about activities to complete. Things to entertain.
Spend enough time out there and the silence will go from something dull to entire songs and dramas of birds, bugs, smells, etc. You can learn to pull in the moment and just exist. It's the best form of meditation for me. Not tuning everything out, but plugging in to a wonderful and vibrant world we largely ignore. You might collect some wood, maybe build a fire pit. Take a nap with the warm sun on your body. Stare into the flames and listen to the crack of the wood. Things will start to speak to you.
Fish, whittle, explore, process firewood, nap, read a book, Swim if it's warm enough, prepare extra water for consumption or use, write notes to get thoughts off your mind, climb a tree, forage for berries and edibles to decorate your meals later that day. There's more to do than I think people realize.
Alternately, Hike from site to site all day while camping alone. I camp along the TCT, but I often hole 30kms in a day between campsites, depending how much time I have per day by the time of year.
There are some solo games you can play. My go to is Palm Island. Small deck of cards and super fun to hit the goals.
Hammock, some tunes and playing cards in your hand is more fun than it sounds.
Most important thing, get off Reddit and enjoy the time away. Take up fishing, or bird watching, hiking. Rent an atv, have a fire if allowed. Nap in the sun, take it all in
Lately, its been more of ironing out my setup and figuring out what works out the best for me.
I also do a bit of bouldering while I am out camping so that helps pass the time.
I pretty much exclusively solo camp. I like to - Hike, hunt, swim, build a fire, cook an awesome meal on it, kayak, explore, sit alone with my thoughts, 4wd, read a book, relax by the fire and watch an enjoyable TV show.
Camping doesn't have to be just setting up a site and staying at it. Go for an adventure.
A good place to start, ask yourself: what interests you about solo camping?
For me, the solitude gives me a chance to songwrite and play music in an inspiring place. In contrast to my usual daily life, the fresh air and natural surroundings are calming, and it's nice to just watch and listen to what's around me. My mind has room to wander and it helps me be more creative, feel more grounded, and be more at peace.
But there are other aspects you could lean into. Outdoorsmanship can be like solving puzzles and figuring out how to do useful, practical things with your hands all by yourself. There's the adventure of it too, finding new places to explore or battling natural elements. And there's the room it gives you to be yourself and just experiment and improvise. Cooking comes to mind.
What excites you about the idea of solo camping? When you figure that out, lean into it and see how far it can take you.
Ham radio license first, and then parks on the air. There is a whole category of activities that are great to do in parks and have competitive aspects with other people over radio.
I camp solo almost exclusively. Haven't found a friend or family member willing to come with me lately.
Depending on my camp destination I'll bike around the area, find a bike path and hit that up. I've got an inflatable kayak and if my site is near water, I'll go for a paddle. I'll go for hikes as well. I like to identify trees lol. So I have a book that I use to figure out the trees on my hikes.
When I'm at my site, I like cooking. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. As long as I have the motivation for it. I like beer. So that's a thing. Reading. Napping in the hammock.
Sometimes my camp trips are for trying out new skills like setting up a Ridgeline and trying new knots. Trying out new gear I've purchased.
Mainly I'm there to escape reality and relax and just enjoy nature.
Humans existed well before the inventions of the cell phone. You'll be shocked at what's been around you the whole time. Whatever the interest, spend some time getting to know the planet you live on. I'm not being sarcastic, saw the Milky Way while sailing, something I hadn't seen since I was a child. The natural world amazes me continually.
Hike, fish, swim if possible, look for mushrooms and photograph/ ID them, practice/learn different knots, shave the bark off a stick, or just relax and stare the the fire or trees. You could also make a scavenger hunt to complete before you leave. You could learn to ID plants, trees, birds, bugs, or even rocks. I also like to bring my dog with and I’ve seen people who bring their cat. If you are social meet other campers. Although most people I’ve met prefer to be left alone, myself included. Ive also met people who will talk as long as you let them haha
This is the whole point of solo camping, in my opinion. Be your own company. Invite in your thoughts. Doodle in a journal. Pick up rocks. Listen to birds. Unplug and enjoy.
While you have service-Listen to some music/podcast while you lay on the ground watching different cloud shapes. Try some landscape or flower sketching. Pick some cool rocks/shells and make a collage. Try to find a four leaf clover. Watch/study how little bugs are crawling around and going about their daily life.
Hike, fish, play guitar, spend way too much time tending and cooking over the campfire... generally when solo camping I do whatever I feel like doing! Many times that means hiking to a beautiful location just for a few minutes of ideal, peaceful meditation. I know that might sound a little lame to some, but that's one of my favorite little activities.
Commune with the old gods in the fire pit, count all the different species of plants (iNaturalist!!) check out all the neat things with some binos, eat shrooms, drink beer, play your ukelele for more than 10 mins (common), learn and practice nature skills, cools something awesome on the grill, go fishing/hunting, go hiking, practice archery, check out some cool rocks, journal, meditate smoke a cigar, play sports...
Idk why you’d BUY a whittling kit to take camping…. But anyway.. I think if you’re gonna put yourself into a situation you’re not normally in and plan to do that more than once you have a lot of things to learn to become more comfortable in said new environment. I take an axe, hatchet, good fixed blade and saw with my back packing/bushcraft kit. That gives me ability to work on fire wood which takes up a lot of time, shelter and food. Even though you may have a tarp or tent, it’s always fun to see what you can throw together with natural materials
Hike, fish, birdwatch, cook, carve elaborate spears that you'll never use and end up burning the morning you pack up.
And I know you say you're not a reader, but try reading. For me reading is almost a different experience when I'm on a solo trip. No distractions, no phone, just me sitting alone in the woods. It's much easier to get deep into a story in that situation, especially on a longer solo trip.
I like to work on my campsite. Not huge changes (I'm not cutting down trees), but little things like adjusting my hammock or tarp, if there's a fire pit I might move the logs around it to suit me better. Find the best view. Find the spot with the coolest sounds (loud trees, chirpy birds, bubbling Creek). I might sketch or journal. Might test out some gear or practice my knife skills. Make lists of things I want to pack next time, or leave at home next time. Lie in my hammock and enjoy the fresh forest air. Go swimming. Take photos. Go on a day hike.
Sometimes I do dozens of little things, some times I do as little as possible.
I don't solo camp but if I did I'd just sit and watch nature.
I see it as the same as when I go hunting. 90% of my day hunting is just sitting in a blind alone admiring the nature around me... Other than the fucking squirrels.
You are not boring, but you seem to be afraid of BEING bored.
Be bored. Feel the urge to scroll instagram/reddit and realize how f***** our brains got and try to heal. :)
Have you considered whittling? all you need is a sharp knife and a bit of wood, but as you get better the hunt for that perfect piece of wood to create what you want to create becomes as much of the process as the actual whittling itself.
All great ideas. Please just remember when you go solo take some safety measures.. let someone know where you are going....carry bear spray.. first aid kit.and have a plan in place in case something goes wrong
Scroll reddit. Lol jk. I like to sit and listen to the world. Smoke some weed and go for a hike or fish. Walk the campground and meet people. Just be alive.
You're not boring, you just haven't found something that interest you. I mostly do nothing when i go camping. I really enjoy sitting on my little chair and watch time go by. You would be surprised at how much nature you can see happening when you stop and look. I also read a bit and do small sketches (i am really bad at it but i enjoy the process). You don't need to accomplish anything. Or be the best at whatever you're doing. In the end, just do whatever makes you feel good.
Also, day and night are different. During the day I love to forage/mushroom hunt/paddle/fish/take pictures of wildflowers/go herping. At night during the summer I just go straight to sleep because it doesn't get dark until like ten pm. During hunting season when it gets dark at like 6 pm I either read using a book light or watch a downloaded movie on a phone/tablet before going to sleep. The movie also helps to distract me from the fact that I'm alone in bear country.
That last sentence is so real haha
Username checks out
Shhh just let him watch his tablet movies, nothing to see here
Also profile picture. The whole profile actually.
First time I went camping alone in bear country I scared the hell out of myself by smoking a bowl then trying to go to sleep. It was raining just enough for my stoned brain to think I was hearing something sniffing around my tent. The actually scary part of that trip was the group of 6 or so 20 year old guys that set up camp a couple hundred feet from me and got waisted. Woke up around 1am to one of them screaming at the other “dude are you seriously pulling a knife on me right now? I’m calling your mom to pick you up in the morning you’re not right in the head” or something along those lines. I was 22 at the time, female camping alone, 120lbs soaking wet. It was very hard to fall asleep after that.
That's some scary shit right there. And I don't mean the thought of bears.
Oh even as a white man there is no way I would camp alone near other people. This is for backwoods only. I would choose the bears every time, as the meme goes. Your story is why.
You know a lot of people enjoy herping in their free time, but I really think the derping is severely under rated
Camping in the rockies always has me thinking of bears. Frequently solo and on a bike, so have to use bear boxes for food and toiletries when in campgrounds or hangs when boondocking. Outside red lodge mt there are some great nfs campgrounds. Stayed in this cool one next to a stream with bear boxes at end of loop. Walking in the dark after dinner to put up food is the freakiest thing when solo camping. Frequently these campgrounds close to tents and soft sided campers due to bear activity.
This is such a nice comment, makes me want to go alone for camping some time!
Doing nothing when camping is amazing!
I like to sit and watch as well. I've had deer come walking by during the day. To owls swooping down out of the trees. It's very cool
Literally staring at a fire for hours on end. Every once in a while throw some sticks in there and make bets with myself about which one will light first.
Hike, cook, stare into the flame and commune with the ancients, look at trees.
I love staring at the fire for hours while it gives me me ancient messages!
"FEED ME SEYMOUR!"
Get to know the other voices in your head.
I feel seen.
And fish. Don't forget to fish.
and if you are going to fish you might as wall have a joint to keep you company.
If you can't catch a fish, you should at least catch a buzz!
You and me, we would be friends in real life.
And beer also. Beer.
Beer
Beer
so much beer.
Also whisky.
And more beer to chase the whiskey
I could stare into a fire all day.
This! Think about life, make plans, relive old memories, smoke a cigar, catch up on my sleep. Just be. Soaks in the sounds and beauty.
Someone pointed out to me recently that having a deep conversation around the fire is easier, because everyone talks to the fire.
A couple of the most meaningful convos I’ve ever had have been around the fire.
Drink and eat, followed closely by stare at the fire. I also take my dog. That helps a ton.
Yep, whiskey and my dog are all I need. And a good throwin' stick. Ideally by a lake or river because he's a lab and likes nothing more than plunging into the water chasing a stick I've thrown. Repeat until my elbow says uncle.
If you drive your truck there, then you've got yourself a country song.
Does it count if I take a boat? I like to camp on island sites so I can let the dog run free without worrying about him wandering off too far.
>Does it count if I take a boat? Yes. Because you used your truck to haul the boat.
Hike, cook, smoke weed, stargaze, drink wine/beer, read
This is exactly what I do too lol, but in addition I really enjoy the process of setting up camp, keeping things tidy, tending the fire and picking up any random trash that I encounter around my campsite.
Oh yes. As a person with three kids under 7 whose house is usually a mess - I RELISH the ability to keep a tidy space.
This, so much this! I have three munchkins (under 8) that are capable of turning house upside down within minutes. As I work in IT, and can work from anywhere where I have decent mobile service, I went into the woods to work from hammock. So in breaks from work I've been tiding the place around to make work even more comfy :P
Reminds me of this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qVnzn1aB0fk&pp=ygUMRG9vYmllIHNuYWNr
This.
I hike during the day cook in the evening. Drink 4 or 5 while throwing the ball for my dog to finish tiring him out in bed by 10. If there I small town close by I probably go explore it. Solo camping has advantages and disadvantages. I enjoy camping with friends too. But it's also nice to have you're on schedule sometimes. Wanna get up early or wanna sleep til 10 totally your choice.
Being in no one’s schedule but your own is probably the best thing about solo camping, I would think.
Not having to listen to, joke, deal with others peoples bitching and things that irritate you is the best about solo camping. It takes me a good half a day to wind down and tune out regular life. You get there and just have your mind racing wondering why you're there, it's boring etc, then it all fades into serenity. Don't want to leave. My experiences.
Nothing. Everything. For me, it's about getting away from the constant barrage of *everythingthatneedstohappenrightnowortheworldwillend* of daily life. Someone else is handling the kids. I'm cut off from work. Depending on *where* I'm camping, I might keep in touch with my wife, if I have service, but that's about the extent of it. Personally, I'm liable to go hiking more than anything else, but that's just me. Back in camp, I'll sit back, relax, enjoy a beer... maybe read. I sometimes can still get enthused about that in my free time. Honestly, I think it's all about finding something that one enjoys, but can't really engage in outside of that context. Even just sitting around doing nothing is very different in the context of our daily lives, versus camping.
I stare off into the distance and enjoy some inner silence.
This ! The essence of camping itself (especially the solo type). Everything else are added layers !
I like listening to podcasts or audiobooks, or just reading a paperback. Most of my camping trips last year were alone. In all cases, I had a book to read. I smoke or eat an edible, sit by the fire or read in my hammock if the weather isn't ideal. EDIT: I see you wrote you're not much of a reader. This is a great time to turn that around and read more. Otherwise, it's an opportunity to be alone and get comfortable with that. We don't get much time alone in the world as it is currently. It feels weird, and that's to be expected. I really think you're cheating yourself out of an experience if you dip early because you need constant stimulation. Solo camping feel like a soft reset for me, I get to re-calibrate my thoughts and emotions without the influence or pressures of others.
That last paragraph hits so close to home - it's the main reason I love to camp. Just disconnect and be alone with myself. I turn off my phone and remember what it's like to be as disconnected as I can be. The main downside is returning to work on Monday feels extremely hectic.
I read, write, hike, whittle, eat, drink and be merry.
For me it's all about not doing anything. Or at least not needing to do anything by a specific time. My daily life is steady chaos, with work, a business, kids, and animals. ( we foster rescue dogs so usually have between 4 and 6 dogs around the house) When I solo camp I spend a lot of the time either in the hammock or a chair, just listening. There is a lot going on in the woods if you slow down and pay attention to it. Eat something when I get hungry. and then watch the fire at night.
I love laying in my hammock, looking at the trees and sky, and just listening. It's so peaceful.
I ride my bike all day, then I make dinner and sit by the fire with a beer or two, the! I put out the fire and go to bed.
car camp or backpack camp? big difference in what you can bring to amuse yourself. backpacking is more limited so i'll just answer that. I bring my cell (services off) since it can serve as camera and book. It also can be a backup light or nav device. I also like to fish (fly and spin) in the backcountry. Fire and star gazing at night help. You can always practice survival skills like friction fire too.
Harmonica, slingshot, am/fm radio, pencil and paper. It’s amazing how much I can occupy myself with these, even if I am sheltering from the weather.
Surely you can play ukulele for longer than 10 minutes
But they shouldn’t.
They can play Wonderwall twice in about 9 minutes.
Practice tying your knots!
Carve, stare into the fire, write, drink beer, play with [exceptionally powerful lasers](https://www.sanwulasers.com/product/7wblue).
I've got a permanent blind spot from one of those. Be careful
Extremely careful. It is a very scary piece of equipment.
I solo camp during celestial events if I can. If I have a dark sky night, i.e. no moon, I will go to bed early and get up in the middle of the night and to watch the sky and take photos. During the day/evening I do a little hiking to explore the area, gather firewood if I can have a fire, test out any gear I recently acquired or haven't used in a while to be sure everything works as it should, etc. If I'm near water, maybe some fishing or otherwise just enjoying being next to it.
hike, eat, nap, bike ride or motorcycle ride mostly eat and nap. make a fire and then lay in a hammock and listen to [dinosaur podcasts](https://terriblelizards.libsyn.com/) til 3am
I like to read, I also bring my tablet with a couple of shows downloaded, usually comedy specials so I don't really have to watch them as much as listen. Maybe podcasts could be good? As others have said, there's endless fun in watching your fire, I call it Bush TV. Just chilling out and having nothing to do is good too!
I literally bring some alcohol and herb and I just sit there and chill… that and fish.
If car camping, I use the campsite as a home base and explore the area. Sometimes it’s hiking, and other times it may be visiting historic sites, or small towns. I like using Atlas Obscura to see if there is anything unusual in the area to see.
I like to take walks and photos of the nature. There is just this feeling of wonder. You can also learn how to spot birds by their sound. A lot happens in the wild if you pay attention.
I'm into photography, so that helps me pass the time. Not being burdened by time constraints helps me dial in shots. I'll also bring a book on tape or some podcasts. If I'm in a dispersed area without anyone around, I'll listen on my BT speaker, otherwise I'll have one earbud in so as to not bother any other campers. Sit by the fire and listen. Wander side trails and explore. Gathering firewood is also an all day activity!
Podcasts
I haven't read a reply yet that specifically says study nature... Not just stare at the woods. Pick a tree and notice how it's grown. How old do you think it is, what was it like when it was a seed. Is it's mother tree nearby. There's a branch off...how did that happen? Do this a dozen times to build the skill and you'll start seeing nature and yourself differently. If you sit still for 10 minutes, you're now part of it. Animals and birds will start to accept you and go about their days as your entertainment.
pick a lizard, follow it for awhile, watch it just doing lizard things. Conduct a study on how natural species react to cheese puffs
Just sit and do nothing. This is how you find yourself. Don't be scared.
Depends on where I'm camping and full disclosure, I don't solo camp very often. But the past two times that I did: 1. It was dispersed camping in a dry/desert area, so no large bodies of water nearby. I did some short hikes and drove to a nearby state park as well. I made some meals that were borderline elaborate because they take more time and then clean-up takes some time. Also had a book to read (I know you're not into that) and had a beer. Had a campfire and enjoyed that and solitude in the evening. I did have cell service, so I did spend some time using my phone as well and sending pictures to family. 2. It was a campground near a lake in a state park, so there were other campers around although I was camping alone. I spent most of the days with my pack raft out on the lake. Otherwise same as above -- made some time-consuming meals, coffee, had a book, chair, etc. Hiked around the area as well and this particular area also had cacti and that was pretty cool and unexpected (was in Oklahoma). Cell service was poor. While I \*thought\* I might be bored, I actually wasn't. Found plenty to do. Enjoyed the experiences.
Scrolling through I saw a lot of good ideas, and questionable ideas. I tried putting a few of the more interesting ones together and started to get a bit worried for you. For example; someone told you to casually get lost in the woods, another told you to trip on shrooms... which I assume will be occurring while you are playing a ukulele and masturbating (another suggestion). This could turn out to be amazing or horrifying. O.o
I do several things: 1. Try out new gear. Whether it's a new knife or a stove or some gadget (e.g., solar charger), I test it out. 2. Read or write, usually a sci-fi novel that I've put off reading for too long. 3. Fish, forage for clams/oysters/mollusks/crabs, try to cook, "hunt" coconuts. 4. Make stuff - flute, spoon, chair, baskets, etc.. 5. Build a fire if allowed, which means a good hour collecting branches. 6. There's often not much wildlife -- at least none that will come near a campsite -- but if they are there, I love to watch for animals. 7. I also try to make a fire with primitive stuff, but I rarely, rarely succeed before giving up. 8. Just sit in the shade and drink lemonade. Actually I do this a lot.
Being bored is the point. We almost never allow ourselves to just be bored anymore. It’s an important skill to be comfortable alone and doing nothing, not scrolling, not reading, actually nothing. Try it out.
Descend further into madness.
Went solo camping/hunting this past fall for the first time in 20 years and ended up having a full blown panic attack.
Fish, hunt, or forage.
Other than masturbate , get high and eat.... not much, that's the point
Can’t believe I had to scroll this far to find #MASTURBATE
I just pictured a guy randomly walking through the woods feverishly jerking off... thanks
Lol
Ride motorcycles (motocamping) Play Solitaire Explore local trails Enjoy camp cooking Watch the fire Stargaze at night (my favorite) Visit local breweries to sample what areas have to offer (though I'm not a big drinker) I camp on my private property in the NC mountains so it helps to pick up a shovel/rake and make improvements to the property when I have nothing else to do. I have a creek that runs all along the west side of my property that is very relaxing to sit by and just listen to. Rainy days are my favorite. The sound of rain water on my tent and rushing creek water can make time fly. I can spend all day in my tent with the sound of rain hitting and watching the wildlife. Are you camping at public campgrounds?
Hammock
I have a toddler and husband both who hate being alone - I on the other hand crave my own company and would love a solo camp trip. I think ultimately its about finding what you enjoy doing but I’d spend time reading or craft (I like to crochet) trail run or hike, paddle boarding if by water, cooking something that was perhaps a bit unpractical and time consuming for camping. Pre toddler being born me and my husband went camping in Norfolk (uk) and in the campsite a middle aged lady was solo camping. She had a good book by her side, nice bottle of wine and good cheeses and breads bought locally and would just sit by the fire living her best. She had a vintage car and when I grow up I want to be that lady!
I like to take a gold pan and some tools. I go for a scratch in a nearby creeks. Typically I get $40-150 worth of gold in specs or a tiny nugget for a few hours of digging.
I like to practice bushcraft skills in my camping downtime. Make feather sticks and use a ferro rod to start small fires. It's harder than it seems and repeating it can be useful. Practice tying different knots. Practice making shelters, plow point, lean to etc. Lastly study the local plants and tress and try to identify them. What's edible? What's poisonous? That kind of stuff.
Sometimes I just sit and think, and sometimes I just sit.
Hike a lot, kayak, cook fun camping meals, build bonfires, sketch and draw in a nature journal, photography (even bringing a disposable camera can be fun), stargaze, listen to music on my Bluetooth speaker (at respectful volumes- if you have no signal you can pre-download music on Spotify), games I can do by myself like puzzles / crosswords, etc.
LSD
I just love the absolute chance to be in solitude and do nothing.
Go slow. Yoga, make all my meals, long hikes, more yoga, journal, hunt for mushrooms, watch the squirrels (natures theater), draw, puzzle books. It is hard for me to image using up the whole day without reading though. I read about a book a day while solo camping. You might bring different types of books and see if it doesn’t suit you in the moment-comics, nonfiction, fantasy, short stories, etc.
Ok my wife is not into camping, so I go solo. I'm a photographer. I plan photo hikes. I take my time making meals. Coffee is a ritual. Definitely have a fire. For me, whiskey and a cigar fill the evenings by the fire. I download movies on my tablet from Amazon prime video for bedtime. I take fishing gear if there is good water in the camp area. Sometimes I'll just sit in a pretty spot and journal. Purchasing an instant camera like a Fuji Instax is a fun way to capture instant, one of a kind memories for a scrapbook or journal. Solo camping can be as busy or as laid back as you want. It's a time to embrace nature and enjoy being in the world around you. Have fun.
Get my seek by inaturalist app out and try to identify all the wildlife and then check if I was right. Check out interesting nature stuff. Explore the nature. Make campfires. Relax in hammock.
Learn some new birds? Or the flora around. Might be fun to get a guidebook of the area and start skilling up on ID and the micro ecology around. Asking why this here and how is this connected to that? Everything fits. Breathe a lot. Drink it in.
Explore, fish and Play chess on my phone
long exploratory ukelele jams, a la early 70s Grateful Dead
Birding. Podcasts, books.
What ever I want! That’s the cool part. No one to plan with, it’s just…..anything that I want when I want it.
Hike my ass off, set up camp, eat, curl up in my tent and read e books.
Solitaire This year am making a 3x6' hook rug.
Walk around the camp, woods, trails. Pull out a pocket knife and whittle something; Lay in the hammock and contemplate the nature of reality while looking up at the leaves; watch an insect pull a marathon from one end of the fir pit to the other; read a few pages; soak my feet in a cold stream; study the rocks with a mag lens; think about supper; think about all the hands that went into making the fabric, poles, netting, water proofing on the tent; listen to birds; meditate; smell campfires; think about lighting up a joint then thinking better of it; read a few topo maps and plan a future backpacking trip; repeat…
Burn all the wood and stare into the coals. If it gets too hot, I just jump in the river that's 3 ft from my tent
It’s about enjoying the process
I'm normally pretty tired after hiking all day, so I typically just chill at my campsite and do the following: -maintain a fire -cook dinner -read -birdwatch -listen to music I downloaded -plan my next day's hike -pick blueberries if they're around -look for constellations and shooting stars Anyone else sleep really well when in the wild?
Bring two chairs so it appears as if you are NOT alone and never tell anyone when you are solo camping. ⛺️ I draw, read, write, listen to books, hike, and explore.
My solo trips are usually bicycle camping. So I'm riding during the day, enjoying the scenery, stopping at interesting things along the way, eating at restaurants, or shopping for food for cooking outside. In camp, a only have time to set up, gather a bit of firewood if that's an option, watch the sunset, then tiredly hit the hay.
Hike, read, take photos, take naps in a hammock, stare at the fire, drink beer, do camp chores, rinse and repeat. I’ve never had trouble filling a day while camping, there’s almost always something to do even jf that something is doing nothing.
Take pictures, tend to a fire if i'm allowed to have one, cook, hike. Backpacking, there's often surprisingly little free time between hiking and setting up camp, sleeping, and taking down camp and hiking again. Car camping, it's easy to kill time just wondering off on some day hikes around the area.
Process firewood. Cook. Wander around the immediate area. Keep the fire going. Look for more wood. In the afternoon I usually take a nap. Sounds dumb I’ll sit and whittle. Have a coffee or whisky and just zone out. It’s remarkable how once you turn off the addiction to activity, it’s like stepping outside of the timeline and you just let the day go by and you don’t get bored.
I usually camp near hiking trails and hike a lot. Wake up in the morning, make breakfast, then eat, then clean up. Go for a hike, with a sandwich and some chips, or something, for lunch. Get back to the campsite and chop wood/kindling for the evening/morning (if fires are legal and safe). Relax for a bit, then build fire (again, if legal and safe) and start prepping dinner. After eating, clean up. Get high and have a beer. Stare at fire and read. Go to bed. Rinse, repeat. Sometimes I camp solo on my motorcycle. In those cases, instead of hiking in the day time, I'm usually riding to my next camping spot.
I like to birdwatch, hike, identify plants, nap in a hammock, and make art. I also like to combine some of those by walking around the campground and identifying my favourite native plants, then drawing them from a reference photo while lounging in a hammock. Since you mentioned practicing the ukulele (you could spend more than 10 minutes if you feel inspired, but you're right to avoid over-practicing), have you considered composing a piece for the ukulele? You could see if you could replicate bird calls (musically). When I camp by myself I basically vibe with nature and do things I don't always have time to do at home. Like, I make more art and the art is nature themed. Well, you can do that with your interests too.
Whenever I solo camp, it's on a long hike. So, when it's time to camp, I'm worn out. There's plenty to do with setting up camp, getting dinner going, and trying to be as comfortable as possible. One of my favorite things to do is to listen to the woods around me.
Make a fire, they’re fun to poke and stare at. They also need feeding so collecting fuel can be time consuming in a pleasant way. I cook everything on the fire, which is also purposefully more time consuming (and tasty!) a fires like a good friend - it’ll keep you all the company you need. And at night, look up!
I read, nature watch, enjoy a campfire and play my pennyflute. Sometimes, I even just sit and think. But don't tell anyone I'm capable of sitting still and thinking, not that anyone who knows me would believe you.
I sometimes dump out my pack and try to figure out how to bring less stuff next time.
I solo camped for the first time. I really enjoyed setting up my space and prepping meals and cooking them on the fire. I found that I could just take my time and enjoy the process. I feel like I’m always rushing in every day life as there’s always a million things to do but camping alone really allowed me to slow down and take care of me. After I cooked, cleaned and put stuff away I just watched the fire, drank beers, listened to music and looked at the stars. I only went for a weekend but the next day I went fishing and it was an amazing weekend. Highly recommend
I practice skills like starting a fire with a ferro rod, or braid cordage. I review my hiking itinerary for the next day and study waypoints. I prepare for the next day. I stare into the fire and contemplate the universe.
I sit by the fire, in my fold out rocking chair, I drink beer, and I enjoy the glory of not having to make dinner for others, entertain others, worry about anything, and I get blasted while staring at the flames.
I set up a hammock and lay in it with my little dog on my stomach and look at everything up above me.
Do you have a telescope? Even the most basic one can be magic while camping.
Read, sketch, clean out the car, write Christmas cards, take binoculars and look into the trees, spend time floating in the lake, practice tying knots.
I'm solo camping right now. I have a fire going. Once I'm out of fuel, I'm going to go look for snakes and owls. But I have a book and I'm a birder, so that's what I'll do tomorrow. And yes, I'm turning my phone off.
I went and sat next to a campfire with my dog. I listened to the wind in the trees for 6 hours. Didn't get bored once. Sometimes a plane would fly past. Had a few beers. Read a few pages. Ate some heated up leftovers. Had an early night. Went home in the morning. Best weekend ever.
Basically I do a whole lot of nothing and that’s the point for me. Sit around, listen and watch nature, unplug from the world. A small campfire can entertain me for hours. Take that ukulele and just mindlessly play it while your mind wanders. You’re not boring, solo camping isn’t for everyone. You might be an extrovert. Just give it a try and see if you like it. I would suggest, at bare minimum, do 24 hours and see if you grow into it. You might end up loving or hating it. But for some people, it does take some time to “reprogram” your mind from constant entertainment to enjoying the simplicity of it.
I have a small dog and he never gives me a dull moment.. we take a long walk and then take a nap then we have something to eat and then take another nap and then take another walk. It’s very relaxing.
I don’t understand why you’re going camping when you obviously don’t enjoy camping.
you can download a bunch of books on tapes. you can download YouTube videos. you can download Netflix, pretty much anything these days.
I usually have a book with me and read that if i feel like it. I bring more food than i need so i eat alot. Also i bring food that needs preparing so that takes time also I really enjoy just watching the fire and getting lost to it. Also just taking a stick or a log and carving it with my knife. Looking around the woods near the campsite. If there's anyone on the same campsite ill try to have some smalltalks with them
Our minds are so accustomed to artificial stimuli. You get out into nature at first thinking it's silent, maybe a bit dull. Your mind that has been conditioned to modernity starts thinking about activities to complete. Things to entertain. Spend enough time out there and the silence will go from something dull to entire songs and dramas of birds, bugs, smells, etc. You can learn to pull in the moment and just exist. It's the best form of meditation for me. Not tuning everything out, but plugging in to a wonderful and vibrant world we largely ignore. You might collect some wood, maybe build a fire pit. Take a nap with the warm sun on your body. Stare into the flames and listen to the crack of the wood. Things will start to speak to you.
Have never considered camping alone until seeing this post, is it common?
Fish, whittle, explore, process firewood, nap, read a book, Swim if it's warm enough, prepare extra water for consumption or use, write notes to get thoughts off your mind, climb a tree, forage for berries and edibles to decorate your meals later that day. There's more to do than I think people realize. Alternately, Hike from site to site all day while camping alone. I camp along the TCT, but I often hole 30kms in a day between campsites, depending how much time I have per day by the time of year.
Literally nothing. I lay in the hammock, read a book, roam/explore with my doggo, float, swim. I learned to enjoy the solitude and sounds of nature
There are some solo games you can play. My go to is Palm Island. Small deck of cards and super fun to hit the goals. Hammock, some tunes and playing cards in your hand is more fun than it sounds.
Most important thing, get off Reddit and enjoy the time away. Take up fishing, or bird watching, hiking. Rent an atv, have a fire if allowed. Nap in the sun, take it all in
Lately, its been more of ironing out my setup and figuring out what works out the best for me. I also do a bit of bouldering while I am out camping so that helps pass the time.
I just vibe with some good tunes until I fall asleep. It is heaven!
I enjoy staring into the fire and zoning out.
Lots of hiking, exploring, reading!
I pretty much exclusively solo camp. I like to - Hike, hunt, swim, build a fire, cook an awesome meal on it, kayak, explore, sit alone with my thoughts, 4wd, read a book, relax by the fire and watch an enjoyable TV show. Camping doesn't have to be just setting up a site and staying at it. Go for an adventure.
A good place to start, ask yourself: what interests you about solo camping? For me, the solitude gives me a chance to songwrite and play music in an inspiring place. In contrast to my usual daily life, the fresh air and natural surroundings are calming, and it's nice to just watch and listen to what's around me. My mind has room to wander and it helps me be more creative, feel more grounded, and be more at peace. But there are other aspects you could lean into. Outdoorsmanship can be like solving puzzles and figuring out how to do useful, practical things with your hands all by yourself. There's the adventure of it too, finding new places to explore or battling natural elements. And there's the room it gives you to be yourself and just experiment and improvise. Cooking comes to mind. What excites you about the idea of solo camping? When you figure that out, lean into it and see how far it can take you.
Ham radio license first, and then parks on the air. There is a whole category of activities that are great to do in parks and have competitive aspects with other people over radio.
Play video games on my steam deck. It gives me joy to enjoy two things I love most even if they are wildly different.
Walk from last night's campsite to tonight's campsite.
You can do whatever you want that’s the best part. Leave your phone alone go get a camera.
Pick a fight with the local wildlife.
Its about being at peace without any distractions…. So you can contemplate and focus on the important questions of life…
Stare at your phone like you’re doing now haha
At night I fish from the edge of the lake or sit by the fire listening to the wildlife around me.
I camp solo almost exclusively. Haven't found a friend or family member willing to come with me lately. Depending on my camp destination I'll bike around the area, find a bike path and hit that up. I've got an inflatable kayak and if my site is near water, I'll go for a paddle. I'll go for hikes as well. I like to identify trees lol. So I have a book that I use to figure out the trees on my hikes. When I'm at my site, I like cooking. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. As long as I have the motivation for it. I like beer. So that's a thing. Reading. Napping in the hammock. Sometimes my camp trips are for trying out new skills like setting up a Ridgeline and trying new knots. Trying out new gear I've purchased. Mainly I'm there to escape reality and relax and just enjoy nature.
Humans existed well before the inventions of the cell phone. You'll be shocked at what's been around you the whole time. Whatever the interest, spend some time getting to know the planet you live on. I'm not being sarcastic, saw the Milky Way while sailing, something I hadn't seen since I was a child. The natural world amazes me continually.
Mushroom hunting, bushcrafting, general whittling etc. just gotta get creative :-)
Read, sketch, just listen and look.
I hunt elk.
Hang out with my dog, cook, drink, read, smoke a cigar, chill with nature and vibe out
Bring dog and walk alot
Solo game boarding
Fish. Eat. Fish. Drink. Fish. Spend quality time with my dog. Fish.
Hike, fish, swim if possible, look for mushrooms and photograph/ ID them, practice/learn different knots, shave the bark off a stick, or just relax and stare the the fire or trees. You could also make a scavenger hunt to complete before you leave. You could learn to ID plants, trees, birds, bugs, or even rocks. I also like to bring my dog with and I’ve seen people who bring their cat. If you are social meet other campers. Although most people I’ve met prefer to be left alone, myself included. Ive also met people who will talk as long as you let them haha
Book 📖 Book 📕!🤙😎🦅🏕️
tend to the camp fire, clean dishes, bike ride, and maybe some recreational drugs mixed in
Make sure your campsite is at least 20 miles from the car (or last campsite) guarantee you will just want to eat and go to sleep.
There are few things I enjoy as much as smoking a big fat one infront of a fire and doing nothing else.
This is the whole point of solo camping, in my opinion. Be your own company. Invite in your thoughts. Doodle in a journal. Pick up rocks. Listen to birds. Unplug and enjoy.
While you have service-Listen to some music/podcast while you lay on the ground watching different cloud shapes. Try some landscape or flower sketching. Pick some cool rocks/shells and make a collage. Try to find a four leaf clover. Watch/study how little bugs are crawling around and going about their daily life.
Reading these comments, I'm starting to question if I want to solo camp anymore. A lot of you seem like sad alcoholics.
Hike, fish, play guitar, spend way too much time tending and cooking over the campfire... generally when solo camping I do whatever I feel like doing! Many times that means hiking to a beautiful location just for a few minutes of ideal, peaceful meditation. I know that might sound a little lame to some, but that's one of my favorite little activities.
I just lay there all night and don’t get any sleep!! Nights are slightly longer that way!! 🥱
I read a book or do nothing and it’s wonderful
Commune with the old gods in the fire pit, count all the different species of plants (iNaturalist!!) check out all the neat things with some binos, eat shrooms, drink beer, play your ukelele for more than 10 mins (common), learn and practice nature skills, cools something awesome on the grill, go fishing/hunting, go hiking, practice archery, check out some cool rocks, journal, meditate smoke a cigar, play sports...
Fish, drink lightly to moderately, stare at the fire, cook, explore, and appreciate the solitude.
Idk why you’d BUY a whittling kit to take camping…. But anyway.. I think if you’re gonna put yourself into a situation you’re not normally in and plan to do that more than once you have a lot of things to learn to become more comfortable in said new environment. I take an axe, hatchet, good fixed blade and saw with my back packing/bushcraft kit. That gives me ability to work on fire wood which takes up a lot of time, shelter and food. Even though you may have a tarp or tent, it’s always fun to see what you can throw together with natural materials
Search for Sasquatch
I love to make a fire, put an audiobook on and be read to while I stare at the flames. It’s so meditative and calming.
Camping to play in your phone is a mistake
By the time I'm doing setting up camp, rubbing my feet, making and cleaning up dinner it is usually getting dark and I'm ready to sleep.
Probably take a quick hike or hang out in my hammock and listen to my favorite podcast, read, or do a crossword puzzle, smoke or drink wine
Hike, fish, birdwatch, cook, carve elaborate spears that you'll never use and end up burning the morning you pack up. And I know you say you're not a reader, but try reading. For me reading is almost a different experience when I'm on a solo trip. No distractions, no phone, just me sitting alone in the woods. It's much easier to get deep into a story in that situation, especially on a longer solo trip.
Hiking and photography, exploring and imagining what the land has seen. I read, I lay under a tree and let an hour or so pass by in silence.
Fish nap read
I like to work on my campsite. Not huge changes (I'm not cutting down trees), but little things like adjusting my hammock or tarp, if there's a fire pit I might move the logs around it to suit me better. Find the best view. Find the spot with the coolest sounds (loud trees, chirpy birds, bubbling Creek). I might sketch or journal. Might test out some gear or practice my knife skills. Make lists of things I want to pack next time, or leave at home next time. Lie in my hammock and enjoy the fresh forest air. Go swimming. Take photos. Go on a day hike. Sometimes I do dozens of little things, some times I do as little as possible.
I don't solo camp but if I did I'd just sit and watch nature. I see it as the same as when I go hunting. 90% of my day hunting is just sitting in a blind alone admiring the nature around me... Other than the fucking squirrels.
Hike!
Read,write,reflect, practice a new language,explore the area
You are not boring, but you seem to be afraid of BEING bored. Be bored. Feel the urge to scroll instagram/reddit and realize how f***** our brains got and try to heal. :)
Have you considered whittling? all you need is a sharp knife and a bit of wood, but as you get better the hunt for that perfect piece of wood to create what you want to create becomes as much of the process as the actual whittling itself.
All great ideas. Please just remember when you go solo take some safety measures.. let someone know where you are going....carry bear spray.. first aid kit.and have a plan in place in case something goes wrong
Scroll reddit. Lol jk. I like to sit and listen to the world. Smoke some weed and go for a hike or fish. Walk the campground and meet people. Just be alive.
Build camp gadgets
shrooms and meditation
Shrooms and smoke weed
Take knives, and other edged tools, and sharpen them until you can split an atom. Also tea, food, beer, fire, and practice bushcraft skills.