Bucket List Solo Camping Planning Presents a Set of Unique Challenges and Struggles

Image by rorozoa on Freepik

I've spent many long hard hours planning several solo tent camping trips over the past two years. I planned several long trips in West Virginia and also in Missouri. I created a long bucket list and camping guide for all the places I wanted to visit, but I eventually ended up throwing the lists away. The plan was to visit each place at least once, and then scratch each place off the list one by one and continuing moving on to the next. 

There was something wrong with every location on the bucket list. There was either too many haters, too much dangerous wildlife, too many campground rules, too many tornadoes, or too expensive. I recently have been working on another camping bucket list in other state, and after only going camping two times, I'm already fed up with the list and all the expenses. 

Three months ago, I spent over $1,000 on my new camping gear, only to go camping for two nights in a 3 month period. The spending doesn't stop there. I still have more gear to buy and it is still wintertime. I have to buy a bear fence, which is over $250, a satellite communicator which can cost between $50-300, educational books to read at the campsite, which are about $20 each, a bear canister which is $80, maps which are around $50 each, and a portable generator which start at around $150. 

Sometimes, I feel like I'm getting ripped off. I've spent so much money on gear and I've only had time to camping for two measly nights since I brought all the new stuff. It's still winter, and I still have to pay around $35 a night for the electric campsites just to plug up my heater and stay warm, plus I have to pay for things like firewood and other minor things. It really adds up. It's always something wrong. In the summertime, more free camping opportunities open up, however, there are more campers and travelers out, which makes camping less enjoyable because I crave solitude, peace, and tranquility. 

Sometimes I wonder if the hobby I enjoy most is really even worth all of the frustration. It hurts just to even write about it. I've written so many blogs about camping in the past, and I just like all the other trials and tribulations I face, I keep going through the same struggles over and over. 

Conclusion 

Just a message to anyone reading out there- If you are planning a camping trip, make sure you do your research. Especially if you are by yourself. Everything isn't always what it seems, and everything might not always go as planned. Always check the weather conditions to make sure it's not too hot, too cold, or to make sure a storm, hurricane, tornado, snowstorm, or other bad weather isn't approaching. Always make sure you have enough money for supplies and never venture off into the extreme wilderness without an emergency gps signaling device.

Also, always have a backup plan for gear and device malfunctions. Some extremely important camping gear may break down over time, so you must be prepared for when that happens. It may be a matter of life and death. Always carry enough food and water with you. Out of all the camp gear I've purchased over the last 4 years, I can honestly say that the gear that has lasted the longest without malfunctioning, is my butane Gas One brand stove. Other items like pop up tents and even my portable generator, have malfunctioned unexpectedly.

When camping, always carry a campsite map and always check the campsite rules to make sure you follow everything right. Each campground has different rules. Some allow campfires, some don't. Some allow pets, some don't. Some allow alcohol, some don't. Some allow more than one tent, some don't. Never forget- always protect yourself from wildlife and never attempt to feed wild animals, especially bears. Keep your food and your pet food in a bear canister or high up off the ground. Bear attacks are supposed to be extremely rare, but they do happen very often.