10 Things About Traveling Alone as a Female

All too often, were told that we can’t travel alone. Were told its too risky, it’s not safe, that we’re going to be eaten by bigfoot. Honestly, I’ve heard it all. I had taken a few solo daytrips in the past, but this was my first solo, overnighter that wasn’t just to Disneyland. I do live alone, so I’m used to the silence, but safety while camping isn’t the same as in my house.

1.    I slept in my car. 

I do drive a Toyota highlander. And I’m just over 5’1”, so it was rather easy for me to make myself a short twin size bed in the backseat. It would have been relatively easy to just rearrange my car for me to recline my front seat, or to have slept with the seats down, but I liked having my backseat bed. It also let me block the car off a bit more, and provided quick access to the front seat. I sewed curtains for my car, and had mosquito netting to place over my sun roof, and my cracked open windows. I locked the doors with the remote and kept my car backed into the parking spot. It was a bit warm sometimes in the car, but my safety was worth it.

2.    Pick spots that are well trafficked.

The camping spots I always chose were either right next to the campground host, or right next to a bathroom. While in the middle of the night, there may be slightly more noise, there was always going to be someone nearby. You’re far less likely to be targeted when there’s people close by.

3.    Talk about your family.

So, at my work, I’m rather used to men asking questions about my personal life in a way that lets me know they’re wanting to know more. So I got used to wearing a wedding ring to work. It can be awkward at first to lie, but you need to. If people are asking you questions, let them know that yes, you do call your husband at a specific time every day. And isn’t it funny how your niece asks you for a picture of a new rock every day? Most of the people you encounter in the wilderness are genuinely nice people, but you never know someone’s motives. So I always worked my imaginary husband into the conversation. Let people know that there are people at home expecting to hear from you.

4.    Bring protection of your choice.

This is personal. And I get that. I’m not going to tell you what you should bring, but it should be something that you know how to handle, and are prepared to use. It isn’t always for people, there are animals that may come into close contact with you when you’re alone that could also pose a threat to your safety. If you are choosing to bring any regulated weapons, be sure to check ahead of time what the rules and laws are for the area that you’re traveling to.

5.    Treat yourself.

Halfway through my trip I was on a phone call with my mother, she asked me how many souvenirs I had bought. And really, I had a small envelope full of stickers and postcards. She asked if there were other things I had wanted. I told her yes, but I just wasn’t willing to spend the money. She reminded me that I should buy myself something. And so I started to. A book here and a shirt there. But it also meant buying myself extra cookies that I liked from a local bakery. While its great to stick to your meal plan, or to save money, it’s also important to not be hard on yourself when there’s something you want.

6.    You’ll need to entertain yourself.

I knew this ahead of time, but there was a pandemic happening. This meant I was not going to be able to participate in a lot of social activities that usually occur in parks. I made sure to download about ten movies, twenty books, and countless podcasts and songs before I left my house. I read through the books, some I had previously read, others were new,  by the time I returned home. I read when I couldn’t sleep at night, or when I wanted to sit and enjoy my lunch in the scenery. People weren’t as willing to socialize as I was used to, so I had to entertain myself. I also spent a great deal of time just reading my bible and journaling.

Just one of the many books I picked up on my trip and read.

7.    Allow yourself some downtime.

When I got home, a friend of mine asked what my favorite part of the trip was. I told him it was sleeping in the night I had booked myself a hotel in Moab. He commented on how strange that was, but I explained it. I had spent the previous week rushing through parks, trying to see everything, or preparing for my trip. I didn’t realize how much I truly needed a moment to just relax in a comfortable place. If you’re on a short trip, you might not need this, but I was gone for quite a while. Laying in a fresh bed, that was king size, after sleeping the backseat of my car felt luxurious. It felt even better when I had freshly showered and done my hair. 

Just some of the local things I saw in Moab. There’s a Wild sticker of mind if you look closely on the right.

8.    Be okay with plans changing.

I met up with my aunts halfway through my trip. I had booked a campground, and spent some money on it, but they insisted I stay with them. Of course, this was a welcome change to my plans, but I did have a few instances where what I wanted wasn’t going to happen. I had been planning to hike the Narrows in Zion National Park, and then two days before my trip an advisory was issued over the cyanobacteria in the river. That was a huge shift in plans, but I made do. The most important thing, is telling your people that your plans changed, so they’re not expecting your phone call at three, but you won’t have cell service until nine.

9. Ask people to take photos of you.

If I hadn’t done this, almost every photo was going to be a selfie. While the worst, is that really what you want to show to people ten years from now when you tell them about your trip?

10.  Enjoy yourself.

I was dealing with a lot when I went on this trip, but I continuously reminded myself that this was supposed to be a good trip, and I should be having fun. Sure, you will have moments of frustration, and your emotions will be all over the board, but you are going on a trip to have a good time. Allow yourself to.