Getting over the fear of camping alone is a major rite of passage for many backpackers. I think we all get a little pensive about the noise we hear around our campsites at night. Here are 10 easy ways to put that fear behind you if you find you need or want to camp alone.
1. Camp in a Hammock
Animals have no idea what a hammock is and won’t go near one, especially with you snoring inside.
2. Spread Mountain Lion Scat Around Your Campsite
You can buy Mountain Lion Scat at Home Depot. It’s designed to scare away deer and nuisance animals like raccoons and other small mammals. Just don’t use it in an area that actually has a mountain lion population. Otherwise, you might encounter a territorial mountain lion looking for a fight or a she mountain lion looking for a mate.
3. Bring Rex The Guard Dog
Rex The Guard Dog is a motion-sensitive barking dog alarm that you can set up at your campsite. If an animal, creature of the night, or a zombie approaches your tent, Rex will start barking loudly and scare them off. Although, this might not be such a great idea in Grizzly country where the bears bark back.
4. Use a Liquid Fence
Certain smells repel animals. For example, bears don’t like the smell of bleach so you could spray it all around your campsite if you’re afraid of them. You can also buy general-purpose liquid or dry animal repellents for deer and other mammals.
5. Tell All Your Friends How Easy It’s Going to Be
Are you one of those people that brag to their friends about how easy something is going to be, only to discover that you’re scared shitless when you try? Suck it up. You have a reputation to maintain. You’ll never live it down unless you spend the entire night alone in your tent.
6. Watch All of Jerry Lewis’s Movies on Your Smartphone
Before you go camping, download all of Jerry Lewis’s comedy movies to your smartphone. Watch them all when you’re camping and afraid to go to sleep. You’ll be so flabbergasted by what passed for humor in the 1960’s and 1970’s that you’ll forget you were ever afraid to camp alone. Don’t know who Jerry Lewis is? That’s no great loss.
7. Camp In Your Backyard
When you told your friends that you were going to camp alone, you might have neglected to tell them that you planned to do it in your backyard.
8. Bring Your Dog
Your dog will be so freaked out that you’re freaked out, that you’ll spend all night comforting him until you fall asleep because you’re so tired. By then, your concern will be for your dog’s welfare, not your own.
9. Make it Cozy
If you’re going to camp out, you might as well make it really cozy. Wear your favorite PJ’s and bring all your stuffed animals to “camp” with you. Stock up on comfort food and hard liquor for roughing it. By the time you pass out from the drink, you won’t be afraid.
10. Bring Your Car Key Fob
Don’t know what that strange sound is beyond your tent walls. Is it animals or someone creeping around? If you want to scare them off, hit the panic button on your car’s keyfob. The loud alarm and flashing lights should scare them off.
How Did you Get over Your Fear of Camping Alone?
Comment below.
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our affiliate links. Help us continue to test and write unsponsored and independent gear reviews, beginner FAQs, and free hiking guides.
