Backpacking Solo 101: How I Got Started (and What I Wish I Knew)
Solo backpacking the Lake Ann trail in August 2024.
The thought of solo backpacking used to terrify me — what if I got lost? What if I got hurt? What about animals like bears? The more time I spent in the outdoors, the more I realized how much I craved time alone in wild spaces. I still enjoy company but solo backpacking has always given me the opportunity to have the space to grow, reflect, and reset. More importantly, it has helped me feel more empowered to be able to venture out there alone.
Solo backpacking isn’t about proving anything, it is about being present. It’s about learning to trust yourself in the unknown and creating space to connect with nature on your own terms. It is about finding the quiet strength you didn’t know you had when you embark on a trail.
Whether you’re just starting to dream about it or you’re halfway through packing for your first trip, I hope this guide gives you the nudge, the tools, or the reassurance you need to give solo backpacking a try.
Backpacking solo in Joshua Tree National Park - I only hiked 2 miles to camp.
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How I Got Started with Solo Backpacking
My REI Quarter Dome SL 1 on the Chain Lakes Loop trail in the Mount Baker Wilderness.
My first attempt at solo backpacking was in 2020. I scored permits for Upper Crystal Lake in Mount Rainier National Park. Back then, getting permits was still as simple as checking a calendar on the official NPS website and emailing a ranger. It was a time before the lottery became a thing. I was excited and thought I had everything planned.
What I didn’t account for was the wave of anxiety that hit me as I got on the trail. I made it about a mile in before I turned around. Once I got cell service again, I called the ranger station, letting them know that I will no longer need my backcountry permit so that other folks can have it if they wish to.
At the time, I felt like a failure, but this experience taught me early on that listening to my gut is just as important as planning mileage or packing the right gear. There’s no shame in turning around if something doesn’t feel right—your instincts are part of your skillset, too.
Solo backpacking starts before you even step onto the trail. It begins with self-trust and experience.
Some of the best backpacking I did were solo backpacking trips. I especially love returning to the Mount Baker Wilderness because I somehow feel like that area is a place where I am most familiar with.
How I Picked My First Solo Backpacking Trip
Camping in the Goat Rocks Wilderness.
My first solo overnight wasn’t some epic 30-mile trek into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It was modest, intentional, and a little nerve-wracking. It took me two attempts at solo backpacking before I was able to venture out alone. I made the mistake of being too ambitious the first two times.
You know what they say though, third time’s a charm. I decided to head to the Chain Lakes Loop trail for my third attempt of solo backpacking.
Here’s why:
It was a popular and well-tracked trail. I was expecting to see a ton of people on the trail. I think one of the major things I get worried about when solo hiking is whether I will be completely alone or not. Being at a lake with a lot of people has helped me build confidence.
Below, I offer 11 tips on how you can get started on your first solo backpacking trip!
Start Small
Pick a Popular & Familiar Trail
Plan (But Stay Flexible)
Check Conditions Before You Go
Tell Someone Your Plan
Pack Light but Smart
Know Your Limits and Trust Your Gut!
Keep it Personal
Try Solo Hiking First
Try Solo Camping First
Bring Entertainment and Things that Comfort You
Backpacking Tips
Check out what I pack for a backpacking trip!
11 Tips for Getting Started on Your First Solo Backpacking Trip
Herman Saddle overlooking Mount Shuksan, August 2020
1. Start Small
Your first solo backpacking trip doesn’t have to be epic. Pick something well within your abilities. If you are generally comfortable hiking 6 miles then go for a trail that 6 miles or less. Choose a short and familiar trail or well-trafficked route potentially with a nearby campground or not super far away from a town. One or two nights is plenty to get your feet wet (and keep your nerves in check!).
2. Find a popular & Familiar Trail.
Picking a popular trail means you will rarely be alone. I picked the Chain Lakes Loop trail because it is well-established and I was fully aware that I will be hiking with a lot of people and I think this is important if you are going on your first solo backpacking trip. I think what' psyched me out the first couple of times I did the trip was because I was afraid that I would be the only one sleeping in a tent out there and that thought alone deterred me from going further.
3. Plan (but Stay Flexible)
Have a clear itinerary, check trail reports, and know where you’ll get water—but leave room for things to shift. Flexibility is a skill. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to change course or turn around.
4. Check Conditions Before You Go
For trail conditions, I love using Washington Trail Association (WTA) for their trip reports. Their website also gives detailed descriptions of what to expect on the trail. I also use AllTrails sometimes not for their mapping function but for the reviews as well. I think more people write quick trip reviews on AllTrails. Using both WTA and AllTrails hand in hand has helped me figure out what to expect on the trail.
I always use GaiaGPS to plan out my routes prior to the trip. Again, I don’t want any surprises. I like to learn about the distance, elevation gain, and potential water sources. This is also helpful when on the trail for navigation.
For weather conditions, I generally like to use NOAA. While the weather app on your phone might work, I find NOAA to find more accurate. With climate change, there is also an increased possibility of wildfires. I generally use InciWeb before I head out. NOAA will also provide you with the air quality index (AQI).
Know your limits, if the weather looks bad, think twice before going!
5. Tell Someone Your Plan
Always share your route, campsite, and return time with a trusted friend or family member. If you have one, bring a GPS device or satellite communicator like a Garmin InReach—it’s peace of mind in your pocket.
When I first started solo backpacking, I also preferred to backpack in national parks. This was obviously before I got Tex. It gave me the peace of mind because I obtained a backcountry permit and the rangers know where I am headed to.
6. Pack Light but Smart
You’ll be carrying everything on your own, so every ounce matters. Prioritize the 10 essentials for hiking.
Navigation: map, compass, GPS device, or navigation app (like Gaia GPS or AllTrails). Know how to use them and make sure they are available offline.
Headlamp (Plus Extra Batteries): always bring a reliable light source—even on day hikes. Your phone flashlight won’t cut it. I personally use a Black Diamond Storm 450 and the Petzl Tikka Core.
Sun Protection: sunglasses, sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and a wide-brim hat or UPF clothing. The sun is no joke!
First Aid: include basics like blister care, QuikClot gauze, blood, pain relievers, bandages, antiseptic wipes, and any personal medications.
Knife or Multi-tool: Useful for gear repairs, food prep, and emergencies. A lightweight multi-tool covers most needs.
Fire: Waterproof matches, a lighter, or a fire starter. Bonus points for carrying more than one method.
Shelter: For day hikes, this could be an emergency bivy sack or space blanket. For backpacking, your tent counts—but it’s still smart to carry an emergency backup. See my current sleep system set up.
Extra Food: Bring more than you think you’ll need—energy bars, trail mix, jerky, or dehydrated meals for overnight trips.
Extra Water (and a Way to Treat It): Carry enough water and always bring a filter, purifier, or treatment tablets. I personally use the Hydrapak water filter. I like this because it can be attached to different size pouches for diffreent use cases. I have used a BeFree Water Filter in the past and works just fine too! Bonus: electrolyte tabs or powders.
Extra Clothes: Think layers: rain jacket, insulating layer, dry socks, gloves. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Don’t forget comfort items—your favorite trail snack or a small journal can be surprisingly grounding.
7. Know Your Limits and Trust Your Gut!
If something feels off, listen. You’re not weak for turning around or choosing an easier route. Trusting your instincts is part of your strength. I have turned around two times before finally making it all the way for my backpacking trip. If your head is not in the right headspace, you won’t be enjoying the trip as much.
8. Keep It Personal
Don’t worry about what a “real” backpacker looks like. If solo backpacking for you means stopping often to take photos, journal, cry, swim in a lake—do that. This is your journey. I think living in the Pacific Northwest, we always feel inclined to do something really hard and hike to the most beautiful alpine lake. You are in control, so do whatever you want to do!
9. Try Solo Hiking First
I wouldn’t jump straight into a solo backpacking without hiking solo first. Solo hiking is different from hiking with other people. You are on your own and you need to be aware of that. The same things apply to solo hiking - start with something small and familiar then slowly build up by doing something more challenging. Solo hikes can help you preparing mentally what it’s like to do this kind of stuff alone.
10. Try Solo Camping
Solo camping will give you the closest experience to backpacking outside without the hiking portion. Sleeping out there alone in your tent at night is a completely different experience. During the day, you still have plenty of day hikers to keep you company but once the night hits, you are by yourself. Try solo camping at an established campground nearby. There are even some Washington state parks that have walk-in sites—these are good opportunities to ‘backpack’ to your site and sleeping under the stars by yourself.
The Washington State Parks website also has a good article on this and has a list of state parks that offer walk-in sites.
11. Bring entertainment and things that comfort you
You tend to have a lot of downtime once you make it to camp, especially when you are forced to get a super early start to beat the crowds. Bring something to keep you occupied. Also, find a spot where there are opportunities to do more exploring or maybe a lake where you can take a dip in! I like to bring a kindle or book. I also love bringing string lights (they’re heavy but worth it) to illuminate my camping area a little more. I’m not super afraid of the dark anymore but sometimes it feels a little different when you’re out in the wilderness.
String lights are heavy to pack but I love having them when I’m out camping.
Closing Thoughts
Solo backpacking isn’t always easy—but that’s part of what makes it so powerful. Every trip is a chance to grow your confidence, deepen your relationship with the outdoors, and learn to trust your own instincts.
Whether you’re still building up the courage to try it or you’ve already taken those first steps, I hope this post reminds you that you don’t have to be fearless—you just have to be willing. Nature has a way of meeting you exactly where you are. So pack your bag, check your map, and take that first step. You’ve got this—and you’re never really alone out there.
