Is it safe for a young woman to go camping all by herself?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was 22 I drove cross country by myself and slept at rest stops. I lived to tell the tale, though my mother wasn't pleased.

When I was 22 I rode my bike cross country and slept in a tent in the most random places.

I hope my kids don't do that to me. FTR, I'm a man.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a great idea. What ever you would save would not be worth sacrificing your safety.

[Anonymous]

Are you the one who wants to move to Appalachia?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think this is safe, and that people who are concerned about it probably don't have much experience with car camping.

There are plenty of campsites that are very popular during the summer. If you choose one of them, there will be tents with families in them 30 feet away from your tent in three different directions. They will see and hear you if you need help, and they would certainly hear a crime being committed. It would be a really stupid place to assault someone, since anything said louder than conversational voice can be heard by your neighbors.

[Anonymous]

This is what Cheryl Strayed said about being out in the wild on her own as a woman.

“I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me.”

Obviously you need to do what's best for you but I thought this was relevant.

[Anonymous]

If you are at a well-populated campground, I think it's plenty safe. Backcountry camping alone? No.

[Anonymous]

I feel safe camping solo - safer than at some of the seedy motels I've stayed at during my life. YMMV. It can be a hassle though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are at a well-populated campground, I think it's plenty safe. Backcountry camping alone? No.

I have never met anyone in the backcountry that was half as sketchy / scary as the folks I routinely meet in the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are at a well-populated campground, I think it's plenty safe. Backcountry camping alone? No.

I have never met anyone in the backcountry that was half as sketchy / scary as the folks I routinely meet in the city.

Setting aside the Deliverance issue, an inexperienced camper shouldn't be going solo backcountry camping. I don't particularly think experienced campers should either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are at a well-populated campground, I think it's plenty safe. Backcountry camping alone? No.

I have never met anyone in the backcountry that was half as sketchy / scary as the folks I routinely meet in the city.

Setting aside the Deliverance issue, an inexperienced camper shouldn't be going solo backcountry camping. I don't particularly think experienced campers should either.

I agree with you about inexperienced campers, so remote backcountry camping is not a great idea for the OP. For experienced backpackers I think there are lots of measures that can make it 'safe enough'. Sure going with someone else is even safer, but that's not always an option.

[Anonymous]

no way. not cross country.

here, shenandoah, sure if you dont go on any trail hikes. but absolutely not cross country you need to get hotel rooms!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think this is safe, and that people who are concerned about it probably don't have much experience with car camping.

There are plenty of campsites that are very popular during the summer. If you choose one of them, there will be tents with families in them 30 feet away from your tent in three different directions. They will see and hear you if you need help, and they would certainly hear a crime being committed. It would be a really stupid place to assault someone, since anything said louder than conversational voice can be heard by your neighbors.

yep, same experience. And rangers usually patrol quite often, we got busted several times for talking too loud during quite time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel safe camping solo - safer than at some of the seedy motels I've stayed at during my life. YMMV. It can be a hassle though.

Agree. This type of camping would be very safe. However, you probably wouldn't save much money.

[Anonymous]

only at car campgrounds. they tend to be heavily populated with retirees and families during the summer. i'd be far more worried about the drive betwen parks, especially out west. you can go for miles on two lanes roads without much of anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was 22 I drove cross country by myself and slept at rest stops. I lived to tell the tale, though my mother wasn't pleased.

I wouldn't do this. My cousins best friend was murdered at the rest area on 64 west in between RIchmond and Williamsburg, the murder is unsolved and Patricia Cornwell wrote a book about it.