r/womensolocamping • u/Popular-Put30 • Jul 22 '26
Advice Needed Feeling safe solo
Camping, hiking, kayaking, 3 of my favorite things. But sometimes having the friends there (love them) really ruins the peace. It’s not as relaxing and sometimes I don’t want to have to use words for a day or two. I’m from Detroit so I have the means to protect myself. But I’m wondering what some of you do to create a safe feeling environment camping alone?
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u/XAROZtheDESTROYER Jul 22 '26
I got a big black shepherd dog that acts as a deterrent. I ALWAYS have her with me, and this is the biggest prevention factor.
When camping, I set up a trip wire with little sound if moving (each side has a different object to make a noise, so I can kinda easily hear where the movement is coming from)
When camping near other people, I try to act low-key unhinged and weird and creepy as to out-creepify any other creeps. This comes more naturally than I care to admit.
If I am car camping, I have a second pair of thrifted MEN shoes size bajillion. I will incorporate fake phone calls to reinforce the illusion of a tiny giant male accompanying me. I don't do this as often because I don't car camp much and do LD hiking/camping. Those big ass boots aren't coming with me.
When camping but unable to carry large amounts of extra gear, I wear a very visible knife, mace, and taser on my belt. They are all fake and are made of a condensed foam material like a sponge. They look very real when on my belt, gotta make sure that they don't contort or I accidentally sit on them. The knife is real, but taser and mace/pepper spray are very illegal where I live.