Solo campers seek calm in wild places
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Home for the night in the shadow of Broken Top. Photo: Kale Williams/Axios
Americans are taking more solo camping trips to get away from it all, and Portlanders have no shortage of options.
Why it matters: Depending on whom you ask, it's either another symptom of America's loneliness epidemic or it's a healthy YOLO move for people who just need a break.
The big picture: About 31% of campers in the U.S. went solo at least one night in 2024, according to a survey of more than 4,000 campers by The Dyrt, an app that helps people snag camping spots.
- That's up from 30% in 2023, 24% in 2022 and 19% in 2021.
- "We just keep seeing this go up, up, up," The Dyrt CEO Kevin Long tells Axios.
Between the lines: The pandemic may have sparked the solo camping boom.
- "During the pandemic, we all got good at doing things by ourselves and got good at getting creative at how to go have experiences," Long says.
- "I think that has just moved forward since then and has become a permanent thing in the ecosystem."
💠My thought bubble: Some of my favorite backpacking trips — the Canyon Creek Meadows Loop and a route encircling Broken Top, both in central Oregon — have been solo endeavors.
- Going solo offers a freedom you just can't get with other people — from hiking pace to meal planning to spontaneous side quests — you get to do what you want, when you want to.
- There's value in solitude as well. Sitting alone in a forest with only the sound of the wind in the trees is a privilege few get to enjoy.
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The other side: Going solo does have its drawbacks, though.
- There's no one there to go for help if you twist an ankle or if you just need someone to carry part of the food stash for a couple miles.
- And talking about your adventures with friends will never be the same as reliving them with someone who was there. The pictures will never do it justice.
If you go: There are also important safety precautions to take when adventuring by yourself.
- Make sure you know the area well and look at online reviews of the trail so you don't encounter any surprises.
- Always tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back, especially if cell service is unreliable.
- And always leave no trace.
The bottom line: Camping by yourself isn't for everyone, but it's been a source of solace and rejuvenation for me — and apparently I'm not alone.
- "Solo camping is just a massive reset button," Long said.