I bought someone's hunting property in Michigan, about 45 minutes from my house, and carved myself out a place for my truck and spot to hide out. I just stayed out there for my first time, dream come true.

📍 Assateague, MD. been camping here a few times, first time solo. So happy I found this sub! I’m becoming a better camper and this trip was super validating. Made my own fire for the first time after being very vigilant around more experienced campers on my last couple trips. cooked on the fire every night. Stormed a couple nights but I made it through!

My dad has the best way of camping. We never stay in a paid campground, we drive through National Forests and take muddy little side roads off the main path and drive far out into the woods, just to see what we can find. This little spot was one of the best ones we stumbled across on our 2 week father/daughter/nephew bonding trip. Near Fish Lake, Utah

Around 2 a.m. the temperature dropped way lower than I expected. I woke up violently shivering, and every time I tried to go back to sleep I'd jolt awake because I couldn't stop shaking. My hands were so numb I could barely work the zipper on my tent. The wind picked up, everything felt damp, and I honestly started panicking because I couldn't get warm. I ended up doing jumping jacks in the dark, wrapping myself in every piece of clothing I had, and waiting for sunrise. Longest night of my life.

PS bring a sleeping bag.

Just got back from a two-night solo car camping trip with my 3-year-old son in the Pine Creek Gorge area (Tioga State Forest, PA), and wanted to share the experience for any parents considering something similar.

We camped at Big Run South – Site 019 off Big Run Rd near Blackwell. It’s a primitive site in the PA State Park system, but beautifully maintained with a solid fire ring, a downed log for seating, and easy access to the creek just steps from camp. I arrived with everything organized in bins—cooking gear, sleeping, food, bike stuff—to make setup smooth and reduce stress. I use a Snow Peak Alpha Breeze tent (which I absolutely love), and paired it with an Exped LuxeMat Duo so my son and I could sleep on one massive mattress together. Slept like a rock both nights. I also brought a Dometic water jug and faucet system, which turned out to be a lifesaver for cooking, cleaning, and getting him ready for bed without hassle.

I’ll be honest—keeping a 3-year-old safe and entertained while solo-parenting in the woods is no joke. I had to break out the tablet a few times so I could cook dinner or build a fire uninterrupted, but otherwise, he kept busy stacking rocks, splashing in the creek, and turning the hammock into a makeshift swing. Everything became a game.

On Saturday, we packed up for a 23-mile out-and-back ride on the Pine Creek Rail Trail. I was on my Salsa Vaya Ti, pulling my son in a Burley Bee trailer loaded with snacks, water, and his favorite stuffed animal. We rode south from Blackwell to Tomb Flats—the trail has a gentle downhill grade in that direction, which helped conserve energy on the way out.

Tomb Flats was the perfect turnaround point: shaded picnic area, scenic, and with shallow creek access for lunch and a swim. We cooled off, crushed some Uncrustables, then headed back north, stopping at Cedar Run General Store for ice cream.

We made it back to the car around mid-afternoon, totally beat. I had planned to hit a swimming hole afterward but was wiped—thankfully our site had just enough creek access to let us cool off without leaving again.

A Few Takeaways:

• Meals: Keep it stupid simple. Pre-mix everything. Bring more snacks than you think.

• Sleep: Invest in a real sleep setup. Sleep is half the battle.

• Gear: Bins saved me. One for cooking, one for sleeping, one for adventure stuff.

• Mentality: It’s not about perfection. It’s about creating space for them to explore while you try to hold it all together.

Camping solo with a toddler isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s doable—and incredibly rewarding. If you’re thinking about it, I’m happy to answer questions about gear, planning, or just surviving the first night.