Solo camping has increased significantly for the second consecutive year. According to The Dyrt’s 2024 Camping Report presented by The All-New Toyota Tacoma, 29.8% of campers experienced solo camping for at least one night in 2023.
Sarah Smith, the founder of The Dyrt, explained that most people’s first camping experience is typically a group outing with friends or family. However, she highlighted that as campers become more seasoned and realize they can handle it solo, camping alone becomes a real possibility.
“There’s a certain peace and tranquility that can only be found when alone with nature. It’s powerful, and more and more campers are tapping into that,” Smith said.
According to a press release, the number of solo campers has risen from 18.8% in 2021 to 24% in 2022 and nearly 30% last year. Additionally, many members of The Dyrt community have shared their reasons for choosing solo camping, from embarking on solo cross-country trips to simply seeking a respite from daily life.
One camper, Miccal M. from Vermont, shared the benefits of camping alone. “Camping alone gives me the time to meditate and reflect on my life and what I am doing. There is nothing like sitting next to a fire in the woods to help look inward and see if you need to adjust paths,” Miccal said.
Another camper, Adam R. from Colorado, finds solo camping an adventure. He enjoys the solitude and the challenge of being self-supported.
“I take a semi-annual, long-weekend trip to an area near Canyonlands National Park in Utah, covering many miles driving new-to-me forest service roads and 4×4 trails. Campfires and stargazing at night, sunrises and hearty breakfasts in the mornings,” Adam said.
The rise in solo camping also correlates with a significant increase in free camping. In 2023, nearly two-thirds of campers (65.8%) camped for free, up from 47.5% in 2021. Additionally, solo campers were 36% more likely to have camped for free at some point in the year.
To enhance the camping experience, The Dyrt PRO membership offers several benefits for solo campers. For an annual fee of $36, members can access special features that enhance safety and confidence while exploring the outdoors alone.
These features include information on 5,000 drive-in accessible free camping locations, offline maps, overnight parking spots, and details on cell service, along with discounts on camping and alerts for securing reservations at sold-out campgrounds.
Topaz G. from Pennsylvania, used The Dyrt extensively while on a six-week solo road trip across the U.S. last fall. Topaz found the app invaluable in finding suitable camping spots.
To learn more about The Dyrt’s 2024 Camping Report, visit their website here.