Solo travel can feel intimidating at first, but exploring a national park on your own can be incredibly rewarding. In this post, I’ll share practical tips to plan your first solo adventure while staying mindful and confident in nature.
Choose the Right National Park for Your First Trip
Pick a park that matches your experience level and interests. For your first solo trip, smaller or less crowded parks can make it easier to navigate trails and enjoy the scenery without feeling overwhelmed. If possible, choose a park that is close to home. If you’re already familiar with and have navigated the area or state before, it removes the stress of getting around the vicinity of the park.
Plan Your Itinerary Carefully
Start with 1 or 2 short hikes, easy to park at overlooks where you can practice mindfulness or take in the scenery, and where you’ll take rest stops. Download the NPS app – it will help you see where the visitor centers, restrooms and major landmarks are located. Download offline maps to your phone for when you find yourself in rugged places. Start small with your first visit – you can always go back and add more sights to future trips!
Prepare Your Gear and Safety Essentials
Depending on how you plan to visit (day trips, camping, backpacking or staying at local lodging), that will impact what gear you’ll need for your trip. Every trip should include the Ten Essentials. Additionally, for solo travelers, I highly recommend looking into how you’ll stay in contact with someone back home while out in the wilderness. I personally carry a Garmin messenger on all my trips. Safety is always a worthy investment.
Reflect and Celebrate Your Adventure
More tips are coming here in the days to come, but every successful trip should end with grounding and reflection. At the end of your hike, take a few quiet moments to reflect on your journey. Celebrate the little victories — reaching a viewpoint, spotting wildlife, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment alone in nature. Journaling or snapping a few photos can help you remember your experience and inspire your next adventure.