The Dyrt found that solo camping continues to trend upward. In 2023, 29.8% of campers camped alone at least one night, according to The Dyrt’s 2024 Camping Report presented by The All-New Toyota Tacoma.
“Almost everybody’s very first camping experience is a group outing with friends or family,” said The Dyrt founder Sarah Smith. “But once you become a seasoned camper and realize you can handle it solo, enjoying the great outdoors 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.”
The number of solo campers has steadily risen from 18.8% in 2021 and 24% in 2022 to nearly 30% last year. Members of The Dyrt community have indicated many reasons for camping alone, from embarking on solo cross-country trips to a simple desire to get away from it all.
“I don’t always camp alone, but when I do it is because I like the respite from being around others,” said The Dyrt camper Miccal M. of Vermont. “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 inwards and see if you need to adjust paths.”
When traveling or camping alone, The Dyrt helps get campers where they need to be, the company said, and, more importantly, where they want to be. “I used The Dyrt extensively while solo road tripping and car camping around the U.S. for six weeks last fall,” said The Dyrt camper Topaz G. of Pennsylvania. “It was invaluable.”
“I camp alone because I enjoy the solitude and the adventure of finding my way 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,” said Adam R. of Colorado.
The steady rise in solo camping directly correlates with the significant rise in free camping. Nearly two-thirds of campers (65.8%) camped for free in 2023, which was up from 47.5% in 2021. Those who camped alone in 2023 were 36% more likely to have camped for free at some point in the year.