MINNEAPOLIS — By his record, Bear Paulsen has spent about 500 nights alone in the wild. These include winter outings and backpacking trips. The Minnesotan has even shouldered through a marathon canoe trip on his own — he was out 139 days.
Adelaide Miron is comparatively new to lone travel. The Macalester College student has found solace on the Superior Hiking Trail along the North Shore, among her other go-to spots.
Still, they share a similar message to people interested in a form of camping that is in vogue: Going solo is an adventurous and uniquely invigorating experience worth a try.
A growing number of adventure-seekers are joining Paulsen and Miron, alone in the wilderness: Pitchup.com, a global outdoors reservation platform, reported a 39% increase in solo campers in 2025 from the previous year. That surge of interest mimicked reports by others, like the popular Dyrt camping app, which follows participation trends.
Paulsen and Miron also share many of the same motivations, including self-reliance and self-care, and the rewards of connecting with nature.
“I feel the greatest sense of awe and gratitude for this wonderful world when I’m alone,” said Paulsen, general manager of Northstar Canoes in Princeton, Minn.
“The silence is all pervasive,” added Paulsen, “which ensures seeing more wildlife and more of yourself, too.”
Miron said her trips are contemplative and cleansing.
“Purging [social media] for three simple days makes you think about the things that you reach for in society now,” she added.
Paulsen and Miron were among the Minnesota Star Tribune readers who were asked to tell us about their solo camping experiences, why they went, and the lessons they’ve learned.
“My biggest tip is, go,” Paulsen added. “And don’t be afraid.”
Here are more tips from contributors, edited and condensed:
Embrace the solitude
"Be ready to enjoy favorite solo pastimes and embrace who you really are without the influence of others in your life. It’s a blessing to appreciate nature while learning to appreciate yourself."
— Kari Prescott, Minneapolis
"The hardest part is getting out the door. You might get nerves beforehand or you might feel FOMO if there’s something else going on. You might even feel self-conscious choosing to be a loner for a couple of days rather than hanging out with friends or family. Try your best to ignore any doubts, and once you hit the road you won’t have any regrets"
— Stephen Troiano, Minneapolis
"The combination of quiet and being left with your own thoughts sometimes closes in on people. Take a one- or two-day trip to see what it’s like."
— Michael Thompson, Minneapolis
Believe in yourself
"Be well-prepared and believe in your own ability to subsist. Being alone in the woods demands your own self-reliance."
— Derek Swart, Buffalo, Minn.
"Leave the guilt behind. It’s OK to do something for yourself, and this is a perfect opportunity to do so."
— Michael Thompson
Slow down
"Take your time, be calm and careful! Do not make any rash decisions because you’re alone."
— Glenn Adams, Champlin
"I tell myself to slow down, because if I chop off a toe doing something dumb with a hatchet, it’s a long ways to hobble out. … Slowing down also means knowing you don’t have to be anywhere, accommodate someone else’s schedule, or push the miles to prove anything. It’s a more relaxing way to experience the wilderness."
— Matt Noyes, Eden Prairie
Feel safe, stay safe
"I enjoy state park camping because the sites are close enough together that I always feel safe. I check in with the camp host when I arrive at my site, and I know that my car is steps away if I begin to feel uneasy or unsafe (which has never happened!)."
— Alexandra Jacob, Richfield
"As a solo female traveler, it can feel scary to be alone. I bring my stun gun and pepper spray. [Editor’s note: Stun guns are legal in Minnesota, although their use is restricted.] I also keep a small hatchet in my camp gear. Initially you should camp at popular campgrounds with lots of people until you get more comfortable with yourself. Trust your gut."
— Holly Oehme, Minneapolis
"The old adage ‘In wilderness, one mistake won’t kill you, but several will’ applies. Recognize when you’ve made one, and stop and think through options."
— Mikkel Beckman, Minneapolis
"Always have someone know where you are and your plans. And remember that bear spray works on people, too."
— Lynn Piper, Duluth
"The majority of my solo trips have been with satellite communicators. It always pays to be more careful when traveling alone, regardless of whether you have an emergency button or not."
— Bear Paulsen, Chisago City
Lonely is OK
"If it’s your first time, prepare to feel lonely or bored. It takes getting used to, but there’s a particular feeling that’s hard to describe when you place yourself in a position void of the influence of people around you."
— AJ Fisher, St. Paul
"Let yourself get bored. Don’t go out there just to take pictures on your phone. Maybe don’t even bring a book. Just sit down and look around for a long time. It’s likely that the woods haven’t been looked at in that way ever, so maybe they’ll show you something."
— Adelaide Miron, St. Cloud