Safety Tips for Solo Women Campers
Smart preparation and practical strategies to help you camp safely and confidently in Florida.
Let’s Talk About Safety
Safety is important, but it shouldn’t stop you from camping. The truth is, campgrounds — especially state and national parks — are statistically very safe places. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared.
This guide covers practical, non-fear-mongering safety strategies specifically for solo women camping in Florida. These are the things I actually do, not paranoid worst-case scenarios.
1. Campground Selection (Your First Line of Defense)
Choosing the right campground is the single most important safety decision you’ll make.
What to Look For:
Staffed Campgrounds
Choose parks with rangers or campground hosts on-site 24/7, especially for your first trips.
Good Reviews from Solo Women
Use the Solo Sojourn Trail app to see safety ratings specifically from other solo women campers.
Full Amenities
Campgrounds with bathhouses, water, and electricity tend to be better maintained and more populated.
Active Management
Florida State Parks and National Forests have regular ranger patrols and clear rules.
Cell Phone Coverage
Check coverage maps before you go. Not for Instagram — for emergencies.
Red Flags to Avoid:
Completely isolated primitive sites (save these for when you’re experienced)
Campgrounds with poor reviews about safety or management
Sites where you’d be the only camper (especially mid-week off-season)
Areas known for transient populations or illegal activity
No ranger presence or emergency contact
How to Research:
- Read recent reviews (within the last 6 months)
- Check the park’s Facebook page for updates
- Call the ranger station with questions
- Look for women-specific reviews
- Use the Solo Sojourn Trail app safety ratings
2. Preparation & Planning
The key to safety is preparation, not paranoia.
Share Your Itinerary
Tell a trusted friend or family member:
- Exact campground name and location
- Your site number (if assigned)
- Arrival and departure dates/times
- Check-in schedule you’ll follow
- Park emergency contact number
Set Up Check-Ins
Establish a check-in schedule:
- When you arrive
- Before bed each night
- Morning after waking
- When you leave
If they don’t hear from you, they know to contact the park.
Download Offline Maps
- Google Maps offline mode
- AllTrails offline maps
- Park maps PDF saved to phone
- Emergency contacts saved offline
Pack Safety Essentials
- Charged phone + power bank
- Whistle (louder than yelling)
- First aid kit
- Flashlight + extra batteries
- Weather radio or app
- Emergency contact card
3. On-Site Safety Practices
Once you arrive, these simple practices keep you safe.
Choosing Your Campsite:
🏕️ Near bathhouse/ranger
Convenience + visibility = safety
🏕️ Avoid isolated sites
Stay where others can see/hear you
🏕️ Good visibility
You want to see who’s approaching
🏕️ Near neighbors
Friendly neighbors are a safety net
Daily Safety Habits:
Lock your vehicle always (even at bathhouse)
Keep valuables out of sight
Don’t advertise that you’re alone
Stay aware of your surroundings
Trust your instincts
Keep your phone charged
4. Wildlife & Environmental Safety (Florida Edition)
Florida has unique wildlife and weather — here’s what you need to know.
Alligators
- Never approach or feed alligators
- Stay 30+ feet away
- Don’t swim where posted “No Swimming”
- Keep pets on leash away from water
- Be extra cautious dawn/dusk
- If one approaches, back away slowly
Snakes
- Most Florida snakes are harmless
- Watch where you step and sit
- Don’t reach into dark spaces
- Wear closed-toe shoes
- If bitten, call 911 immediately
Mosquitoes & Ticks
- Peak at dawn/dusk
- Use DEET repellent
- Wear long sleeves/pants
- Check for ticks daily
- Remove ticks properly with tweezers
Lightning
Florida is the lightning capital of the US:
- Seek shelter in hard-topped vehicle
- Never shelter under trees
- Wait 30 min after last thunder
Heat & Humidity
- Stay hydrated (drink before thirsty)
- Wear sun protection
- Take breaks in shade
- Watch for heat exhaustion symptoms
Sudden Rainstorms
- Florida afternoon storms are normal
- Have rain gear accessible
- Secure loose items
- They usually pass quickly
5. Emergency Preparedness
First Aid Essentials:
- Bandages and gauze
- Antibiotic ointment
- Pain relievers
- Antihistamine (Benadryl)
- Tweezers and scissors
- Moleskin for blisters
- Personal medications
- EpiPen (if allergies)
- Insect bite treatment
Emergency Contact Information:
Save these in your phone AND write them down:
- 911 (may not work in remote areas)
- Park ranger station non-emergency
- Park emergency contact
- Your emergency contact person
- Nearest hospital
- Poison control: 1-800-222-1222
6. Trust Your Instincts
If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
⚠️ Warning Signs:
- Someone repeatedly trying to approach you after you’ve declined conversation
- Campground is much emptier than expected
- Other campers seem intoxicated or rowdy
- You feel watched or followed
- Your gut is screaming “leave”
✓ What to Do:
- Don’t second-guess yourself
- Pack up and leave (you can forfeit the fee)
- Go to ranger station or campground host
- Drive to nearest public place if needed
- Call your emergency contact
- File a report with park rangers
Remember: Your safety is worth more than a camping fee or “not making a scene.”
The Balance Between Safe and Scared
Here’s the truth: Thousands of solo women camp safely every year. The goal isn’t to be paranoid — it’s to be prepared.
Most camping trips are wonderfully uneventful. You’ll meet friendly neighbors, enjoy peaceful nature, and come home with great stories. These safety tips are just insurance — things you know but probably won’t need.
The biggest risk isn’t camping — it’s letting fear stop you from living.