My Framer Site

Types of Camping

essential gear

Food, Water, and Fire

physical safety

Leave No Trace

Campsite selection

setting up camp

leave with confidence

scroll to begin

campfire questions for her first solo adventure

spacer

scroll

spacer

There are many ways to camp, but for your first solo trip, the two most relevant options are Front country and Backcountry. Each requires different levels of preparation, skill, and comfort with risk. You must have the specific skills for the terrain you choose.

Chapter 01 - Types of camping

comfort

Choose your

zone

text move

First-Aid Training

is Important.

Basic first aid and CPR training is a great place to start and covers most situations. Organizations like the American Red Cross offer widely available courses.

Link to American red cross

Backcountry

Pros

Access to beautiful, quiet places most people never see

More solitude and distance from others

Easier access to services in case of emergency

Extremely rewarding to learn self-sufficiency

Considerations

Far from services in case of emergency

Carrying all gear can be physically challenging

Takes time to master skills

Fire restrictions are common

Backcountry camping involves hiking to designated campsites in remote areas or camping where dispersed camping is allowed. These sites are spread out and lack amenities such as running water, toilets, or trash collection.

It requires more skill and experience, including navigation, water purification, wilderness first aid, and carrying everything you need in your pack. The most common type is backpacking. You carry all your gear in a backpack and hike to a campsite, often with a permit.

Front Country

Front country camping means driving to an established campground and parking at your campsite, and is normally best for beginners or first-timers.

They typically offer amenities such as toilets, running water, trash cans, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, camp stores, and sometimes showers or laundry. Sites are closer together, and many require reservations and fees.

The most common type is car camping. You load your car with gear, drive to a campsite, and pitch a tent or sleep in your car.

Pros

Having lots of people around can help you feel safe

Amenities are helpful if you aren’t interested in roughing it

Easier access to services in case of an emergency

Fire pits and designated tent areas. Fire pits mean s'mores. Lots of s'mores.

Considerations

Less solitude and more noise

Crowded campgrounds can take away from experience

Lower barrier to entry

Drive-up access

More amenities

spacer

01.1

What you carry matters because it directly affects your safety, comfort, confidence, and decision-making outdoors. Whether you’re car camping or backpacking, your gear should prepare you to spend at least one unexpected night outside.

Chapter 02 - essential gear

Carry What

supports

you

text move

What to carry

The Ten Essentials are the bare minimum items designed to help outdoor adventurers survive an emergency overnight.

You should always carry these, regardless of camping style.

bare minimum items

Hover to learn more

essential”

The “11th

While not officially part of the list, a personal locator beacon (PLB) is one of the most important safety tools for solo female campers. A PLB allows you to send an SOS signal via satellite without cell service and transmits your exact location to search and rescue.

spacer

hover move

spacer

text move

spacer

variable switchout

scrolling

spacer

While being fashionable is important,

staying dry and warm is arguably more important, but it’s easy . to do both.

THe layering system

Base layer

Moisture-wicking, next to skin (synthetic or merino wool, never cotton)

spacer

text 1

spacer

text 2

spacer

transition

layer one

spacer

layer two

spacer

layer three

spacer

Your shoes affect comfort, balance, and how tired you get, so it’s important to find a pair that fits you

that doesn’t mean you need to drop a ton of money on the latest and greatest

spacer

text 1

spacer

text 2

spacer

Boots will offer you the best support for heavy packs and rough terrain,

While approach shoes (hiking sneakers) are lighter & less fatiguing, but have less ankle support.

Finally, you’ll probably want a pair of “camp shoes” or sandals after a full day outside to let your feet and boots breathe.

spacer

boots 1

boot illustration1

boot illustration 2

boot illustration 3

boot illustration 4

boot illustration 5

boot illustration 6

boot illustration 7

spacer

shoes 2

boot illustration1

boot illustration 2

boot illustration 3

boot illustration 4

boot illustration 5

boot illustration 6

boot illustration 7

spacer

sandals

boot illustration1

boot illustration 2

boot illustration 3

boot illustration 4

boot illustration 5

boot illustration 6

boot illustration 7

spacer

A good

backpack

CARRIES

WEIGHT

CLOSE TO

YOUR BODY

& CENTERED

OVER YOUR

HIPS

spacer

SCROLL

text appear

spacer

Hip belt should be centered over hip bones; tighten first.

Shoulder straps should feel snug, and not bear weight.

Finally, the stabilizer straps will bring pack close to your body.

spacer

transition

text appear

spacer

transition

spacer

transition

spacer

text move

The food you bring, how you store it, and the way you manage water and fire directly affect your energy, safety, and comfort on a solo trip. Planning meals, preparing for wildlife, and keeping warm in fall conditions will help you stay fueled, focused, and confident outdoors.

This section is about planning nourishment that works with your environment, protecting wildlife, and using heat responsibly.

Chapter 03 - Food, water, and fire

and

Fuel yourself

stay warm

SECTION

Food and Meal Prep

Your body runs on three macronutrients

and getting the balance right keeps you energized, warm, and feeling good out there.

Carbs

The easiest food for the body to convert into energy, carbs should constitute most of the calories. Think of carbohydrates as the main “fuel food” to keep your body functioning most efficiently.

pasta

Protein

nuts

Fats

peanut butter

spacer

text appear

container appear

spacer

Dinner

Breakfast

A canister stove is the most practical choice for solo camping — lightweight, easy to use, and no fire-building required. Screw it onto the fuel canister and you're set.

Estimate about 1 liter of water per hot meal...

How much fuel to bring:

Coffee & Tea

plus a little more for coffee or tea of course.

Also, remember to

Factor in your stove's efficiency, then add a buffer for cold or windy conditions.

Run at ¾ flame — more efficient, still effective

Keep a backup ignition source (lighter and matches)

Never cook inside your tent (carbon monoxide and fire risk are real)

Cook with a lid and windscreen to conserve fuel

spacer

text move

You've worked too hard to get here to let a curious animal ruin your trip - or worse, get habituated to human food and become a problem bear down the line. Proper food storage isn't paranoia. It's stewardship.

When animals associate campsites with snacks, they start seeking people out. A "fed bear" often ends up relocated or euthanized. Your granola bar is not worth that. Here's how to keep everyone safe.

Food (obviously)

Toothpaste, deodorant, lotions

Feminine hygiene products

Trash (even empty wrappers)

Anything with a scent

After you cook, wash your hands and dishes thoroughly. Dispose of wastewater at least 200 feet from camp and water sources.

Bears, raccoons, skunks, and rodents can smell through tents, packs, and plastic bags. If it smells, it goes in storage — not in your sleeping area.

Never store these inside your tent.

Food (obviously)

Toothpaste, deodorant, lotions

Feminine hygiene products

Trash (even empty wrappers)

Anything with a scent

spacer

beginning text

pos. 1

spacer

texttransiton

pos 2

spacer

pos 3

spacer

The gold standard

Bear Canisters

Hard-sided bear canisters are the most effective way to store food in the backcountry — and in many high-use areas, they're required by law. They're bulky and add weight (about 2–3 lbs), but they work. Many parks and ranger stations rent or loan canisters if you don't want to buy one. If you're heading into designated bear country, check ahead — you may not have a choice, and that's a good thing.

During the day, keep perishables in coolers or locked vehicles.

At night, use bear-proof lockers if the campground provides them — they're built for this and they work.

If a canister isn't required and you're comfortable with the technique: You can hang a bear bag instead.

spacer

How to hang a bear bag

Find a sturdy branch at least 15 feet off the ground, ideally on a tree away from your tent.

15 ft

Toss a rope or cord over the branch. Tie your food bag to one end.

Attach a twig to the rope using a clove hitch knot so it can be used as a jam stick.

Hoist the bag so it hangs at least 10–15 feet off the ground and 4 feet away from the trunk (so bears can't reach it by climbing or standing).

A fed bear is a dead bear.

Why?

A poorly hung bag is an invitation. Bears are smart, persistent, and strong. If the bag is too low, too close to the trunk, or not secured well, they'll figure it out.

spacer

How much water to bring

Plan for 1–2 gallons per person per day.

Daily drinking

Hot weather, high elevation, or big miles? Bring more.

Extra for exertion

Three ways to make water safe

Camping near a reliable water source? You can carry less - as long as you have a way to treat it.

Natural water

Add another 0.75–1 liter of hot water per meal if you're cooking dehydrated food or making coffee.

Don’t forget cooking water

most reliable

Boiling

Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute. At high elevation (above 6,500 ft), boil for 3 minutes. No gear is required except your stove, which will work every single time.

fast + convenient

Filtering

Pump or squeeze filters remove bacteria and protozoa instantly. They're great for drinking on the move. Just keep the clean side clean - cross-contamination is the main risk.

lightweight backup

Chemical Treatment

Tablets or drops (like chlorine dioxide) are tiny, cheap, and effective. But, you have to wait 30 min - 4 hr depending on the product and water temperature. Read the instructions.

spacer

Use treated water for

everything, not just

cooking, brushing teeth,

and washing dishes…

all of it.

And wash your hands thoroughly before you handle food. Most backcountry stomach bugs don't come from the stream. They come from dirty hands touching trail mix.

spacer

water text

water fill

spacer

all

spacer

The gross stuff

For Solid waste: Dig a cathole 6–8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites. Bury waste, cover it completely. In high-use or sensitive areas (alpine zones, desert), you may be required to pack it out entirely, and you must pack out toilet paper and hygiene products always. This is non-negotiable.

For urine, it is generally fine to disperse on durable surfaces (rocks, gravel) away from camp and water. Avoid peeing directly on vegetation in fragile ecosystems.

spacer

water text

spacer

water fill

On your period? don’t worry! YOu’ve got options

Disposable products (tampons, pads):

Bring more than you think you'll need. Non-applicator tampons create less waste. Pack them in a clearly labeled "fresh supplies" bag, and designate a second sealed bag for used products.

Menstrual cups

Period underwear

spacer

options 1

options 2

spacer

options 3

options 4

spacer

options 5

options 6

spacer

Cramps and comfort

Stay hydrated.

Light stretching can help

Pack extra pain relief.

spacer

options 1

options 2

options 3

spacer

“But I heard that menstrual blood attracts bears!”

Wildlife concerns

The myth that menstrual blood attracts bears has been debunked. That said, any scented waste can attract curious animals, so store the used menstrual bag with your other scented items at night - in a bear canister, bear locker, or hung bear bag. When you get home, dispose of everything properly - don't leave it in a trailhead trash can if you can help it.

Finally, your hands probably aren’t as clean as you think. Make sure you are washing and sanitizing them regularly to avoid infection or contamination when handling your food.

spacer

part 2

spacer

glass

bottles

Tin

cans

Dirty

diapers

orange

Designate a trash pocket in your pack before you leave. Bring a small bag for food scraps and a separate one for hygiene waste. Carry a pair of lightweight gloves if handling other people's trash bothers you (it will).

Treat cleanup as part of the experience, not an afterthought. You're not just a visitor here — you're a steward.

That apple core you tossed? It'll outlast your memory of the trip.

Burning

Burning trash doesn't solve the problem. It releases toxins, damages soil, and leaves behind charred remnants that animals will still investigate.

Food scraps

Even biodegradable ones like fruit peels - take far longer to break down than you'd think. And while they're sitting there, they attract animals, alter feeding behavior, and teach wildlife to associate campsites with food.

2 years

mean harmless.

"Organic" doesn't

450 years

50 years

1 million years

spacer

text appear

spacer

scrolling

spacer

50 years

food scraps

450 years

burning

1 million years

last text

Leave No Trace is a set of minimum-impact guidelines developed in 1994 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to protect wilderness, access, and public lands.

The Leave No Trace principles are not just rules - they’re a mindset centered on respect: for the land, for wildlife, and for other people.

Chapter 05 - Leave no trace

Leave the

Land

better

section

When trails erode,

campsites spread,

waste piles up,

wildlife relies on human snacks

When trails erode,

campsites spread,

waste piles up,

wildlife relies on human snacks

When trails erode,

campsites spread,

waste piles up,

wildlife relies on human snacks

Why Leave No Trace matters

Wild places don't belong to any of us - they belong to all of us. And honestly? That access is a privilege, not a guarantee.

spacer

Why Leave No Trace matters

Leave No Trace isn't about following rules because someone told you to. It's about showing respect: for the land, for the animals who actually live there, and for the people who'll visit after you.

Every trip leaves a mark. The goal is to make yours as light as possible.

spcaer

These aren't arbitrary. They're based on decades of research into how human impact actually affects ecosystems. Think of them as the group project rules — except the group is everyone who ever wants to camp here.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

Proper planning protects you and the environment. Know the regulations, expected conditions, and skills required for your trip. Prepare for extreme weather and emergencies. Schedule trips to avoid peak use. Repackage food to minimize waste. Use maps and GPS to avoid cairns or marking trails.

Why it matters: Poor planning leads to resource damage, unsafe situations, and a degraded experience for everyone.

spcaer

The rule

Use durable surfaces

established

campsites,

trails,

rock,

gravel,

dry grass,

or snow.

spcaer

spacer

scroll

text 1

campsites

trails

rock

gravel

dry grass

snow

line

Leave No Trace is a set of minimum-impact guidelines developed in 1994 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to protect wilderness, access, and public lands.

The Leave No Trace principles are not just rules - they’re a mindset centered on respect: for the land, for wildlife, and for other people.

Chapter 05 - Leave no trace

Leave the

Land

better

section

When trails erode,

campsites spread,

waste piles up,

wildlife relies on human snacks

When trails erode,

campsites spread,

waste piles up,

wildlife relies on human snacks

When trails erode,

campsites spread,

waste piles up,

wildlife relies on human snacks

Why Leave No Trace matters

Wild places don't belong to any of us - they belong to all of us. And honestly? That access is a privilege, not a guarantee.

spacer

Why Leave No Trace matters

Leave No Trace isn't about following rules because someone told you to. It's about showing respect: for the land, for the animals who actually live there, and for the people who'll visit after you.

Every trip leaves a mark. The goal is to make yours as light as possible.

spcaer

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

Why it matters: Poor planning leads to resource damage, unsafe situations, and a degraded experience for everyone.

spcaer

The rule

Use durable surfaces

established

campsites,

trails,

rock,

gravel,

dry grass,

or snow.

spcaer

spacer

scroll

text 1

campsites

trails

rock

gravel

dry grass

snow

line

You know how to camp. Now let's find you a place to do it. Use this tool to explore campsites near you—or anywhere you want to go. Filter by experience level, camping type, and amenities, then see exactly what each site offers: reservation links, rules, beginner tips, and what to expect when you arrive.

Planning doesn't have to be overwhelming. It can actually be the exciting part.

Chapter 06 - Campsite selection

Site

Selection

section

Explore popular trips

Viewing Front country

View Backcountry

Confidence Level

All Filters

100 mi

50 mi

20 mi

All Filters

Length

0 mi

Any

Activities

Swimming

Hiking

Good Stargazing

Birding

Fishing

Climbing

Accessibility

ADA accessible

Short walk-in (<0.5 mi)

Paved access

Permit requirements

No permit required

Advance reservation required

Day-of permit okay

Site features

Fire ring provided

Picnic table

Bear locker

Tent platform

Running water

Electric hookups

Dogs allowed

Route type

Out-and-back

Point to point

Loop

Popularity

Light

Moderate

Heavy

Show sites

Cancel

Cosby Campground

Cosby, Tennessee • Beginner-Friendly • $17.50/night • 52 miles from you

Quiet, wooded campground on the less-visited northeast side of the Smokies. Drive-up sites with plenty of privacy and easy access to hiking trails. Perfect for your first solo trip.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Paved road all the way to campground (2WD vehicles fine)

Active bear area. Store all food and scented items in your vehicle at night.

Spotty to none (Verizon occasionally works at entrance, not at sites)

2,460 feet - nights are cool, even in summer. Bring warm layers.

Allowed in provided fire rings only. Check for bans before your trip.

Open late March through October (weather-dependent)

Emergency

Weather

Booking

Rules & Regulations

Directions

Overview

About This Campground:

Cosby is the quietest developed campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tucked into the northeast corner, it sees far fewer visitors than Cades Cove or Elkmont, making it ideal for solo campers who want solitude without total isolation.

The campground has 157 sites spread across four loops (A, B, C, D). Most sites are well-shaded by hardwoods and have good privacy screening. You'll hear neighboring campers occasionally, but it doesn't feel crowded.

Sites Include:

Picnic table

Fire ring with cooking grate

Tent pad (level gravel area)

Parking spur (pull-in, not pull-through)

Facilities:

Flush toilets (centrally located in each loop)

Potable water spigots (seasonal — bring backup in late season)

No showers (nearest showers in Gatlinburg, 20 miles)

No electric hookups

No dump station

Camp Store:

Small camp store at entrance sells firewood, ice, and basic supplies. Hours vary. Don't count on it for meals — bring all your food.

Reservations:
Sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance at recreation.gov. Weekend sites (Friday-Saturday) book quickly in summer and fall. Weeknights often have availability.

Book at recreation.gov