5 Epic Trip Ideas For Solo Travelers In The USA
Solo Travel Inspiration From The Founder Of An Adventure Travel Company
Traveling solo is one of the most freeing and empowering ways to explore the world. Without the need to coordinate schedules or compromise on activities, you get to choose exactly how you spend your time. The United States, with its vast landscapes, buzzing cities, and endless opportunities for adventure, is one of the best places on earth to enjoy a solo journey. Whether you’re craving wide-open wilderness, cultural immersion, or a chance to recharge by the ocean, there’s a perfect trip waiting just for you.
The beauty of traveling solo in the USA is that you can make the trip entirely your own. Love the structure of an organized tour where everything is handled? There’s a trip for that. Prefer the independence of hitting the open road with your own itinerary? The USA’s endless highways and scenic byways are calling your name. Looking for a mix of social and independent time? Adventure basecamps and guided wilderness trips strike that perfect balance.
Solo travel doesn’t have to mean being alone, either. In fact, many solo-friendly trips naturally bring people together, whether it’s through shared meals on a camping expedition, sunset yoga on a beach retreat, or conversations over coffee in a bustling city. At the same time, you always retain the freedom to do exactly what you feel like doing - no questions asked.
In this guide, we’ll explore five incredible trip ideas across the USA that are particularly well-suited for solo travelers. Each option highlights different styles of travel - from adventurous road trips to sociable cruises to peaceful city basecamps with plenty of outdoor adventures nearby. Along the way, we’ll share practical details: the kind of traveler each trip is best for, what activities you can expect, and what the main highlight will be.
So, whether you’re a nature lover, an adventurer, a culture seeker, or someone who simply wants to try something new, get ready to pack your bags and set out on your own epic American adventure.
TLDR
Below are five epic ideas for your next solo travel in the USA. Read on to discover some of the best travel opportunities for solo travelers to find adventure and discovery in the USA.
Alaskan Cruise Adventure - Perfect mix of independence and socializing; highlight is watching glaciers calve into the sea; activities include kayaking, hiking, and wildlife spotting.
Southwest Self-Drive Road Trip - Best for freedom-loving travelers; highlight is sunrise at the Grand Canyon or sunset at Delicate Arch; activities include scenic drives, hiking, and stargazing.
Denver Basecamp - Great for those who want urban culture plus outdoor access; highlight is easy day trips into the Rockies; activities include hiking, brewery hopping, and live music.
Guided Wilderness Camping in Montana - Ideal for adventurous solo travelers seeking safety and connection; highlight is sleeping under crystal-clear night skies; activities include hiking, camping, and wildlife watching.
Portland City + Adventure Mix - Perfect for travelers who want culture with nearby nature; highlight is chasing waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge; activities include hiking, cycling, food touring, and wine tasting.
Alaskan Cruise Adventure For Solo Travelers
Few trips are as awe-inspiring as sailing through Alaska’s Inside Passage. On a cruise, you’ll wake up each day to different scenery - towering glaciers, misty fjords, and maybe even a pod of orcas escorting your ship. For solo travelers, Alaska cruises are a perfect mix of independence and camaraderie. You can choose your own excursions each day - like kayaking alongside icebergs or hiking through temperate rainforest—but return to the ship at night for friendly dinners and entertainment. Nothing packs more of a punch than what you can discover on a solo travel tour in Alaska!
Highlights include seeing calving glaciers at Glacier Bay National Park, spotting bald eagles soaring overhead, and soaking in the remote wilderness from the comfort of your balcony. Many cruise lines now offer solo staterooms and social meetups specifically for single travelers, making it easy to meet like-minded adventurers.
Main Points For Solo Travelers:
Best For: Solo travelers who enjoy socializing but want the ease of an all-in-one trip.
Highlight: Watching a glacier crack and crash into the sea.
Activities: Shore excursions (kayaking, hiking, dog sledding), wildlife viewing, photography.
Solo Road Trip In The US Southwest
If freedom is your love language, nothing beats a solo road trip through the American Southwest. Picture yourself cruising down Highway 163 in Monument Valley, the red desert spires glowing in the golden light, with your playlist blasting. The Southwest is road trip heaven - well-marked scenic routes, dramatic landscapes, and endless opportunities to pull over for hikes, photos, and small-town diners.
A popular route includes starting in Las Vegas, then looping through Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and the Grand Canyon. Each park offers short, rewarding hikes where you’ll be surrounded by fellow explorers - perfect for a chat or simply sharing the view. Evenings bring cozy motels or campsites where you can watch the stars stretch endlessly across the desert sky.
Main Points For Solo Travelers:
Best For: Independent travelers who love driving and flexibility.
Highlight: Sunrise at the Grand Canyon or sunset at Delicate Arch.
Activities: Scenic drives, hiking, photography, stargazing.
Solo Travel Basecamp in Denver, Colorado
For those who love both city comforts and easy access to the outdoors, Denver makes the perfect solo traveler basecamp. The city itself is lively and welcoming, with craft breweries, outdoor patios, and friendly locals. But the real draw is the access to the Rocky Mountains - just a short drive away.
You can spend your mornings wandering Denver’s neighborhoods, exploring the Denver Art Museum, or sampling street food, then head into the mountains for an afternoon hike. Solo travelers often find it easy to meet others on group day tours to Rocky Mountain National Park or via Denver’s active meetup scene. Plus, Denver’s walkable downtown and reliable public transit make getting around stress-free.
Main Points For Solo Travelers:
Best For: Travelers who want urban culture paired with outdoor adventure.
Highlight: Day trips into the Rockies from a cozy city base.
Activities: Hiking, cultural sightseeing, brewery hopping, live music.
Guided Wilderness Camping Tour In Montana
Sometimes the best solo trip is one where you disconnect from everything and reconnect with yourself. A guided camping trip for solo travelers in Montana’s wild spaces is perfect for this. Outfitters provide gear, guides, and logistics, so you don’t need to worry about the details. You’ll spend your days hiking alpine meadows, spotting wildlife, and learning wilderness skills, while evenings are for campfires, stargazing, and swapping stories with your group.
For solo travelers, this style of trip is ideal - you’ll have a built-in group for safety and socializing, but also plenty of moments for solitude in wide-open landscapes. Trips often explore areas around Glacier National Park or the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, with experienced guides leading the way.
Main Points For Solo Travelers:
Best For: Adventurous solo travelers who want a safe way to experience the wilderness.
Highlight: Falling asleep under some of the clearest night skies in the USA.
Activities: Hiking, camping, wildlife watching, outdoor skills.
Solo City Holiday In Portland
Portland is quirky, creative, and endlessly fun - a fantastic city for solo travelers. But what makes it even better is its access to adventures right outside the city. Within an hour you can be hiking behind waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, walking the rim of an old volcano, or exploring the Oregon Coast.
In the city, you’ll find bike-friendly streets, buzzing food carts, and coffee shops perfect for people-watching. Portland’s culture is casual and welcoming, so solo travelers fit right in. You can join guided day tours for wine tasting, waterfall hikes, or coastal explorations if you want some company, then retreat to your boutique hotel or hostel for downtime.
Main Points For Solo Travelers:
Best For: Solo travelers who love a balance of culture, food, and outdoor fun.
Highlight: Chasing waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge.
Activities: Hiking, cycling, food touring, wine tasting, coastal day trips.
Traveling solo in the USA is more than just taking a trip - it’s an opportunity to embrace freedom, independence, and discovery. From the icy fjords of Alaska to the fiery deserts of the Southwest, the adventures are as varied as the travelers themselves. The beauty of going solo is that every decision is yours: you can spend an extra hour at that viewpoint, linger over a meal, or sign up for the excursion that excites you most.
Each of the five ideas here offers something unique for solo adventurers. Cruises provide comfort and community while still allowing for personal exploration. Self-drive trips put you fully in charge of your pace and path. Basecamps in vibrant cities give you the best of both worlds—urban fun and nearby nature. Guided wilderness experiences offer the chance to push your limits safely, while city-and-adventure combos give you variety and spontaneity.
What unites them all is the sense of possibility. As a solo traveler, you don’t just visit a destination - you experience it on your own terms. You might meet new friends from around the world, or you might simply meet yourself in a deeper way, discovering what truly brings you joy. Solo travel is as important now as it ever was!
So, pack your bags, bring your curiosity, and set out on one of these unforgettable journeys. The USA is waiting - and when you travel solo, the adventure truly belongs to you.
About The Author
Alex Ross- Founder
Let’s just say Alex didn’t want to work a real job when he grew up. He had his heart set on avoiding any kind of accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration, in order to be free for his dream job as a ski guide. Now he guides people on skis, but mostly does accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration work!