Your Guide to Solo Travel in the U.S.

Leave your friends, kids and significant others at home — your bucket list is waiting. Solo travelers are on the rise, and they’re leaving behind the tired “lonely hearts” stigma. So why is solo travel suddenly popular?

Traveling alone gives you an opportunity to disconnect, immerse yourself in a new place and meet new people. An added bonus? Traveling solo means you control your own itinerary. Here’s why traveling solo should be your next adventure! 

The Benefits of Solo Travel

Traveling alone is a time to disconnect.

Solo travelers get to enjoy some serious “me” time. In our ever-connected digital lives, disconnecting can be a refreshing change of pace. While traveling alone doesn’t mean you have to go completely off the grid, it does allow you to enjoy your own company. Whether for a gap year or a quick break, solo travel can help you slow down.

You can get to know yourself better.

Hitting the road solo offers you an opportunity to learn more about yourself, because without your day-to-day routine to get in the way, you’ll have more time for introspection. Use this time to explore a new city or try new activities. 

You could make new friends.

Often, the biggest fear of solo travel is loneliness. But you don’t have to be lonely if you don’t want to be. When dining out at restaurants, sit at the bar and chat with other diners. Or consider a guided tour, during which you can meet other like-minded travelers.

The Best Solo Travel Destinations in the United States

Between roadside attractions and national monuments, the United States has some of the greatest travel destinations. Here are some of our favorite spots to go solo.

If you’re an outdoors lover …

Wyoming may not be the first place that comes to mind, but this safe and beautiful state has countless sites perfect for the solo traveler.

Option 1: Take a trip to one of the United States’ most famous national park: Yellowstone National Park. With abundant wildlife, an awe-inspiring landscape, waterfalls and nearly 1,000 miles of trails, you could spend days in Yellowstone. And since you set the itinerary, you can go at your own pace. 

Option 2: Towering more than 1,200 feet above the plains is Devil’s Tower National Monument. This geological gem offers an 8-mile trail that navigates the rock and surrounding forest. In nearby Belle Fourche, you can fish for catfish and walleye.

If you’re a thrill-seeker …

With five national parks and 45 state parks, Utah is the ideal destination for hikers, bikers, canyoneers and rock climbers alike.

Option 1: Bryce Canyon’s sandstone cliffs are a must-visit for all adventurers. The mixture of orange-hued rocks and green trees provides a stunning landscape at 8,000 feet. For the best views, explores the area’s miles of trails that wind through stone pillars and along the rim. 

Option 2: Looking for something a little more out of the way? Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument receives fewer visitors than other parks in Utah — but that’s part of the fun. Expect a mixture of waterfalls, canyons, hills and forests.

If you’re a beach bum…

Maybe a relaxing beach trip is more your solo travel style.

Option 1: At Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, you can enjoy the beach, then take advantage of world-class golf courses or the Pinckney Island National Wildlife refuge. 

Option 2: Or head in the opposite direction to Hawaii. Duke Kahanamoku beach in Oahu is perfect for calm swimming — an offshore reef protects the beach from big waves. In Maui, snorkel at Hamoa Beach, which actually sits inside a breached volcanic crater. In order to get to Hamoa Beach, you’ll take the “Road to Hana,” featuring drop-offs over 1,000 feet. If you’re looking for adventure, this is the beach for you! 

We’re Always There for You

No matter how or where you’re traveling, we’ll help you stay protected. Connect with a Farm Bureau agent about travel insurance today.