Let’s be honest, figuring out how to poop while camping is one of those unglamorous topics nobody really talks about until they’re in the woods with a sudden, urgent problem. Getting it right is crucial for your comfort, hygiene, and for protecting the beautiful natural spaces we all love to visit.
It doesn’t have to be a stressful or messy experience. With a little know-how and the right preparation, you can handle this basic need confidently and leave no trace. This guide will walk you through everything, from choosing a method to packing out waste, so you can focus on enjoying your trip.
How to Poop While Camping
The core principle behind all camping bathroom etiquette is Leave No Trace (LNT). This means we strive to leave the wilderness exactly as we found it, or even better. Human waste, if not managed properly, can pollute water sources, spread disease, and create an unpleasant experience for the next person (or animal). The right method depends entirely on your environment.
Method 1: The Cathole (For Most Backcountry Situations)
This is the most common and widely accepted method in wilderness areas without established facilities. It’s simple and effective when done correctly.
What You’ll Need:
* A small trowel (a lightweight plastic or metal one is best)
* Toilet paper (or a natural alternative)
* A sealable plastic bag for used TP (like a ziplock)
* Hand sanitizer
Step-by-Step Cathole Process:
1. Choose the Perfect Spot: Walk at least 200 feet (about 70 adult steps) away from any trail, campsite, or water source (like a stream, lake, or spring). This is the golden rule.
2. Find the Right Soil: Look for organic, rich soil that will help with decomposition. Avoid rocky ground or pure sand if you can.
3. Dig the Hole: Use your trowel to dig a hole 6-8 inches deep (about the length of your trowel blade) and 4-6 inches wide. The topsoil contains organisms that will break down waste fastest.
4. Do Your Business: Do your thing directly into the hole. Try to be steady!
5. Manage Your TP: Do not bury your toilet paper. Place used toilet paper in your sealable plastic bag to pack out. This is non-negotiable in most ecosystems now.
6. Fill the Hole: Use the dirt you dug up to completely fill the hole. Tamp it down with your foot.
7. Disguise the Spot: Place a natural object like a rock or some leaves on top to discourage animals from digging.
8. Sanitize: Use hand sanitizer thoroughly. Wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you get the chance.
Natural Toilet Paper Alternatives
If you run out of TP or prefer a more natural method, you can use smooth rocks, broad leaves (make sure they’re not poisonous like poison ivy!), or snow. Never use ferns or pine cones—they can be abrasive or have irritating sap. Pack out any natural wipes you use if they won’t decompose quickly.
Method 2: The Groover or Portable Toilet (For Car Camping & Groups)
When you’re camping with a vehicle or a large group, a portable system is often more practical and responsible.
Types of Portable Systems:
* Bucket Toilet: A simple 5-gallon bucket with a snap-on toilet seat lid. You line it with a heavy-duty waste bag or use absorbent material.
* Pop-Up Privacy Tent: A small, lightweight tent that gives you complete privacy anywhere.
* Commercial Portable Toilet: These have a flush mechanism and holding tank with chemicals. They are heavier but very convenient.
How to Use a Portable System:
1. Set up your system inside a privacy tent or behind a well-secured tarp windbreak.
2. Always use the recommended bags or chemicals. For bucket toilets, adding a layer of kitty litter or sawdust at the bottom can help control moisture and odor.
3. After use, immediately seal the waste bag tightly. Store it in a secondary container, like another sealed bucket, until you can dispose of it properly in a vault toilet or at home.
4. Never, ever dump bagged or liquid waste into a pit toilet or on the ground.
Method 3: Packing It All Out (For Alpine, Desert, or River Trips)
In some fragile environments—like high alpine zones, deserts, or major river canyons—digging a cathole isn’t allowed or won’t work. Here, you must pack out everything.
What You’ll Need:
* A dedicated waste kit: This includes Wag Bags, Restop Bags, or a DIY double-bag system with absorbent gel.
* Practice at home: Seriously. Get comfortable with the process before you’re on a cliff ledge.
The Process:
1. Set up your bag inside its provided containment bag or a wide-mouth bucket.
2. Do your business directly into the bag. The kits include chemicals or gel that turns waste into a stable, odorless solid.
3. Seal the inner bag, then seal the outer bag. It goes into a dedicated, clearly marked stuff sack in your pack.
4. Dispose of it in a landfill trash can when you get to town. Do not put it in a vault toilet.
What to Do If You Have Diarrhea While Camping
This is a tough situation, but the LNT principles become even more important. Diarrhea contains more pathogens and is more likely to contaminate water. You must still go 200 feet from water. Dig your cathole deeper if possible, and pack out all your toilet paper. Consider carrying anti-diarrheal medication in your first-aid kit for emergencies. Staying hydrated is key, so drink plenty of clean, treated water.
Essential Pooping While Camping Kit Checklist
Don’t get caught unprepared. Assemble this kit and keep it in an easy-to-access outer pocket of your backpack.
* Trowel: A must for catholes.
* Toilet Paper: Pre-measure it in a ziplock bag to save space and keep it dry.
* Waste Bag System: A few heavy-duty orange bags for packing out TP and, if required, solid waste.
* Hand Sanitizer: Minimum 60% alcohol.
* Small Bottle of Biodegradable Soap: For when you can wash with water.
* Optional but Helpful:
* A small bottle of pee cloth spray (for women using urinary devices).
* A headlamp for nighttime trips.
* A lightweight “poop kit” stuff sack to keep it all together.
Finding Privacy in the Great Outdoors
Privacy can be hard to find when you’re surrounded by open landscape. Here are a few tips:
* Use natural features like large trees, boulders, or thick bushes.
* If with a group, establish a “bathroom zone” direction and use a verbal signal like “I’m going for a walk” or take the trowel with you.
* A lightweight sarong or rain kilt tied between two trees makes a great quick privacy screen.
Just remember to always go downwind from your camp!
Dealing with Periods While Camping
The same LNT rules apply. Pack out all used products—tampons, pads, and applicators do not decompose in a timely manner in the wild. A dedicated smell-proof bag (like those for dog waste) is great for this. Consider using a menstrual cup, which can be emptied into a cathole, rinsed with purified water, and re-used, drastically reducing waste.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with good intentions, people make errors. Here’s what not to do:
* Not Going Far Enough from Water: 200 feet is the minimum. More is better.
* Burying Toilet Paper: It often gets dug up by animals and littered across the landscape.
* Using a “Poop Stick”: The idea of stirring your cathole with a stick to speed decomposition is a myth and unnecessary.
* Going Behind a Tree Right at Camp: Your whole camp becomes your bathroom zone, which is gross and unsanitary.
* Not Digging a Hole Deep Enough: Shallow waste won’t decompose and is a hazard.
* Forgetting Your Trowel: Trying to dig with a stick or rock is much harder and less effective.
FAQ: All Your Camping Bathroom Questions Answered
Q: How do you go to the bathroom in the woods without toilet paper?
A: You can use smooth stones, broad safe leaves (like large maple leaves), or even snow. Make sure you know your plants to avoid irritation. Always pack out any materials that won’t decompose in days.
Q: What is the best way to poop in the wilderness?
A: The best way is the method that follows Leave No Trace principles for your specific environment. For most forested areas, that’s a properly dug cathole 200+ feet from water and trails, with all toilet paper packed out.
Q: How do you dispose of human waste when camping?
A: In the backcountry, you dispose of it by burying it in a 6-8 inch cathole in rich soil. In fragile areas or with groups, you pack it out using approved waste bag systems and dispose of the sealed bags in a landfill trash can.
Q: Is it better to poop before you go camping?
A: It can’t hurt! But your body’s schedule is it’s own. Don’t force it or hold it in excessively, as that can lead to discomfort or more serious issues. Just be prepared to go while you’re out there.
Q: How do you wipe when camping?
A: You wipe with toilet paper that you then seal in a plastic bag to pack out, or with a natural alternative that will decompose quickly (and is safe to leave). Never leave used TP under a rock or buried shallowly.
Q: What do you do if you have to poop in your tent?
A: This is a worst-case scenario, usually due to illness or severe weather. If you absolutely cannot go outside, use a sturdy bag, a portable toilet, or even a wide-mouth bottle dedicated for solid waste. Seal it immediately and dispose of it properly at the first opportunity. Ventilate your tent well afterwards.
Mastering these techniques is a fundamental part of being a responsible camper. It ensures that our wild places stay wild, clean, and beautiful for everyone who comes after us. With your kit packed and this knowledge in mind, you can answer nature’s call with confidence, no matter where your adventures take you.