How To Make A Shower For Camping

Staying clean while camping makes the whole experience more comfortable. Learning how to make a shower for camping is a game-changer, and it’s easier than you think. You don’t need fancy gear or a big budget. With a little creativity, you can rinse off the day’s sweat and dirt right at your campsite. This guide will walk you through several simple methods, from ultra-basic to more advanced setups. Let’s get you feeling fresh under the open sky.

This main method is the classic DIY approach. It’s reliable, affordable, and uses parts you can find at any hardware store. You’ll be surprised by how well it works.

Gather Your Materials

First, you’ll need to collect a few key items. Most of these are easy to find and won’t cost much. Here’s your shopping list:

A clean, new 2 to 5-gallon garden sprayer. The kind used for pesticides or fertilizers.
A shower head attachment. You can find portable camping shower heads online or repurpose one from an old hose.
Plumber’s tape (Teflon tape) to prevent leaks.
Optional: A length of hose to extend the reach.
Optional: Black spray paint to help heat the water with solar energy.

Step-by-Step Assembly Guide

Putting your shower together is straightforward. Just follow these steps carefully.

Clean the Sprayer Thoroughly: Even if it’s new, wash the sprayer tank, pump, and hose with soapy water. Rinse it multiple times to ensure no chemical residue remains. This is the most important step.
Prepare the Shower Head: If your shower head has threads, wrap them with plumber’s tape. This creates a watertight seal and prevents leaks at the connection point.
Attach the Shower Head: Screw the shower head directly onto the sprayer’s hose nozzle. If you’re adding an extension hose, connect it between the sprayer and the shower head. Make sure all connections are snug.
Solar Heating Hack (Optional): If you want to use the sun to warm your water, spray paint the tank with flat black paint. Black absorbs heat, which can take the chill off the water on a sunny day. Let it dry completely before use.

How to Use Your DIY Sprayer Shower

Operation is simple. Fill the tank with water. If you want warm water, you can add some heated from your camp stove (never boiling!). Pump the handle until you feel strong resistance. This pressurizes the tank. Hang the sprayer from a tree branch or a tall trekking pole using a carabiner or rope. Open the valve, and you’ve got a steady stream for a quick, refreshing rinse. The pressure usually lasts for a few minutes of continuous use.

Solar Shower Bag Method

This is the even simpler, store-bought alternative. A solar shower bag is a heavy-duty plastic bag with a hose and shower head. You fill it with water, lay it in the sun for a few hours, and then hang it up. They are inexpensive and very effective on sunny days. The main drawback is you have less control over pressure, and they can be slower to fill and heat than other methods.

Pro Tips for Solar Showers

Fill it in the morning so it has all day to heat up.
Place it on a dark surface, like your car’s hood, for faster heating.
Don’t let it sit in direct sun for more than a day, as the plastic can degrade over time.

Advanced Portable Camping Shower Systems

If you camp frequently or with family, investing in a purpose-built system might be worth it. These often use a 12V pump (powered by your car or a battery) to draw water from a bucket or container. They provide consistent water pressure and flow, much like a real shower. Some even have built-in water heaters that run on propane. While more expensive, they offer the closest thing to a home shower you can get in the woods.

Choosing the Perfect Campsite Shower Spot

Location is crucial for privacy, convenience, and environmental responsibility. Picking the wrong spot can lead to a muddy mess or harm the local ecosystem.

Leave No Trace Principles

This is the golden rule. All your shower water, even if you use biodegradable soap, needs to be considered “greywater.” You must manage it properly.

Use Biodegradable Soap: Always choose soaps labeled as biodegradable and suitable for camping. Even these need to be used responsibly.
Disperse Greywater: Scatter your used shower water over a wide area, at least 200 feet away from any lakes, streams, or trails. This allows the soil to filter it naturally.
No Direct Runoff: Never let your shower drain directly into a water source. It contaminates the water for wildlife and other campers.

Setting Up for Privacy and Drainage

Look for a spot that’s naturally private, with bushes or trees. If privacy is limited, a pop-up shower tent is a fantastic investment. They’re lightweight and provide a dedicated, private space to change and wash. For drainage, choose a spot with good absorption, like soil or gravel, not solid rock or a bare patch that will turn to mud. Some campers bring a small plastic basin to stand in, which catches water for easy disposal.

Heating Your Shower Water Efficiently

Cold showers can be invigorating, but most of us prefer warm water. Here are safe and effective ways to heat your camp shower water.

Solar Heating (The Passive Method)

As mentioned, this works great with black containers or solar bags. The key is time and sunlight. A full solar bag can take 3-4 hours to get genuinely warm on a good day. Pro tip: If you’re using a sprayer, you can leave the black-painted tank in a sunny spot all day. Just remember to pressurize it after it’s heated, not before, as heat can increase pressure inside the tank.

Using Your Camp Stove

This is the fastest method. Simply heat a pot of water on your stove until it’s warm—not boiling. Then, mix it with cold water in your shower container to reach a comfortable temperature. Always test the water with your hand before you shower to avoid burns. Never pour boiling water directly into a plastic solar bag, as it can damage the material.

Safety First With Heated Water

Always supervise water heating on a stove.
Use pot holders or gloves when handling hot containers.
Mix the water thoroughly to eliminate hot spots.

Water Conservation Tips for Camp Showers

When you’re carrying all your water in, every drop counts. A typical home shower uses 2 gallons per minute. Your goal is to use 2-3 gallons total.

The Navy Shower Technique: Get wet, turn off the water, lather up completely, then rinse quickly. This is the most effective method to save water.
Use a Low-Flow Shower Head: Many camping shower heads are designed to conserve water with a gentler spray.
Pre-Wash with a Washcloth: Before you turn the shower on, wipe down major dirt with a damp washcloth. This means you’ll spend less time rinsing.
Collect Rinse Water: If you’re really conserving, you can stand in a basin and use the collected greywater to extinguish your campfire (once it’s completely cooled).

Essential Shower Gear & Accessories

A few extra items can make your camping shower experience much more comfortable and organized.

The Basic Kit

Quick-Dry Towel: A microfiber or camping-specific towel packs small and dries fast, preventing mildew.
Camp Shoes: Wear waterproof sandals or crocs in the shower area to protect your feet.
Hanging Toiletry Bag: Keeps your soap, shampoo, and razor off the ground and within easy reach.
Biodegradable Soap & Shampoo: A must-have for eco-friendly washing.

Upgrade Your Setup

Pop-Up Shower Tent: Provides instant privacy and a place to change. Often has pockets and a floor mat.
Foot Pump or Battery Pump: For a hands-free, consistent water flow without manual pumping.
Water Filter: If you’re sourcing water from a lake or stream, a filter ensures your shower water is free of sediment and debris.

FAQs About Making a Camp Shower

How much water do I need for a camping shower?
For a efficient rinse, plan for 2 to 3 gallons per person. If you’re washing hair, you might need a bit more. It’s always better to bring extra if your vehicle allows.

Is it okay to shower in a lake or river?
No. You should never soap up directly in a natural water source. Even biodegradable soap harms aquatic life and pollutes the water. Always shower on land, far from the shore, and disperse the greywater.

What’s the best way to have a hot shower while camping?
The most reliable method is to heat water on your camp stove and mix it in your shower container. For a longer, hotter shower, a portable propane water heater system is the best option, though it’s more costly and bulky.

How do you make a simple camping shower without buying anything?
You can use a large water jug with small holes poked in the lid. Tip it over carefully for a makeshift shower. Or, use a clean, wet washcloth for a “sponge bath,” which is often the simplest solution of all.

How do you dispose of shower water when camping?
Carry your used water in a collapsible container to a location at least 200 feet from any water source. Scatter it widely over soil or rocks so it can filter naturally. Never dig a “sump” hole, as this concentrates pollutants.

Building your own camp shower is a rewarding project that adds a huge touch of comfort to your outdoor adventures. Whether you choose the simple sprayer method or opt for a more elaborate system, the key is planning for water, heat, and responsible disposal. With these tips, you can enjoy the feeling of being clean no matter how remote your campsite is. Just remember to respect the environment so everyone can enjoy it’s beauty.