When you’re camping, one of the essential elements to figure out before you leave is how you’ll use the bathroom while you are out enjoying nature. But, if you’re staying on a campsite that doesn’t have facilities, it’s not always easy to know what to do.
How can you find the right spot to use the bathroom? What are different techniques for men and women? How do you pee in the woods? And what hygiene tips will keep you safe?
Keep reading to learn all of this and more!
Where You’ll be When Nature is Calling? In the wild or Closer to Civilization?
The toilet and bathroom facilities will be different depending on where you are staying.
If you are staying in a campground, you can expect access to restroom facilities. If you are going camping in a state or national park, you can generally use restrooms at visitor centers and other facilities designated as public restrooms.
You should also be able to use the bathrooms at restaurants and businesses near your campground or destination. You can usually find toilets wherever there is civilization.
Finding The Right Spot
The ideal spot is away from trails or water. Also, a private campsite bathroom is essential in high-use areas where you may not have a private toilet. But if you’re not sure, check local regulations before going camping.
While camping in the woods, you can’t always depend on a campsite bathroom. So be sure to pack toilet paper and poop bags, and biodegradable soap.
Different Techniques for Women and Men
Men tend to be more comfortable with their own space, so they prefer to go alone into the woods.
Women will usually carry around a foldable camping toilet seat to have something comfortable to sit on when using their portable toilet. They also prefer using a female urination device when they need to pee outside (which allows you to pee standing up without squatting down or sitting down on an uncomfortable surface).
How to Pee in the Woods?
First, scout out the area where you’re planning to pee before starting. Make sure you choose a place with an even terrain to maintain your balance.
Avoid rocks or loose dirt areas, as they will make pee splashback. If you must pee in the woods, choose a slightly sloping area so that your pee can drain away from your shoes. And squat so that your booty is at the back of your leg.
How to Go Number Two in the Woods or While Camping?
While pooping is a natural bodily function, a campsite should have a method for disposing of human waste. Most popular outdoor recreation areas have rules on how to dispose of human waste to minimize the impact on the environment.
Here are some tips to use when pooping while camping or in the woods.
Digging a hole
If you’re hiking in the woods, digging a cathole is a critical survival skill. It’s normal to need to go, and it’s an act of responsibility.
Digging a hole helps prevent the waste from being discovered by others. However, some people may be reluctant to do so.
When camping in the backcountry, pick a spot not frequently used by other people. Then, dig a small hole and use a garden trowel to fill it with dirt.
Dig a hole six to eight inches deep. When filling it with dirt, don’t forget to place some toilet paper to disguise the mess. Alternatively, you can use mineral soil, rocks, or gravel to hide the hole.
It will keep the plan away from the creatures that would otherwise eat it.
Using a portable toilet or a car toilet setup
Using a portable toilet or a vehicle toilet setup to go number two in the wood and while camping is the best way to avoid the unclean public campground bathrooms. Toilet paper is not only unsanitary, but woodland creatures also dig them up. Fortunately, portable toilets and car toilet setups make going number two an easy task.
One type of portable toilet is a groover, also known as a river toilet. These are toilet seats over a bucket or toilet tank combos with a screw-on lid to prevent spills while in transit. A groover is a good choice if you plan on doing car camping for several days. A groover is also an excellent alternative to a cathole setup.
Take it with you
While using the bathroom in a campfire is not illegal, pooping in the woods requires more planning.
If you plan on going to the bathroom in the woods, bring toilet paper and soap. And, if you don’t dig a hole you’ll have to bring it with you to throw away at your campsite!
Hygiene tips when going to the bathroom outdoors
Whenever you’re outside, you have a unique challenge: how to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. While using the bathroom outdoors isn’t difficult, there are certain habits to follow to avoid getting sick.
Wash your hands before entering the restroom.
Use baby wipes when going to the bathroom outdoors. These are handy when nature calls and may not be available on your hiking trail.
Before going to the bathroom, ensure that you have toilet paper. And, use hand sanitizer liberally after you’ve used the restroom. Biodegradable hand sanitizers are a better option, but you may also want to use soap and water. Remember to use a different towel for washing your hands.
What are the laws saying?
You’re camping, you’ve got to pee, and there’s no bathroom around. What do the laws say about peeing outside near your campsite?
The answer is: it depends. It depends on where you are and, more importantly, what facilities are available to you.
Generally speaking, if there’s a restroom available (such as at a park or campground), it’s illegal to urinate in public places like sidewalks or roads within 1,000 feet of the facility.
How to keep the environment clean and why it’s important
When using the restroom outside while you camp, use biodegradable toilet paper that breaks down quickly in nature.
If you have no choice but to use regular toilet paper, which usually doesn’t break down, remember to pack as little as possible and try not to leave any behind on the ground or in trees. Keeping the environment clean is essential to leaving zero footprints while camping.
