Using the Toilet at Camp can be very challenging, especially for those new to camping or unaccustomed to the demands of the great outdoors. Since you are reading this article, you are either being dragged camping by a friend you can’t refuse and need information on how to use the toilet at camp, or you are new to camping, or you have been camping for a while and need a more comfortable alternative to camp toilets. In all three cases, you are in the right place. In this article, I will tell you about one of the most troublesome yet exciting aspects of camping: Toileting at camp!
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Golden Rules for Using the Toilet at Camp
The issue of using the toilet at camp scares many beginner campers more than the wildlife in nature. indeed, if one question comes before “What if there is a bear?” it is “How will I go to the toilet in nature?”.
Yes, finding a public restroom in the middle of nature, away from the comforts of home, can seem daunting, and indeed it is. But don’t worry; people have been defecating in their hearts for thousands of years. And I’m here to make it easier for you with a guide to save you from the camping toilet nightmare because camping toilets are nothing to be afraid of! In this article, I will share how to find the right place for a toilet in nature, the importance of protecting wildlife, and portable toilet suggestions for camping. If you are ready, let’s get started.
What Should You Consider When Using the Toilet at Camp?
Before starting this article, let’s clarify the most critical issue at the beginning. In this article, I have shared a lot of information that I recommend you pay attention to, but even if you don’t pay attention to any of these, you should never forget this:
“Leave No Trace“! The best thing you can do for other campers and wildlife is to leave nature as you found it or cleaner than you found it.
1. Strategic Moves for Choosing a Toilet Location at Camp: Where to go?
Did you know that pooping in nature is also an art? Yes, you must follow a real strategy to choose where to go to the toilet while camping. You can think and develop tactics like other creatures in nature. We all have this instinct, but it has been buried deep down with modernization. This may be the right time to bring it to the surface. Here are the golden rules to consider when determining where to go to the toilet in camp!
- Distance to Water Sources:
The area you choose for your toilet must be at least 60 meters from the surrounding water sources. This is a critical step for the protection of natural resources. Think about how cats and dogs living with humans strategically act regarding toilets. Therefore, it is essential that we carefully choose where we will use the toilet in the camp, and the first rule is to be away from water sources.
- Distance to the Campsite:
Make sure that the place where you will use the toilet is at least 60 meters from your campsite. This is a hygienic choice and essential to keep your camp free from rancid odors. If you use the toilet close to the campsite, the changing wind direction can cause unpleasant odors.
- Safety:
Another reason for using the toilet away from the campsite is safety. Almost all wild animals have a great sense of smell and can pick up scents from meters (sometimes kilometers) away. Different smells can interest wild animals, and an exciting hike may end at your campsite.
You have seen how important it is to choose the right place to go to the toilet. Now it’s time to go into more detail about using the restroom at camp. Get your toilet paper ready because this is what our next steps in this article are about!
2. Pay Attention to Your Position When You Go to The Toilet
We’ve strategized where to poop in camp; now it’s time to finish the job. How do we go to the restroom in nature? In the simplest terms: We will do as our ancestors have done for thousands of years. We will squat, friends, we will squat. I know squatting is uncomfortable for everyone, but there is nothing to do. (For those who don’t want to squat, I have shared some functional portable toilet materials for camping in the rest of the article.)
- Position:
Ensure your face faces downwards when using the toilet, especially on a slope. This way, your urine won’t splash too much on your shoes, and you can move more quickly. Remember, it is always important to stay balanced, especially when “going to the bathroom”!
- Objects on the ground:
While using the toilet in nature, paying attention to the things on the ground is essential. Because everything that falls on the ground causes a reaction that moves in the opposite direction to the angle at which it falls. Your urine can also hit objects on the ground and splash on you. To avoid surprise splashes, try to choose a spot on the floor where there are no hard-angled objects such as wood or stones. This way, you can prevent nature from throwing you unwanted surprises.
The inclined position and paying attention to objects are practical tips to help you have a more comfortable experience when using the toilet. Remember, toileting in nature can be accomplished with the proper steps and a little care. Now, let’s continue our toilet adventures with more exciting information!
3. Using Toilet Paper in Camping
When using the toilet in nature, it can be tempting to use toilet paper. In this case, we have a golden rule: Don’t leave toilet paper in your nature! There are hygiene and safety reasons for this.
- Hygiene:
Toilet paper left in nature can pose a hygiene problem for other people and wildlife. It can reach the water sources around us and damage the ecosystem with its polluting effects. In addition, leaving toilet paper in the open also creates visual pollution and disrupts the natural environment.
- Safety:
Leaving toilet paper in the wild can attract wild animals and acclimatize them to human interaction. This can jeopardize the safety of both humans and animals. Also, leaving toilet paper out in the open can lead to the proliferation of insects and other pests in campsites.
We should avoid leaving toilet paper in the wild for these excellent reasons. We should store used toilet paper in a sealable bag and dispose of it properly. If carrying a bag with you is impossible, burying the toilet paper is the best option. Remember that we all share the responsibility for cleanliness, hygiene, and preserving the natural balance while camping in nature.
4. Dig a Toilet Pit
When going to the toilet in the wild, digging a hole to defecate is vital. The hole is necessary for hygiene and to maintain the natural balance. We have already repeated many times that it is also critical for safety.
When digging a pit, ensure the depth is about 15-20 cm. The width should be wide enough to cover enough space. Use the strategic moves mentioned above to find the place to dig this pit.
Using a small portable shovel is very convenient when digging a toilet pit. This type of tool helps to dig the hole quickly and efficiently. You can use the product in the image below to dig a hole. It is also helpful to have such a product in your vehicle in general. You can easily use it for other work at the campsite and gardening at home.
It is essential to close the pit after use. Otherwise, there is no point in digging a hole in the first place. After placing the toilet waste in the pit, cover it with soil and compact it. Also, put some stones on top of the hole. This way, you will prevent animals, but more importantly, you will avoid a camper who will come after you from digging in the same place.
5. Using Soap in Camping
Washing your hands after using the toilet is of great importance for hygiene. However, another point you should pay attention to while doing this in nature is that the soap you use should be a soap that does not harm wildlife.
Using a biodegradable soap that does not contain harmful chemicals will clean your hands and protect the natural balance without harming the soil and water. Remember, every right choice made in nature contributes to the sustainability of the environment.
You may also be interested in this article:
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Places You Should Never Toilet in Nature
- Above walking routes
- Near campsites
- Climbing points
- Caves
Camping Toilets and Portable Toilet Products
There are also some devices with different functions developed for camping toilets. You can have a more comfortable toilet experience with portable toilet apparatus for camping. Although these portable toilet products do not bring you to the comfort of your home, the better, the further you escape medieval primitiveness. Before diving into the list check out our Gear Reviews category.
Of course, when using these devices, do not neglect to consider the above rules to protect nature. Here are some of the devices that can be useful for you while meeting your toilet needs in nature;
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Standing Urinals for Women Female Urination Device
This exciting device that I have never used before, which allows women to urinate standing up, is not very suitable for use in nature because it needs to be cleaned after each toilet need. Because it may take work to find clean water and soap.
But on the other hand, it looks very portable! Especially in situations where it is not possible to sit down or when you need to move quickly, such products can be life-saving.
This standing urination apparatus, suitable for reuse, such as plastic and silicone, is also available in cardboard and disposable models.
If anyone who has tried it before writes their opinions as a comment, it will enlighten us. In the meantime, I have linked these and similar products below. You can check the link below if you want to have one with you while traveling and camping.
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Camping toilet or shower cabin for those who are fond of privacy
If your privacy is important, using a screen like the one shown in the image when using the toilet camping may be a good idea. At the same time, these screens can also help shower.
You can quickly shower anywhere in nature by setting up this tent. Although lightweight, they are not very small, so they are unsuitable for backpacking. But these screens are handy if you are traveling by caravan or car.
- Portable Camping Toilet Models for Those Who Don’t Want to Squat
In nature, you cannot go to the toilet sitting down. If you don’t like squatting and want to use the toilet sitting down, you can use this kind of apparatus. The legs of these seats are usually detachable and foldable, so they only take up a little space. However, they still need to be more suitable for backpacking. If you travel by car or have an RV like mine without a shower and toilet, I highly recommend buying this product.
If you want to check out more camping toilet options, I recommend this article: Portable Toilets for Camping.
Toileting in camping is respecting the environment while enjoying our time in nature. Acting with the proper toilet etiquette allows us to ensure our hygiene and protect the natural balance.
We can minimize our impact on nature by choosing a place far from water sources and campsites, digging a hole, and not leaving toilet paper in nature. We can also fulfill our responsibility to protect wildlife by washing our hands with environmentally friendly soaps. Let’s remember it is our responsibility to preserve the beauty that nature offers us and to leave a clean and healthy environment for future generations. That’s why we should remember to act responsibly and respect nature when using the restroom at camp. Happy camping to everyone!
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