How to Go to the Bathroom in the Woods

Co-authored by Hannah Young

Last Updated: June 14, 2022

If you're hiking or camping in the woods and need to use the bathroom, there's a certain way you can do it that will keep the environment and you clean. Bring a bag of toiletry items such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and plastic bags with you when you're in the woods and make sure you stay far away from any bodies of water, trails, or campsites when using the bathroom. By choosing a good spot and cleaning up after yourself once you're done, you'll be ready to continue enjoying nature.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Spot

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Bring a bag with the essential toilet materials. This includes any wiping materials such as toilet paper, tissues, or baby wipes as well as a small trowel, hand sanitizer, and plastic sealable bags. It’s a good idea to choose a bag for these supplies that is colored or isn’t see-through.^{[1]
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- Look in camping stores or online for plastic bags designed for storing used toilet paper.
2
Stay at least 200 feet (61 m) from water, trails, and campsites. This is to prevent water contamination and the spread of disease and ensure you don’t disrupt the trail or other hikers. Before picking a spot, look around and make sure you’re not near bodies of water like streams, lakes, rivers, trails, or campsites.^{[2]
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- Walking 75 paces should ensure that you’re far enough away.
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3
Find a secluded spot. A cluster of bushes or a tree with a large trunk will provide you with some privacy while you’re using the bathroom. Look for a spot that isn’t entirely out in the open and is on relatively flat land. You may need to walk farther into the woods to find a secluded spot, so pay attention to your location.^{[3]
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- A large rock is another privacy option.
4
Watch out for poison ivy, ant hills, and bee nests. These are things you definitely want to avoid when choosing a bathroom spot. It’s also a good idea to look out for any other dangerous or poisonous plants or animals when picking out a bathroom location so that you don’t have to worry about getting hurt.^{[4]
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- Spot poison ivy by looking for plants with clusters of three leaves.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Doing Your Business

1
Stand on even ground if you’re urinating. Look for a flat spot, especially if you have to squat. If you can’t find a flat spot, at least make sure you’re facing the downward slope to avoid getting in the way of any runoff.^{[5]
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- It’s not necessary to dig a hole if you’re peeing, although you can if desired.
2
Dig a cathole at least 6 inches (15 cm) deep for a bowel movement. The hole should be about 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) across as well. Use a small trowel to dig the hole or try using a rock or study stick if you don’t have a trowel.^{[6]
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- A good rule of thumb is to make sure the hole is at least as deep as your hand is long.
- If you’re in the woods in the snow, the hole should extend 6 inches (15 cm) below ground level, not just the snow.
3
Squat low and ensure your clothing isn’t in the way before you do your business. Squatting as low as you can will make it easier for you to defecate. If your clothes are slightly below your knees, they shouldn’t get in the way. ^{[7]
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- If you can’t hold a squat, position yourself part way on a rock or log.
4
Wipe using toilet paper or baby wipes. If you brought these supplies with you, remove them from your toiletry bag. If you don’t have toilet paper, tissues, or wipes with you, look for a smooth leaf (making sure it’s not poisonous) to use instead.^{[8]
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- If you’re not sure whether a leaf is poisonous or not, it’s best not use it.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Cleaning up Your Spot

1
Avoid burying the used toilet paper in the hole. Instead, place your used toilet paper or baby wipes in a sealable plastic bag. If you’ll be out in the woods for several days, either bring several individual, empty plastic bags or one larger one to contain all of your used paper.^{[9]
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- Animals will dig up the used toilet paper which is why you shouldn’t bury it.
- This bag should be kept in your toiletry bag.
- If you’re using leaves that you found nearby, these can go directly into the hole.
2
Fill the hole with soil using the trowel. When you're finished, you'll want to make sure that you cover the hole and your business with the soil you scooped out. Make sure the ground is nice and flat so it won’t attract the attention of any animals.^{[10]
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- Your trowel should never touch any waste, so only use it to scoop soil back into the hole.
- Try walking on the hole to compact the soil.
- Use pine needles or twigs or leaves that are on the ground, to help cover up where you dug.
3
Place a stick upright where you dug the hole. This is to indicate to others that this is the spot where you used the bathroom. The stick doesn’t need to be very big - 6 inches (15 cm) is long enough. Place it vertically in the soil, ensuring that it won’t fall over.^{[11]
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4
Use hand sanitizer to clean your hands once you’re done. This will ensure you don’t have lingering germs on your hands.^{[12]
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- Use just a drop or two of the hand sanitizer.
- It’s a good idea to put the hand sanitizer in its own small plastic bag inside your toiletries bag to ensure it stays germ-free.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can you throw toilet paper in the woods?

Hannah Young
Outdoor Education Expert
Hannah Young is an Outdoor Education Expert with more than three years of experience. She specializes in educating others on backpacking and hiking, land ethics and best practices, and wilderness Restoration. Hannah earned a BS in Earth Systems from Stanford University.

Hannah Young

Outdoor Education Expert

Expert Answer

That's not really a good idea, no. You should bring some odor-proof bags to pack up your toilet paper and take it back with you. I recommend using those little bags that are generally available at trailheads or dog parks.
Question

What if I can't find a rock, log, or shrub?

DarknessOfAzure

Community Answer

When you have to go you have to go, so ask everyone else to look away and try to cover yourself with a sheet. If you cannot do this, just go where no one would be, and no one could see.
Question

So what if I need to poop and pee at the same time? How do I do that outside?

Community Answer

Dig a hole at least 5 inches deep. Pee outside of the hole. Poop into the hole. Then put dirt on top.