Travel Tips
How To: Poop in the Woods (With Minimal Impact)
Why Everyone Should Know How to Poop in the Woods
When nature calls, we sometimes have no choice but to answer. A scenario any of us could encounter in our lifetimes, it’s important we all educate ourselves on how to poop outside. Plus, knowing how to go to the bathroom outdoors gives us peace of mind as adventurers that we can handle any situation that arises.
Pooping Outside & Leave No Trace
Four of the seven principles of Leave No Trace include: be considerate of others, dispose of waste properly, respect wildlife, and minimize impact by sticking to trails and durable services. So whether you’ve come prepared and pack your waste out (gold star for you), or find yourself needing to dig a cat hole, it matters where you pop a squat.
We know what you’re thinking: “BuT It’S NaTuRal” or “It WiLl DeCoMpOsE.” Actually, human waste contains bacteria, organisms, and matter that is very likely foreign to wildlife and the surrounding habitat. Similar to any other food waste, animals may be attracted to the smell of human feces. Your waste can also contaminate water sources that you or your fellow hikers may need downstream (yeah, gross). Additionally, trekkers are here for nature’s incredible views and fresh air, not your unpleasant bodily sights and smells.
Whether you’re going out for a day hike or a backpacking adventure in the backcountry, follow these steps to avoid a fecal faux pas.
What You Need to Poop in the Woods
A little planning goes a long way when it comes to pooping in the woods. Here are a few items you should always carry to make your outdoor pooping experience more pleasant for everyone:
- A Sealable Bag – bring a bag that you can use to pack out your used toilet paper and material waste. This can be as simple as a sandwich bag.
- Toilet Paper – don’t use a rock or a random leaf if you don’t have to. Opt for compostable toilet paper whenever possible.
- A Trowel – if you do need to dig a cat hole and bury your waste, you’ll want to do so with a trowel. You can use a rock or stick, too, but a trowel is more effective and a good multi-use tool to have anyways.
- Hand Sanitizer – give yourself a squeeze after you’re finished up and be on your way.
Step-by-Step Guide for Pooping in the Woods
Step 1: Walk Far Away From Any Trail, Water Source, Or Human With A Sense Of Smell
It’s important to be aware of the rules in the area that you’re traveling as some places, like narrow river canyons or well-traveled routes, require folks to pack out their own waste. If that’s not the case where you are, then make sure you carefully venture off-path and find a spot at least 200 feet from any water source, trail, or campsite (approximately 70 adult paces).
Step 2: Dig A Hole
Here’s where the trowel comes in handy. If you don’t have a small shovel with you, look for a sharp rock or a stick to use. Dig a hole at least six to eight inches deep and four to six inches wide. Try to find a spot with dark-looking rich soil—organic soil will help decompose the feces. If you’re in the desert or high-wind areas, dig a little deeper to ensure your cat hole doesn’t come uncovered.
Step 3: Do Your Thing!
Popular pooping outside techniques include but are not limited to:
The Standard Squat
A tried and true method. Get those leg muscles activated and remember: the deeper the better here.
The Tree Lean
The lazy method. Face your body towards a tree and grab onto it with your arms, squat, and lean back away from the tree. If the trunk of your tree is too large to reach around, use a belt or strap to assist. Great for those with knee or mobility issues.
The Overhanging Rock
Advanced: for professionals only. Find a good rock to sit on with your bum hanging off the back. Just be sure that it’s hanging off pretty far. Counterbalance forward is key here.
Check out our instructional video about how to poop in the woods!
Step 4: Put Your Toilet Paper In A Sealable Bag
Using the sealable waste baggie with you brought with you, carefully place your waste and toilet paper inside. If it’s not realistic to pack out your waste, at least seal up the toilet paper. If you forgot your waste bag, bury the toilet paper along with your waste.
Step 5: Fill In The Hole, Sanitize Your Hands, And Return To The Trail With Your Bag
When covering your cat hole, take care to drop scoops of dirt from the unearthed pile down into the cat hole. Never touch the trowel to your poo. If you don’t feel comfortable touching the trowel when you’re done, you did it wrong.
Next, disguise it with native materials such as large rocks, sticks, or leaves. Some experts suggest placing a few sticks in the ground above your hole to signal to other people not to dig in the same spot.
Lastly, sanitize your hands and return to the trail. Treat your sealed waste bag as any other food container for the duration of your trek, including placing it in bear bags or canisters overnight. Dispose of it properly when you get home.
What Should I Do With Menstrual Products When Camping & Hiking?
Similar to solid waste, menstrual products should be packed out in sealable bags whenever possible. Treat bags of used menstrual products the same as food or other waste, keeping it in wildlife-proof containers. Non-biodegradable menstrual products should not be buried. However, some compostable products are available on the market today and can be buried as a last resort option. Alternatives like menstrual cups, which can be rinsed under running water, also provide a hygienic and waste-free way to explore outdoors while menstruating.