Everyone needs to poop, and if you’ve ever gone on an overnight camping trip, you might have had to do it outside. For those who love spending time hiking or backpacking, it’s super important to know how to poop properly when you’re in the great outdoors.
If you don’t know the right way to do it, don’t worry—this blog post will help you learn. Even if you think you know the rules, this can still be a helpful reminder!
I’ve hiked over 2,000 miles on a Trail and have explored a lot of trails. But that doesn’t make me a perfect hiker—nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes while hiking, and that’s okay because there’s always something new to learn.
When I first started hiking, I didn’t know much about how to behave on the trails. I didn’t know about Leave No Trace, which is all about protecting nature. And I didn’t know there was a right or wrong way to poop outside!
My goal in writing this post is to teach you how to take care of your poop properly so we can all enjoy nature without worrying about stepping in, smelling, or seeing someone else’s poop or toilet paper on the trail.
I’ve seen a lot of gross stuff on the trails—maybe you have too. I’ve seen toilet paper lying around campsites, dug up by animals, and even left on the side of the trail. Once, in the Grand Canyon, I saw a huge mess where someone didn’t clean up after themselves at all. And just yesterday, I saw a used feminine napkin and wrapper right on the trail.
These things not only ruin the peaceful outdoor experience but are also really unsanitary. No one wants to step in or camp near human waste. Leaving your poop out in nature like this is wrong and goes against the Leave No Trace principles.
The Right Way to Poop Outdoors
- Pick a Good Spot: Walk at least 200 steps away from any water source, trail, or campsite.
- Find a Hidden Spot: Choose a place where people won’t walk or camp.
- Dig a Cat Hole: Make a hole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches wide.
- Poop and Bury: Poop in the hole and cover it up when you’re done.
- Pack Out Your Trash: Take used toilet paper, wipes, and feminine products with you.
- Check Local Rules: In some places, like busy trails, deserts, or snowy areas, you might need to use a special bag to pack out your poop. Always check local rules before you go.
The Wrong Way to Poop Outdoors
- Too Close to Water: Never poop near rivers, streams, or lakes.
- On the Trail: Don’t poop on or near any trails.
- Near Campsites: Avoid pooping close to where people camp.
- Not Burying It: Always bury your poop.
- Leaving Trash: Don’t bury or leave behind toilet paper, wipes, or feminine products.
- Not Using Toilets: If there’s a pit toilet or backcountry privy available, use it.
- Misusing Pit Toilets: Only human waste and toilet paper should go in these toilets—no other trash.
Why It’s Important to Poop Responsibly Outdoors
Pooping the wrong way outside can cause big problems. The most serious issue is contaminating drinking water, which can harm fish and make swimming dangerous. Poops can carry bacteria and viruses that cause diseases like hepatitis, salmonella, and giardia. Getting sick with one of these on a hike is no fun, especially if you’re far from a bathroom!
Being responsible for your poop also helps protect wildlife and keeps the trail clean for the next person. We all want to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, so it’s important to leave it as nice as we found it. For more tips on how to dig a cat hole and properly handle waste, check out the “Leave No Trace” website.
Don’t Be Embarrassed!
Talking about poop might feel weird, but it’s a normal, healthy part of life. Hikers are used to discussing things like pooping, peeing, and farting on the trail—it’s just part of the adventure! I used to be shy about it too, but after seeing so much waste left behind on trails, I know it’s important to share this information.
If you’re going to hike, it’s your job to handle your waste properly. Leaving your poop out in the open can hurt other people, animals, and the water supply. Don’t be the person who ruins the trail for others—be a good hiker and poop responsibly outdoors!
