Ever wondered how to answer nature’s call without harming the natural world itself? Human waste is one of the most common forms of pollution in the backcountry, making proper outdoor bathroom etiquette crucial for every hiker, camper, and outdoor enthusiast.

Learning how to poop outdoors responsibly isn’t just about personal comfort; it’s about protecting our wild spaces for future generations. Whether you’re planning your first backpacking trip or you’re a seasoned adventurer looking to refine your Leave No Trace practices, this guide will teach you everything you need to know about pooping outdoors without damaging sensitive environments.

From choosing the right location to selecting the best outdoor toilet supplies, we’ll cover proven techniques that minimize environmental impact while keeping you comfortable on the trail. These recommendations align with Leave No Trace Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly, as outlined by the National Park Service, which emphasizes safe spacing from water sources, digging effective catholes, and using pack-out methods like WAG bags when necessary.

Let’s dig into the essential skills every outdoor enthusiast should master.

Why Proper Outdoor Waste Disposal Matters

Improper disposal of human waste contributes to the rise of disease and bacteria in the backcountry, as well as increasing the chances that the next hiker will stumble across your poorly buried poo. Beyond the obvious health and aesthetic concerns, human waste can contaminate water sources, harm wildlife, and destroy fragile ecosystems.

When you poop outdoors incorrectly, you risk introducing harmful pathogens into pristine environments. These bacteria and viruses can survive in soil and water for months, potentially infecting other hikers, wildlife, and downstream water users. Understanding how to poop in the woods responsibly is a fundamental Leave No Trace principle that every outdoor enthusiast must learn.

The good news? With proper techniques and preparation, you can handle nature’s call while leaving zero impact on the environment. It’s all about following proven backcountry bathroom methods that work in harmony with nature’s decomposition processes, rather than against them.

Essential Gear for Pooping Outdoors

Basic Outdoor Toilet Supplies

Every backcountry bathroom kit should include these must-have items:

Lightweight Camp Trowel: A quality trowel makes digging catholes quick and easy. Look for titanium or aircraft-grade aluminum models that weigh under 3 ounces but can handle rocky soil.

Biodegradable Toilet Paper: Regular toilet paper takes months to decompose in outdoor environments. Biodegradable options break down much faster, especially in moist conditions.

Sealable Waste Bags: The preferred practice now is to pack out your used toilet paper (and even if it’s not required, it’s still the best practice for lowering your impact on the land). Bring several zip-lock bags for packing out toilet paper and hygiene supplies.

Hand Sanitizer: Always clean your hands thoroughly after handling waste. Alcohol-based sanitizers work effectively when soap and water aren’t available.

Advanced Waste Management Systems

For sensitive environments or extended trips, consider these specialized options:

WAG Bags (Waste Alleviation and Gelling bags): A double-walled, self-closing human waste container complete with crystals or gels to neutralize the dangerous pathogens. These are required in many high-alpine and desert areas.

Portable Toilet Seats: Lightweight toilet seats can make the experience more comfortable, especially useful for car camping or river trips where weight isn’t a major concern.

Pee Funnels: These devices allow people to urinate standing up, reducing exposure to cold surfaces and improving privacy in open terrain.

The Cathole Method: Step-by-Step Guide

The cathole technique remains the gold standard for pooping outdoors in most environments. Here’s how to do it right:

Location Selection

Find a spot 200 feet from water sources and trails, dig a small hole six inches deep, and poop in it. This distance prevents contamination of water supplies and keeps waste away from high-traffic areas where other hikers might encounter it.

Choose a location with rich, organic soil when possible. Avoid sandy or rocky areas where decomposition happens slowly. Look for spots with good sun exposure, as warmth accelerates the breakdown process.

Digging the Perfect Cathole

Dig your hole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches wide. This depth puts waste in the soil’s active biological layer where decomposition happens fastest. In most environments, this layer contains the microorganisms needed to break down human waste efficiently.

Save the excavated soil in a neat pile beside your hole. You’ll need this original dirt to properly cover and camouflage your cathole when finished.

Proper Waste Disposal Technique

Position yourself comfortably over the cathole. Many people find a wide stance provides better balance and accuracy. If you can’t aim directly into the hole, deposit waste nearby and use a stick or your trowel to move it into the cathole afterward.

Clean yourself up with rocks, pinecones, sticks, leaves, or toilet paper. If you use natural elements, bury them in your cathole, but only if you’re certain they won’t contaminate the area or attract animals.

Covering and Camouflaging

Fill the hole with the original soil, then tamp it down with your boot. The surface should be level with the surrounding ground. Place a rock, stick, or natural debris over the area to discourage animals from digging and to signal to other hikers that the spot has been used.

Environment-Specific Pooping Techniques

Desert Environments

In deserts, the soil contains less organic matter to help poop biodegrade, so your cathole should be shallower. Dig only 4-6 inches deep in arid climates, as the biological activity happens closer to the surface.

Pack out all toilet paper in desert environments. The dry conditions mean paper products take years to decompose, creating unsightly litter that impacts the wilderness experience for future visitors.

Alpine and High-Elevation Areas

In alpine environments, where organic material is more scarce, it’s best to carry everything out. Many high-elevation areas require pack-out systems due to slow decomposition rates and sensitive ecosystems.

Cold temperatures and thin soils in alpine zones mean waste can persist for years without proper decomposition. Check local regulations before your trip, as many popular mountain destinations now mandate WAG bag systems.

Forest and Woodland Areas

Forested environments typically offer the best conditions for cathole disposal. Rich, organic soils and moderate temperatures create ideal decomposition conditions. Look for areas with loose, dark soil that indicates active biological processes.

Avoid digging holes directly under large trees, as their root systems can interfere with decomposition and soil mixing.

River and Lake Corridors

Never dig catholes in sandy beaches or floodplains where seasonal flooding might wash waste into water sources. Move at least 200 feet from any water source, even seasonal streams that might appear dry.

In some river corridors, pack-out systems are required due to high usage and sensitive riparian ecosystems. Check with land managers for specific requirements in your area.

Advanced Leave No Trace Techniques

Smearing Method for Rocky Terrain

When soil is too shallow or rocky for catholes, some experienced outdoor professionals use the smearing technique. This involves spreading waste thinly on rock surfaces where sun and air can quickly desiccate and break it down.

This method should only be used in extremely arid environments and never near water sources or popular camping areas. Most recreational users should stick with pack-out methods in rocky terrain.

Pack-Out Systems

WAG bags and similar pack-out systems represent the highest standard of Leave No Trace practice. These systems contain waste completely, eliminating any environmental impact while ensuring proper disposal in waste treatment facilities.

Modern pack-out bags include gelling agents that neutralize odors and solidify waste, making transport less unpleasant. Double-walled designs prevent leaks and make the systems safe for carrying in your backpack.

Group Waste Management

For large groups, designate specific areas for catholes to prevent widespread soil disturbance. Some groups assign one person to dig multiple holes in advance, streamlining the process and ensuring proper technique.

Consider pack-out systems for groups of six or more people, as the cumulative impact of multiple catholes can significantly disturb soil ecosystems in popular camping areas.

Suggested Reads- 9 Best Portable Toilets for Camping in 2025

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Pooping Outdoors

Insufficient Depth

Shallow catholes are the most common mistake in backcountry waste disposal. Waste buried less than 6 inches deep may be exposed by animals or weather, creating health hazards and unsightly conditions for other visitors.

Too Close to Water

Never go directly into a small pond, stream, or lake. Always move 200 feet (about 70 steps) away from a water source. This distance protects water quality and prevents contamination that could affect wildlife and downstream users.

Inadequate Coverage

Partially filled catholes create opportunities for animal disturbance and odor problems. Always fill catholes with original soil and tamp down firmly to create a natural-looking surface.

Toilet Paper Burial

While some areas still allow toilet paper burial in catholes, the trend is toward pack-out for all paper products. Toilet paper can take months or years to decompose, especially in arid climates, and often becomes exposed to weather or animals.

Hygiene and Health Considerations

Hand Washing Protocols

Always use it after you poop and before handling food. Soap and water, and the physical act of rubbing, can be a more thorough way to wash hands. But the rubbing action with sanitizers may have the same result.

Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content for effective pathogen elimination. Use enough sanitizer to keep hands wet for 15-20 seconds, paying special attention to fingertips and under nails.

Personal Hygiene Items

Pack out all hygiene supplies, including wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, and tissues. These items never belong in catholes or natural environments, regardless of marketing claims about biodegradability.

Pre-moistened wipes can provide superior cleaning, but must always be packed out. Store used wipes in sealable bags to contain odors and prevent leaks.

Illness Prevention

Proper waste disposal prevents the spread of intestinal diseases that can ruin outdoor adventures and affect entire groups. Giardia, cryptosporidium, and other waterborne pathogens can survive in soil and water for extended periods.

Follow strict hygiene protocols when anyone in your group shows signs of illness. Consider pack-out systems for all waste when dealing with suspected intestinal infections.

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep should a cathole be?

The ideal cathole depth is 6-8 inches in most environments. This puts waste in the soil’s active biological layer, where decomposition happens most efficiently. In desert environments, dig 4-6 inches deep due to different soil composition and biological activity patterns.

Can I bury toilet paper in my cathole?

While some areas still allow toilet paper burial, the best practice is to pack out all toilet paper in sealable bags. Toilet paper takes months to years to decompose and often becomes exposed by animals or weather, creating unsightly litter in pristine environments.

What’s the 200-foot rule for outdoor bathrooms?

Always locate catholes at least 200 feet (approximately 70 adult steps) from water sources, trails, and campsites. This distance prevents water contamination, keeps waste away from high-traffic areas, and reduces the chance that other visitors will encounter your waste site.

Do I need special gear for pooping outdoors?

Basic gear includes a lightweight trowel, biodegradable toilet paper, sealable waste bags, and hand sanitizer. In sensitive environments, you may need WAG bags or other pack-out systems. Check local regulations before your trip to ensure you have the required equipment.

When should I use a pack-out system instead of catholes?

Use pack-out systems in alpine environments, popular camping areas, sensitive ecosystems, or anywhere land managers require them. Many desert and high-elevation areas mandate pack-out due to slow decomposition rates and fragile environments. When in doubt, pack-out provides the lowest environmental impact.