Backcountry Bathrooms: What to Expect & How to Leave No Trace
How do you go to the bathroom in the backcountry?
If you’ve never camped or hiked away from facilities before, don’t worry — you’re not alone. And once you know what to expect, it’s honestly no big deal.
💧 First Things First: Peeing Outdoors
Peeing in the backcountry is usually the easy part.
🚺 For women:
Find a private spot at least 200 feet (about 70 big steps) away from water, trails, and camp.
Squat low and aim downhill if you're on a slope.
Many hikers use a pee rag (like a Kula Cloth) — a reusable, antimicrobial cloth you use instead of toilet paper. It clips onto your pack to dry and sanitize in the sun.
Not into pee rags? Pack out toilet paper in a ziplock.
🧼 Bonus tip:
Always sanitize or wash your hands afterward with hand sanitizer or water + biodegradable soap away from water sources.
💩 What About #2?
If you’re in the wilderness, there are usually no toilets. You’ll use one of the following methods, depending on where you're adventuring:
1. Catholes (the most common method)
You dig a small hole and go in the ground.
How to do it right:
Dig a 6–8 inch hole (about the height of your hand) at least 200 feet from water, camp, or trails.
Use a trowel to dig.
After doing your business, cover the hole completely and disguise it with natural materials.
Pack out all used toilet paper or wipes in a Ziplock — they do not break down quickly and shouldn’t be buried.
This is the gold standard for Leave No Trace practices in many areas, including most of Yosemite’s backpacking zones.
2. WAG Bags or Pack-Out Systems
Some areas — especially high-use or sensitive alpine zones (like Mt. Whitney or parts of Grand Canyon NP) — require you to pack out all waste, including poop.
You’ll use a WAG bag (Waste Alleviation and Gelling), which is a sanitary, sealable bag system that you carry out in your trash.
Yosemite does not currently require this in most areas, but it's good to know if you plan to backpack in more remote or fragile environments.
3. Backcountry Toilets
Some popular trails or wilderness campsites have vault toilets or composting toilets — especially in Yosemite.
Examples:
Little Yosemite Valley
Clouds Rest Junction
Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp
If you see one, lucky you — use it!
🛠 What’s in Our “Bathroom Kit”
Here’s what we carry in a small waterproof bag:
Ultralight trowel
Toilet paper in a Ziplock
Wipes (optional, pack out!)
Hand sanitizer
Pack-out Ziplock (lined with foil or opaque bag for used TP)
Pee cloth (Kula Cloth or bandana)
🌿 Leave No Trace: Why It Matters
Human waste isn’t just gross — it can pollute water, spread disease, and harm fragile environments. Burying waste properly (or packing it out when required) helps keep wild spaces beautiful and safe for everyone.
When you learn the system, it becomes just another part of trail life — and we promise, everyone’s doing it.
Final Thoughts
Going to the bathroom in the backcountry might feel weird at first, but with a little practice and the right mindset, it becomes second nature — just like lacing up your boots or filtering water.
When you hike with Sierra Soul Adventures, we go over all of this at orientation, so you’ll know exactly what to expect and what to bring. No awkward questions necessary — we’ve got you.