A camping toilet isn’t the most glamorous gear, but it can make a huge difference, especially with kids, at sites without facilities, or on cold nights when the walk to the restroom feels miles long. Here’s how portable camping toilets work, how to use one cleanly, and how to empty it responsibly.
Types of camping toilets
Bucket-style toilets
The simplest option: a sturdy bucket with a seat and lid, usually lined with a disposable waste bag. They’re inexpensive and easy to use, but you’ll be dealing with bags of waste rather than a sealed tank.
Portable flushing (cassette) toilets
These have a fresh water tank on top and a sealed waste tank below. A small flush rinses the bowl, and the waste tank detaches for emptying at a dump station or toilet. They’re popular for car camping, vans and RVs.
Composting and separating toilets
These separate liquids from solids, often using a liner or a dry material such as coconut coir or sawdust for solids. They can reduce odors and the frequency of emptying, but need careful management.
Waste bags (WAG bags)
Single-use bags designed for packing out human waste, often containing a powder that helps gel liquids and control odors. Some wilderness areas require them.
Setting up your camping toilet
- Pick a private spot, such as a corner of your site, inside a privacy tent or in a vestibule, away from the kitchen.
- Make it stable. Put the toilet on level ground so it won’t tip.
- Line or prep it according to the type: a waste bag in a bucket toilet, chemical or deodorizer in a cassette tank, or dry material in a composting toilet.
- Keep supplies nearby: toilet paper, hand sanitizer, wipes, spare bags and a small trash bag.
Using it cleanly
- Follow the maker’s instructions for flushing or adding dry material.
- Use only toilet paper suitable for the system. Some cassette toilets need quick-dissolving paper.
- Don’t put wipes, sanitary products or trash in the tank. Bag them separately.
- Wash or sanitize hands every time.
Controlling odors
- Use the recommended holding-tank treatment or deodorizer for cassette toilets.
- Add dry material after each use in composting or separating toilets.
- Keep the lid closed and the seal clean.
- Empty regularly rather than letting it fill up completely.
- On hot days, keep the toilet in the shade.
Emptying it responsibly
This is the most important part. Human waste must be disposed of properly to protect water, wildlife and other campers.
- Cassette toilets: empty the waste tank at an RV dump station or into a toilet where allowed. Many campgrounds have dump stations.
- Bagged waste: seal waste bags securely and dispose of them according to local rules. In many places, approved waste bags can go in the regular trash, but check first.
- Never dump waste into lakes, streams, storm drains or on the ground.
- Rinse the tank with fresh water after emptying and let it dry before storing.
When you don’t need a camping toilet
In the backcountry, many areas allow catholes for solid waste. Dig a small hole well away from water, trails and camp, then cover it when you’re done. In areas with fragile soils, high use or specific rules (such as some deserts, canyons and alpine zones), you may be required to pack out waste using bags. Always check local regulations before your trip.
Tips for camping with kids
Little kids often can’t wait for the walk to the restroom, so a camping toilet is a lifesaver. Practice using it at home first, keep a nightlight or headlamp beside it for nighttime trips, and set it up close to the tent in a privacy shelter.
Cleaning and storage
After the trip, clean the toilet thoroughly with mild soap or a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer, rinse, dry it fully and store it with the lids open slightly to prevent odors.
To minimize your impact outdoors, read our guide to Leave No Trace and its 7 principles.
Shop the gear
See all camping gear at NicheStuff
Heads up: NicheStuff is our own shop, so we earn from purchases made through these links.
FAQ
How often do you need to empty a camping toilet?
It depends on the tank size and how many people use it. Empty it before it’s full, and at least at the end of each trip.
Do camping toilets smell?
A well-maintained toilet with the right treatment and a closed lid shouldn’t smell much. Empty and clean it regularly.
Where can I empty a camping toilet?
At an RV dump station or a toilet where allowed. Never in nature or storm drains.
Can I use regular toilet paper?
For most bucket and bagged systems, yes. Some cassette toilets work better with quick-dissolving paper, so check the instructions.