One of the least favorite topics that come up with newbies to the trail is “how do I potty in the woods?” I get it, it can seem scary and uncomfortable. But if you know how to properly potty in the woods it will be a peaceful experience. Or as peaceful as pooing in the woods can be. Before you know it, you will be an expert and teaching others the way. So, let’s dive into the dirty details by following a trail map.
Trail Points
- Be Prepared
- Get Off the Trail
- Dig A Hole
- Do The Deed
- Burry It
- Leave No Trace
Below we will discuss each trail point to successfully potty in the woods.
Be Prepared
Before you head out into nature having the supplies needed to potty in the woods is essential to a good experience and giving you confidence. Depending on where you are the supplies could be different. But below are the key supplies to always have in your pack.
- Toilet Paper
- Wipes (optional)
- Ziplock Bag (to place used paper and wipes in)
- Handheld Trowel
- Wag Bag (some public lands require to take out even your waste)
- Hand Sanitizer
Get Off the Trail
You want some privacy when you are doing your business plus others don’t want to see you either nor do they want to see what you leave behind. There are some key rules about where to potty in the woods to keep nature pristine and safe for animals and humans alike.
- 200 feet off the trail.
- 200 feet away from any water source.
- 200 feet away from any camping area.
- Near bushes or trees for privacy.
- A sunny spot will help with decomposition.
- Just remember how you got off the trail.
Dig A Hole
This is where your trowel comes in handy, so you don’t have to do it with your hands. However, if there isn’t time for this to happen as nature called unexpectedly you will need to be ready to do an extra good job covering it up (a later step). Note that I hole is highly recommended for pooing in the woods but not necessary for peeing in the woods.
- Find loose and rich soil that is easy to dig into.
- Dig the cathole 6-8 inches deep and about 4 inches wide.
- If in a very rocky area find a large rock and move it for your place to potty.
Do The Deed
Now it’s time to become one with nature and potty in the woods. Take a deep breath and relax. I promise the more you do it the easier it gets.
- Have your toilet paper and/or wipes ready to use before popping a squat.
- Make sure your clothing and shoes are out of the way of the potty action.
- Use a tree for stability if you need additional help.
Burry It
You need to make it like you were never there. Especially with poo it needs to be covered so animals don’t find it and try to dig it up or do other things with it. Remember our poo isn’t just what we eat it also has microbes; bacteria and viruses; that can upset mother nature.
- If a cathole was dug, then fill it back up with all the dirt removed and firmed step on the hole to compress the dirt back into place. Then place branches, leaves, needles, rocks, etc stop animals from digging.
- If no hole was dug, then you will need to spend a little more time covering your poo with branches, leaves, needles, grass, rocks, etc to have to buried to stop animals from digging into it.
- If you just had to pee and it wasn’t in a soil rich area it is recommended to cover with some leaves, needles or grass.
Leave No Trace
Again, make it seem like you were never there. Pack it in, pack it out. Leave nothing behind but the potty and your footprints. If it’s not in nature, then it shouldn’t be there.
- Place any used toilet paper and wipes into your spare ziplock bag to carry out.
- DO NOT bury these items, you MUST take them out with you. Less and less public spaces are allowing the burying of toilet paper so just expect to take it out with you.
- NOTE: some public lands require you to potty in a WAG bag and carry the entire waste out. Know the rules of the lands before you recreate on them.
And with that you have now successfully potty in the woods. That means you get a new badge to be proud of. Welcome to the club. You can now proudly say I like to poop in the woods. Some true city folks might cringe, but your fellow outdoor lovers will celebrate with you. Nothing will scare you except maybe using a wrong leaf if you run out of toilet paper or a fellow wildlife creature coming upon you while you do your business.
Want to learn more about being out on the trail? That’s where I come in. Let me help you understand the ins and outs of getting out on the trail in nature. I want to take all the knowledge and experiences I have had and share them with you so you can hit the trail with more confidence. Ready for whatever comes around the next turn. I would be honored to be your Trail Coach. We can go anywhere from city parks to state parks to national parks to blm land to national forests and everywhere in between. If there is some amazing nature to be seen, we can do it together one adventure at a time.
Get my Trail Checklist now to make sure you are prepared to head outdoors. This list is a great starting point and has my top items for both hiking and trail running.
https://shop.fabandfitwithrj.com/trailchecklist
Follow me on Instagram at @fabandfitwithrj for more education, motivation, and inspiration.
Until the next trail…
Coach RJ
References:
REI. (n.d.). How to Go to the Bathroom in the Woods. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/hygiene-sanitation.html
Leave No Trace. (n.d.). Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly. https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/dispose-of-waste-properly/
Photo Credit:
Photo by Jojo Tesini: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-wooden-outhouse-in-the-forest-23490244/
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