To poop when hiking, use a 6–8 inch cathole 200 feet from water, or pack it out with a WAG bag where required.
If you’re out on a day hike or a multi-day trek, nature may call. Doing it right keeps water clean, trails tidy, and your group happy. This guide gives clear steps, simple gear picks, and field-tested tricks so you can take care of business without stress.
Trail Poop Decision Guide
Use this quick matrix to choose the right method for your setting and conditions.
| Setting | Best Method | Quick Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Forested soil with organic layer | Cathole (6–8 in deep) | Stay 200 ft from water, trails, and camp; cover well. |
| High alpine, tundra, slickrock | Pack-out bag | Soil is thin or rocky; decomposition is slow. |
| Desert with cryptobiotic crust | Pack-out bag | Avoid crust; fragile top layer; use marked bag drop if provided. |
| Narrow canyons, river corridors | Pack-out bag | Water is close; catholes aren’t suitable. |
| Heavy-use trail near trailheads | Toilet or pack-out bag | Privies fill fast; many parks require bags. |
| Winter snowpack | Pack-out bag | Snow burials resurface in melt; pack it out. |
Ways To Go Number Two On A Hike—Step By Step
When soil is suitable, the cathole method is the gold standard. Here’s a clean, stepwise approach from start to finish.
1) Find The Right Spot
Walk at least 200 feet (about 70–80 adult paces) from water, trails, and camp. Pick a discreet place with dark, rich soil, leaf litter, or duff that helps break waste down. Skip steep slopes or flood-prone low spots.
2) Dig A Proper Cathole
Use a small trowel to dig 6–8 inches deep and 4–6 inches wide. Set the top plug of soil aside as a cap. In crumbly ground, widen the hole a touch; in loamy ground, keep walls neat so it refills cleanly.
3) Aim And Go
Squat with heels flat if you can. If balance is tricky, brace on a tree (leave bark intact) or use a trekking pole as a post. Keep clothing forward so it stays clean.
4) Toilet Paper And Natural Wipes
Best practice is to pack out used paper in a sealable bag. In some areas, plain, unscented paper may be buried in the hole, but rules vary. Leaves, smooth stones, or snow can work in a pinch; only use local, abundant plant matter that won’t cause a rash.
5) Cover, Disguise, And Step Down
Stir a bit of soil into the hole to speed breakdown, place the cap back, and tamp it flat with your boot. Scatter leaves or needles so the spot blends in. Don’t mark it with flagging or trash.
6) Clean Hands The Right Way
Wash with soap and water when you can. If water is scarce, use a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol; rub until dry. See the CDC hand sanitizer guidance for the standard.
Cat Hole Depth, Distance, And Placement
Depth and distance aren’t random. They keep pathogens out of water and give soil microbes time to work. The widely taught standard is 6–8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water, trails, and camp. The Leave No Trace “Dispose of Waste Properly” page spells out that guidance clearly, with a focus on soil that actually breaks down waste.
Look for organic soil—dark, springy, with roots and litter. Avoid bare mineral sand, slickrock, or alpine crust. In group camps, spread catholes far apart across a wide area so one place doesn’t turn into a mess.
Pack-Out Method With A WAG Bag
Many parks and climbing areas now favor or require pack-out kits. These kits line a sturdy bag with a gelling powder that controls odor and helps with disposal in normal trash once sealed. They’re common at busy trailheads and high-alpine routes.
How To Use A Pack-Out Kit
- Open the outer bag and set up the inner liner on the ground or in a lightweight seat.
- Go directly into the liner. Add a small pinch of the included powder if the kit calls for it.
- Add used paper and any natural wipes to the liner.
- Seal the inner bag tightly, then place it into the outer bag. Seal again.
- Stow in an odor-resistant carry pouch. Keep it away from sharp gear.
- Dispose in regular trash where local rules allow; many kits are approved for that route.
Where Pack-Out Is Required
You’ll see this rule in desert canyons, above treeline, narrow ridgelines, and crowded peaks. Some permits are handed out with kits at the start. If a ranger station or trailhead sign says “pack it out,” that’s the plan—no holes, no snow burials.
Hygiene That Actually Works Outside
Clean hands keep you on trail. A small dropper bottle of soap and a collapsible sink make quick work of washing when you have water. If not, an alcohol-based gel with 60% or more alcohol is the standard field backup, as noted by the CDC guidance on sanitizer. Apply after you go, after trash handling, and before you eat.
Managing Paper And Smell
Double-bag used paper in a small sealable bag. Wrap that bag in a scrap of opaque packaging or a dog-waste sleeve so it’s discreet. A pinch of baking soda cuts smell. Don’t stash these in mesh pockets where branches can snag them.
Build A Simple Poop Kit
Pre-pack a kit so you aren’t scrambling when time is tight. Keep it in the top lid or an easy side pocket.
| Item | Why It Helps | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Small trowel (metal or tough plastic) | Makes a correct hole fast | Pick a narrow, pointed blade for hard soil. |
| WAG bag or double-bag system | Required in many zones | Store in its own pouch; carry two per day in high-use areas. |
| Unscented TP or compressed wipes | Gentle and packable | Flatten a small roll with a rubber band to save space. |
| Alcohol hand gel (≥60%) | Field hygiene when water is scarce | Refill a 15–30 ml dropper; keep one in your hip belt pocket. |
| Odor-resistant stash pouch | Containment and privacy | Bright color = fewer accidental opens with food bags. |
| Baking soda packet | Basic odor control | Add a pinch to your trash bag with used paper. |
| Mini bidet or soft-bottle cap | Rinse without extra wipes | Use a tiny water squeeze; dry fully before hiking on. |
Cold, Snow, Desert, And Fragile Soils
Snow: Buried waste resurfaces during melt. It washes downhill and can end up near camps or in streams. Pack it out with a kit.
High alpine: Thin soil and slow decay make catholes ineffective. Many routes issue kits with permits. Follow the posted rule.
Desert: The crust on the ground binds soil together. Crushing it leaves scars that last for years. Keep feet and trowels off crust. Use a pack-out bag, or walk on durable surfaces like rock or sand to reach a legal spot away from water.
Floodplains and beaches: Water levels shift fast. Catholes here can leach straight into waterways. Use toilets or a pack-out bag.
Group Etiquette And Privacy
Tell your group you’re “stepping off for a few minutes.” Point in the direction you’ll walk, and carry your kit in plain sight so folks get the hint. Move far enough that you can’t hear voices. If you’re leading a trip, set clear norms at the trailhead: bag policy, paper policy, and hand gel before snacks.
What To Do When You Can’t Dig
Sometimes the ground is pure rock or root web. In that case, switch to a pack-out bag. If you only have a regular trash bag, use a spare freezer bag as a liner, add a bit of dry soil or sawdust to control moisture, then double-bag tightly and store upright. Replace with a proper kit at the next store.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Too shallow: Less than 6 inches risks animals digging it up and slows breakdown.
- Too close to water: Anything nearer than 200 feet can reach streams through runoff.
- Paper left behind: Animals shred it; wind spreads it. Pack it out unless local rules state otherwise.
- Snow burials: Spring melt reveals everything. Use a pack-out bag.
- Using wet wipes with lotion: Slow to break down and smell sweet to animals; pack them out in a tight pouch.
- Forgetting hand cleaning: Many trail tummy bugs start here. Wash or sanitize every time.
Quick Troubleshooting
Rocky Ground
Angle the trowel like a pry bar. Work around a circle to loosen a plug. If you can’t reach depth, switch to a pack-out bag.
Hard Clay Or Roots
Wet the spot with a splash from your bottle to soften the top inch, then dig. In dense roots, move a few steps; don’t cut thick roots.
No Privacy
Use terrain: behind a boulder, stand of shrubs, or a small ridge. A rain jacket or emergency blanket held by a friend makes a fast screen when needed.
Bad Weather
Set your pack rain cover on the ground as a knee mat. Keep your kit in a top pocket so you aren’t rummaging in a storm.
Leave No Trace Basics You Can Count On
The core field rules are steady: 6–8 inch holes in suitable soil, 200 feet from water and travel corridors, pack out paper and hygiene items, and switch to a bag system when soil can’t do the job. The Leave No Trace guidance is the baseline many parks adopt. Check local rules on permits, kits at trailheads, and disposal points at the end of your hike.
Final Field Checklist Before You Step Off
- Two pack-out kits or one kit plus a trowel, based on terrain and park rules.
- Small roll of plain paper or a few compressed wipes, bagged separately.
- Hand gel (≥60% alcohol) and a tiny soap bottle for camp.
- Seal-tight trash bags for paper and hygiene items.
- Bright stash pouch so waste bags don’t get mixed with snacks.
Why Getting This Right Matters On Every Trip
Clean trails, clear water, and a better time outside all start with simple habits. Choose the right method for the ground under your feet, carry a kit that fits your route, and keep your hands clean. That’s it—no drama, no mess, and a smoother day for you and everyone who follows.