Good camping hygiene protects your health, keeps wildlife wild, and leaves the outdoors clean for the next visitor. Whether you are at a developed campground with running water or deep in the backcountry, a few simple habits make a big difference. This guide walks you through handwashing, dish cleanup, trash handling, human waste disposal, and pet waste, using advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Leave No Trace organization.
Handwashing and Sanitizing
Clean hands are the first line of defense against germs that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. The CDC says to wash your hands before handling food, before eating, and after using the toilet. The USDA FSIS adds that you should wash hands before and after handling any food, and that soap and water are ideal. When running water is not available, both agencies recommend a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Disposable alcohol-based wipes can also work for sanitizing hands and surfaces, according to the FSIS.
In the backcountry, hand sanitizers that do not require rinsing let you clean your hands without creating wastewater that needs special disposal, notes the Leave No Trace organization.
Dishwashing at the Campsite
How you wash dishes depends on where you camp. The National Park Service describes two approaches. In a frontcountry campground with a picnic table and fire ring, you can set up a three-bin system. Fill one bin with warm water for washing, a second with warm water for rinsing, and a third with a sanitizing solution made from 2 teaspoons of household bleach per gallon of water. After washing and rinsing, dip each item in the bleach solution and let everything air dry. This method prevents bacteria growth.
In the backcountry, the NPS recommends using a biodegradable soap and rinsing cookware and utensils thoroughly. The Leave No Trace organization adds important steps: carry water at least 200 feet (about 70 to 80 adult paces) away from any lake, stream, or spring. Wash in a clean pot or container, not directly in the water source. After washing, strain the dirty dishwater through a fine mesh strainer to remove food particles, then scatter the strained water broadly over the ground. Pack out the strained food scraps with your trash. This keeps soap, grease, and odors out of the water and away from your tent.
If you are at a developed campground, Leave No Trace suggests contacting your campground host about disposal practices for wastewater, since food scraps, mud and odors can build up where wastewater is discarded.
Managing Trash and Leftovers
The core rule is simple: pack it in, pack it out. Leave No Trace states that burning trash is never recommended. Half-burned or buried garbage still attracts animals and makes a site unattractive. The organization’s fire safety guidance specifically warns against burning plastic items and foil-lined wrappers on a campfire. Instead, bring sealable bags to store all trash, including food scraps, packaging, and wipes. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for micro-trash like bits of food, orange peels, or pistachio shells before you leave.
Plan meals to reduce messy, smelly garbage. The NPS suggests repurposing large, sealable plastic bags as waste bags; they seal in odors and keep flies and wildlife away. In bear country, food storage is especially important. The NPS advises storing food at least 100 yards from your tent and using bear-proof containers or food poles where provided. Never leave food or trash unattended, and clean picnic tables, fire rings, and the ground thoroughly after eating. For more on safe food storage, see our Food Storage and Safety page.
Human Waste Disposal
Proper disposal of human waste prevents water pollution, reduces disease risk, and keeps the outdoors pleasant for everyone. The CDC recommends burying human waste at least 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from lakes, rivers, and other natural waters. Leave No Trace provides detailed cathole instructions: dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches in diameter, at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Choose an inconspicuous site with deep organic soil if possible, and avoid areas where water visibly flows, such as sandy washes. After use, cover the cathole with soil and disguise it with natural materials like leaves or twigs.
Toilet paper should be buried deep in the cathole or packed out as trash. Leave No Trace advises against burning toilet paper, as it can start wildfires. Wipes, even those labeled biodegradable, should always be packed out; they do not break down quickly and animals may dig them up. Menstrual products, including tampons and pads, must also be packed out. A sealable plastic bag covered in duct tape provides a discreet way to carry these items.
If you are camping in a fragile alpine or desert area, land managers may require that all solid human waste be packed out. Check with the local land management agency for specific rules. For more on backcountry skills, visit our Essential Camping Skills article.
Pet Waste and Campground Rules
Pets are welcome at many campgrounds, but they come with extra responsibilities. The National Park Service reminds campers to pick up after their pets and bring plenty of poop bags. The NPS also says your dog should always be leashed at a campsite. Check the specific park’s regulations before you go, as some areas restrict pets on trails or near water.
Developed campgrounds may have their own rules for waste disposal, quiet hours, and pet areas. Leave No Trace suggests contacting the campground host about disposal practices at your site. Rules vary from park to park, so asking a ranger or host is the surest way to stay compliant and protect the environment.
Quick Reference Table
| Task | How to Do It | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Handwashing | Wash with soap and water before food, after toilet. If unavailable, use sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. | CDC, USDA FSIS |
| Dishwashing (frontcountry) | Three bins: wash, rinse, sanitize with 2 tsp bleach per gallon of water. Air dry. | NPS |
| Dishwashing (backcountry) | Use biodegradable soap. Carry water 200 feet from source. Strain dishwater, scatter, pack out scraps. | NPS, Leave No Trace |
| Trash | Pack it in, pack it out. Never burn trash. Inspect site for micro-trash. | Leave No Trace |
| Human waste | Dig cathole 6 to 8 inches deep, 200 feet from water, camp, trails. Bury toilet paper or pack out. Pack out wipes. | CDC, Leave No Trace |
| Pet waste | Pick up with bags, pack out. Keep pet leashed. | NPS |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use hand sanitizer instead of washing my hands?
Yes. The CDC and USDA FSIS both say that when soap and water are not available, a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is an effective alternative. Apply it before handling food and after using the toilet or touching raw meat. Hand sanitizers that do not require rinsing also help you avoid creating wastewater in the backcountry, according to Leave No Trace.
How deep should a cathole be?
Leave No Trace recommends digging a cathole 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches in diameter. The CDC advises burying human waste at least 8 inches deep. Leave No Trace places it at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails; the CDC says at least 200 feet from lakes, rivers and other natural waters. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
What should I do with dishwater in the backcountry?
Carry water at least 200 feet from any stream or lake, wash with a small amount of biodegradable soap, then strain the dishwater through a fine mesh strainer. Scatter the strained water broadly over the ground, and pack out the food scraps you caught in the strainer. This method, outlined by Leave No Trace, keeps pollutants out of the water and odors away from your camp.
For more camping hygiene and waste disposal tips, visit our Hygiene and Waste category page.
