Plan your outdoor bathroom before you hit the trail
Pick the right waste method, pack the right supplies, and follow the rules for your terrain. No guesswork, no awkward trail moments.
Build Your PlanTrip Details
How the planner works
Tell us about your trip
Enter your trip length, group size, terrain, and what facilities are nearby. Pick a preset if you want a quick start.
Get a waste method
The planner matches your situation to the right method: cat hole, wag bag, portable toilet, or a mix. It explains why that method fits.
Pack the right supplies
You get a checklist built for your trip. No more guessing whether you need a trowel, extra bags, or a portable toilet.
Save or print
Save your plan in the browser for next time. Print a copy to toss in your pack or share with your group.
Example: Weekend backpack in the Cascades
Two people, three nights, forested terrain, no facilities, a stream about 300 feet from camp. The planner recommends cat holes with a 6-inch trowel. You dig at least 200 feet from the stream, pack out used toilet paper in a zip bag, and scatter the hole when you are done. The supply list includes a trowel, zip bags, hand sanitizer, and a small bottle of biodegradable soap for handwashing away from water.
Example: Week-long river trip in Utah
Six people, seven nights, desert canyon, river within 50 feet of camp. The planner recommends wag bags for everyone, plus a portable toilet frame for comfort. You pack out all waste in sealed containers. The supply list includes enough wag bags for two uses per person per day, a toilet frame, privacy tarp, hand sanitizer, and odor-proof storage bags.
Common mistakes campers make
Digging cat holes too close to water
The standard rule is 200 feet (about 70 adult steps) from any water source. Many campers guess and come up short. Use a pace count before you need it.
Bringing too few wag bags
Plan for at least two uses per person per day. People often underestimate. A group of four on a five-day trip needs around 40 bags minimum.
Using regular plastic bags instead of wag bags
Regular bags are not designed for human waste. They tear, leak, and do not neutralize odor. Real wag bags have gelling powder and odor barriers.
Leaving toilet paper on the surface
Toilet paper takes months to break down in dry or cold climates. Pack it out in a zip bag with a little baking soda. Burning it is risky and often illegal.
Assuming cat holes work everywhere
Desert crust, frozen ground, and alpine soil do not absorb waste the way forest soil does. In those places, packing it out is the only responsible option.
Not checking current regulations
Rules change. A trail that allowed cat holes last year might require wag bags now. Check the land manager's website or call the ranger station before your trip.
Quick troubleshooting
- Ground is frozen solid
- Switch to wag bags. A trowel will not help you here.
- Ground is solid rock
- Use wag bags. Digging is not an option.
- You forgot your trowel
- A sturdy stick or a boot heel can work in soft soil. In hard or rocky ground, fall back to wag bags.
- Your wag bag supply runs out
- Double-bag with heavy-duty zip bags as a temporary fix. Cut your trip short if needed. Never leave waste uncontained.
- Rain is flooding your cat hole area
- Move to higher ground, still 200 feet from water. Saturated soil does not break down waste well.
Saved Plans
Plans are stored in your browser. They stay on your device and are never sent anywhere.
No saved plans yet. Build a plan above and click "Save Plan" to store it here.
What this planner assumes
General leave-no-trace principles
This planner follows the seven leave-no-trace principles as a baseline. It does not replace the specific rules of any particular park, forest, or wilderness area.
Typical conditions
Estimates for waste volume and supply counts are based on average adult use. Kids, dietary changes, and illness can shift these numbers.
Your judgment
You know your group and your destination. Use this planner as a starting point, then adjust based on what you find on the ground.
Last updated: 2026 · Version 1.0