The Best Toilet Solutions For Car Camping Road Trips

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There are many types of portable camping toilets to make your life easier in nature. A composting toilet is very popular among van lifers, and frequent RVers might love a cassette toilet. Portable dry toilets, chemical toilets, and specially designed flushable toilets can also be used as portable camping toilets. The best portable toilet is unique to you and your needs as a camper.

As a pretty frequent car camper, I have considered purchasing many types of portable toilets and self-contained toilets for my long car camping road trips. Using the restroom was one of the things I was most concerned about when I set out on my first 6-month car camping road trip. It turns out I didn’t need to be so concerned. Using the bathroom on the road was pretty simple.

Public facilities were easy to find for the most part. There were plenty of rest areas and toilet facilities along the highways, and at the national and state parks I visited. The trickiest part was what to do at night when I was parked in a public parking lot, and no public restroom was open.

Car camping means different things to different people. When I car camp, I sleep inside my car and often overnight at public parking lots. I rarely camp in one place for multiple nights, so I am constantly moving. These are the simple toilet solutions I have used during my solo car camping trips, so they are perfect for solo travelers in a cramped space.

At the start, sleeping in my car and using the restroom in my car (in emergency situations) was very tricky! After a few solo road trips, I got a routine down and now never fret about using the restroom without a public toilet around. It’s still a pain, but when you have to go, you have to go!

In this post, I am talking about my favorite easy toilet solutions for car camping road trips when you have to pee inside your car or in the remote backcountry. It’s not going to be glamorous, but it’s practical information I wish I had before I started car camping!

Table of Contents: Jump to

Tips For Car Camping Bathrooms

Here are just a few things to know before getting into the car camping toilet solutions.

For the most part, when traveling by car, if you are driving along the highway, especially in the US, there are always public restrooms available at rest stops, truck stops, fast food restaurants, and convenience stores. So, during your road trip, it is best to stop at one of these to use the restroom. Using the bathroom inside a car is not fun. Although it is an option, it is a pain, so I try to avoid it as much as possible.

A few things I do to prevent having to pee overnight are to stop drinking around 7 p.m. or at least 3 hours before bedtime, and I always pee right before bed in a public restroom. I plan bedtime around when I am able to take my last bathroom break before going to bed for the night.

In some cases, you will be in a bind and need alternate bathroom solutions even when trying your hardest to prevent the dreaded overnight pee. If you are parked overnight in a public parking lot, such as Cracker Barrell or Walmart, you need to set up a bathroom station inside your car to make it easier and more convenient to use the restroom overnight when nothing is open.

My “bathroom station” is in the front driver’s seat. I put my supplies on the passenger side floor where they are easy to get to. I squat on my driver’s side seat since I can move this seat backward to give myself more room. I have a cooler behind my passenger’s side seat and need to push that seat all the way forward for my Yeti Roadie cooler to fit comfortably, so it is not a good option for my “bathroom station.”

Also, you will want somewhere sturdy to store the liquid until you can discard it. You do not want any spillage, so I usually use a hard-sided bucket to put my pee bag in for extra protection.

I have left my pee bag on the outside of my car before, but I drove away in the morning and completely forgot about it until I was hours away. I still feel bad about that! At the time, I did not have a bucket to store my pee bag in, and I was so worried the gelled liquid would leak out inside my car or smell horrible overnight.

Types of Car Camping Toilet Systems

I have used a version of all of these, but my favorite option is now the pee funnel + jug. It has been the more reliable and sturdy option for me when needing to use the restroom inside my car. When in the backcountry, digging a hole is usually the best option!

Here is a breakdown of all the simple toilet solutions I have used and what works best for who.

Pee Funnel + Jug

A pee funnel, also known as a female urination device (FUD), is a portable device that allows women to urinate while standing up. These devices are designed to provide convenience and hygiene in situations where clean or accessible restrooms are not available. They work great during long hikes or during car camping road trips when you are in a bathroom bind.

Pee funnels are typically made from materials like silicone or plastic and come in various shapes and sizes. They can be reusable or disposable, depending on the design. The user places the device against their body, allowing them to direct the urine away from their body, similar to how men urinate standing up.

I started using TripTips FUD and directed the urine into an empty .5-gallon jug. I first purchased the Ella Pee FUD, but the direction of the funnel made it harder to squat over the bottle; this one is best for standing, so it works great while hiking, but it is not as user-friendly when trying to go in your car.

WAG Bag

A WAG (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) bag is a portable toilet system used primarily for waste disposal in outdoor settings where permanent restroom facilities are not available. It works great for camping, hiking, or in remote areas, as it is very compact and lightweight to carry.

A WAG bag typically consists of a disposable bag with a special inner liner that contains chemicals to solidify human waste and neutralize odors. The outer bag is tough and durable, made to prevent rips and tears. You do your business inside the inner bag (there needs to be liquid to activate the chemical powder), seal that bag, and then seal the outer bag. Once the poo powder is activated, it breaks down the solid waste into material that is ok to dispose of in a normal trash bin. You can use the bag multiple times if you have to but you should never overload the bag.

The Cleanwaste Wag Bags Toilet Kit is best for #2s since you can easily discard the entire bag in a normal bin without having to empty it. When I first started car camping, I bought a dozen WAG bags, but I still have not needed to use one of them. I think they are a fantastic solution if you are on public lands without a traditional toilet. WAG bags are often used to comply with “Leave No Trace” principles in environmentally sensitive areas, ensuring waste is properly managed and carried out rather than left in the wild.

Bucket Toilet + Liner Bag

My first car camping toilet solution was a portable toilet bag with an absorbent pad. I used to squat over this open bag on my front driver’s seat, trying to hold it open while I squat-peed, praying the bag would not move and the liquid would not leak out. The absorbent pad was never enough, so this bag would often have excess liquid.

I placed the bag on the driver’s side floor (or outside of my car) and emptied it out into a discrete area in the morning and then threw the disposable bag and absorbent pad away in a normal bin. It is tough to squat on your car seat to pee! Sometimes, my leg muscles cramp up, and it is uncomfortable to re-adjust. It’s not easy trying to pee in a bag while squatting on a seat that is somewhat sturdy- it’s another reason I strive never to have an emergency bathroom situation in my car.

I’ve only had to go in my car a few times over the years during emergency overnight situations when there were no restroom facilities available. I usually wake up around 5:30-6:30 a.m. because I have to pee, but by that time, Starbucks or Walmart is usually open. If I stick to my bedtime bathroom rituals, I rarely have to go earlier than 5:30 a.m.

I recommend using a bucket with the liner bag method just in case liquid leaks out of the disposable bag. Simply place the disposable plastic bag inside the portable toilet/bucket, ensuring it completely lines the bowl or receptacle. You can even use snack clips to attach the bag to the bucket. Some portable toilets are designed with clips or grooves to hold disposable plastic bags securely in place.

You’ll also want to use a layer of absorbent material, such as portable toilet powder or an absorbent pad, to help solidify liquid waste, control odor, and start breaking down solid waste. This will help with easy disposal.

Foldable Toilet

As I mentioned, it can be tough squatting on an unstable car seat to pee, but sometimes, you have no choice if you are sleeping inside your car in a public parking lot. If you are able to sleep on public land, you have a few more toilet seat options since you are able to get out of your car to use the restroom.

A folding toilet is another popular option for campers. It is most like a regular toilet with a comfortable seat, which is great for those who have trouble squatting. A foldable toilet is too big for my car, but in some vans or SUVs, it could be an inside option. However, it’s great for camping on public land since you have the space to set it up outside of your car.

I originally bought this collapsible toilet but never used it. Some foldable toilets or collapsible toilet systems require a waste bag, while others are designed to prop up over a hole to give you comfort while doing your business.

I think foldable toilets like this one, are great for long-term remote camping in combination with a privacy tent. You never know who or what could be watching you, and it’s just a great way to give yourself privacy but also not disturb any other campers who may unexpectedly come by.

Dig a Hole

Often called a cathole, digging a deep enough hole is a great option when in remote locations with surroundings that allow it. It is important to be conscious of not only local regulations but also the soil you are camping on. In some dry areas, it is impossible to dig a hole deep enough to dispose of human waste properly. In these cases you should always pack out your waste in a WAG bag.

Human waste can contain harmful pathogens that can contaminate water sources and spread disease to other humans and animals, so it is very important to deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6-8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from fresh water, camp, and trails.

A trowel is the best tool for digging and covering up catholes. Do not bury toilet paper or any wipes (even if they are biodegradable on the packaging). These should be placed in a bag and carried out to be disposed of in a standard trash can. Animals can dig toilet paper up, and most biodegradable TP will not break down fast enough to keep animals safe.

Did You Know:

In many cultures, squatting is considered a beneficial position for bowel movements. It is increasingly recognized for its health benefits over the conventional seated posture used in Western toilets. Some Benefits include:

Anatomical Alignment: Squatting straightens the rectum and relaxes the puborectalis muscle, which normally creates a kink in the colon. This alignment allows for a more direct passage for stool, making it easier to pass.
Increased Abdominal Pressure: The squatting position increases intra-abdominal pressure, which helps to push the stool out more effectively.
Reduced Straining: By reducing the need to strain, squatting can help prevent issues such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Faster Elimination: Squatting can lead to quicker and more complete bowel movements, reducing the time spent on the toilet.
Less Residual Stool: A complete evacuation of the bowels can help reduce the sensation of incomplete emptying and minimize the risk of fecal residue.

Optional Bathroom Accessories

Portable Toilet Powder – Bio Gel

Portable toilet powder, often referred to as “deodorizing powder” or “waste treatment powder,” is a product used to manage waste in portable toilets, camping toilets, or emergency sanitation setups. Sprinkling the chemical powder into the toilet or waste receptacle helps control odor and gels liquid waste, making it easier to handle and dispose of.

Wet Wipes or Biodegradable TP

Something to wipe with is important! Some WAG bags or disposable toilet liners may come with some TP, but it’s never enough, so bringing additional supplies will help to avoid any undesirable wiping situations.

Consider using a Kula Cloth, a Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth great for outdoorsy girls.

Commode Liners

You will definitely need some of these to help absorb, break down, and dispose of waste properly.

These Bedside Commode Absorbent Pads are super easy to put at the bottom of a disposable plastic waste bag to help absorb liquid waste. You can sprinkle Poo Powder (for liquids) into a bag as well. It turns the liquid into a gel for easy transportation. I dump out what doesn’t get absorbed and then discard the bag with the used absorbent pad and\or gel in designated trash cans.

For solid waste, you need something with poo powder for solid waste to break down the hazardous waste. A WAG bag or adding Poo Powder for solid waste into a bucket or liner bag are great options.

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is a great accessory for alternate toilet situations where washing your hands is not possible. Hand sanitizer is most effective when it contains at least 60% alcohol, which is the recommended concentration for killing most germs. Handwashing with soap and water is more effective at removing certain types of germs and dirt, but hand sanitizer is a useful alternative if you are in a bind.

Consider investing in a Rinse Kit: I use a rinse kit when I car camp, so I am always able to wash my hands with soap and water when needed- it is one of my top 10 favorite car camping necessities.

How to Properly Dispose of Waste

Properly disposing of waste while camping without a flush toilet is important for environmental protection, public health, and campsite cleanliness. It is important to check the specific regulations and recommendations for waste disposal in the area you are camping. Some areas may have specific rules to protect the environment and wildlife.

Here are the best ways to dispose of human waste.

Cat Holes

If you absolutely have to bury your waste, choose a site that’s at least 200 feet away from camp, trails, and water, somewhere out of the way where other campers won’t walk. Use a trowel for easy hole digging. Proper catholes should be at least 6 inches deep—most camping trowels are about 6 inches long, perfect for measuring a proper hole. Make sure to mark the hole discretely so it won’t be disturbed.

Don’t bury toilet paper or body wipes (even if they have biodegradable labeling), as animals may dig them up. Some biodegradable wipes and toilet paper can take years to break down.

Make sure to cover the waste with the original soil and pack it down to reduce odor and help prevent animals from digging it up.

The same rules go for liquid waste as well. Make sure you alleviate yourself in a discrete location away from campers, trails, and freshwater sources.

RV Dump Station

If you’re emptying a small portable toilet with a detachable waste tank, then you need to make sure you’re disposing of waste at a designated dump point. These are found at many RV sites and campsites. Alternatively, you can empty the camping toilet into a fixed toilet that’s attached to a sewerage system. Never empty a portable toilet into a septic system.

Communal Latrines or Vault Toilet

If your portable camping toilet has a holding tank, this is another good option for dumping waste. Sometimes, vault toilets or sanitation areas are located away from your campsite, so it is more convenient to fill a waste tank and then dump it all at once.

Pack It Out

When all else fails, pack it out. It is best to store body wipes and toilet paper in a disposable bag to pack out with you for easy transport. When using a Waste Alleviation and Gelling (WAG) bag or similar system designed for outdoor use, you will need to pack it out and dispose of it in an appropriate waste disposal facility. Do not dump these bags into vault toilets.

Did You Know? Pee cloths like the Kula Cloth are great for wiping while hiking or camping. This is a great way to avoid additional trash when using the restroom.

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With all the portable camping solutions out there, I hope these car camping toilets will make your next camping experience a breeze. I hope you never skip a camping trip because you are worried about how to go to the bathroom- everyone does it!

As I said before, the best course of action is to avoid having to use the restroom inside your car, but in those absolute emergencies, a WAG bag or a portable bucket with an absorbent liner can easily do the trick!