How To Shower While Camping: Keep Clean With These Options & Tips.

Knowing how to shower while camping will help you stay fresh for days, allowing you to take more adventurous trips to faraway places.

I’m very particular about my personal hygiene, so one of the first things I looked up when I started camping is how to take my daily shower. There were some ups and downs, but I’ve eventually figured out my best routine. 

In this article, I’ll cover all the shower options you have when camping, so you don’t need to struggle to stay fresh on your adventures.

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Why It’s Important To Shower While Camping

There are several important reasons showering is a good idea while camping. To begin, I can safely say that almost all camping-related activities are likely to get you dirty. In fact, you’re going to be much dirtier than you’d typically get when you go about normal activities in modern cities.

If you’re camping with a partner, they probably are going to appreciate it if you don’t smell of grime and sweat after a day hiking in the outback. Also, you’ll find that cleaning up will help you relax more at night, allowing you to prepare for the next day. I’ve personally found that showering helps me take longer camping trips because of that. 

Note: If it’s too difficult to take a daily shower on your camping trips, I still suggest freshening up every day by rinsing the most important areas of your body and changing your clothes.

The Easiest Methods To Shower While Camping

Now that we’ve established how important it is to shower on your camping trips, you’re probably eager to find out how you can pull that off. The following are the easiest ways to do that:

Public Facilities

Many national parks around the world include public showers as part of the park’s facilities. While some of these facilities may not be the most sanitary places to shower, they offer enough clean water for you to shower easily. Otherwise, you’ll need to search for (and gather) potable water for your showers.

I do recommend wearing flip-flops in these showers and using a shower caddy to carry all your stuff easily.

Showering In Lakes or Waterfalls

The US National Park Service recommends bathing in nature to stay fresh. It’s convenient because there’s enough water for you to take a longer bath, but there are some drawbacks to consider. Firstly, you probably can’t control how much privacy you get in lakes or other bodies of water in a national park. Generally, the busier (or more popular) the location is, the less privacy you can expect.

Another problem is the water temperature. It’s probably not feasible to bathe in a lake if the water is freezing because you risk getting hypothermic. Nonetheless, if you decide to shower in nature, make sure you’re using biodegradable soaps and don’t leave anything behind. 

In some states and countries, it’s illegal to pollute natural bodies of water with soap or other chemicals. Even if it isn’t, you using eco-friendly soaps will help preserve the environment you’re enjoying.

Using A Portable Camping Shower

A far more convenient option is to invest in a portable camping shower. There are several types available, which I will describe later in the article. In short, these are portable vessels that carry water and may or may not have a pump attached. 

The main reasons portable showers are so popular are their convenience and relatively low price point. You can take a shower anywhere—a parking lot, at the campsite, or even on the side of your hiking trail if needed. 

However, you will need to collect clean water (or bring some with you) to fill the portable shower. This may be an inconvenience for some people, especially if you’re hiking very far from major bodies of water.

DIY Camping Shower

Don’t want to invest in getting a portable shower, you can find many guides online on how to make them yourself. Methods vary, so choose the DIY shower that suits you the best. Consider the budget as well as the difficulty of the project. 

The simplest models involve filling a bag and using a spout instead of a showerhead. More elaborate DIY shower models can be semi-permanent and may involve cutting and fitting PVC pipes or wood. 

RV Showers

If you’re camping out of a caravan or RV, you may already have a shower installed. If not, some vehicles can be fitted with a custom shower and water tank to help you stay fresh when you’re on your camping trip.

Keep in mind that even though you have a water tank, it’s probably very small. Taking a long shower like you used to at home isn’t going to be an option.

Bucket Shower

If all else fails, there’s still the option of showering out of a bucket. It may sound difficult, but all you need is a large bucket, water, and a small cup to pour out of the bucket. This option is particularly useful if you are camping with small children because you can use the bucket as a makeshift tub. 

Guide To Using Public Camping Showers

I’ve mentioned earlier that public showers are available in National Parks and other recreational spaces. While these are convenient and most resemble the shower at home, there are some safety precautions and common courtesy rules you should keep in mind.

Here are a few things you need to know before showering in public camping showers:

• Bring your own soap, preferably biodegradable.
• Flip flops protect you from infection.
• Shower quickly, there are probably others waiting in line.
• Consider using a floor mat for added protection against infection or injury.

Types Of Portable Showers

For anyone who intends to stay at campsites that don’t have public showers available, a portable shower is the best solution. This is also a great option if you want to go off the beaten path. Here are a few types to consider:

Hand Pump Shower

The best solution for taking a shower wherever you are when camping is to get one that is operated using a hand pump. You won’t need to worry about a power source, and they are relatively easy to use.

My favorite hand pump showers on the market nowadays are those sold by Beach Soul Beach Shower. They have small and large models, both of which are easy to use and convenient to store. 

Foot Pump Shower

If you feel more comfortable using both hands when you shower, you may want to consider investing in a portable shower with a foot pump attached. Note that these are typically harder to operate because you have more control when using your hands instead of your foot to pump water through the shower.

Solar Pump Shower

For a more modern portable shower, you may choose to get one that is solar-powered. These would have a small battery to run the pump, but you would need to make sure that it gets rough sun to stay charged.

One of the major advantages of this type of portable shower is that it can heat the water (even if only slightly) which makes for a more pleasurable experience. High-end models also pump water at a higher pressure, so they more closely resemble home showers.

Battery-Operated Shower

While solar-pump camping showers are convenient and great for the environment, they can be expensive. If you know you’re only going out for a short camping trip, consider using a portable battery-operated camping shower. 

Again, this appliance will heat your water for you and provide some extra pressure when the water is pumped through the shower. However, keep in mind that once the battery runs out, you will need to use more primitive methods of freshening up. 

Washing Hair While Camping

You may already know that most hairdressers advise that you shouldn’t wash your hair every day. The same goes when you’re camping. However, I fully understand if you feel like physical activity gets your hair dirtier than usual. 

Washing your hair uses a lot more water when you take a shower, so I suggest you try skipping a few washes while camping. If possible, try to only wash your hair once a week during your camping trip. 

To keep your hair from getting dirty, try using dry shampoo. If you have long hair, keep it braided or in a protective hairstyle.

Accessories To Consider Buying

The following are a few accessories that you may want to buy to make sure that showering on your camping trips is easier.

Floor Mat

For those who prefer to use public camping showers in campsites and on roadsides, a floor mat protects your feet from an infection that could pass from the shower floor. Also, if there is any broken glass, the floor mat will protect you from injury. 

Remember that public showers are in high-traffic areas and you cannot guarantee other people’s actions.  

Flip-flops

It’s a good idea to bring flip-flops with you, whether you take a public shower or use a portable camping shower. Not only will they protect you from potential infection, but flip-flops will allow you to stand anywhere while you shower, even on muddy floors. 

Dry Shampoo

As I’ve mentioned earlier, dry shampoo will help you wash your hair less often while still keeping it from getting too grimy. Washing your hair on a camping trip uses a lot of water and may not be convenient for you or anyone else camping with you. 

Baby Wipes

Some days you won’t have access to enough water or a secluded patch of nature to take a shower, so you’ll need to improvise. Use wet baby wipes to clean the most important parts of your body. This typically means wiping down your armpits, thighs, neck, and private parts. 

Shower Enclosure

If your campsite is typically crowded, a shower enclosure is a small tent-like enclosure made using a tarp that will offer you some privacy when others are nearby.

Camping Soaps

These are soaps that do not harm the environment and they’re easy to store and carry. Look for biodegradable, sustainable options. 

Quick-drying Towel

Once you’re done showering, a quick-drying microfiber towel will help you dry off faster. After that, you can hang it up and it should dry must faster than traditional towels. As such, you’ll find that it doesn’t get that funky smell of a folded-up damp towel. 

Tips On Showering In Public Spaces

Here are a few tips to follow if you ever need to shower near a lake, river, or other public spaces that are common among campers.

• Use eco-friendly products to protect and preserve the environment.
• A shower enclosure or shower tent can provide you with some privacy.
• Shower with a swimsuit on if you cannot have a reasonable amount of privacy.
• Don’t wash your hair very often, it wastes water.
• Try to set up your shower far from others in your campsite, giving yourself distance and privacy. 

How To Shower While Camping FAQs

How do you deal with not showering while camping?

Rinse important parts such as feet and underarms using a wet washcloth or baby wipes if you can’t shower while camping. Use dry shampoo to keep your hair clean.

How do you shower inside a tent?

Pump based portable showers or sponge baths are ideal for showering inside a shower tent.

How do you shower when camping in a car?

Portable showers. allow you to get cleaned when camping in a car, regardless of where you are.

How often should you shower when camping?

At least every other day, or even once a day if you’re doing a lot of physical activity.

Final Thoughts On How To Shower While Camping

Now you should know how to shower while camping, and you’re armed with all the knowledge you’ll need. 

Make sure to get all the stuff you need beforehand. Because once you’re out exploring nature, the only solution is to settle for whatever you’ve brought with you. 

Choose the best option for your needs, and stay fresh throughout your camping trips.

For more camping articles check out this page.