Back to business: Which camping toilet suits me?

Sooner or later, everyone needs to relieve themselves while camping. But where to go when nature calls? We'll show you the options available, the pros and cons of different toilet solutions, and provide you with practical tips for your next camping vacation. Let's get started!

Whether you opt for a portable or built-in toilet while camping depends on the space and equipment of your camper. Comfortable camper usually have a built-in wet room that combines shower and toilet. Such a fixed toilet in the camper can be very comfortable, but it also has a downside. You have to regularly empty the toilet tank. At our private Hinterland hosts, there are usually no facilities to professionally empty the camping toilet. For that, you might have to visit a highway rest stop or find a disposal station nearby. To dispose the waste of the built-in cassette toilet in the sewage system, you need to use biodegradable sanitation additives. However, some Hinterland hosts also offer you the option to dispose of "gray water." Just select the corresponding filter when searching for a private pitch for you and your camper.

Small tip: If you are traveling with your camper or tent with our private hosts, you can also select hinterland camps with a toilet. Just click on the appropriate filter in your search. 

A portable camping toilet has the advantage that you can set it up wherever you need it. This gives you more flexibility in choosing your restroom location. Portable toilets do not require electricity or a water connection. They have a fresh water tank and a waste tank where everything is collected after use. However, just like with the built-in toilet, the question remains of where to dispose of the waste. This depends on the type of portable toilet you are using.

Tip: If you are using a portable toilet, you can set up a toilet tent for it. These tents provide privacy and shield from view. You can find them starting at around 50 euros at your preferred online shop.

A portable chemical toilet consists of a toilet seat with a fresh water tank mounted behind it. The lower waste tank is equipped with a sanitary fluid that contains chemicals to break down the waste and prevent foul odors. Alternatively, you can operate the chemical toilet with biodegradable additives.

Advantages:

• Flexibly placeable toilet
• Easy to handle
• No need for electricity or water connection

Disadvantages:

• Special disposal required for the waste tank due to chemical additives
• Autonomous use limited to two to three days
• Requires fresh water for flushing
• Often has a typical, pungent "portable toilet" odor due to the use of chemicals.

A dry toilet consists of a simple toilet seat with a bucket or bag attached underneath to collect the waste. After using the toilet, you add some mulch or other natural material to control odors and absorb liquids. In principle, the dry toilet operates similar to a cat litter box.

Since the "end material" is theoretically compostable, the dry toilet is also referred to as a "compost toilet." However, in Germany, you are not allowed to use feces as fertilizer directly. Therefore, the content of the dry toilet should not be disposed of in the landscape. 

Advantages:

• environmentally friendly option for camping toilets 
• easy to use 
• affordable price 
• flexible placement

Disadvantages:

• can produce strong odors, especially in warmer temperatures 
• emptying the toilet may not be suitable for campers sensitive to odors.

A separating toilet is a type of dry toilet where solid waste is separated from urine. This reduces odors and makes waste disposal easier. The solid waste can be collected in a bag and disposed of in the regular household trash. The urine container can be emptied, for example, at a rest stop toilet.

Advantages:

• easy to use low odor, even without chemicals 
• no water required

Disadvantage:

• usually slightly more expensive than a typical chemical toilet

The cassette toilet is considered a comfort toilet that is often permanently installed in the camper. Solid waste is collected in a separate cassette tank, which needs to be emptied regularly at disposal stations.

Advantages:

• Toilet comfort similar to home 
• minimal odor development

Disadvantages:

• Tank needs to be emptied at disposal stations 
• often operated with chemical additives

When you're out in nature, instead of using a toilet, you can always dig a hole for larger waste. The rule here is: the deeper you dig your toilet hole, the better, as you can cover your waste with more soil afterward. It's best to dig at least 20 cm deep. When using the outdoors as a toilet, be sure not to leave toilet paper or wet wipes in the landscape - they can take up to 10 years to decompose.

As you have seen, there are many different "toilet solutions" for camping. What you personally look for when buying a camping toilet depends mainly on your comfort needs and your attitude towards sustainability. The choice of which variant to go for will be determined by your requirements and your camper's equipment.

At Hinterland, we value a gentle approach to nature, so we recommend camping toilet solutions without the use of chemicals! Even if you don't have your own toilet on board, you can still head to Hinterland with ease: Many of our private hosts offer their Hinterland campsites with toilets. Simply select the corresponding filter in your search and check the listing under "Equipment" to see if a toilet is offered. 

Are you looking for more camping tricks and information?

• Here, we reveal how you can make your camper even more environmentally friendly. 
• Here you can find out more about "Camping with (small) children" and get a packing list with practical gadgets. 
• In this blog post, van life author Pia shares her family road trip to Hinterland and highlights favorite places on farms and more.