How To Shower While Out Camping
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Undeniably, camping is one of the most popular hobbies in the world right now. Nothing quite matches the thrill of the great outdoors - scenic views, a rare glimpse of life in the wild, memorable moments around the campfire, and so on. Any way you look at it, camping can be a very rewarding and fulfilling experience. However, if you are on this page, then you are aware that one of the biggest concerns for campers is how to stay clean and fresh while in the back country. Maintaining hygiene and cleanliness is crucial for your comfort and for your overall camping experience.
Showering while in the wild can seem like an impossible task, especially if you don’t know how to go about it. However, you will be pleased to learn that there are numerous ways you can remain squeaky clean even without access to modern shower facilities.
While a sponge baths or river bath are tried and tested methods, they can’t match the feeling of having a warm shower. In this piece, we are going to take a look at how to shower when out camping.
But first, before getting into the meat of how to shower while in the wild, we need to first take a look at some of the items that you will need to make the process much easier:
Shower Tent
Privacy is definitely important when taking a shower, this is especially so if you are family camping or are in a crowded campground. A pop-up shower tent is a great way to protect yourself from prying eyes as you enjoy that refreshing shower. There are various models come with attached floors with drains. These are the best types of shower tents as they will be much easier to keep clean while using them. In addition, they are light and can be folded into a very small size, so they won’t take up much space.
Biodegradable Soap
While in the backcountry, it is your responsibility to ensure that you minimize your impact on the environment and nearby wildlife. Not only can non-biodegradable soaps harm the fish in the surrounding waterways, but they also affect the health of other wildlife in the area. It is also important to note that some campgrounds do not allow the use of non-biodegradable soaps. Hence, this will also help to keep you out of trouble.
Quick Dry Towels
Keeping dry while out in the wild is very important especially during the cold days. Hypothermia is serious problem that affects most campers and backpackers. Hence, you need to invest in quick drying towels that will help you get back into your clothes as soon as possible after a shower.
Toiletry & Shower Bag
You will definitely need somewhere to conveniently store your hygeine products and also keep your clothes as you shower, especially if you are using a public shower.
So, now that you are prepared to go out shower camping, now let’s a look at the different methods of showering while camping.
1. Gravity Camping Showers
They are also referred to as Solar Showers or backpacking showers, so don’t let that confuse you. They are some of the most basic type of camping showers. Basically, they are large bags that can be filled up with water and hang from a tree branch or a raised point above the camper. They work through the use of gravity.
If you want to take a hot shower with one of these, then you need to get started early. Set it outside on a sunny day and give the water time to naturally heat up. You can use this time to take a walk, go hiking, or fishing and when you get back a nice hot shower will be waiting for you. It is worth noting that the water can get super hot if the bag is left in the sun for extended durations, so you need to be cautious.
2. Pressurized Camping Showers
If you have been camping before and were underwhelmed by the pressure and storage capacity of the gravity camping shower, then you should consider upgrading to a pressurized camping shower. However, this type needs additional gear. You will need a bicycle pump or 12 volt air compressor in order to pressurize the water reservoir. It is worth noting that average water pressure in your home is between 45-50 PSI. Some pressurized camping showers can be pressurized up to 65 PSI. You can place this shower anywhere and take a nice pressurized shower, same as at home.
3. Electric Camping Showers
These types of camping showers come with a battery powered pump and a shower head. The pump is used to draw water from storage to the shower head. It is worth noting that they have an unadjustable flow rate, however, they known to provide a favorable and comfortable bathing experience. When fully charged, most models can allow over one hour of continuous use.
4. Public Showers
Using public showers is one of the most obvious and easiest ways of taking a shower while camping. However, you need to be cautious because they don’t always have the highest standards of hygiene. Never take a shower in a public shower while barefooted.
You can find public showers in many places while on the road including established campsites, truck stops, recreational center pools, and national chain gyms i.e. if you have membership. While all these places offer convenient spots to take a shower, remember that you will be charged a fee. For free showers, you can go to the nearest public beaches if you are camping in a coastal area as they often have outdoor showers for people to rinse off.
As you can see, when out on the road travelling and camping, there are numerous ways that you can utilize to take a shower. Staying clean and fresh while camping shouldn’t be as complicated as it seem, as long as have the know-how. However, your bathing experience will largely depend on your budget.
