Pack It In, Pack It Out: Trash and Waste at Camp

At home, a truck takes the trash away. At a campsite, it stays where you leave it. That includes the wrapper that blows under the picnic table, the food scraps on a plate, the dishwater in a bin and, on some trips, the toilet paper. “Pack it in, pack it out” is the rule that deals with all of it: whatever you bring, you take away or put in the place the campground provides.

This article walks through trash, leftover food, dishwater and human waste, using National Park Service (NPS) pages and the Leave No Trace principles. It says what the sources say and no more. Rules differ from park to park and from campground to campground, so each section tells you whom to ask. It does not cover water treatment or health questions.

What “pack it in, pack it out” covers

NPS says the rule applies to all trash, leftover food and litter. It also asks you to check the campsite and food areas for spills before you leave. Here is how the main waste types compare.

If you are unsure, ask a ranger or the campground host. That is the answer NPS gives for almost every disposal question.

Make less trash before you leave

The easiest trash to handle is the trash you never bring. NPS lists a few habits:

• Repackage food. NPS Leave No Trace guidance suggests repackaging food to reduce waste.
• Choose packaging you can flatten. NPS notes that boxes and plastic wrap are easier to pack out than bottles and cans, which stay bulky before and after use.
• Reuse bags. Large sealable bags that held food can become waste bags. They seal, so they do not smell or attract flies and wildlife.
• Plan meals first. Fewer improvised purchases mean less packaging. See camping meal planning and no-cook camping meals.

Bring more trash bags than you expect to need.

At camp: trash, scraps and dishes

Build a short routine around meals.

1. Clean up right after eating. NPS says to clean the area immediately, so insects and animals do not become a nuisance.
2. Check the ground. NPS suggests scanning picnic tables, fire rings, fire grates and the ground for anything that might attract animals.
3. Bag and seal. Put food packaging and scraps in a waste bag and carry it to the campground receptacle before you leave camp or go to bed.
4. Wash dishes. NPS tells frontcountry campers to put garbage in the dumpster each night and wash dishes. The dish and trash guide goes into steps.
5. Never leave food or drink unattended. NPS says containers should not be left alone in campgrounds.

Do not burn leftover food, tea bags or coffee grounds. NPS says burning organic matter completely takes a very hot fire, hotter than most campfires, and partly burned matter still draws wildlife. Food storage at the campsite explains the wildlife side, including the rules that differ by park.

Dishwater and wastewater

The Leave No Trace page gives a backcountry method: carry wash water 200 feet (61 m) from streams or lakes, use small amounts of biodegradable soap, and scatter strained dishwater. NPS also says backcountry campers should wash with biodegradable soap and rinse thoroughly.

A developed campground may do it differently. Yosemite, for one, requires camp wastewater to go into designated utility drains. That is one park’s rule, not a national one. Ask the host which drain or station your campground uses before you pour anything out.

Human waste and toilet paper

Start with the facilities. NPS says many developed campgrounds, visitor centers and trailheads have bathrooms, and that you should learn where they are as part of planning. For longer trips and the backcountry, learn the local disposal method, because it varies.

When there is no toilet, NPS describes two common methods:

• Cathole. Walk 200 feet (61 m), or about 70 large steps, away from trails, campsites and any water source. Dig a hole 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) deep, bury the waste, cover it completely, and pack out the toilet paper.
• Waste bag. Used when a hole cannot or should not be dug. Waste and used paper go into the bag, which you pack out. Depending on the place, it goes into a designated receptacle or a trash can.

NPS suggests a small kit: hand sanitizer, toilet paper, a bag for used paper, a trowel and a waste bag. It also says to check with rangers before your trip about whether a waste bag is required and whether they are available. NPS gives this reason: waste from people and pets can contaminate water, spread disease and affect the trips of the people who come next.

Common mistakes

• Assuming the bear box or dumpster is always close. Find it when you arrive.
• Leaving “natural” scraps. NPS says to pack out leftover food.
• Burning trash in the fire ring. NPS says most campfires cannot burn food scraps completely.
• Dumping dishwater anywhere. Some campgrounds require a designated drain.
• Forgetting small pieces. Check the ground, table and fire ring before you leave.
• Using one park’s method everywhere. Ask the local land manager.

Frequently asked questions

Do you really have to pack out food scraps?

Yes, if there is no receptacle, and in the backcountry always. NPS says food scraps left behind can attract bears and make them associate people with food. In a developed campground, use the campground’s receptacle.

Where does dishwater go?

It depends. The Leave No Trace page describes a backcountry method, and Yosemite requires designated drains. Ask the host or check the campground rules.

How far from water should you dig a cathole?

NPS says 200 feet (61 m) or about 70 large steps from trails, campsites and water, and 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) deep. Some places require a different method, so ask first.

Who sets the disposal rules?

The land manager: the park, forest, state park or campground. NPS tells visitors to check with rangers.

Next step: build your trash kit

In your Planner, add trash bags, a few sealable bags, and a note with the campground’s disposal rules and the location of the dumpster or bear box. Add the campground host’s name to your arrival list.