How to Create an Outdoor Latrine

Whether used for a night on a backwoods hiking trip or by a lone survivor on a desert island, latrines should be built to keep the camp sanitary and to minimize the human impact on the environment. Latrines should be used for all bodily functions and dug well away from the camp to minimize the smell. For long term camping, multiple latrines may need to be dug and maintained to ensure that they do not overflow.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
  • Twine or vine
  • Logs and rocks
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Pick a location well away from camp to build the latrine. The latrine should be downhill and downwind from the camp, and well away from the drinking, bathing and washing water sources to minimize the risk of seepage. Strict hygiene should be practiced when setting up and using a camp latrine.

    • 2

      Dig a trench 4 feet deep and 1 1/2 feett wide with a shovel. Use the soil from the hole to build a small hill around the latrine to keep rainwater from flowing into and filling up the hole.

    • 3

      Build up the sides of the hole with logs and rocks. Lash logs together with twine or vines to make a seat with a hole in the middle. Lay the seat across the top of the logs and rocks, to leave only a hole for use. Mix wood ash and water to make a paste to seal gaps between the logs. This will also help minimize the smell and deter files.

    • 4

      Build a cover for the latrine hole using logs, a flat rock or a large leaf to keep out flies and rainwater. Replace the cover after each use. If the latrine begins to smell, build a new latrine and fill in the old latrine with soil. Burn any logs used in the construction of the old latrine.