Why Burying Poop Doesn’t Always Work and What Hikers Should Actually Do

For years, most hikers have been taught a simple rule for going to the bathroom outside: dig a hole, do your business, cover it up, move on. It’s clean, it’s discreet, and it feels responsible. And sometimes, it is.

But the uncomfortable truth is this: burying poop does not always work. 

In many environments, it breaks down slowly or not at all. In others, it creates long-term problems for water quality, wildlife, land managers, and everyone who comes after you.

Where the idea of burying poop came from

The practice of digging a cathole didn’t come out of nowhere. It comes directly from Leave No Trace (LNT) guidance, which remains the gold standard for backcountry ethics.

LNT and the National Park Service recommend digging a cathole about 6–8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites. When done correctly and in the right environment, burying human waste can reduce surface exposure, visual impact, and the risk of contaminating nearby water sources.

The key part that often gets missed is the context. These guidelines were designed for environments where soil biology can actually do the work of decomposition. 

That context matters more than the technique itself.

The science behind how human waste actually decomposes outdoors

Human waste doesn’t disappear just because it’s underground. Decomposition depends on living systems, not dirt alone. For buried waste to break down efficiently, several things need to be present at the same time:

• Active soil microbes and organisms
• Adequate moisture
• Oxygen
• Warm enough temperatures

In healthy, organic soils, microbes and fungi help break down waste over time. In poor or fragile soils, that process slows dramatically or stalls altogether. Human waste is not inherent to outdoor environments and requires the right conditions to decompose safely.

Why soil type determines whether burying poop works

This is where the “just bury it” advice starts to fall apart.

1. Forest soil

• In many forested environments, soils contain organic matter, moisture, and a thriving microbial community. When catholes are dug correctly and spaced out, decomposition can occur as intended. This is the environment most people picture when they think about burying waste.

2. Alpine soil

• Above the treeline, soils are thin, rocky, cold, and biologically sparse. Decomposition can take years, not months. In some cases, waste can resurface through erosion or snowmelt. This is why it is always best to pack out human waste in alpine environments.

3. Desert soil

• Deserts often lack moisture and organic matter. Microbial activity is limited, and buried waste can persist for long periods. Wind and rain can expose shallow catholes, spreading waste across the landscape. Land management agencies increasingly recommend or require pack-out systems in desert environments for this reason.

4. High-traffic areas

• Even in otherwise healthy soil, heavy use changes the equation. Hundreds or thousands of catholes concentrated in a small area overwhelm the soil’s ability to process waste. This is one of the most common reasons high-use areas like National Parks; climbing areas where users congregate in small areas; and heavily used campsites restrict or limit the burying of human waste.

When burying poop actually works

Burying is still a valid option in many locations. It works best when:

• Soil is deep, organic, and biologically active
• The area receives enough moisture
• Temperatures support microbial activity
• Use is dispersed rather than concentrated
• Catholes are dug to proper depth and distance

In these cases, a well-placed cathole follows Leave No Trace Principles and minimizes long-term impact.

When burying poop does not work

There are also clear situations where burying fails or causes harm:

• Alpine and tundra environments (e.g. any elevation where trees do not grow)
• Arid and desert landscapes (e.g. Moab, UT)
• When you cannot get the minimum distance of 200’ from waterways (e.g. river trips like the Grand Canyon)
• Winter conditions where frozen ground prevents decomposition (e.g. backcountry skiing)
• Narrow corridors, popular trails, and heavily used areas (e.g. popular areas within National Parks)
  

In these settings, waste can accumulate, contaminate water, and actually create management problems that affect access for everyone. This is why agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service increasingly emphasize pack-out systems in fragile or high-use areas.

What hikers should actually do instead

The real solution isn’t one rule. It’s decision-making. Before defaulting to burying, ask:

• What kind of soil am I in?
• Is this area heavily trafficked?
• Are there regulations requiring packing out?
• Will decomposition realistically happen here?
  

If the environment supports it, great! You’re utilizing natural processes that truly minimize your impact. Ensure you’re following the necessary steps for proper burial. If it doesn’t, use a Pack Out Kit to haul your waste out with you.

Tools that support responsible bathroom decisions outdoors

Preparedness is one of the greatest forms of stewardship. The right tools help outdoor enthusiasts adapt to different environments instead of forcing one solution everywhere.

1. Ultra Lite Kit

• Designed for minimalists who still want to be prepared to bury their waste properly. Lightweight, compact, and contains everything you need. Great for trail runners, bikepackers and day hikers. 

2. Lite Bathroom Kit

• A more versatile waste burial kit for longer trips spanning 5-7 days. It contains everything you need to feel clean while minimizing your impact. Great for backpacking, hiking, dispersed camping and more.

3. Mycelium Tabs

• PACT Mycelium Tabs use native, non-aggressive species of saprotrophic fungi to support natural breakdown processes by working with existing soil biology. They are not a shortcut and not a license to bury everywhere. But, they are a tool for situations where burial is appropriate and additional support helps accelerate decomposition and reduce long-term impact.

4. Pack Out Kit

• Single use, disposable kits designed for environments where burying waste is not appropriate. These kits use a double-bagged system and enzyme powder to make carrying out waste safe and efficient. These kits are used and recommended by many types of outdoor enthusiasts and land managers alike. 

No tool can replace good critical thinking and judgement. These tools can, however, reinforce it. In many cases we recommend keeping a Pack Out Kit in your pack, just in case. They weigh a couple ounces and take up minimal space. Having one in your pack at all times ensures that it you happy to be in a location where burying isn’t acceptable, that you can still follow proper stewardship practices. 

Why human waste decisions affect trail access and public lands

Human waste is one of the most common reasons land managers restrict access. The issue isn’t one hiker. It’s the cumulative effect of thousands of small decisions.

When waste doesn’t break down or becomes too prevalent in high-use areas, it becomes a problem for water quality, wildlife, and the people tasked with maintaining public lands. Eventually, that leads to closures, permits, and stricter rules.

Understanding when burying works and when it doesn’t is one of the simplest ways to protect access to the places we love.

The bottom line

Burying poop is not a universal solution. It’s a context-dependent practice that works in some environments and fails in others.

Doing the right thing means:

• Knowing the limits of burial
• Understanding soil and environment
• Being prepared with alternatives (this is what PACT Outdoors is all about)
• Choosing stewardship over convenience
  

The goal is making informed decisions that scale responsibly as more people head outside. When hikers adapt to the land instead of forcing the land to absorb our mistakes, everyone benefits.

People, animals, the environment. Everyone.