Experienced campers know that anytime there’s an actual shower in the vicinity, it’s a luxury. Depending on the type of camping you do, camping weekends are more likely to be spent staying dirty or taking a sponge bath at the most. If you have a campground with a shower, you’re in luck! They’re usually inexpensive and perfect for those who are more particular about cleanliness and hygiene.
But it’s not all marble floors and gold faucets at campground showers, so we threw together this handy list of tips for you to keep in mind when using your luxury in the woods.
1. Wear Shower Shoes
The most important tip for using a campground shower is to bring along a pair of plastic sandals to wear. Not only are the floors usually dirty, but they can be contaminated with bacteria or funguses such as athlete’s foot and ringworm. Sandals will protect you from infection if such conditions exist. You don’t have to have a separate pair, your regular flip-flops will do.
2. Carry a Toiletry Tote
You should also carry your toiletries in a waterproof bag or one made of netting that will easily dry off. It can be a hassle if you try to carry shampoo, soap, shaving gel, and other necessities all at once in your hands and arms. Of course, it becomes even more unsafe once wet and slippery. It is most convenient if the bag has a drawstring or a loop as well because most campground shower stalls have hooks, which make it easier to find and replace each item without setting anything on the ground.
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3. Bring a Light Source
Bringing a flashlight is important as well because many campground shower stalls do not have electricity and can be dark even during the day. A small, waterproof light (or even just a light inside a waterproof bag) is perfect to set anywhere facing you while you shower, and it can also help you find what you need in your bag without fumbling around. It helps out as well in front of the bathroom mirror.
4. Use a Lightweight, Quick-Dry Towel
Using a lightweight towel is also advisable in order to dry yourself as well as all of your belongings before you head back to camp and not have to deal with the damp later. After drying off, use the dry ends of your towel to dry your product bottles before bundling all of your dirty clothes and your toiletry bag inside, and you’re on your way without dragging the mud and forest along with you.
5. Consider the Time of Day
The last tip is to use campground showers in the early evening before the rush of campers coming to shower before dinner create long, inconvenient lines. By finishing your day’s activities a bit early and thus showering early, you can shower in the cleaner facilities before they are busy and sloppy right before the evening rush. It is best to get in and get out quick to enjoy the rest of the evening rather than risk dealing with crowded campground showers and a delayed dinner.
Featured Image from Brittani Burns/Unsplash
