Dealing with Human Waste

Nothing can spoil a trip in the Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness as quickly as the discovery of human waste or toilet paper at a prime camping spot or along the trail. Always use the restroom before hiking. If you are on the trail for the day or an extended trip, be prepared to pack out human waste, toilet paper, diapers, and hygiene products. Human waste disposal bags are required to transport solid waste. Please follow Leave No Trace principles while in the park. Doing Your Business in the Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness Day hikers and all permitted overnight backpackers are required to pack out human waste using a landfill-safe commercial toilet bag system. In areas more than a quarter of a mile from restroom facilities, and all areas inside the Wilderness boundary, all solid human waste, feminine hygiene products, and toilet paper must be carried out in a landfill-safe commercial toilet bag. Due to the rocky nature of the soils and dry environment in the park, the digging and use of “catholes” for human waste is prohibited. Depositing human waste and toilet paper in or on the landscape is prohibited. Overnight Camping In the Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness The use of a landfill-safe commercial toilet bag system (such as Wag Bag, Restop II, etc.) is required for all overnight Wilderness permit holders camping overnight . Affected permit holders will be required to carry a minimum of one bag per person per night for the duration of their trip and present proof that they have the required number of bags before their permit will be issued.