| What it is | A dug hole for burying waste |
| Depth | 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) |
| Sited | 200 ft from water, trail, camp |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
A cat hole is a small hole, six to eight inches deep, dug to bury human waste in the backcountry where no toilet exists. It is the standard Leave No Trace method for disposing of solid waste, sited at least 200 feet from water, trails, and camp. Toilet paper is packed out or buried depending on the area.
How to do it
Dig 6-8 in deep with a trowel, 200 ft from water, trails, and camp; fill and disguise it after. It’s a core part of Leave No Trace‘s ‘dispose of waste properly’.
Cat hole vs WAG bag
Where burying is banned — deserts, alpine, river corridors — use a WAG bag instead. See cat hole vs WAG bag.
Frequently asked questions
How do you dig a cat hole?
Use a small trowel to dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches wide, at least 200 feet (about 70 steps) from water, trails, and camp. After use, fill it in with the original soil and disguise it with natural material. Pack out toilet paper, or bury it where local rules allow.
How deep should a cat hole be?
Six to eight inches deep — deep enough to reach soil where decomposition occurs and to keep waste from being dug up by animals, but not so deep that it sits below the active soil layer. In some fragile or alpine areas, burying isn't allowed and you must pack waste out.
Cat hole or WAG bag?
A cat hole buries waste and works where soil and distance from water allow; a WAG bag packs it out and is required in deserts, alpine zones, river corridors, and high-use areas where burying is banned or impractical. Always check the area's regulations.
Sources
- Disposing of waste properly — Leave No Trace