What size porta potty works for a camping trip?
Looking for the best porta potty for camping starts with matching size to group size. Most weekend campers do fine with one small porta potty for camping, our standard porta potty rental. It's about 44 by 48 inches on the ground and stands roughly 92 inches tall, with a 60 to 70 gallon holding tank, plenty for a small group over two or three nights. If you're organizing a larger gathering, like a scout campout or a family reunion at a campground outside Carmel, run the numbers through our how many porta potties do I need guide before you order. Groups that want something nicer lean toward the deluxe flushable porta potty, which flushes and feels closer to a home bathroom, useful if you've got guests who aren't used to a porta potty for tent camping. Families with a member who uses a wheelchair should ask about the ADA accessible porta potty; ADA Standards section 304.3.1 calls for a 60 inch turning circle inside, and section 404.2.3 sets minimum door width at 32 inches, both worth checking against the unit you're renting before it shows up. For anyone who wants to skip separate rentals altogether, the restroom trailer rental line pairs toilets and sinks in one trailer, and the 2 stall restroom trailer is a common pick for small group camps.
| unit | day | week |
|---|---|---|
| standard | 100-350 | 130-500 |
| deluxe | 85-1200 | 150-290 |
| ada | 200-400 | 120-240 |
Do I need a portable sink too?
Yes, if you're serious about clean hands and clean dishes at camp. A portable sink with a water tank for camping, what we call a portable sink rental, or a handwashing station rental gives you running water without relying on a nearby spigot, which matters at primitive sites around Carmel where there's no plumbing at all. 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2) requires washing facilities to be stocked with soap and towels or a hand drying device, not just sanitizer, and that's a good baseline even for a camping trip: pack soap, skip the sanitizer-only setup. A camping portable sink with a water tank is simple gear, usually a tank, a pump, and a basin, and it works well next to a portable toilet rental so people aren't walking back to the car to wash up. If your group wants an actual shower, not just a sink, ask about a shower trailer rental; it's a step up from what most tent campers bring but it's popular for multi-day events and longer stays. For groups that want everything close together, the portable restroom rental and sink can be delivered as a set, which cuts down on setup time once you're at the site.
Where should the unit go at a campsite?
Pick flat, stable ground near the camp but away from tents and cooking areas, and make sure the delivery truck has a clear path in. ADA Standards section 302.1 calls for stable, firm, slip-resistant surfaces, which is good practice even outside formal ADA units, since a porta potty on soft dirt tends to shift. Our porta potty placement guide covers clearance and drainage in more detail. If you're camping somewhere without a paved driveway, tell us ahead of delivery; standard delivery trucks need workable access, and that matters more on grass or gravel sites than in a driveway. Groups in Westfield, about 7.5 miles north of Carmel, and Zionsville, 11.7 miles west, use the same delivery process we run for Carmel sites, so distance from town isn't usually the holdup, road and ground conditions are. Winter campers should look at porta potty in winter before booking, since cold weather changes how a unit holds up over a multi-day trip. If your trip is close to a public road or shared trailhead, check the porta potty permit requirements page, since placement in a public right of way needs confirming with the city and we don't guess at that. For events tied to an actual campground or fairground booking, our county fair restrooms and farm and agricultural restrooms pages cover larger group setups if your trip grows into something bigger than a private campsite.
How many porta potties do I need for a camping trip?
Small groups usually get by with one standard unit for a weekend. Bigger camps should follow OSHA 1926.51(c), which sets 1 toilet per 20 people as a workable ratio even outside job sites. Check our how many porta potties do I need page for group-size breakdowns.
Can I rent a porta potty for just one weekend of camping?
Yes. Weekend rentals run 125 to 400 dollars for a standard unit, priced as a flat weekend rate rather than a daily one. Delivery and pickup both happen around your trip dates, so you're not paying for days you don't use.
What's the difference between a standard and deluxe camping porta potty?
A standard unit is a basic non-flushing toilet with a 60 to 70 gallon tank. A deluxe flushable porta potty flushes and often includes a sink, better for longer trips or guests unfamiliar with camping toilets.
Do I need a permit to place a porta potty at my campsite?
Private property usually doesn't need one, but placement near a public road or shared land does need confirming with the city of Carmel. We don't guess on this; check our porta potty permit requirements page first.
Can I get a portable sink and shower together for a camping trip?
Yes. Pair a portable sink rental with a shower trailer rental for multi-day trips. Both can be delivered with your porta potty as one drop-off, which simplifies pickup too.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.