RV Sewer and Waste Tips for Dog Owners — Poop Bags, Disposal, and Etiquette

Campground Dog Waste Stations

Most developed campgrounds (state parks, national parks, private RV parks) have dedicated dog waste stations — a bag dispenser on a post with an attached waste can. These stations are placed at campground entry points, dog walk areas, and along pet exercise loops.

Always carry your own bags in addition to relying on campground stations. Bag dispensers run empty, especially at busy parks in peak season. The Earth Rated 270-bag refill roll is a practical bulk purchase for long RV trips.

Waste station placement varies — on a large campground loop, the nearest station may be a quarter-mile walk. Many RV campers keep a small covered waste bin at their campsite for short-term bag storage until they can make a station run.

Trail and Backcountry Rules

Bag it and carry it out: the universal standard for dog waste on trails. Pack it in, pack it out applies to all waste in most managed recreation areas. This means carrying a bag of dog waste for the duration of a hike.

Hang bags on trailhead waste posts: many high-use trailheads in national forests and state parks have waste posts at the trailhead — you pick up your waste bag and deposit it at the trailhead post on the way out. This is the recommended practice; do not leave bags on the side of the trail.

Backcountry cat hole method: in true backcountry areas (away from maintained trails, at least 200 feet from water, campsites, and trails), dig a 6–8-inch deep cat hole and bury unbagged waste. Cover and disguise the hole afterward. This is only appropriate in areas where packing out is genuinely impractical.

RV Black Tank Considerations

Unbagged dog waste can go directly in the RV toilet and is handled at the dump station like any other waste. Many RVers use this approach rather than carrying dog waste bags to a station — it is hygienic and practical.

Never flush the bag itself. Standard plastic bags will not break down and will clog your black tank in time. Even 'flushable' bags designed for human waste are not always safe for RV systems — check with your tank manufacturer.

Dog waste in the black tank does not require any special treatment beyond normal black tank maintenance. Standard black tank deodorizers (Thetford Aqua-Kem, Happy Campers) are adequate.

Campground Etiquette

Always pick up immediately — never walk away from a pile and 'come back for it.' Other campers walk through the same areas, often with children and barefoot. Leaving dog waste uncollected is the single most common complaint about dog-owning campers and a leading reason campgrounds add pet restrictions.

Night walks: carry a small poop bag in your hand during evening dog walks. It is easy to lose track of drop locations in the dark. A headlamp is recommended for all nighttime dog walks at campgrounds — both for waste visibility and coyote/wildlife awareness.

When neighbors are close: at busy campgrounds with sites 20–30 feet apart, exercise your dog in designated pet areas rather than through adjacent campsites. Most campground conflicts between dog owners and other campers involve dogs walking through neighboring sites — a small consideration that maintains goodwill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you flush dog waste down an RV toilet?

Technically yes — RV waste tanks handle biodegradable material. However, bagged dog waste (with the bag) will clog a black tank. Unbagged dog waste can go in the RV toilet and is handled in the dump station process.

How do campground waste stations work?

Campground dog waste stations typically have a dispenser of plastic bags and a covered trash receptacle for the bagged waste. Use them — they are the correct place for dog waste bags, not the regular campground trash cans.

What's the best poop bag for camping?

Compostable bags (BioBag, Earth Rated Compostable) are preferred environmentally, but they break down faster in heat and humidity. Standard HDPE bags (Earth Rated Lavender) are more practical for warm-climate travel.

What happens if you bury dog waste on the trail?

Burying dog waste 6–8 inches deep (cat hole method) is acceptable in backcountry wilderness areas, but not in developed campgrounds or within 200 feet of water. In most camping areas, pack it out in a bag.