Water is the one thing you never want to run short of in the outdoors. Heat and activity pull fluids out of you fast, and drinking from a questionable source can leave you dealing with diarrhea or vomiting far from home. So carrying enough clean water is not optional.
The short answer: plan for roughly 1 gallon (about 4.5 liters) of drinking water per person per day, then add more for cooking, cleaning, hot weather, hard activity, and any pets you bring. The exact number depends on a handful of factors, and below we walk through each one so you can pack with confidence.
Start with Drinking Water per Person per Day
Have you ever counted how many liters of water you go through in a normal day? Camping makes you aware of it fast. As a baseline, plan to bring almost 4.5 liters (1 gallon) of water per person per day for drinking alone.
That figure covers drinking only. You will also need water for cooking and for cleaning, so build those needs in on top of your drinking total rather than stealing from it.
Count Your Gallons Based on These Factors
Your baseline gallon per person is just a starting point. Use the factors below to scale the total up or down for your specific trip.
- Climate. The climate of any location greatly affects how much water your body needs. In cold weather you can conserve a little, but hot, humid, and dry conditions push your needs up because most of that water is lost through sweat. Deserts are an exciting place to camp, yet they can demand more than 6 liters of water per day per person.
- Activity. The more active you are, the more exhausted you get and the more fluid your body requires. Strenuous activity like hiking or cycling means you will drink more, so match your supply to your plans. Skip heavy disposable jugs and carry reusable insulated jugs instead, which make a great long-term camping investment.
- Number of campers. Water is not only for drinking. It also goes toward washing, bathing, first aid, and more. There is not always an extra source nearby, so carrying a water jug sized for everyone in your group matters.
- Natural water source. There is not always an open source of fresh water at your campsite, but you can take your campsite to the water. Do some research and pick a spot with plenty of water available. Still carry some pre-packaged water as backup, since you will need to boil or treat natural water before drinking it.
- Do not forget your pet. Pets enjoy the outdoors too, and they need a precise amount of water at regular intervals. Account for your pet’s needs and do not forget to pack a bowl.
Use These Tips to Carry and Stretch Your Water
Here are three practical tips that cut the weight you carry and help you use water efficiently.
- Use water from your food. Water is heavy, so let some of your hydration come from what you eat. Fruits like watermelon, oranges, bananas, and cucumbers are 75 to 90 percent water and are rich in nutrients, so packing plenty of fruit helps you stay hydrated while eating well.
- Drink water before hiking or trekking. If you will be hiking all day, hauling a lot of water gets tough. Drink as much as you comfortably can while still at camp so you carry less on the trail. If your route passes safe refill points, take a small bottle and top up your bottle and bladder along the way.
- Reuse what you can. Reusing water for tasks other than drinking can cut your water load roughly in half. The water you use to boil vegetables or pasta can go on to make soup or sauce, and you can use it again to clean the utensils from your meal.
Gear That Helps
CampingKnow is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
- TETON Sports Oasis Hydration Backpack
If you would rather not stop every few minutes for a drink, a hydration backpack lets you sip hands-free on the move. This one from TETON Sports is well suited to camping and day hikes, keeping water on your back and a tube within reach.