Camping using a pop-up camper has become more popular over the years, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that you can bring modern conveniences with you. While the idea of camping in the backcountry, just you and nature, sounds romantic, I think we would all be lying if we said we did not miss bathrooms.
So, do pop-up campers even have bathrooms?
There are pop-upcampers that have bathrooms. However, many do not and the type of bathroom can vary depending on the model of pop-up camper that you are looking at. The variations of bathrooms in pop-ups can include a simple toilet hidden unnder a fold down, a seperate toilet and shower and a shower and toilet combo that has a pull around shower curtain.
A pop-up camper is the perfect middle ground between tent camping and RV camping. Even if the camper does not have a bathroom, most campgrounds will still accommodate your stay with comfort stations, so really, any version of a pop-up camper works just fine for camping trips.
So, below you will find a list of the different styles of bathrooms as well as a list of campers that do have bathrooms. If you do not mind a camper without a bathroom, we will list those, too. Camping is so individual–you should pick whatever is best for you and your lifestyle.
If you are thinking about renting a pop-up trailer, read our article about how much it is to rent RV’s. There is a great section on pop-up trailers.
How much to rent an RV? ( Day, week and monthly rates )
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Types of Pop up Camper Bathrooms
- Wet Bathrooms
If your camper comes with a wet bathroom, that means that the bathroom is basically the shower stall, and the toilet will be inside the shower. The toilet should be waterproof and should come with a cover so you will not have to worry about the wear and tear too much.
Occasionally, the wet bathroom has only a curtain to separate the bathroom from the rest of the camper, but other times there are actual walls which should also be waterproof.
And, as anyone with a camper might expect, the bathroom’s details often have dual purposes! You might find that the cover of the wet bathroom doubles as more counter space.
So, if you are not planning on showering and instead just using the toilet, you might wonder about washing your hands afterwards. Well, this part is up to you: you can either rinse them off in the shower right next to you, or simply make your way to the kitchen sink. Though, there are a few models that include sinks in the wet bathrooms as well.
- Dry Bathrooms
A dry bathroom will have the toilet separate from the shower. This obviously takes up a little more room, but some might prefer this setup to a wet bathroom. Even though they take up more room, though, that does not mean they are big, in any sense of the word. Each amenity–sink, toilet, shower–will be very close to the other.
In this scenario, the shower will be either walled or curtained off, so you should not have to worry about the shower even splashing on the toilet.
A dry bathroom might actually be easier to clean than a wet bathroom, although there are arguments about that subject. Basically, you just want to be sure to wipe down wet surfaces before you leave any style of bathroom in a camper, because the standing water can cause problems in the future.
- Just a Toilet
While it is becoming more and more likely that pop up campers have both showers and toilets since they fit so easily in the same space, you will sometimes come across a pop-up camper with only a toilet.
It will likely be covered by a hard wall door that gives you privacy in such close quarters or covered by a counter that opens and closes. And, if you really want a shower, there are always campgrounds that provide showers, you just have to find one.
Another option to consider if you buy a toilet-only pop-up camper is a portable shower. When you stop the camper for the night, you can hook it up to your water supply and shower in nature–covered by a curtain, of course.
- Curtained Bathrooms
A curtained bathroom gives your camper the optimal amount of space. Since there is not much room to begin with, you will likely see the shower blocked only by a waterproof curtain so as not to take up too much room.
While it might seem like this style of bathroom causes inconvenience, it is actually proven itself not to be too messy. The campers that include curtained bathrooms stay clean, and when the curtain is not being used, it can be used for extra storage space!
- Walled Off Bathrooms
This type of bathroom looks more like the typical bathroom you might find in a larger RV. The bathroom has a more private feel because the walls are solid and can’t be pushed around like a curtain could.
Sometimes, though, the walls on fully enclosed bathrooms can be taken down and shaped into, you guessed it, more storage or counter space! The walls will be waterproofed, of course, so in either case–walls or curtains–your bathroom should be well equipped.
List Of Some Pop Up Campers with Bathrooms
So, now that you know the different styles of bathrooms, it should be a little easier to decide what camper best suits your needs. Most of the options listed below are pop up campers, but there are a few smaller travel trailers included as well.
I have been really impressed with the interior of all the campers I have researched. There is plenty of room for storage and for the bathroom, and all of it is decorated beautifully. Of course, these are new models, so if you buy a used camper, it might look different than the ones I have listed.
So, here is a list of the top ten:
- Forest River Flagstaff 23SCSE or 28TSCS
Both Forest River Flagstaff models are equipped with wet bathrooms. It features a pop-up shower and toilet guarded by a waterproof curtain. The newest models are bright, modern, and homey.
Other Flagstaff campers have just a toilet option as well. The toilet is built into the storage, so it is less private but still completely functional.
- Rockwood
Another Forest River product, the Rockwood features pop up campers with only toilets built into storage, as well as full shower and toilet models.
When the camper comes with just the toilet, you can expect to see the toilet built into storage space, so you lift the top to reveal the toilet. A little less private, but it gets the job done.
If the camper comes with a full bathroom, it would be a wet bathroom. And the wet bathroom is guarded by curtains instead of walls. The inside of the camper is clean and modern with wood finishes and nice marbled tile and countertops.
- Jay Sport Pure Escape
This model comes with a portable shower and can also have a porta pottie style toilet added to the interior in a cabinet so there is a door provided.
The Jay Sport is spacey and can accommodate five people or more. If you are planning on a shorter trip or one where you do not need to shower very often, this camper’s portable shower would be great for you and your group.
- Clipper Camping Trailer 1285SST
This pop up features a curtained wet bathroom. When not in use, the curtain can be tied back, and the toilet can be covered for extra counter space. The bathroom is right next to the camper entrance, so it does not feel like it takes up too much unnecessary room.
- Somerset Utah
This camper does not have a shower but does have a curtained toilet. Another option for this trailer is to get the portable shower, which is available through the seller. A note about toilet-only campers: you will save a lot of water!
- Casita Spirit Deluxe
This 17-foot trailer comes with a wet bathroom, but it has a bit more space than other wet bathrooms. The toilet faces the shower head, and there is room to stand. The bathroom is covered by walls, but in the space where you walk in, it is covered with a curtain. It has a 16-gallon water tank, which is not bad for its size.
- Lance 1575
This camper actually has a dry bathroom, which is pretty rare for its size. The shower sits next to the toilet and the two are separated by a curtain. The shower is even kind of long and could possibly be used for a bath. There is room to hang towels as well. For its size, this bathroom actually looks quite spacious.
- Barefoot Caravans
This camper is actually from the UK, but it is just interesting enough to mention in the article. You can still order the camper to the United States, or if you are a reader from UK, even better!
You will find a wet bathroom in this camper, but along with shower and toilet, a sink is also installed. Three sides of the bathroom are walls, and the side you walk into is curtained off.
- Airstream Sport
There are two versions of this trailer to choose from–either 16 feet or 22 feet. In the 16-foot trailer, you will find a wet bathroom that has a sink included as well. The shower head can stretch through the window so you can take an outdoor shower if you prefer. It has a hard door instead of a curtain.
In the 22-foot trailer, you will find a dry bathroom that takes up the whole back of the trailer. You have extra storage, and a single hard door for privacy. There is also a window so you can have some fresh air while freshening up.
- Escape Mini
The whole interior of this trailer is absolutely beautiful, light, and airy. In fact, in most of the trailers this brand offers, the bathrooms are dry bathrooms. There is a toilet, sink, and shower, and each are separate.
The shower will obviously have a curtain, but also in order to get into the bathroom, you will find a hard door that latches.
Other Pop Up Bathroom Options
As I have mentioned earlier in this article, it is important to consider other options if a pop-up camper with a bathroom is too expensive for your camping needs. If you do not want to spend the extra money for the extra convenience, you could also consider portable showers, portable toilets, or campgrounds with deluxe comfort stations.
Portable showers are pretty easy to come by. They cost anywhere from about $95-$400, though I am sure there are cheaper options out there somewhere–you just might want to spend the money to get a better lasting product for something like this.
There are also collapsible or portable toilet options as well. While they are not as easy to deal with as showers, since you will have to worry about waste management, they are still an option to consider if your camper does not include a toilet. You can find these at prices usually around $40-$90.
And, of course, deluxe comfort stations in campgrounds will have toilets and showers and sinks all for just the cost of the campground itself. Some simple math will let you know if the cost per campground over a certain period of time is better than just spending the extra money on a built-in bathroom in your camper.
List Of Some Great Pop Up Campers Without Bathrooms
If you are interested, here is a quick list of pop up campers that do not have bathrooms. Remember, the options listed in the section above can help combat this if not having a bathroom is an issue for you.
- Forest River Flagstaff–I know, this was listed in the models that do have bathrooms! Well, they have some models that do not have bathrooms as well. So, if you like the feel of the Flagstaff but don’t care about having a bathroom installed, you could go for this brand.
- Quicksilver 8.0
- SylvanSport Go
- Starcraft Comet
- Coachmen Clipper
Like the Forest River brand, some of the brands listed might also have trailers that do have bathrooms. Some quick research and you will be able to see for yourself. There are obviously quite a few other brands to choose from as well, but the ones listed are some of the most popular and widely trusted.
Things to Consider About Pop Up Camper Bathrooms
Even if you do find a camper with the ideal bathroom setup for you, there are a couple things to consider about the space you are about to reside in.
First, you will want to consider water storage, and this is especially important for if you get a pop-up camper with a shower, because they use a lot more water than just a toilet would. The camper can likely only hold about 25 gallons, which powers the sink, toilet, and shower, so it can run out fast.
You can always take a sponge bath or turn off the water while you are using soap to conserve water, but an even better option is to take advantage of campgrounds with full hookups so you can replenish your water source and use the campground’s water for your showers.
Second, your pop-up camper may or may not have a water heater. This will affect the shower greatly, so you will want to be prepared for this possibility. Most of these water heaters run on propane or gas, which means you will likely have to go outside the camper to turn it on.
Third, you will have to consider the waste you are producing and remember to clean out your sewage often. That way the shower and toilet area will not smell too bad, and you will be able to get clean while actually feeling clean.
As with any camping experience, it is all about making things last. All about making the most of what you have. It is tempting to take a long and hot shower after a day of hiking or even just driving but be aware of the cost to your pop-up camper.
Fourth, you might consider renting a pop-up camper before buying one. While it is easy to picture living in a camper being easy, you might be surprised at all the work that goes into it.
You might wonder which option–wet vs. dry, curtain vs. wall–and honestly, it is all up to personal preference, which you won’t fully know until you try!
Especially if you are considering living without a bathroom in your camper, definitely try that lifestyle first before you fully buy into it. Then you will know if it is worth it for you to get the slightly bigger camper with the bathroom.
Lastly, while renting can help, even if you decide to buy still, I would buy cheap. A lot of people end up wanting to transition into full RV life after using a pop-up camper, so it might be best to make the transition a little smoother with a less expensive option.
Whatever you choose, I hope you love your new pop up camper life! All of the options listed are tried and true, and again, it really is just up to your preference. As long as you are comfortable, that is all that matters.
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