Wash up with a Solar Outdoor Shower for Camping

Grab a hot shower with a solar shower for camping that holds 5 gallons of water and warms up with a little help from the sun.

One thing I hear most often from people who don't necessarily like dispersed camping, is that they'd miss their hot showers. We usually do a lot of free National Forest camping and backcountry camping, so a hot shower just isn't always available.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss them too, but we're living in a time where a hot shower for camping really does exist.

All you need is a little help from the sun and the Advanced Elements 5 Gallon Shower. You can even pair it up with a quick pop up camping shower tent for privacy.

While we use our homemade body wipes for camping on every trip, it's still nice to take a hot shower, especially when it's hot. 5 gallons may not seem like a lot, but it actually goes a long way in showering our family of 5, especially if we conserve.

On a recent trip backcountry camping in Big Bend National Park, it came in quite handy, especially after days spent in 100°+ heat. And let me tell you, desert heat will warm this shower up quick.

Features of the Advanced Elements Solar Shower

The Advanced Elements camping shower has a lot of great features, including the following:

• Holds 5 gallons
• 4-ply construction
• Warms up quickly with direct heat from the sun

• Easy to use on/off shower head
• Extra large screw cap filling valve
• Pocket for soap and shampoo

• Velcro straps that hold other items, like washcloths
• Mirror (perfect for shaving)
• Water temperature gauge

• Easy and durable carry handle
• Compact storage

What it's like to use this camp shower

5 gallons definitely goes a long way, especially when you conserve water. For example, I tend to use dry shampoo when we're camping, just so I don't have to use a ton of water for my shower.

The 4-ply construction on this outdoor shower for camping includes a reflector panel, insulator panel, solar panel, and the water reservoir. This makes quick work of heating it up.

Camping Hack: While you may not want to wait around for the portable shower to warm up in the mornings, you can literally fill it up with the handy filling valve, strap it to the top of your vehicle or leave it in the sun with your tent and other gear, and away you go to explore all day. Come back in the evening, and you'll have a hot shower waiting for you.

You can even check the temperature of your water with the temperature gauge on the back of the bag.

The shower head itself is super easy to turn off and on, so you can easily conserve more water for the next person.

You can either hang the shower head up, or you can hold it in your hands, which makes it a LOT easier to shower a toddler.

I like to have all my stuff with me no matter what I'm doing, so the fact that I can store my soap and shampoo in the handy holding pocket while showering outdoors gets a thumbs up from me.

There's also a mirror, perfect for washing your face or shaving.

And, of course, it's important that it stores well, especially in a confined space like a camping trailer. It has a convenient and durable carry handle and rolls up into a smaller pack so you can easily store it while on the go.

Where to hang your outdoor camping shower

Usually, where we're camping, there are plenty of places to hang our portable shower for camping. Then other times, we have nothing but a cactus, and well, that just won't work.

Important Note: It's important that when hanging your shower pack, you not harm any vegetation in the area. Find a place to hang your shower that's safe and that will ultimately leave no trace. 

You can hang your camping shower in a tree; we've even hung ours on the side of our camp trailer. They do make special privacy tents, aka shower tents, that will hold an outdoor camp shower, as well.

Find a place that's safe to hang your shower, but think about the ease of use when doing so, as well.

Where to buy an affordable shower for camping:

You can purchase the Advanced Elements Solar Shower through both US Outdoor Store and Amazon. You'll also find more affordable options for camping showers and shower tents through US Outdoor Store, Moosejaw, REI, and Amazon.

You may also want to invest in a quick dry towel so you're not toting around wet towels on your camping trip. Campsuds is a biodegradable soap you can use not just for dishes, but for hair and body, as well.

Have you made a hot shower your excuse for not camping? You can easily enjoy an outdoor shower while camping with this affordable option for a camping shower. It's time to let go and get out there!

More outdoor gear and camping gear suggestions for you:

Roof Top Tent vs. Ground Tent: The Inside Scoop

The Ultimate Camping Checklist for Packing

Homemade No Rinse Body Wipes for Camping

Best Baby Carrier Backpack for Hiking and Outdoors

Camping Cooking Gear and Outdoor Cooking Tips