Are There Toilets in Glamping Tents? What to Expect

If you’re dreaming of glamping but don’t want to cross your fingers every time nature calls, you’re not the only one. One of the biggest questions people ask—right after “Will there be Wi-Fi?”—is about the toilets. Do glamping tents actually have bathrooms, or are you still stuck tiptoeing through the dark with a flashlight?

Here’s the basic answer: some glamping tents do have toilets, even full private bathrooms. Others go the rustic route and opt for shared facilities. And then there’s a whole range somewhere in between. The style of the site, the price you pay, and how off-grid the setup really is all play a part in what to expect when you unzip your tent door.

Before you pack your eco-friendly toothpaste and biodegradable soap, it pays to know what you’re getting into. Some glamping sites push hard for green credentials by using composting toilets or low-flow options. Others stick with standard flush toilets, but with a twist—sometimes they recycle the water or use solar power to run everything.

• The Truth About Toilets in Glamping Tents
• Types of Toilets: What’s Out There?
• Eco-Friendly Options and How They Work
• Tips for Choosing the Right Glamping Toilet Setup

The Truth About Toilets in Glamping Tents

This is the real deal: not all glamping tents come with their own toilets. Some spots give you a private, indoor bathroom right inside your tent, while others require a short walk to shared facilities. A few places even give you the option—tents with or without bathrooms, for different budgets and preferences. The bottom line? Always check what’s actually included before you book.

At the higher end of glamping, you’ll often get a full bathroom with running water, a hot shower, and sometimes a real toilet—just like at home. These setups are common in luxury yurts, safari tents, or big bell tents marketed for couples or families. It’s like hotel-style comfort, but under canvas and a sky full of stars. Some glamping companies even design their glamping tents with en-suite toilets and modern sinks, using clever plumbing and eco features.

On the more basic side, some tents skip the inside toilet and focus on keeping things simple. In those cases, you’ll probably find shared restrooms a few steps away—clean but more like a campground bathhouse. That’s usually the deal at budget-friendly, off-grid, or truly wild sites where plumbing gets tricky or they’re aiming for a lower impact on nature.

When reading listings, pay close attention. Look for details like “en-suite,” “private bathroom,” “compost toilet,” or “shared facilities.” If it’s not clear, don’t be shy—send a message and ask. Trust me, no one likes surprises in the middle of the night when it comes to toilets, especially if you’re sharing the tent with kids or someone who hates late-night walks in the dark.

Types of Toilets: What’s Out There?

When you hear “glamping tent,” you might picture everything from a five-star hotel under canvas to a slightly fancier camping experience. The truth is, the bathroom setup can range a lot. Here’s a rundown of what you might actually find—and what those setups really mean.

• Flush Toilets: Some glamping tents offer full flush toilets, just like at home. These are connected either to regular plumbing or to a holding tank that’s pumped out every so often. This is as comfy as it gets, especially if you’re glamping with kids or anyone who isn’t keen on roughing it.
• Composting Toilets: These are way more common at eco-focused sites. Composting toilets use little or no water and break down waste using a natural process. They can be more basic inside (think wood seat and a nearby stash of sawdust), but most are surprisingly odor-free if used right.
• Portable Toilets: These are usually chemical toilets tucked into a little room or separate tent nearby. Not glamorous, but way better than hiking to a public toilet block in the middle of the night.
• Shared Bathroom Blocks: Some sites skip the in-tent bathroom and go for a shared washroom setup instead. These are usually clean, but you will have to take a little walk, and you’ll likely trade a bit of privacy for the lower price tag.

So how common are these options? Recent surveys of UK and US glamping sites show that about 40% of luxury tents come with a private toilet (usually full flush or composting), while around 60% rely on shared or portable options. If you're after eco-friendly glamping tents, you're more likely to run into composting toilets than anywhere else.

If toilets are a deal-breaker for your trip, always check the details before booking. Some places post photos of the bathrooms, and if they don’t, it’s worth shooting them an email to ask.

Eco-Friendly Options and How They Work

If you think glamping means flushing away your eco-values, guess again. Many glamping setups put a real focus on keeping it green, especially when it comes to bathrooms. The biggest goal? Reduce water waste, avoid chemicals, and keep the land as untouched as possible. So, what kind of toilets are we talking about?

Composting toilets are the most common eco-friendly pick. They don’t use water to flush—big savings right there. Instead, these toilets turn waste into compost using natural materials like sawdust or coconut coir. There’s no septic tank or sewer hookup needed. The bin collects waste, which breaks down over a few weeks. The bonus: way less smell than you’d expect, as the dry material covers odors almost instantly. A well-made model needs emptying only once every few days (or weeks, if you’re solo).

Then there are low-flow toilets. These work just like a regular toilet but use much less water per flush. The average flush in one of these uses under 1.3 gallons (compared to the regular 3+ gallons you’ll find in old-school toilets). Some glamping sites even use vacuum-assisted systems—think airplane bathrooms—to use close to no water at all.

Here’s a quick look at how different glamping tents handle eco-friendly plumbing:

If you’re staying somewhere totally off-grid, you might also run into a classic long-drop—just a deep pit toilet. But don’t worry: most higher-end glamping spots are big on comfort and smell control. A good tip? Ask whether your site handles waste on-site using composting, or carts it off for treatment—some do both to keep things as clean and low-impact as possible.

• Check what type of toilet the site advertises before booking.
• Bring along eco-friendly toiletries—many sites require biodegradable soap and TP.
• If you’re unsure, ask how often toilets are cleaned or emptied. That says a lot about their comfort level.

Staying eco-conscious in nature doesn’t have to mean roughing it. The latest glamping bathrooms prove you can save water and stay clean at the same time.

Tips for Choosing the Right Glamping Toilet Setup

Picking a spot with the right toilet setup can make or break your trip—seriously. Here’s what to look out for before hitting the Book button.

• Glamping tents with private bathrooms cost more, but they usually mean less stress, especially during the night. Some even come with rain showers and sinks.
• Check the type of toilet: flush, composting, or porta-potty. Composting toilets aren’t as scary as they sound; the better ones don’t smell and save water—handy if you care about the eco side of things.
• Distance matters. Some sites put shared toilets far from tents, so if you’d rather not jog through the woods at 3 a.m., filter for private or ensuite bathrooms when booking.
• Look for real guest reviews mentioning bathrooms. If folks complain about cleanliness or smells, that’s a big red flag. Sites with great reviews for facilities usually pride themselves on keeping things tidy.
• Check if the bathrooms have basics like hot water, proper lighting, and locking doors. Not every glamping tent is built the same.

If safety is on your mind, private toilets in or next to your tent add major peace of mind—especially for families with kids or anyone who doesn’t want to roam after dark.

One last tip: if you’re booking somewhere remote, ask about backup options—seriously. Power outages or water issues sometimes pop up in off-grid places, and you’ll be glad you checked ahead. Nothing kills the vibe faster than finding out your fancy tent’s bathroom is just for show.