Camping shower tents are a fantastic and flexible addition to any camping setup, offering a personal and convenient area for you to bathe while tenting in the outside. Whether you’re on an extended trip or just enjoying a weekend getaway, having a portable, freestanding enclosure for your shower makes all the difference. These water-proof tents are made from long-lasting substances, designed to withstand the elements and keep you clean. Equipped with features like privacy and ventilation, they provide both comfort and hygiene, ensuring you stay clean and cushy even in remote locations. Some tents can even double as converting rooms or transportable bathrooms, making them a versatile choice for any adventurer. The Nemo Heliopolis is one of the best options available on the market, with its premium features and high-quality materials. However, there are plenty of alternatives for those looking for something easier to set up, less expensive, or just a bit bigger. A good guide can help you find the right shower tent for your specific needs, whether you’re a camper, backpacker, or even a beach goer. After all, a shower in the middle of nowhere can be a game changer when you’re on a journey, so don’t overlook this important piece of camping gear!
Nemo Heliopolis Camp Shower
The Nemo Heliopolis is the best shower tent you can buy, especially for car camping. It’s durable, with a polyester canopy and aluminum frame that are built to last. The high-quality materials make it stand out in the market. While it doesn’t come with a shower system, it’s designed to fit the Helio high-pressure shower system or any other system you prefer. Premium features include a stash pocket for electronics, an overhead towel pocket, a waterproof toilet paper holder, and even a cup holder for your shower beers. There’s also a battery-powered electric light that can be attached via carabiner for night showers. It’s packed with great features, but the price can be a bit high for some. The Nemo commitment to quality is evident, but note that the single-wall design is a drawback as it doesn’t have a skylight or mesh ceiling. Despite this, it offers privacy, hygiene, and a reliable shower in the middle of nowhere, making it a top choice for serious campers.
Advanced Elements Summer Shower
The Advanced Elements Summer Shower is a great choice for those looking for an easy-to-use and inexpensive solar gravity bag. Available in multiple capacities such as 2.5-gallon, 4 gallons, and 5 gallons, it offers a quick to heat experience. One of the best things about this solar camping shower is its accurate temperature gauge, which ensures you get the right water temperature for your shower. The leakproof handle with a buckle makes it easy to hang from trees or vehicles using rope. I’ve found it especially helpful when traveling on a fly fishing trip in Montana, where the water reached 110 degrees after just a few hours of direct sunlight. The weight is manageable at 13 oz, but the dry time can be a bit long, especially if the fill spout opening is small and hard to work with at remote Forest Service campgrounds without a faucet. Despite this, the Advanced Elements Summer Shower has been a winner in my experience due to its affordable price, speed of heating water, and value. Whether you’re camping or in need of a backup when your water heater goes out, it’s a solid choice.
Ozark Trail 2-Room Instant Shower Tent
When you’re out on a camping trip, having a reliable and spacious shower tent is essential for comfort and convenience. The Ozark Trail 2-Room Instant Shower Tent offers a perfect solution with its quick setup and easy drainage features. Weighing only 4.5 kg (10 lbs), this quick-to-set up shower tent is ideal for car camping. With a packed size of 43” x 8” x 8” (109cm x 20cm x 20cm), it can be easily stored and transported.
One of the standout features is its two-room design, offering separate shower area and changing room compartments. The shower system comes with a 5-gallon solar shower bag and a mesh tub floor for efficient water flow and quick drying. For added privacy, the privacy room has zippable mesh windows that allow you to enjoy the views while still ensuring your privacy. It even comes with a multi-compartment mesh shower caddy and a hanging towel rack, so you can keep your dry clothes and dry towel handy.
The instant cabin setup with pre-attached hubs and collapsible designs makes it easy to pitch this tent quickly. With a peak height of 84” (213cm) and a floor size of 84” x 42” (213cm x 107cm), it offers ample room for both showering and changing. The dry clothes compartment ensures that your dry clothes stay safe, while the drying room provides a space to keep your towels and clothes from getting damp. For those who prioritize privacy and comfort while camping, the Ozark Trail 2-Room Instant Shower Tent is an excellent choice for your camp shower needs.
Sea to Summit Pocket Shower
The Sea to Summit Pocket Shower is a lightweight and compact solution for backpackers who need a quick and easy shower in the wild. Weighing only 5.25 oz, it’s designed to be packable and easy to carry in your backpack. The 3L solar gravity bag has a roll-top opening, making it simple to fill from a hose, faucet, or even a stream at your campsite. Though it doesn’t have a temperature gauge, the bag heats up with the sun, providing a warm shower after a few hours. The 3-minute shower is enough for a quick rinse off, and the leakproof design ensures you won’t lose water. The buckle handle with hooks allows you to easily hang the shower on ropes or nearby trees. While the Sea to Summit solar shower bag doesn’t have a clear window, making it slightly less efficient at heating, it’s still a great choice for those in need of a portable shower during backpacking trips. The pocket-sized container and cell phone-sized pocket stuff sack make it easy to store and carry without much weight penalty. Overall, this pocket shower offers a convenient and reliable way to freshen up on the go.
G4Free Outdoor Shower Tent
The G4Free Outdoor Shower Tent is a compact and easy to live with option for those who want a practical shower while car camping. Weighing only 10.6 lbs (or 4.8kg), it’s lightweight and has a packed size of 25” x 8” x 8” (64cm x 20cm x 20cm), making it easy to store and transport. The floor size is 47” x 47” (119cm x 119cm), providing enough space for a comfortable shower with a peak height of 87” (221cm). This shower tent is great for basic showers, but it doesn’t include a shower system. However, it’s perfect for solar showers, and there’s a velcro-sealed exterior port for those who want to use a water tank system. It even has an adjustable velcro showerhead for hands-free showering, and the removable velcro floor connects to the drainage mesh, keeping it bug-free and easy to clean. While the price is great for those on a budget, the tent shower uses less-durable materials, so it’s best for light use and not intended for serious abuse. The traditional tent construction with poles, hubs, and guy outs provides a secure shelter but comes with a tradeoff in less interior space compared to some other models.
Nemo Helio Pressure Shower
The Nemo Helio Pressure Shower is a foot powered portable shower perfect for car camping or trips with kids and pets. It comes in two sizes, 11 L (2.9 gallons) and 22 L, offering flexibility for solo campers or bigger groups. This pressurized shower uses a foot pump to build water pressure, so you don’t need to rely on gravity like with solar camping bags. It’s ideal for washing hair or rinsing thoroughly without needing to lift heavy water containers. Weighing just 1 lb 5 oz, it’s compact and easy to pack, and the leakproof design with a buckle handle makes it easy to hang on hooks or rope at your camping spot.
The temperature gauge on the bag helps you monitor the water level, and the black material quickly heats up water when exposed to direct sunlight. With the Nemo Helio, you get the luxury of a traditional shower with strong water pressure that lasts through your entire shower. However, drying it can be a bit tricky, and mold or mildew can grow in the bag if not properly aired out after use. Despite this, it’s a reliable and efficient shower system for those who need a great water pressure experience in the wilderness.
Texsport Instant Shower
The Texsport Instant Shower is an extra-roomy shower tent designed for car camping. It weighs 20 lbs (9.1kg) and has a packed size of 32” x 10” x 8” (81cm x 25cm x 20cm). The floor size is 54” x 54” (137cm x 137cm), offering plenty of space to move around. With vertical walls and ceilings over 7 feet tall, even the tallest campers can enjoy a comfortable shower experience. The tent includes a 5-gallon solar shower that provides good water pressure for a gravity-fed system, and the dual hooks on the ceiling make it easy to hang. Plus, there’s a mesh shower bag to keep your soaps, shampoos, and loofahs organized.
Setting up the Texsport Instant Shower can be tricky, as the poles don’t always fit snugly into the hubs, but once it’s assembled, it provides a solid design. It’s designed with ¾” steel poles and thick plastic hubs, and it can be staked down or guyed out using the attachment points and rainfly to withstand bad weather. One downside is the open floor that doesn’t have a mesh tub bottom, meaning it’s not bug-proof and might let in some unexpected guests. However, the interior space is perfect for a multi-use privacy area and offers extra features like a towel rack and a mesh shower caddy for your personal items.
Geyser Shower System
The Geyser is a battery-powered portable shower that’s perfect for car camping or backpacking trips. It offers both heated and unheated versions and can hold 3 liters of water, which is enough to provide a hot shower with excellent pressure. When full, it weighs 8 pounds, and you can easily carry it using the handle. The temperature gauge ensures you have the perfect water temperature for your shower, whether you want a quick 4-minute rinse or a longer 15-minute wash. The Geyser can be heated by plugging it into your vehicle’s outlet or by using boiling water for a faster heat-up.
Although the Geyser provides a luxurious hot shower, it does require being close to an outlet or vehicle for power. The cord can be a bit short, which might affect privacy if you’re not using an outdoor shower tent. Despite that, it is incredibly efficient, with no water wasted, and works well for dry camping or while driving to your next stop. It’s a great choice for vanlifers or anyone who enjoys the convenience of a hot shower while traveling. The Geyser can also be used to clean your body and long hair effectively by simply rinsing with the water, but for thorough hair washing, you may need to fill it up again. It’s an essential tool for those who want to avoid hotel stays and enjoy an outdoor experience while maintaining hygiene on their adventures.
Green Elephant Camping Shower Tent
The Green Elephant Camping Shower Tent is a great option if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to set up a privacy space while camping. Weighing just 5.5 lbs (or 2.5 kg), this compact tent features a pop-out design and a spring-loaded frame, making setup simple and fast. The interior features include a towel hanger, clothes hanger, lantern hook, and storage pouches, providing everything you need to keep your items organized while changing or using it as a personal privacy tent for a chemical toilet. It also has stakes, sandbags, rain cover, and guylines for various setup options, ensuring stability in different conditions.
Despite its minimalist design, the Green Elephant offers a tall center height of 7 feet (211cm), giving you plenty of room inside. However, it lacks a floor, which allows for excellent drainage but means you’ll need a tarp or stand on wet ground. It’s also not built to support a heavy 5-gallon solar shower, so you might need an external pressurized system or hang your shower bag from a nearby tree. The packability and portability of this tent make it a top choice for car camping or backpacking trips, although it may not be the best option for bad weather due to its lightweight construction. With its simple setup and budget-friendly $ price, this tent is perfect for those who want something practical without any premium features.
Kelty Privacy Tent
The Kelty Privacy Tent is a sturdy and quick setup option for those looking for a camping shower tent. It’s perfect for van lifers, campers, or anyone camping in campgrounds without facilities or who wants to avoid using public showers. The directions for setup are printed on the bag, and though it took a bit longer the first time, we managed to get it set up in just 10 minutes. The Kelty H2Go Privacy Tent comes with a shower caddy and an unbreakable mirror for added convenience. There’s also a built-in hook for hanging your sun shower bags, but do check if your bag fits since the hook isn’t always wide enough for every solar bag.
This tent features a bathtub floor, so you won’t have to shower on dirt, and the floor is easy to drain afterward. It also includes mesh half doors for drying out. The Kelty Privacy Tent can double as a potty privacy tent for systems like the Reliance Luggable Loo or for using Human Waste Bags and WAG bags. Although the tent’s tall enough for people up to 6’3″ to stand, taller individuals might need to squat when washing their hair. The shower bag is typically about 18 inches tall, so you may need to adjust to fit comfortably.
Solar Gravity Bag
The Kipida Solar Shower bag is a popular portable camp shower on Amazon, known for its 5 gallons capacity and the ability to provide a hot shower in just 4 minutes 15 seconds. It’s lightweight at only 15.8 oz and includes a temperature gauge, buckle, and hook for easy handling. The shower nozzle and hose come separately in a minimalist package, and the metal O-ring helps secure the nozzle in place. However, there’s a catch. The attach-it-yourself nozzle can sometimes leak during use, especially while filling or sitting in the sun. This can be frustrating, but if you’re willing to be careful and baby it, this shower still provides some of the hottest showers, reaching up to 110 F. But be cautious, as one camper in Montana found the water temperature to be too hot for comfort. Despite its flaws, it’s a solid choice for those who want a simple and efficient solar gravity bag.
Stearns Summer Shower
The Stearns Summer Shower is a solid choice for those seeking a portable shower that offers durability and quick heating. Available in sizes like 2.5 gallons, 4 gallons, and 6 gallons, this solar gravity bag heats the water in just 4 minutes 23 seconds, making it perfect for quick, refreshing showers. With a temperature gauge, you can easily track the water temperature, ensuring a comfortable shower. The 1.3 lbs weight of the 5 gallon version makes it relatively light to carry. The Stearns Summer Shower is leakproof, reliable, and heats efficiently, which is why it almost won the title of overall solar winner.
However, while the strap handle is useful, we found that the buckle handle on the Advanced Elements model is a bit more versatile, especially if you plan to hang the shower on a pre-strung rope or a tree branch. To use the Stearns Summer Shower, you might need a carabiner to support the weight, which can be a small inconvenience. Despite that, it remains a great option for those looking for a reliable and durable shower with solid features.
Yakima RoadShower
The Yakima RoadShower is a top choice for those living the van life or taking RV road tripping adventures. With a capacity of 4, 7, or 10 gallons and a weight of 20 lbs, it provides a temperature gauge for accurate water heating and shower time of about 4 minutes. The Yakima RoadShower mounts directly to your truck or vehicle, offering convenient storage room on the outside of your vehicle. It’s a great option for extended trips, especially if you need a portable shower that can handle tasks like power washing off mud, cleaning pets, or washing long hair.
This system can be pressurized using a hand pump, electric pump, or a Schrader valve. However, it’s important to note that the Yakima RoadShower is almost double the price of other camping showers and around 15 times more expensive than budget showers. But for those on extended road trips or in need of a reliable shower while van-living, this system can still be a better value than a few nights in a hotel. If you are considering this shower, think of it as a long-term investment for your adventures rather than a quick and affordable solution.
Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower
The Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower is a great option for those looking for an electric portable shower. It’s battery-operated and comes with a temperature gauge. Weighing only 1.9 lbs, this shower can provide a shower time of up to 10 minutes when used with a 5 gallon bucket. Simply fill the bucket with cold water, place the shower head in the bucket, and let the USB-charged system heat the water as it flows through. While the water pressure is 0.66 gallons per minute, it’s perfect for pet owners looking to give their dogs a warm shower outside. This system is also ideal for camping trips, as it’s portable and easy to set up using your vehicle.
However, one downside of the Ivation shower is that it may not be available in all areas due to local laws on the proximity of electric units to water. For instance, California testers have found it difficult to purchase this unit. Despite this, the Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower is still a top choice for many and ranks high on best camping shower lists. It’s a simple and efficient shower system for those who want a warm shower experience outdoors.
Why Consider Buying a Shower Tent?
If you’re going on a camping trip or planning to spend time in an RV boondocking spot, a shower tent is a great way to have a private place to wash off the dirt after a long day outdoors. Not all campgrounds have public showers, and even if they do, they may not offer the privacy you want. A shower tent gives you a clean and secluded space, free from the eyes of squirrels, deer, and other wildlife. Whether you’re using a solar shower bag or a different shower system, a shower tent helps you feel more at home in the wild.
The peak height and interior space of your shower tent are important features to consider. A higher peak height means you won’t have to bend over to shower, making it easier to move around. If you are under six feet tall, a tent with a peak height within arm’s reach is ideal for hanging a shower bag without the need for a step ladder. Additionally, the interior space needs to be comfortable enough to avoid feeling cramped. It should give you room to scrub your feet and move freely, especially if you’re using a 5-gallon solar shower.
Privacy is another reason why a shower tent is essential for campers. When you’re ready to get naked and clean, you’ll appreciate having a completely private space. Whether you’re showering with the sounds of the forest or enjoying a view of the ocean, a shower tent allows you to feel comfortable. It’s also a great place to store personal items like your phone, change of clothes, or toiletries. Plus, if your tent has mesh ceilings and windows, you’ll get proper ventilation and avoid bathroom smells, mold, and mildew while enjoying your shower.
F&Qs
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What’s your outdoor shower set up?
Do you have access to electricity?
How fast does the water heat up?
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for Your Camping Shower
To keep your camping shower in the best condition, regular upkeep and cleaning are essential. After each use, make sure to rinse and clean the shower nozzle and hose thoroughly to prevent mildew and mold growth. If you’re collecting water from rivers, creeks, ponds, or streams, clean out your nozzle regularly to avoid the build-up of debris like leaves, algae, and sand. These can cause clogs and reduce water flow. Always dry your camping shower completely before storing it, as trapped moisture can lead to mildew and harm both hygiene and the longevity of your equipment.
To keep your camping shower in the best condition, regular upkeep and cleaning are essential. After each use, make sure to rinse and clean the shower nozzle and hose thoroughly to prevent mildew and mold growth. If you’re collecting water from rivers, creeks, ponds, or streams, clean out your nozzle regularly to avoid the build-up of debris like leaves, algae, and sand. These can cause clogs and reduce water flow. Always dry your camping shower completely before storing it, as trapped moisture can lead to mildew and harm both hygiene and the longevity of your equipment.
If your camping shower has a water filtration or purification system, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance and replacement of filters to ensure the best performance and water quality. Check components like seals, connectors, and heating elements for wear or damage, and address any issues to prevent bigger problems like electrical issues or holes. Storing your shower in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, will help protect it from deterioration and keep it ready for your next adventure.
Camping Shower Tips
When using your camp shower, it’s important to follow outdoor ethics like staying at least 200 feet away from natural water sources like streams or lakes. Always use biodegradable soap and turn off the water while soaping up to conserve it. You can rinse off afterward, making sure to get wet, turn off the shower, then apply soap, and turn it back on for the rinse. This method helps make the most of your 4-gallon bag, as we’ve tested with three people using the same amount.
For a successful shower setup, make sure your camp shower tent is placed on a drained permeable surface, either flat or sloping downhill, to allow water to flow properly. Keep your clothes, towels, and toiletries within reach before starting, and place dry towels and clothes away from the shower drain to avoid them getting wet. Always remember to drain your camp shower tent before the next person uses it to prevent water pooling and ensure hygiene. Following these simple tips will help you maintain a clean and efficient shower setup while keeping your camping experience enjoyable.
Conclusion
When choosing a camping shower tent, it’s important to think about durability, convenience features, and affordability. The Nemo Heliopolis stands out as the best option for those who want a roomy, well-ventilated space with extra perks like a shower/bathroom and a cupholder. If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, the Ozark Trail 2-Room Instant Shower offers extra space and an instant-cabin design at a bargain price. For a more affordable choice, the G4Free Camping Shower delivers great features at a basement-level price. No matter which tent you choose, whether it’s the TexSport Instant Portable Shower or the Kingcamp Oversized Shower Tent, investing in a camping shower tent enhances your tenting experience by providing private, accessible bathing options for long-lasting outdoor use.
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