Ever Wonder What to Do When Nature Calls on a Multi-Day Rafting Trip?

Most of our multi-day trips have pit toilets available along the river for guests and guides to use. However, when those aren’t available, River Drifters provides a portable river toilet called “the groover.” It’s used to pack out all human waste to preserve the environment and comply with regulations protecting wilderness areas.

Before groovers, human waste was a major cause of environmental degradation on multi-day river trips. Today, solid waste is collected in these portable toilets and properly disposed of at approved facilities afterward.

The groover can make people a little uneasy at first — but there’s nothing to be shy about. Everybody goes to the bathroom, and this is absolutely the last thing you should let stand between you and the trip of a lifetime.

Keep reading for answers to our most frequently asked questions about the Groover and using the bathroom on multi-day river trips.

New to multi-day rafting? Browse our multi-day river trips to find the right adventure for your group.

Why Is It Called the Groover?

Multi-day river trips have been popular for many years. By the mid-1960s, it was clear that these trips were quickly leading to extreme environmental degradation in river canyons — the biggest culprit being human waste. When pit toilets proved not to be a viable long-term solution, river rafters began using large army surplus ammunition boxes — minus the toilet seats — to carry out human waste.

As one could guess, this rudimentary setup left signature grooves on the backside of anyone who used it. The name has stuck through the years — but guests will find the modern groover is surprisingly comfortable and comes complete with a toilet seat.

Only poop, toilet paper, and wipes go in the groover. No pee or feminine products.

Will There Be Privacy?

Yes! We do our best to place the groover in a private, convenient location so you can feel at ease when nature calls. This spot is typically down a short path and often — though not always — concealed by brush or other natural features that block the view from the rest of camp.

At the entrance to the groover path, you’ll find a handwashing station and the “key.” On River Drifters trips, the key is a paddle laid across the trail. If the paddle is there, the groover is occupied. This simple system ensures every guest has privacy.

It might take some getting used to, but we can guarantee you won’t find a more picturesque bathroom view anywhere on the planet. Take a moment to look around and enjoy it. Seriously.

Don’t forget to wash your hands with soap and sanitizer when you’re done!

Do I Have to Go Into the River to Pee?

Dilution is the solution to pollution! You should pee in the river — but we also have a pee bucket available. For the ladies, this is a much more elegant alternative to dipping yourself into the river every time nature calls.

Bring toilet paper or baby wipes with you so that you can squat-pee-wipe, then deposit any waste in the groover.

If you happen to be on your period during your river trip, don’t worry. Bring several small Ziploc bags and baby wipes so you can wrap feminine products in baby wipes and seal them in a Ziploc. This makes it easy, discreet, and hygienic to dispose of them through the boat’s trash system.

What About Needing the Groover at Night?

We recommend bringing a headlamp on all multi-day trips — it makes after-dark groover visits much easier. Add it to your packing list, and you’ll be glad you did.

Can I Just Hold It Until the Trip Is Over?

Please don’t! Whatever you do, do not try to go the entire trip without using the bathroom. Being uncomfortable makes you miserable — and honestly, it makes the people around you a little miserable too.

The groover is there for a reason. Use it. You’ll be fine. We promise.

Ready to experience it for yourself?

Browse our multi-day river trips and find your perfect adventure.

If you have any other questions or concerns, reach out anytime — We’re happy to help!