​​​​Never assume that water in the backcountry like water from lakes, streams, rivers, or springs, is safe to drink.

Use only boiled, treated, or bottled water for:

• drinking
• preparing food
  
• washing dishes
• brushing your teeth

The best way to make sure your backcountry water is clean and safe is to filter it first, then boil it for at least 1 minute. Boil your water for 5 minutes if it is cloudy or has debris in it.

If you can’t boil your water, filter it first and then use chemicals like iodine or chlorine to make it safer. As a final step, use an ultraviolet (UV) light if you have one.

Learn more about how to make your drinking water safe when you can't boil it.

Water filters

Portable water filters clean water by forcing it through a very fine strainer (mesh). This can trap germs that can make you sick, like bacteria, parasites, and viruses.

The holes in the filter are very small, measured in microns. It’s important to get a filter that has the smallest holes in the mesh as possible. Make sure your filter is 1 micron absolute or smaller.

Don’t rely on a water filter alone. After using a filter, boil your water or use chemicals to make sure it’s safe to drink.

Boiling water

After you filter your water, boil it for at least 1 minute. If the water is cloudy or has debris in it, boil it for at least 5 minutes.

Let the water cool to a safe temperature before you use it.

Chemicals

If you can't boil your water, filter it first and use chemicals to make it safer. Use chlorine and iodine to kill bacteria and viruses. These chemicals won’t kill all of the parasites. Boil your water to make sure it’s safe to drink. Learn how to make your drinking water safe when you can't boil it.

Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection pen

UV light can help make water safe by killing germs. It will only work if your water is very clear. It will not work if your water is cloudy or has floating debris.

Before you use a UV disinfection pen, let your water sit for a while so that any small particles (sediment) have time to settle. Follow the directions for your UV disinfection pen exactly.

Don’t rely on a UV disinfection pen alone. You also need to use a water filter and to boil your water or use chemicals to make your water safe.

You can buy UV disinfection pens at some camping stores.

​It’s important to pack and store your food properly, both before you leave for the backcountry and when you’re on the trail.

Bacteria that can make you sick like salmonella, need certain conditions to survive. They grow well in foods that are moist and rich in protein like meat, poultry, and dairy products. They also grow well between the temperatures of 4 to 60°C (40 to 140°F). In the right conditions, bacteria can grow very quickly and can make your food unsafe to eat in a short amount of time.

To keep your food cool in the backcountry:

• Freeze food before you leave and try to pack all frozen items together.
• Pack perishable foods in ice or with freezer packs.
• Store food in lakes or streams when you’re at your campsite. Use leak-proof plastic bags to keep the water out.

Other tips for food in the backcountry

• Pre-cook all perishable foods (foods that can spoil in a short amount of time) and plan to eat them first.
• Always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before handling any food. Learn how to wash your hands in the backcountry.
• Do not handle or prepare food if you’re not feeling well.
• Bacteria don’t grow well on dry or acidic food. Bring dry foods like nuts and dried fruit or packaged foods that can be rehydrated.
• You can buy dehydrated meals in some stores. Plan to eat the whole meal right after you rehydrate it. Don’t keep any rehydrated food to eat later.
• Pack your food in reusable containers that can be cleaned and used for repacking. This will also help create less waste.
• If you have to mix ingredients, do it just before eating them.
• Plan to take food that doesn’t need to be kept cool. But remember that canned food can be heavy and you’ll have to carry the cans back out of the backcountry.
• Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk doesn’t need to be kept cold when it’s unopened, but it must be used right away or kept cold after it is opened. You can also use powdered skim milk. Mix the powder with water that you’ve already filtered and boiled. Learn how to make your water safe to drink in the backcountry.
• Store food away from animals. Use food storage lockers on high platforms or hung in a tree with rope or cable. Never bring food into your tent or sleeping areas.

​​Campgrounds and recreational areas often provide washing and bathroom facilities. If there are no facilities, then follow this information on what to do in the backcountry.

Bathing, washing clothes, and washing dishes

For bathing, washing clothes, or washing dishes, collect a pot of water from a lake or stream. Move 60 m (200 ft.) away from the water's edge and wash yourself, your clothes, or your dishes with biodegradable soap.

When you’re done, spread the water on the ground, spraying it far away from campsites and water sources. Staying far from the water's edge lets the soap break down and filter through the soil before it reaches the lake or stream.

If you’re washing dishes, strain the water first, before you spread it, to catch all of the food scraps. Food scraps should be packed and carried out of the backcountry. Learn more about dealing with garbage in the backcountry.

If you don’t have biodegradable soap, you can use no-rinse bath and shampoo products or wet wipes (which must be packed and carried out).

Handwashing

Wash your hands in a tub of water away from all water sources. If the water hasn’t been boiled, then use hand sanitizer after washing your hands.

If you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has more than 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer does not work if your hands are greasy or dirty, so clean them first if you need to.

After going to the bathroom and handling any toilet paper, wash your hands.

Brushing your teeth

Brush your teeth with clean water that you’ve already treated. Never put untreated water in your mouth or on your toothbrush. Learn how to filter, boil, and treat your water. Brush your teeth at least 60 m (200 ft.) away from all water sources.

​It’s important to get rid of bowel movements (waste) properly. Waste can carry germs like bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can make you sick and attract wildlife. If you do not get rid of waste properly, it can also make for a very unpleasant experience for other hikers and campers.

Camping areas usually have washroom facilities (flush toilets or outhouses). Use them and keep them clean. If there are no washrooms, then follow these backcountry procedures.

Toilet paper and menstrual products

Plan on having to pack out your used toilet paper. Parks Canada requires you to pack your toilet paper out with you. Put your used toilet paper into containers or bags that you can seal. Store all used and unused toilet paper away from any food.

All menstrual products must be bagged and carried out of the backcountry. Be sure to seal the bag properly so it doesn’t attract animals. The bag and waste can be thrown in the garbage later.

Learn how to deal with garbage in the backcountry.

Catholes

Catholes are small holes that you dig into the ground that you can use to go to the bathroom. They’re meant to be used right away and only once.

To make a cathole:

1. Find an area with soft soil that's at least 60 m (200 ft.) from all water sources, camps, and trails.
2. Dig a small hole about 15 cm (6 inches) deep and 15 cm (6 inches) wide.
3. Make sure all human waste goes into the hole.
4. When you’re done, cover the hole with soil.
5. Pack out your used toilet paper.

Latrines

Make a latrine when there are no washrooms and you plan on staying in one place for more than a couple of days. If made correctly, latrines can be used more than once.

To make a latrine:

1. Find an area of soft soil that’s at least 60 m (200 ft.) from all water sources, camps, and trails.
2. Dig a wide hole that is 30 cm (12 inches) deep.
3. Make sure all human waste goes into the hole.
4. After each use, put soil on top of the waste.
5. Pack out your used toilet paper.
6. Once the waste and soil are 10 cm (4 inches) from the top, fill the rest of the hole with soil and cover it with debris like needles and leaves.

Winter conditions

The best option in the winter is to pack your waste out with you. When that isn’t possible, make sure your catholes and latrines are dug away from trails, campsites, water sources, and areas where water will go as it melts and drains. Think carefully about where you go to the bathroom because it may get washed into water sources when the snow melts.

Alpine areas

Above the tree line, digging holes or moving rocks can cause long-lasting damage, so you have to carry your waste out with you. Use sealable plastic bags. Wrap your waste in 2 bags if you’re worried about the bag leaking or breaking.

Glaciers

Don't leave human waste on glaciers. Carry it out in a sealable plastic bag.

Handwashing

Always wash your hands with soap and water after you go to the bathroom or handle toilet paper. If the water hasn’t been boiled, then use hand sanitizer after washing your hands.

If you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has more than 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer does not work if your hands are greasy or dirty, so clean them first if you need to.

Never touch any food until you’ve washed and cleaned your hands.

Learn how to wash your hands and keep clean in the backcountry.

Pets

Pets can carry diseases and leave them in their waste. Keep pets on a leash and remember to pick up after your pet. Bury or carry out their droppings the same way you bury or carry out your waste.

​​​​There are a few important things you need to do before you head into the backcountry.

• Learn to read a map before you go and always take one with you.
• Take a first aid course and always carry a first aid kit with you. To learn about what other equipment you should bring, see the Parks Canada Equipment Checklist.​
• ​Tell a responsible person where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Make sure you let the person know when you get back.
• Check the weather for the backcountry area you’ll be travelling in. Wear the right clothes and shoes, and bring the right equipment for the conditions, like tents and tarps.
• Make sure there are no restrictions for the area you’ll be in. Restrictions could include area closures for wildlife or a ban on open fires.
• To learn about bear safety in the backcountry, see Parks Canada visitor safety.
• Avalanches are a risk when you go hiking in the winter. Avalanche conditions are available from your local Parks Canada​ office or online at Parks Canada avalance information.
• Remember that river crossings, difficult terrain, and bad weather will all add time to a trip.
• Give yourself extra time for rest and meal breaks.