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Water jugs lined up beside a camping trailer
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How Much Water to Haul When the Spigot Is Off

Dry campground, closed water system, or a site with no hookups: how much water per person per day for drinking, cooking and washing, and how to stretch it.

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2 min
Updated
October 5, 2026

This fall, plenty of campgrounds have the water turned off: for the season, for repairs, or because of a disaster like the Grand Canyon water outage. Here's how to figure out how much to bring.

01The basic numbers

  • Drinking: about a gallon per person per day is the common rule. More in hot or dry places, at altitude, or if you're hiking.
  • Cooking and dishes: another half gallon to a gallon per person per day, depending on what you cook.
  • Washing up: hands, faces, teeth. A half gallon to a gallon per person if you're careful.

So plan on 2 to 3 gallons per person per day for tent camping or a careful RV trip. RVs using the toilet and shower take a lot more.

02Example: family of four, three days

4 people × 3 days × 2.5 gallons = 30 gallons. Add a few gallons extra for spills, the dog, and the day you stay longer.

03How to carry it

  • RV fresh tank: fill it before you enter the park. Know where the nearest outside fill station is.
  • 7-gallon jugs: easy to carry, stack well. A full one weighs nearly 60 pounds.
  • Gallon jugs from the store: easy to buy on the way, easy to share.
  • Collapsible jugs: take up no room empty.

Keep drinking water separate from washing water so you always know how much drinkable water you have left.

04How to stretch it

  • Paper plates and one-pot meals. Fewer dishes, less water.
  • Wipe before you wash. Scrape and wipe pans with a paper towel first.
  • A spray bottle for rinsing hands and dishes uses much less than pouring.
  • Wet wipes and dry shampoo instead of showers.
  • RV toilet: use as little water as you can per flush.

05Don't forget grey water

Wherever the water's off, the dump station may still be open but with no rinse water. Never dump grey water on the ground unless the campground allows it.

06Check the forecast

Hot days, dry wind and long hikes all push water use up. If you're unsure, bring more. Running out is the one thing you can't fix at camp.

Photo by sdnet01 on Pixabay.

Related: Fall Camping: How to Stay Warm When Nights Drop Below 40

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