Camping on Your Period; The Ultimate Guide to Managing Your Period Outdoors

Woman Hiker How to camp with Period

Camping on your period can be a major hassle. But in this article, we are going to look at camping on your period hacks and options for managing your period. A great option is menstrual cup camping. We will check out some of the best cups for outdoor activities and how to use a menstrual cup while camping. We will also look into what should be in your camp period kit and why it's so important to not leave anything behind.

Be Prepared while Camping on Your Period

The thing about camping or any outdoor activity is to always be prepared and pack what you need. Even more so when you are camping on your period. You can also organise and make your own camp period kit to manage your period easier.

There are quite a few options that you can plan for when camping on your period. See below.

Menstrual​​​​ Cups

Menstrual Cups may be known by their brands; such as The DivaCup, LENA cup, Blossom cup, Dutchess cup, etc.

Menstrual cups are flexible silicon cups that you can place inside your vagina, like a tampon. Instead of absorbing the blood, the cup will collect your menstrual blood. You can then go to the bathroom (or the bush!), tip the collected blood out, and then reinsert.

These are very handy if you are camping on your period or doing outdoor activities. Menstrual cups are safe to leave in for up to 12 hours depending on your flow. They also come in a range of sizes depending on your age, flow, and childbirth history.

Why Use A Menstrual Cup when Camping on your Period?

Menstrual cups can last up to 10 years with care. If placed correctly, like a tampon, you should not be able to feel it inside. It is the preferred choice for many active women. It is discreet; no tampon string hanging out of the bikini, or having to change your tampon every 4 hours. It is environmentally-friendly with no monthly waste and no chemicals used to create the product.  It is also very cheap when compared to purchasing tampons and pads over a lifetime!

It's a great option for when you are running on your period or swimming on your period too!

How to Use A Menstrual Cup While Camping on Your Period

  1. Find a secluded place to do your business and try to take a bottle of water with you
  2. Dig a small cat hole
  3. Remove the cup - check out some handy tips on How to Remove A Menstrual Cup Safely
  4. Tip out the contents of the cup into the hole
  5. Rinse the cup off with a bit of water from the bottle. If you don't have water, then use a bit of tissue paper to wipe it off as clean as you can
  6. Re-insert the menstrual cup
  7. Put some dirt over your cat hole
  8. Enjoy your outdoor adventures!

Menstrual Cup Comparison Table - Top Picks for Camping on Your Period

DIVA Cup

Divacup Menstrual Cup For Camping On Your Period
  • ​Well established brand since 2001
  • Designed and created by women
  • 2 sizes available
  • 12 Hour Leak-Free Protection
  • Comfortable
  • Made of un-dyed silicone, no latex, rubber, plastic, or BPA
  • Extra durable so will last longer!


atex, rubber, plastic, or BPA

DUTCHESS Cup

Dutchesscup Menstrual Cup For Camping On Your Period
  • ​Comes in a set of two, in cute colors, purple and pink
  • 100% body-safe, made of soft medical grade silicone, which is also used in infant pacifiers
  • 2 sizes available
  • Very soft silicone, perfect for beginners
  • Unique specs which fits most women
  • Great value for money!
100% body-safe, made of soft medical grade silicone, which is also used in infant pacifiers

LENA Cup

Lenacup Menstrual Cup For Camping On Your Period
  • ​Made and manufactured in America
  • Comes in a 'Sensitive’ version, for those with sensitive anatomies or bladders
  • BPA Free, Made of medical-grade silicone, and FDA approved
  • 2 sizes available
  • Grip rings on stem for easy insert and removal
Grip rings on stem for easy insert and removal

Menstrual Underwear

This is even more magical than the menstrual cup (it's 'magical,' because I don't know how it works, but it does!)  This underwear will absorb your period blood without leaving stains or leaks. It also looks great (no granny underwear here!) and feels very comfortable.  Absorbent underwear has been designed to be used with or without a menstrual cup or tampon.

How To Use Menstrual Underwear while Camping on your Period

Take a few pairs of menstrual underwear when packing your camp period kit. You can change it as often as you would like, and at least once a day. To hand-wash, you can use soak it in some water and rub it with some environmental soap. You can then wring it out (I would be careful with this and not 'over-wring' it to not damage the material), then leave it to dry.

EvaWear Period Underwear

Packing menstrual underwear saves on bulk as you don't need to take anything extra, or remove any waste (like used tampons). Just have a few pairs, like this 2 pack by EvaWear and rotate them everyday or when you feel the need!

Tampons/Pads

If you prefer tampons and pads then make sure you bring enough supplies. This will depend on the length of your period, your normal flow and your outdoor adventure.

Remember you will need to change your tampon at least every 4-6 hours. This is to avoid Toxic Shock Syndrome, read about the Dangers of Tampons here. You should also avoid leaving a tampon in while sleeping.

Tampons and pads are individually small in size, but they will add up and end up taking lots of space in your bag. 

How To Use Tampons and Pads while Camping on your Period

Bring enough zip-locks bags, or small plastic bags that you can use. Use a clean zip-lock bag inside a waterproof bag to make sure your new tampons and pads stay clean and sterile. You also don't want your supplies to get wet while kayaking or rained on.

Remember to bring some toilet paper to wrap your used tampon or pad up. You should also bring a plastic bag to store your used supplies. Do not ever bury your tampon or pad, used or not, as animals may dig it up. Tampons and pads also have chemicals and bleached cotton. You do not want to leave this buried in the bush as it is bad for the environment!

Comfort while Camping on Your Period

If you are prone to cramps and discomfort during your period then you should make a period camping kit. This will make camping on your period more comfortable.

Here’s a list of handy items that won’t weigh you down too much!

blue hot bottle

Hot water bottle for those night time cramps - This durable bottle is of higher quality and holds the heat in for longer!

Sleeping Pad Camping

Camping pad or mattress to soften your tossing and turning - We love this one that keeps the heat in, packs up small, and only weighs 18 ounces!

Dry Bag blue

Waterproof dry-bag to keep your supplies dry regardless of the weather - These dry-bags come in a couple of colors and different sizes!

Dig a hole

Camp trowel to help you dig a cat hole - We love this lightweight trowel that comes in funky colors! Lifetime Warranty too!

Ziploc Plastic Bag

Small zip-lock bags to hold your used tampons, pads, and toilet paper. We reckon these sandwich sized bags are perfect. Comes in a pack of 150 too!

Camping on Your Period is Manageable

Yes, getting your period sucks sometimes. But a great way to forget about your cramps is by sleeping under the stars or going for a scenic hike. Camping on your period can be manageable, there's even menstrual cups for heavy flows!. If you make a plan and prepare your options, then camping on your period can be a breeze. Having your period should not stop you from going on your wild or not quite wild adventures!

Yes, getting your period sucks sometimes, but get your mind off your cramps by sleeping under the stars, or going for a scenic hike. Don’t let Aunty Flow stop you from enjoying a campfire cookout with your friends and family. Having your period should not stop you from going on your wild, or not quite wild adventures!
If you are prone to cramps and discomfort during your period then try to make your backpacking or camping adventure as comfortable as possible. You may want to try Glamping (What is Glamping?), or if you still want the rugged simpleness of adventuring then perhaps bring a few, small luxury items to make it a little easier. Here’s a list of handy items that won’t weigh you down too much.

Hot Water Bottle for those nighttime cramps
Camping Pad or mattress to soften your tossing and turning
Waterproof dry-bag to keep your supplies dry regardless of the weather
Small zip-lock bags to hold your used tampons, pads, and toilet paper
Camp Trowel to help you dig a cat hole
If you prefer tampons and pads, and don’t have time to practice with a menstrual cup just yet, then make sure you bring enough supplies depending on the length of your period, or your outdoor adventure.

Remember you will need to change your tampon at least every 4-6 hours to avoid Toxic Shock Syndrome, and ideally you should not leave it in while you are sleeping. Even though these items are individually small in size, they will add up and end up taking space in your bag.

Bring enough zip-locks bags, or small plastic bags that you can use. Use a clean zip-lock bag inside a waterproof bag, to ensure your new tampons and pads stay clean and sterile, and don’t get wet while kayaking or rained on.

If you’re out in the bush with no camping toilet, then make sure you bring some toilet paper to wrap it up, and bring a plastic bag to store your used tampon. Do not ever bury your tampon or pad, used or not, as animals may dig it up. Tampons and pads also have chemicals and bleached cotton, and leaving this buried in the bush is not environmentally friendly.
Menstrual Cups may be known by their brands, such as The DivaCup, LENA cup, Blossom cup, Dutchess cup, etc. These are flexible, re-usable silicon cups that you can place inside, like a tampon, but instead of absorbing the blood, the cups collect the menstrual blood. You can then go to the bathroom (or the bush!), tip the collected blood out, and then reinsert.

These are very handy while camping or during outdoor activities, as they are safe enough to leave in for up to 12 hours, according to your flow. They also come in a range of sizes depending on your age, flow, and childbirth history.

To use, you just need to go and find a secluded place to do your business. Dig a small cat hole, empty the cup, and then rinse it off with clean water. It’s handy to carry a small drink bottle with you when you go to the toilet, to rinse yourself off and your cup, but if you don’t have water available, then you can also just wipe the cup down using some tissue. Then you just reinsert, ready for the day’s adventures!

Menstrual cups can last up to 10 years with care. If placed correctly, like a tampon, you should not be able to feel it inside. It is the preferred choice for many active women as it is discreet (no tampon string hanging out of the bikini, or changing your tampon every 4 hours), environmentally-friendly (no monthly waste, no chemicals used to create the product), and economical (think of the money you spend on tampons and pads every month, every year)!
The thing about camping or any outdoor activity is to always be prepared. Make sure you pack enough supplies and make a plan. Once this is sorted, having your period in the backcountry won’t even be an issue. And no, there have been no recorded accounts of bears being attracted to a woman menstruating!

There are a two main options that you can plan for.
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