Toilet Tent Buying Guide — Privacy Solutions for Your Portable Loo

A portable camping toilet without privacy is an emergency-only device. Add a dedicated toilet tent and it becomes a comfortable facility you will actually use willingly. As we head into summer 2026, the range of toilet tents, utility tents and pop-up shelters has expanded — here is how to choose the right one for your setup.

Why You Need a Toilet Tent

Tent campers, awning users and anyone without a built-in washroom in their vehicle will benefit from a standalone enclosure for their portable loo. A toilet tent provides:

• Visual privacy from neighbouring pitches
• Shelter from rain and wind
• A dedicated space that keeps sanitation separate from sleeping and cooking areas
• Ventilation panels that help with odour management

Types of Toilet Tent

Pop-Up Toilet Tents

These spring-open shelters set up in seconds and fold flat for transport. They are lightweight, inexpensive and ideal for festival-goers and occasional campers. However, they tend to be less stable in wind and offer basic weatherproofing. Brands like Kampa offer pop-up utility tents specifically sized for portable toilets.

Pole-Frame Utility Tents

A step up in stability, pole-frame toilet tents use fibreglass or steel poles and pegged guylines. They withstand wind better, have more robust waterproofing and often feature a full-height zip door. Kampa and other camping brands produce dedicated toilet or shower tents in this format, typically around 1.2 metres square and 2 metres tall — enough room for a Thetford Porta Potti and a standing adult.

Multi-Use Utility Shelters

Larger utility tents can double as a shower tent and toilet tent. They offer more internal space, sometimes with a removable internal divider or enough room for both a toilet and a portable shower setup. If you want a single shelter to handle all your washing and sanitation needs, this is the way to go.

Key Features to Look For

1. Floor space: a minimum of 1 metre by 1 metre is needed to use a portable toilet comfortably.
2. Height: at least 1.9 metres for standing adults. Taller is better.
3. Ventilation: mesh panels or vents near the top are essential to prevent condensation and manage odour.
4. Waterproofing: a hydrostatic head of at least 2000mm keeps rain out. Look for taped seams.
5. Groundsheet: a removable or zip-out groundsheet is useful — it protects the base but can be removed for cleaning if spills occur.
6. Door design: a full-length zip with an internal toggle or tie to secure the door from inside gives privacy and confidence.

Positioning Your Toilet Tent

Place the toilet tent on flat, level ground away from your cooking area and sleeping tent — a few metres of separation is ideal. Orient the door away from the prevailing wind to keep the interior calm and reduce the chance of the door blowing open. Peg and guyrope it securely even in calm weather, as conditions can change overnight.

Using It as a Shower Tent

Many campers use the same tent for a portable 12V shower. Look for models with an internal hanging hook for a shower head and a groundsheet that channels water towards a drain point. A separate wash bag or caddy keeps soap and shampoo organised. Combined toilet-and-shower use is perfectly practical, provided you clean the space between functions.

Recommended Setups

• Budget: Blue Diamond pop-up toilet tent plus a Blue Diamond portable toilet — everything under seventy pounds total.
• Mid-range: Kampa pole-frame utility tent plus a Thetford Porta Potti 365 — stable, comfortable and reliable.
• Premium: Large Kampa multi-use utility shelter with internal divider, paired with a Dometic or Thetford premium portable toilet — full washroom experience.

Browse toilet tents, utility shelters and the full range of portable toilets at UK Camping and Leisure to build your ideal camping sanitation setup for summer 2026.