Camping By The Beach: Your Shower Options

 

There's nothing quite like camping by the beach—the soothing sound of waves, the feel of sand between your toes, and the breathtaking ocean views. But as much as we love the beach, it can leave us feeling sticky, sandy, and in desperate need of a good shower. Whether you're swimming, surfing, or just soaking up the sun, staying clean while beach camping can be challenging. Fortunately, there are plenty of shower options to help you stay fresh and comfortable throughout your stay. From shower facilities to portable showers, let's explore the best ways to rinse off and enjoy your seaside adventure to the fullest.

Beach Camping Showers Options

Camping showers can vary in form and function. Below is a list of different options for showering when beach camping:

  1. Campground Facility Shower: More often than not, when camping by the beach, you will likely be staying at a state park campground that has provided shower facilities that are usually coin fed. Campground shower facilities are usually only located in designated areas around a campground so it can require you to walk over with all your shower gear depending how far you are.

  2. Personal Shower in RV or Trailer: Most RVs and trailers have a designated bathroom and shower room, giving the camper the convenience and privacy of showering in their mobile home as they would at home. Depending if you are renting a mobile home or own your own, this is a more expensive option especially with having to pay for a water & electrical hookup if provided to have your shower running.

  3. Public Beach Showers: Public beach showers are often located right next to a main beach area that can provide a shower solution. This is a great option if you often find yourself going to and from the beach however, not all beaches have public showers and they could get crowded at peak times.

  4. Portable Shower Units: Portable showers are an increasingly popular choice for beach camping. These units are versatile, easy to install, and can be set up in various locations around your house. Whether in your backyard, garage, or a temporary enclosure, portable showers offer a practical solution. They come with features like adjustable water pressure, temperature control, and some even have built-in heaters. This means you can enjoy a comfortable shower experience, close to what you’re accustomed to, without the need for complex plumbing installations.

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Shower Option

  1. Duration of stay at Camp 

  • Short-term vs. Long-term: Depending on how long our stay is at your campsite, for a shorter stay (1-2 days), using a camp shower facility might be more convenient. For longer stays, investing in a portable shower unit may make more sense to have.

  1. Budget Constraints

  • Cost-Effectiveness: While a camp shower facility or RV shower offer you a full shower experience, they can be costly over time. A one-time purchase of a portable shower, though initially more expensive, might be more economical in the long run.

  • Utility Costs: For RV showers, it's important to consider the daily cost of water and electricity- especially for water and electricity hookups offered at campgrounds. 

  1. Privacy Needs

  • Public beach showers or camping shower facilities often require you to share the same space with others in an enclosed area. If an RV shower is not an option, portable shower units with enclosures or setups in secluded areas of your campsite can be a great option. 

  1. Lifestyle and Convenience

  • Daily routine: Your day to day schedule while beach camping will influence your choice. If you have a day filled with different activities, a quick and easy solution like a portable shower at your campsite is ideal.

  • Family size:  For larger families, having an accessible and easy-to-use option like a portable shower can allow for  is more practical than external options than 

  1. Multi Use Functionality

  • Long-term utility: Consider the other uses a water system can serve outside of showering at a campsite. Portable showers, for instance, can be used for other activities like cooking, rinsing off your surfboards, and other camping gear. 

So you can see that, if you have access to water and you do not want to have to deal with the hassle of going to and from a camp shower facility, public beach shower, or dont have the option of RV shower, a portable shower is the best choice for a shower while camping by the beach. There are many types of portable showers that vary in their form and function, so knowing what type of portable shower to choose is important. Let’s look at the various types of portable showers and how they function, so you can know what to look for when doing your research.

showering when camping at the beach

The Different Types of Portable Showers

  1. Gravity- Fed Portable Showers 

  • Form: These showers often consist of a bag or container that holds water. The bag is hung from a height, and gravity pulls water down through a hose and showerhead.

  • Function: Ideal for outdoor use or simple setups. They are basic, with no heating or pressure control.

  • Best For: Quick, easy showers when minimal setup is required, and warm water and pressure are not a priority.

  1. Pressurized Portable Showers

  • Form: These showers use a battery or electric pump to draw water from a container and push it through a showerhead.

  • Function: Provides steady water pressure. Some models can heat water, making them suitable for colder climates or comfort.

  • Best For: Comfort seekers who want a hot shower with consistent pressure, without manual pumping.

  1. Battery-Powered or Electric Portable Showers

  • Form: These showers use a battery or electric pump to draw water from a container and push it through a showerhead.

  • Function: Provides steady water pressure. Some models can heat water, making them suitable for colder climates or comfort.

  • Best For: Comfort seekers who want a hot shower with consistent pressure, without manual pumping.

  1. Gas- Powered Portable Showers

  • Form: These units use propane to heat water. They do not include a tank and must suction water from an external water source and heat it using propane. 

  • Function: Provides hot water and good pressure. Requires propane for operation.

  • Best For: Remote locations next to a water source where electricity is not available but hot showers are desired.

You can see that portable showers vary greatly in their form, function and price. But which one is best as a shower solution for beach camping? You’ll want to choose one that is like your normal shower: easy to use, high pressure, with heat - but you’ll need to consider portability and convenience so you have access to a shower right at your campsite. Considering all these factors, let’s look at RinseKit and how its battery-powered pressure system makes it the best choice for showering while beach camping.

Why RinseKit is the Best Portable Shower for Camping

 

RinseKit emerges as a standout choice for your shower needs when beach camping. Why is RinseKit ideal?

  • High Pressure: The battery-powered pressurization of RinseKit portable showers ensures that they always provide a high pressure spray that is consistent, and is not dependent on the amount of water in the tank. It sprays at 50 PSI, which is comparable to your normal shower.

  • Heating Options: With accessories like the RinseKit HyperHeater, you can enjoy hot showers, combining the comfort of gas-powered and electric showers. The HyperHeater heats water up to 110 F in 30 seconds, which is actually faster than your normal shower.

  • Portability and Ease of Use: Designed for easy transport and setup, you can set up a shower anywhere around your campsite. You can also easily carry a RinseKit to the camp water station. Using it is as easy as pressing the power button and spraying. 

  • Versatility: A RinseKit can be used for multiple uses other than showering like cooking or cleaning off camping gear and surfboards. 

In summary, there are many shower options to consider and choose from when camping by the beach. Of all the options, a portable shower is the best way to go providing a practical, budget-friendly, convienent, and easy to use shower solution. Next time you go beach camping, consider bringing a RinseKit along to keep you clean, sand-free, and refreshed!

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