Buying a Camp Water Jug: Size It for Refills and Pouring

Start with your water source and the distance between it and camp. Check ahead for potable water and seasonal closures. A large jug saves trips when you can transport it filled. A pair of smaller jugs can be easier for different campers to lift or carry to a fill point.

Calculate the load you’ll move

Water weighs about 8.3 pounds per U.S. gallon before you count the container. A five-gallon fill weighs more than 40 pounds. Look at the handle, the distance you’ll carry it and the height where it needs to sit. If you use a spigot, check that the jug stands securely with enough space beneath for a bottle.

Check that you can wash and dry it

Choose a container meant for drinking water and read its cleaning instructions. Look for a fill opening you can reach and a cap or spigot that can be cleaned as directed. Plan how to let it dry before storage. Keep it distinct from any container used for wastewater.

Test before leaving home

Fill the jug partway and practice carrying and pouring it. Check for drips at the cap and spigot. Bring enough safe water for the trip, using the National Park Service camping checklist and the campground’s guidance as starting points.