How much water per person per day when camping

Four liters per person per day is the planning figure on this site for desert trips. Treat it as a floor, and raise it for heat, hard walking or children.

Water and fuel maths. Example only. Drinking water per person per day x people x days, plus water for cooking and washing, plus a reserve. Then ask what happens if you lose a container or a day.

The number is not magic. What matters is the habit: work out the total before you pack, then carry more than it says.

What the official page says

The National Park Service page for Saguaro National Park, a US desert park, advises hikers on hot, dry summer days to drink about one quart of water per hour of hiking. It also suggests avoiding the intense heat in the middle of the day and bringing salty snacks or an electrolyte drink to replace what you lose in sweat. That is guidance for one park, not a rule for every place, so check the authority that covers your area.

A rule you can apply

If you are not sure, carry a full day more than the trip needs. Keep that reserve in a separate container and do not drink from it unless something has gone wrong.

What goes wrong first. Water used for washing and cooking comes out of the drinking supply. Fix: count each use before you leave, not after.

Signs to take seriously

Headache, dizziness, nausea, cramps or confusion in the heat are signs to stop, get into shade, drink and cool down. If someone is confused or collapses, treat it as an emergency and call for help. Check the official heat illness advice for your country before you go.

For the full hot-weather packing list, read desert camping gear for hot-weather nights. Tell someone your route and when you plan to be back, every time.