Toilets

[Legacy Posts]

:inbox Can someone help a poor Easterner? What is the difference between a pit and a vaulted toilet? I am planning a trip to some state parks in the midwest and they list these two types and I was just curious to the difference.
Any recommendations on parks in WY, AZ, NM, OK, eastern UT and ID. This is my first time out that way and will need electric hook-ups if it is hot. Also, if there are any "you can't miss this" places you can recommend. Thanks for any input you can give.

[Legacy Posts]

Hi Anita!

A pit toilet is usually just a small outhouse type toilet, over a hole in the ground. Usually fairly fragrant.

A vaulted toilet is usually a more substantial concrete or block building with an arched ceiling, which provides more ventilation and less odors.

Some vaulted toilet buildings have water and flush toilets ... usually if the campground also lists "showers."

[Legacy Posts]

I think the vault toilets have a tank buried underneath which is periodically
pumped out - no doubt an occupation people would fight for a chance to
undertake.

[Legacy Posts]

:thumb Thank you Charles and Rock for your responses. I just never heard of vaulted toilets before. My mind can rest now.

[Legacy Posts]

Rock, many might not want to undertake it, but like death and taxes, you would always have a job, and people are always glad to see you! (Unless of course you screw up and then-look out!)
;)

[Legacy Posts]

Pits and vaults??
I've only heard about outhouses
There is the elite two holer for the more prominent families..

[Legacy Posts]

Hi Anita,

What part of AZ are you planning to be in? I live in southeastern AZ (Sierra Vista) and can give you some tips on scenic areas to camp in here and in other parts of the state, as well as southern UT. I generally camp in National Forest campgrounds, which are usually in pretty areas and are smaller and less crowded. It's definitely summer now, but in areas about 5,000 feet elevation or higher, the evenings are cool and air conditioning isn't required. The National Forest campgrounds and many state park campgrounds do not have hookups (which helps keep the road whale traffic down).

Enjoy your trip; there is a lot of fantastic scenery in AZ, NM, and UT.

John

[Legacy Posts]

Anita,

If you get to southeast AZ, see the Chiricahua National Monument. It's breathtaking.

http://www.nps.gov/chir/index.htm

The campground has no hookups, but there's one about 20 miles away in Sunizona with hookups and not much else. From there you can also see Cochise Stronghold.

If you are over near John Wettack, see Kartchner Caverns. It's the newest state park and the campground has electric and water hookups.

http://www.pr.state.az.us/parkhtml/kartchner.html

Another must see in AZ is Canyon de Chelly (pronounced shay) in NE AZ.

http://www.nps.gov/cach/