I’ve seen outdoor showers for $150 in catalogs.  Granted some have nice walls around them and a soap dish, but you can build a nice private surround on your own.  They all hook up to a garden hose, so I got to thinking, why buy something fancy?  So here’s what I did. I think it functions better, and feels more natural than a free standing unit.  Follow these 9 easy steps:

1. Locate a tree or overhang where you want the shower.

2. Measure hose length needed from shower head to shut off valve (about waist high) along the length of the tree:

3. Find a hose from the garbage or scrap piece somewhere.  Or if necessary, buy a 15′ hose at Home Depot for about $12.00.  I used a grey hose and it blends in nicely with the tree trunk.

4. Cut one end of your hose to size.

5.  Go to hardware store and have them attach a fitting to the cut end ($3.00).

6. Attach a hose nozzle, set on “shower” or “center” mode (do not use “jet” mode unless your body is thick with rust).

7. Secure your hose along the tree branch with a few twist o ties.

8. Attach other end of hose along the base of the tree to this shut off valve, from any hardware store ($5.00).

9. Connect the other end of this shut off valve your garden hose, et voila!