Dog Camping Essentials: What to Pack for a Safe and Fun Trip
A checklist of the best dog camping gear and tips to ensure a fun camping trip with your pup
September 26th, 2024
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Bringing your dog along on a camping trip can be a lot of fun for everyone, provided you come prepared. With a few gear essentials, including safety and comfort items, you and your dog can enjoy camping together and have a home away from home.
As someone who frequently backpacks and camps with my dogs, most of my favorite memories are those spent camping and being outside with them. Between all those trips, and my experience working alongside my pup Ace for Search and Rescue, I’ve learned the value of being prepared and anticipating a dog’s needs outdoors.
Being properly prepared helps you relax and enjoy the moment without having to stress about details, like finding a bowl for water or figuring out where your dog will lay down in camp. This guide will help you get ready for a camping trip where everyone can relax and enjoy the outdoors.
If you’re looking for human camping essentials, we’ve also got you covered with our Camping Gear Checklist.
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Gear checklist
| DOG CAMPING GEAR | OUR FAVORITE | MORE OPTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Crate | Gunner G1 Kennel | |
| Car seat cover | Orvis Windowed Hammock Seat Protector | |
| Portable ramp | PetSafe Happy Ride Foldable Dog Car Ramp | |
| Window shades | AUGOLA Car Window Shades |
Who this list is for
Tent campers, car campers, and backpackers with dogs
People with large and small dogs (adjust loads accordingly)
Anyone looking to build up their dog’s adventure readiness
Camping can get you closer to day hiking locations with beautiful viewpoints. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Tips for choosing dog camping gear
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Choose gear that prevents injury, overheating, or escape from your campsite/proximity to your home away from home.
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Ill-fitting packs, jackets, or boots can cause discomfort or harm for dogs (same as for us!). Practice wearing any new clothing items at home first and make sure your dog has full range of motion.
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Especially for backpacking packs for dogs, don’t overload them. Aim for having your dog carry no more than 10–15% of their weight.
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Dogs will get dirty, so being able to wash or wipe things down is essential. We prefer items that can go into the dishwasher or washing machine after use for ease of cleaning.
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Dogs dig, chew, play, and drag gear through the mud—choose tough materials. Camping happens outside and weather can be unpredictable. Having gear that can handle different types of weather is essential.
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Don’t bring brand-new gear on a multi-day trip. Let your dog get used to it. Set up your camping tent at home and let your dog practice entering and exiting the tent. Spend some time in the tent with them so they can see it is a safe space. Test out any harnesses or leads on walks at home first before committing to a longer trip. Introduce your dog to any special bowls you will be taking camping and make sure they will eat and drink from them.
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Your dog likely has many comfortable places to lay and relax at home–you want to recreate that while camping and set up spaces for your dog that they know is their own. Setting up dog beds, travel blankets, and mats outside, as well as places inside the tent, will help them settle into the campsite.
Travel: Safe dog transport
Travel crate (soft or hard, depending on dog)
What to look for: Look for crash-tested and crash rated crates for car travel.
Our Choice: Gunner G1 Kennel
The Gunner G1 Kennel is crash tested so your dog is going to be safer in this crate vs. others, or being loose in the car. This is an investment piece but it should be the only kennel you need to purchase for your dog. These kennels also have the ability to be locked for extra safety for your dog when traveling. Traveling with a kennel, especially for dogs who are used to using one, can provide an extra layer of comfort for them, giving them a safe space to be at the campsite or in the tent.
Gunner G1 Kennel
Getting ready to head to the campsite with the seats and gear well protected from the dogs. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Car seat cover
What to look for: We like hammock-style waterproof protective car seat covers so our dogs have a designated place to lay down during the trip. Accidents can happen on the road, and it is much easier to clean a car seat cover than your whole car seat. There are also waterproof seat covers that cover the bench seat only which is nice if you have human passengers in the back seat sitting next to your dog.
Our Choice: Orvis Grip Tight Windowed Hammock Seat Protector
Our pick has a window in the front so our dogs can see out the window and also has zippered access so we can deliver treats during the drive. We like the hammock seat protector as a way to add backseat space for the dogs to lay down and as a way to keep them safely separated from the driver and minimize distractions on the road.
Orvis Grip Tight Windowed Hammock Seat Protector
Portable dog ramp
What to look for: Many dogs get injured jumping in and out of cars, so a portable, easy-to-deploy ramp or set of stairs is helpful anytime you are traveling in the car to preserve their hip mobility and joints. It may take training to get them used to using it.ut especially if you have a taller truck or SUV it will make it easier for your dog to get in and out of the car on their own.
Our Choice: PetSafe Happy Ride Dog Ramp
This ramp folds up for easy storage and transport. It is easy to deploy once you are at your destination so your dog can exit the car without jumping. We also like the side rails and grippy surface for our dogs paws so they can feel secure while using it.
PetSafe Happy Ride Dog Ramp
Window shades
What to look for: Sun protection and the ability to roll the windows down while keeping your dog in the car.
Our Choice: AUGOLA Car Window Shades
These window shades are made of a mesh that fits over the car window. These will help keep your car cooler for your dog in the back seat by providing shade and blocking the sun. They also allow you to roll the window down, allowing fresh air to come inside the car and keep your dog from being able to go out the window.
AUGOLA Car Window Shades
At Camp
Tie-out system
What to look for: Many campgrounds and parks have rules and regulations against tying anything to trees or bushes, so make sure you check the rules before you go. We like to tie our dogs to the tailgate of the truck, the fixed picnic table at the campsite, or the bear box if there is one available. Some campsites have fixed posts or ground anchors (look for small metal rings) which can also be used as a tie out for dogs. You will want to make sure that you choose a tie out that is long enough for your dog to be able to comfortably roam around your site without bothering others, and one that still allows them to reach water and relieve themselves.
Our Choice: Tie Out Cable for Dogs
The cable tie out allows for long-range travel for your dog at the campsite, giving them more space to roam while staying safe. You can also use a long leash, like the Ruffwear Roamer Leash, in a pinch.
Tie Out Cable for Dogs
Portable Dog Bed
What to look for: Rugged outdoor materials, something that provides a bit of padding but still is easily washable once you are back at home. Camping can be very dirty especially if you are in a desert location with lots of dry dirt.
Our Choice: Orvis Tough Trail Off Road Pad
This pad gives our dogs a spot to lay down in the dirt that is similar to a bed we have at home. It has a waterproof bottom layer so it can be placed in wet grass or mud and keep the dogs dry when they lay on top of it. Once we are at home we can wash this off with a hose outside and air dry it in the sun. It is easy to transport and move around the campsite wherever the dogs want to lay down.
Orvis Tough Trail Off Road Pad
Portable Dog Mat/Blanket
What to look for: Something with a waterproof layer so that the top stays dry if it is placed on wet dirt or grass. We like things that are easy to clean or rinse off at home but durable enough to be used outside. The Rumpl Overland Mat is a nice large soft layer for our dogs to lay on when they are ready to get out of that dirt.
Our Choice: Rumpl Overland Mat
We like this large oversized mat for our dogs, it is enough space for all three dogs to lay together and gives them a soft place to hang out at the campsite. The waterproof bottom layer helps it stay clean and dry in wet conditions like grass or after rain. We like to offer multiple places for the dogs to relax just like they have at home.
Rumpl Overland Mat
You can provide all the outdoor padding and beds for your dogs but they may choose to rest in the dirt. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Portable sunshade or tarp
What to look for: If you are going to be camping in an area that has little shade you will have to provide your own. You will want to make sure that your shade tarp is easy to set up and is free standing, if you are using a shade tarp you are likely in a place without trees.
Our Choice: Crown Shades 10x10 Pop Up
This is a 10ft by 10ft shade that pops up easily and only requires one person to set it up. It can be moved around the campsite during the day to keep your dogs in the shade. In windy conditions you will need to tie it off or use weights to keep it in place. This model easily folds down when not in use and stows away back in the car.
Crown Shades 10x10 Pop Up
Dog-safe bug spray
What to look for: Dog safe protection against ticks and mosquitoes for the area that you are traveling to. You will want to make sure that it is compatible with any other medications or tick treatments you are using for your dog. Your vet can help if you have questions.
Our Choice: Sawyer Premetherin Spray
We spray our dogs from nose to tail with the Sawyer Premethrin Spray and have watched the mosquitoes bother other dogs but not ours. You can also spray their booties or clothing if you are in heavy mosquito areas. It works for human clothes too.
Sawyer Premetherin Spray
Cooling vest (if camping in heat)
What to look for: You will want to make sure your cooling vest is the right size for your dog and allows freedom of movement. Most cooling vests won’t work without water so you will want to make sure you have water available if you are using one.
Our Choice: Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Cooling Vest
This is our award winning vest in our Treeline Review Best Dog Cooling Vests guide. It uses evaporative cooling to keep your dog cool during the hot days at the campsite or out on hikes. It comes in many sizes so you can find the right fit for your dog.
Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Cooling Vest
Dog sleeping bag or warm blanket
What to look for: The best dog sleeping bag or blanket is the one your dog will actually use. We have dogs that love a sleeping bag and being tucked into it at night and we have dogs who will tolerate being covered by a blanket but want the freedom to be able to adjust if they get overheated. You will want to test any blankets or sleeping bags at home before going camping to make sure your dog will tolerate them.
Our choices: Whyld River Original Sleeping Bag and Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket
Our Choice: Whyld River Original Sleeping Bag and Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket
We like the Whyld River Dog Sleeping Bags for our dogs because they are ultralight and on warmer nights we can drape it over the dogs to keep them warm or they can sleep on top of it for more padding. We also like the Rumpl Original Puffy Blankets to wrap our dogs in for extra warmth on cold nights. We can cover multiple dogs with the same blanket or cover ourselves with our dog for extra warmth on colder nights.
Both the Whyld River Sleeping Bag and the Rumpl Blanket are made with a slick fabric that is easy to wipe clean or shake off to get dirt and sand off it, they also repel dog hair which helps them stay cleaner too.
We also like the Ruffwear Highlands Sleeping Bag which has the same slick fabric that repels dog fur and shakes clean. The Ruffwear Highlands is our Best Overall winner in our Dog Sleeping Bags Guide.
Whyld River Original Sleeping Bag
Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket
Sunny camping in a smaller three person tent with his two favorite humans. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Insulated pad
What to look for: You want to have a sleeping pad for your dog that is durable and provides some warmth. Inflatable pads can be punctured by dog claws, so foam pads typically perform better for dogs.
Our Choice: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol
We like this pad because it folds up easily and lasts for years. You can trim this pad down to a smaller size if needed or you can double up on the thickness instead. It works equally well inside a tent and outside the tent at the campsite as a place for your dog to rest.
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol
If you have a dog that loves beds, bring an outdoor-specific bed or pad for them to rest on at the campsite. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Washable tent liner
What to look for: Soft padding with a waterproof barrier, machine washable or easily cleanable with a hose.
Our Choice: Orvis Grip Tight Quilted Throw
We like this waterproof throw to line the tent floor. It has a grippy bottom layer so it does not slide around in the tent. It is perfect for wiggly dogs who move around all night and makes sure they have something underneath them as they move about the tent at night. We like the soft quilted top that adds warmth and comfort to the tent. We use this as a base layer and add the insulated pad on top and then add blankets or sleeping bags on top of that.
Orvis Grip Tight Quilted Throw
Collapsible water bowl
What to look for: Find a dishwasher-safe bowl that packs down to save space when not in use. It is also important to have a bowl that is stable and can’t be knocked over easily.
Our Choice: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Bowl
This bowl is dishwasher safe, and comes in a variety of colors. We like that this bowl folds down to a small flat size and can easily be stacked with other bowls to save space.
Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Bowl
The Sea to Summit Bowl is great for hydrating on a hike. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
On Trail
Long Leash
What to look for: As with a tie-out system, you’ll want to choose a leash that is long enough for your dog to be able to comfortably roam without bothering others. We like a long leash that can be worn at the waist, keeping our hands free.
Our Choice: Ruffwear Roamer Leash
We like the Ruffwear Roamer Leash because it can double as a tie out at camp, like when you are first arriving at a campsite and getting things unpacked. The Roamer Leash can also be worn on your waist to keep your dog close to you for safety.
Ruffwear Roamer Leash
The Ruffwear Roamer leash works as a way to safely tie out your dog in a pinch. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Dog backpack harness
What to look for: Proper fit for your dog is essential with any dog backpack or harness. If you are going to be hiking with your dog they can carry their own water and food. We like a harness that has a detachable backpack so you can use it as a harness in camp and a backpack for hiking on trails. It is important that your dog has full range of mobility while wearing the pack.
Our Choice: Ruffwear Palisades Pack
This backpack detaches from the harness so you can use the harness without the pack when you are in camp or going for shorter walks. We like the flexibility of this system so we can easily switch from hiking mode to relaxing mode with our dog.
Ruffwear Palisades Pack
Ace wearing his Ruffwear Palisades Pack on a day hike. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Paw protection: boots or balm
What to look for: Machine washable dog booties are a must. Dog booties can protect your dog against heat, sharp rocks, or abrasive surfaces. If you are going to an area with granite and your dog is not used to walking on granite, booties can be essential to save their paws. We like booties that allow for a full splay of their feet that aren’t restricting their movements.
Our choice: Dogbooties 330 Denier Codura Booties and Non-stop Dogwear Protector Bootie
Our favorite dog booties can be purchased individually so you can get the right size for front and back paws which typically are different, the front paws are often larger than the back. We like that they are affordable since they occasionally get lost. One of our dogs is paralyzed and drags her hind legs. These booties protect her paws from abrasions and cuts when she is scooting around outside. We also like the Non-stop Dogwear Protector Bootie which is our best overall winner in our Dog Booties and Shoes guide.
Dogbooties 330 Denier Codura Booties
Non-stop Dogwear Protector Bootie
Dog water bottle or hydration bowl
What to look for: Your dog should have access to clean drinking water the whole time they are in the campsite, just like they do at home. We like to carry a dog water bottle while we are out on hikes and walks around the camp, but prefer to use a bowl at the campsite. Many bowls are dishwasher safe which is nice for easy clean up once you get back home. We also like the collapsable bowls that are easier to pack up and store. There are 100% silicone bowls that are collapsable, but we find these to be unstable and to spill more easily. We like a bowl that is more solid and has a hard bottom so it is well balanced and won’t spill or tip over while our dogs are drinking from it.
Our Choice: Springland Flip Dog Water Bottle
For walking and hiking/traveling in the car, this was our best overall winner for dog water bottles. We like how lightweight this bottle is and that the water is not wasted and can be stored back in the bottle if your dog chooses not to drink.
Springland Flip Dog Water Bottle
It is important to provide clean water for your dogs in the campsite just like you would have at home. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Food and Food Storage
Dry food bag
What to look for: Dry food storage bags should be easy to clean after use and be durable for use around the campsite. Dog food should never be left unattended at the campsite and needs to be stored properly along with any human food and cookware according to the campground policies.
Our Choice: Orvis Tough Trail Dog Food Storage Bag
This bag comes in two sizes–the large is big enough to hold food for our three dogs for a weekend camping trip. We like the roll top design which saves space when we are on shorter trips taking less food. It is easy to clean back at home and has a waterproof liner. You can also opt for the Orvis Tough Trail Dog Travel Tote Kit, which also includes collapsible bowls and a carrying tote for convenience.
Orvis Tough Trail Dog Food Storage Bag
A good dry food storage bag helps things stay organized at camp. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Folding or collapsible bowls
What to look for: Dishwasher-safe materials for easy clean up when you get home. We like collapsable bowls so it is easier to store and pack them. We use the same bowls for food and water for our dogs, we just get different colors for each. We like bowls that have a hard bottom and find them more stable for our dogs to eat and drink from.
Our Choice: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Large Bowl
We use the same bowls for water and food. This bowl is dishwasher safe and folds up to save space when packing. We like that it has a hard bottom so it is stable on the ground while our dogs are eating.
Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Large Bowl
Our Choice: CTUG Collapsible Dog Bowl
If you have a dog who is a slow eater or likes to graze this bowl allows you to save a meal for later. Once your dog has indicated they are done eating you can roll up the top and click it closed, this is really helpful for dogs who are used to free feeding at home, since you can’t leave food out at camp with other animals around. We also like this bowl for hiking since we can carry a meal to go for our dogs and serve it in the same container.
CTUG Collapsible Dog Bowl
Treat pouch
What to look for: You might have to use a different treat pouch than the one you use at home as there are many small critters that can be very sneaky and love to steal dog treats. You will want something that you can easily open to reward your dog but that is also able to keep out chipmunks and sneaky stellar jays.
Our Choice: Ruffwear Treat Trader Pouch
We like the Ruffwear Treat Trader Pouch because it has a magnetic closure and it can be worn so it is always close by, keeping other critters out of our treat stash.
Ruffwear Treat Trader Pouch
Other Items
Dog jacket or hoodie for cold nights
What to look for: Any clothing that your dog is going to wear while sleeping needs to fit them properly so they can move freely while wearing it and get into any sleeping positions without issues. We like clothes that are soft without zippers or hard toggles for our dogs so that there is nothing that can hurt them while they are sleeping. Washable clothing is preferred so it can be easily cleaned after camping. You want to make sure that your dog can go potty while wearing this to prevent any accidents.
Our Choice: HDE Dog Coat
We like this coat for its velcro attachments. It is super quick to get on and off your dog and it is soft and warm for sleeping. It is easy to clean once you are back home and the puffy side repels dog fur.
We also like the Non-stop Dogwear Glacier Jacket, our overall winner in our best dog jackets and coats guide, for staying warm while in camp or on walks or hikes when the weather is cooler.
HDE Dog Coat
Calming spray or comfort item
What to look for: You know your dog best, if they have a favorite toy they always sleep with, bring it camping so they aren’t upset when it is bedtime. You will want to make sure to avoid bringing things that have a scent or have been used for treats so you don’t attract other animals to your campsite.
Our choice: your dogs favorite stuffie
Bonus tips for camping with dogs
Protect your tent from your dog’s paws, line the bottom of your tent with an extra blanket or Tyvek sheet if you are backpacking so that their claws don't puncture the tent floor.
Pack an extra towel for wet or muddy dogs, you can get a lot of mud and dry dirt off before going to bed just by wiping your dog with a towel.
Consider pet-safe grooming wipes to clean your dog before getting into the tent at night. We like the Earth Rated grooming wipes, which help to remove loose dirt.
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It is always a good idea to have a backup leash or two stashed in the car, or at least something that can be used as a leash like the tie out cable. Extra tags can be kept in the car in case your dog loses them on a hike.
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If you are camping or hiking in an area where dogs are allowed off leash make sure you use a GPS tag or collar. Dogs are more likely to get lost in an unfamiliar area. Learn more about these in our Best GPS Dog Collars guide.
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Daily paw checks are important when camping or hiking with your dog. You will want to be sure to check the areas between the pads for small rocks, stickers, or seeds like foxtails. If you are in an area with pine sap you can remove it with a bit of olive oil massaged into the sticky part.
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In addition to a regular dog first aid kit you might want to stock up on Co-Flex. Some people know this as “vet wrap,” as it can solve a lot of minor dog first aid issues, like helping to keep a bandage in place or even as a way to secure dog booties when the Velcro starts to wear out.
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I have a few camping tables. I really like the REI Co-op Camp Roll Table when I am camping with dogs because it is more stable and has a large open space under it where my dog can lay down in the shade. I tend to avoid using lighter, less stable tables when I am camping with my dogs as they are more likely to knock them over and get injured.
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If you are camping with younger puppies or senior dogs you may want to consider using some reusable, washable, waterproof pee pads. They are lightweight and inexpensive and can save your gear. My favorite is the Paw Legend pee pad.
Just like the seat cover in your car, it is much easier to fold up a used pee pad than it is to have to wash a down sleeping bag. We travel with several of these and replace them as needed in our tent. These pads can also protect your tent floor or be draped over an inflatable sleeping pad to help prevent punctures from dog claws.
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In the unfortunate event that your dog encounters a skunk at your campground, have a plan for dealing with this, it shouldn’t have to ruin your trip if you have planned ahead and stocked some supplies in advance to prepare for it. I always pack extra towels, dog shampoo, and a small skunk kit with peroxide, dawn dish soap, and baking soda. Being prepared in case your dog gets into something especially smelly will allow you to continue to enjoy your trip.
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Dogs might behave differently on a vacation and you don’t want to be stuck without the supplies to clean up their waste. We like these bags from Earth Rated, and if you don’t have access to a trash can, we like this Kurgo Dog Poop Bag Tailgate Dumpster with magnets that stick to the outside of your car so you can keep the waste outside your vehicle, until you can get to a proper trash can.
FAQ
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Your dog can absolutely sleep inside your camping tent with you. Many campgrounds have rules against leaving dogs outside unattended overnight so you may be required to have your dog in the tent with you.
If you are concerned about sharing space with your dog, you can get a larger tent to create separate areas for you and your dog to sleep comfortably together. I recently purchased a 6-person tent just for camping with my dogs. It holds three medium sized dogs and two adults with plenty of room for everyone to move around and have personal space. Many tents have delicate floors so we recommend covering the tent floor with a pad or blanket to protect the tent and make it more comfortable for your dog.
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You never want to leave your dog unattended at a campsite. Keeping your dog tied out or on a leash will help keep them closer to you and safer. If you are in an area with a fire ring and plan to have a fire make sure that your dog cannot reach the fire ring. You will also want to make sure that your dogs tie out or leash away from any area where you will be cooking or using any open flames.
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You will want to store your dog's food the same way you are storing your own food, depending on the rules of the location of where you are staying. We recently camped in an area with "aggressive racoons” and were instructed to keep all food inside a locked car with the alarm set so that if the raccoon tried to get access to food the alarm would help scare it away. We have also camped in areas with bear boxes and kept all the dogs' food and our food inside the bear boxes overnight.
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Dogs can go camping without a sleeping bag. There are many other ways to keep them warm at night, like blankets and their coats, and depending on the weather your dog may not need any covering at night to stay warm. You will know your dog best and what they will need to stay warm.
Some smaller breeds may enjoy cuddling with you inside your sleeping bag, especially if they sleep with you at home. If you are going to share your sleeping bag with your dog, you may want to take some precautions to protect your gear, like using a washable sleeping bag liner or protecting your inflatable sleeping pad with a washable blanket or pad.
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Many national parks only allow dogs in campgrounds and on the paved pathways and parking lots (but not on the trails). Every campground and national park has different rules, so you will want to check the rules at the park you are visiting before your arrival. Because dogs aren’t allowed out on the trails or off lease at many national parks, we find it is typically best to leave them at home for these adventures. Many state and local parks allow dogs on trails and at campgrounds on leash, and these places are often more enjoyable for you and your dog.
Why you should trust us / About the author
I am an avid outdoorswoman spending time daily outside either hiking, running, backpacking, or skiing/snowboarding. I fell in love with the outdoors during my time as an undergrad at UCLA working at UCLA Unicamp in the summers and going on guided outdoor adventure trips during the school year where I had some of my first experiences backpacking. Those experiences got me hooked on spending time outdoors and in the mountains. I worked as a professional lifeguard and professional ski patrol for many years, and safety outdoors has always been a priority for me.
I have been a dog mom for the last 20 years starting with Roxie, and now with Ace, Sunny, and Stella. I originally got a dog so that I would always have a hiking buddy. I have hiked and backpacked thousands of miles with my dogs and camped many nights with them under the stars. As a gear nerd, I love testing gear to see what really takes a piece of gear from good to great. I currently work part time as a professional dog sitter and dog walker, and spend time with other people's dogs who were included in testing the bottles for this story. Ace and I worked together on a K-9 search and rescue team. He is now retired. We spent hundreds of hours in a professional working dog environment training with SAR in the mountains in snow and summer conditions.
