How to Camp with Your Dog

How to Camp with Your Dog

Tips and Gear Recommendations

There’s camping – and then there’s camping with your dog by your side. Their presence alone elevates every little moment. Their curiosity is contagious, their zeal inspiring.

Hiking and camping together is an opportunity to see wilderness through their eyes. Lakes become more than just part of the landscape – they’re primo places to splash and swim. And pinecones are no longer just pinecones – they’re the most incredible toy any dog has ever seen since the beginning time, and it must be thrown a minimum of 127 times before retiring to the cozy comfort of a tent set up just right for the two of you to enjoy the next morning’s sunrise together before embarking on a new Best Day Ever.

Dogs are happy to join any journey. With a bit of preparation, the right gear, and a bit of that eagerness to explore that comes so naturally to our furry trail buddies, you’ll be en route to a good time.

Tips for Camping with Dogs:

1. Know the Rules

Before you start loading gear into the car, have a plan: know where you’re going, where you’ll sleep, and the specific rules about dogs in the area you’ll be exploring. Different types of public lands have different sets of rules — many allow dogs, but a few don’t, and some have restrictions.

Here’s a helpful guide to get you started. If you’re unsure about the rules for your destination, you can find them online or by calling the agency that manages the public lands you’re planning to visit.

2. Pack the Essentials

When it comes to sleeping on the ground and eating meals outside, luxuries can be simple and easy to provide with a little planning. Our dogs’ basic needs are not too different than our own: food, water, warmth, a place to rest, and first aid supplies.

Before heading out, check the weather and temperature range so that your pup can be as well prepared as you are. Pack extra water if it will be hot, layers if it will be wet or chilly, and plenty of food and treats – and more of it if you’ll be covering strenuous miles. Know what your trail companion is capable of, and have a contingency plan if things go awry.

Much like you’d break in your boots and work up to hiking longer distances for your first backpacking trip, it’s a good idea to get your pup used to wearing a pack or boots well before you plan to use them on the trail, and work your way up to longer mileage.

Recommended Gear: Bivy Bowl, Quencher Cinch Top Bowl, Approach Pack, Highlands Sleeping Bag, Highlands Sleeping Pad, Grip Trex Boots

3. Good Camp & Trail Manners

Good recall, basic obedience, and manners like “leave it” will help keep your canine companion (and wildlife) safe. They’ll also go a long way toward making friends with other users on the trail.

Know the etiquette for the trail you’re hiking or backpacking, and be mindful of other users on the trail. Trails that allow horses typically require hikers and mountain bikers to yield to horseback riders.

At camp, keep your four-legged friend on leash and within your control. Trying to keep an eye on a roaming dog while setting up camp, building a campfire, or eating dinner can be tricky – and it’s the very inspiration for our Knot-a-Hitch.

If your camping buddy has a lot to say or loves to let out a good howl at the moon, consider camping at a more secluded backcountry location. What’s music to our ears might be less than ideal for others’ wilderness experience. When in doubt, err on the side of courtesy.

Recommended Gear: Knot-a-Hitch, Slackline Leash, The Beacon Safety Light

4. Leave No Trace

Pack-it-in, pack-it-out! It’s a good idea for anyone playing and exploring in the outdoors to observe the seven Leave No Trace principles for minimizing impact and preserving a pristine experience for others. This includes picking up your dog’s waste and disposing of it in a proper receptacle.

Other dog-specific considerations include respecting wildlife by giving other animals and critters space (and not chase), being considerate of other users (through good manners and etiquette), and monitoring and cleaning up food crumbs, spilled kibble, or toys.

Recommended Gear: Bivy Bowl, Kibble Kaddie, Stash Bag, Slackline Leash

5. Trust Your Gut

The fact is, you know your dog better than anyone else and are in the best position to make judgments for their well-being. When it comes to medical concerns and wilderness hazards, we recommend talking to your vet. If you’ve got gear questions, we’d love to help! Contact our team of experts, and let us know how we can help prepare you for your next camping trip.

6. Have Fun!

Taking your dog camping for the first time is exciting, but it might feel a little daunting. Do your best to prepare ahead of time and have a back-up plan, and be respectful and considerate of other outdoor users. Beyond that, a little patience and sense of humor will help. Not all dogs take to sleeping in a tent (or going in and out of tent doors) right away, but with practice, they will get the hang of it.

Part of what makes camping so fun is that things rarely go exactly as planned. That’s just part of the adventure. As long as everyone is safe, you’re making memories together and building your bond — and that’s undeniably fun!

Recommended Gear: A sense of humor, a smile, lots of pictures

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Ruffwear gear is built from a dog’s perspective and is rigorously field tested to ensure that it will enhance and enable our outdoor adventures with our dogs. Shop our entire camping collection and share your adventures with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to bark.

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