Must Have Gear for Camping with a Dog
So you want to camp with a dog, we got you, all the tips, tricks and gear to make your camping trip (and their's) a lot easier and more fun.
First Time Camping With a Dog
For your first time camping with your dog, try doing a short trip. You never know how your dog may act in a such a new environment and having a two day trip may make it easier on you and them.
Being prepared is the best way to have a good experience. Keeping your dog safe and comfortable is the most important thing. Remember most campgrounds and parks require your dog to be leashed at all times, this includes when you're at your own campsite. We have several items that will make this easier on you and your fur baby.
If you plan on hiking with your dog, hiking etiquette extends to your dog too. You may meet other people, other dogs, and wild animals on the trail and being able to control your pet for their safety and the safety of others (humans and animals) is key. We have many tips and favorite products below.
Keeping your dog fed and watered is a little more of a chore while camping. Refilling water and making sure their food is protected from pests and wild animals is important. It's also important to keep the pests off your pet, we have some suggestions for that too.
We've been camping with our dogs for a very long time and each one acts different and has a different temperament in the woods. Trying it out and planning for all scenarios is the best way to make sure you all have a good time and stay safe. Here's some of our favorite gear, and a few tips, for camping with a dog.
Complete Dog Travel Bag
You're going to need a convenient place to store all your dog's gear, treats and food. The exact bag we have is no longer for sale, but this Complete Dog Travel Bag is REALLY similar and comes with a bunch of extra items we love.
Outward Hound Dog Pack
We have this exact doggie day pack from Outward Hound and have used it for years. It's a great way to have your dog help carry some of their own gear on a hike. Make sure you don't overload them and that you keep the packs on each side balanced in weight.
Kurgo Canyon Travel Dog Bed
This is a more recent addition to our travel gear for our dog Layla. I like that this travel dog bed squishes down into a bag, like a sleeping bag does. It makes for a smaller footprint when packing the car.
Outdoor Elevated Dog Bed
Keep your pup out of the dirt, grass, and bugs when you're all sitting around the fire or picnic table with this elevated dog bed. Keeping them off the ground when lounging also means your tent will stay cleaner too.
15ft Reflective Tie-Out Lead Line
Most parks required dogs be leashed at all times. This 15ft tie-out lead can be attached to a tree or picnic table leg and give your pup a little more roaming room, but also still keep them in your campsite and leashed. We like this reflective lead line so its more visible and less of a tripping hazard.
Trolley System Tie Out
We have not used this system as our go to is the tie-out lead line, but we've seen it used A LOT on different camp sites. The trolly system tie out allows your dog to run along an arial running cable, while still being leashed in your campsite.
Hands Free Dog Leash
This is a favorite of ours on the trail. The leash is attached to a belt around your waist, which leaves your hands free for hiking poles, harder terrains, or just keeps you from having to hold a leash for 4 miles.
Reflective Dog Harness
A dog harness gives you better control of your doggo on the trail and protects their neck from sudden movement. We like the handle on the back because if we are passing people or other dogs on the trail, it's a quick and easy way to keep Layla close to us.
Waterproof Airtag Holder for Dog Collar
We are regular campers and at least 3-4 times I've been at a camp site where a family is searching for a lost pet. An air tag on your pet's collar lets you use GPS and sound to track your pet. Remember if your pet is chipped, the chip ONLY works if someone catches your pet and brings them in to be scanned. They are not a locating device.
Apple AirTags
If you aren't familiar, an Apple AirTag is a small device that can be setup on your phone that can track anything you attach that device to. It can also play a beeping sound to help you locate whatever you are looking for.
Slide-On Pet ID Tag
We love these slide-on pet ID tags and use them year round. No more jingling noise at night and because they're attached, there's nothing for the tag to get caught on in the woods.
Reflective Dog Collar
There will be a lot of hooking and unhooking of your dog to different leads, leashes, and harnesses during your trip. Its important they have a collar they wear at all times. A reflective dog collar will help you see your dog at night.
Dog Collar Light
We have a black lab, and on a dark night in the woods, she's invisible. We lovingly call this her orb. She wears this dog collar light around her collar at night if she's on the lead so we know where she is. It's also helpful during a night hike.
Outward Hound Dog Toy
These are our dog's favorite dog toys lately. You can put treats in the bottom, but don't have to. Bring your dog's favorite toy with you camping to help bring them comfort in a new space and give them something to do in the tent.
Dog Water Bottle for Hiking
We have a slightly different version of this dog hiking water bottle, but we really like this stainless steel version. You flip the silicone out to create a bowl and a button on the lid allows you to control the flow of water. We've found these much easier than carrying extra bowls on the trail.
Silicone Collapsible Dog Bowls
We keep these Silicone Collapsible Dog Bowls on hand for feeding and for water at the campsite. They're small and easy to clean.
Dog Boots
Ok, I know this seems crazy, but hear me out, you have to protect your dog's feet. We don't use these dog boots all the time, but if we're hiking in desert climates, the heat of the ground is far too hot for those little dog feets. They're also good for colder weather where feet are in contact with ice or snow.
Dog Poop Bags & Dispenser
Anywhere you are, on the trail or in your own campsite, it's important to clean up after your pet. On hikes, you should hike your pet's business out of the trail with you. A biodegradable bag is great, but we have had bad luck with them lasting through the end of a hike or in storage over time.
Dog Brush for Shedding
Giving your dog a brush with this brush specifically designed for shedding right before you leave is a great way to keep fur out of your tent. We also give our dog a brush right before we go into the tent for the night. This helps get any additional fur off and can help remove any bugs, especially ticks, that might be clinging to her fur.
Flea & Tick Protection
We don't use flea and tick protection on our dog year round because she spends most of her time indoors, but when we camp we make sure to use something that can help protect her from all the additional bugs in the woods. Protecting your pet can also protect you from ticks.
Please note these are all products we've used. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. These small commissions help fund our adventures, or at least they can buy us a coffee along the road.
The Texas State Park Journal is the perfect log book for any explorer wanting to keep a record of their Texas State Park adventures.
"I just received my copy as a gift from my mom. Looking forward to using it when the weather cools at the local State Parks. The build quality seems good with a thick paper cover that should hold up in my hiking bag. I like the addition of an activities checklist as well as a park stamp spot. I could see this being really useful with kids as a way for them to document their adventures. Quality product that is making me excited for hiking once the weather cools!"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Amazon Review, Jacob S.