Best Dog Camping Gear: 12 Essentials for Camping With Dogs
Photo by Sara Paul
Camping with your dog can be a truly memorable experience. “There’s just something magical that happens on those overnight trips” with your dog, says Maria Christina Schultz, certified canine fitness trainer and owner of Maria Christina K9 Training, who does everything from RV camping to backpacking with her Australian Shepherds Bodie and Willow. “It’s just a lovely way to bond and a fuller [camping] experience.”
And having the necessary outdoor gear can make all the difference, says Madi Clark, a photographer and adventurer documenting her outdoor activities with her 6-year-old Australian Shepherd Ember via @embark.with.ember. So, whether this will be your first time camping with your dog or sleeping under the stars together is one of your favorite pastimes, our comprehensive guide to the best dog camping gear will set you up well.
Best Dog Camping Gear and Accessories
How to Find the Best Dog Camping Gear
Some important factors to consider before heading out include:
- Length of the trip: First, think about how long you’ll be out there, says Clark. This will help determine how much food you’ll need and what other supplies to bring with you.
- Climate: Check the weather when packing camping gear for your dog, she adds. “The time of year and location determines if I’m bringing a cooling vest or a waterproof winter dog jacket,” Clark says.
- Type of camping: Are you car camping in a truck or RV or backpacking, which means you’ll be hiking to your location and setting up a campsite? “For car camping, you’ll have more flexibility to pack larger items like a dog bed or crate, while backpacking requires lightweight and compact gear,” says Clark.
- Park rules: Not only do you want to confirm the campsite is a dog-friendly environment, but you’ll also want to know if or how dogs are expected to be contained or monitored, says Schultz.
Best Camping Dog Bed
You can use this dog bed indoors and outdoors, and its features make it perfectly suited for camping. The elevated surface means your dog won’t be lying directly on hard, dirty surfaces. Plus, the breathable fabric is durable and easy to wipe clean. One reviewer says her two large-breed dogs have been spending time on this camping dog bed outside for more than a year with no rips or tears in sight.
Best Dog Travel Mat for Camping
Just plop this travel mat down in an RV, tent or next to a campfire, and your pup will know just where to go. Bonus: It’s machine-washable and dries quickly. Pet parents love that you can use one side for warmth and the other for a cooling effect, making it all-weather-ready.
Best Dog Tent for Camping
This dog tent provides a calm place for them to rest out of the elements and packs up into an easy-to-carry sling bag. It’s a great solution when your dog needs to decompress away from other noise, people, or pets, too. Customers appreciate that this dog tent for camping is compact and easy to set up.
Best Dog Fence for Camping
This playpen will give your dog a sense of free rein while you’ll have peace of mind that they’re safe. It’s great for campsites that have restrictions on off-leash pets. One reviewer used this fence for a camping trip with their two adult Rhodesian Ridgebacks and said it was “sturdy, easy to set up and transport.”
Best Dog Crate for Camping
This collapsible dog crate will take you and your pup wherever adventure leads. It’s compact when not in use, and requires no tools to set up when you’re ready to make camp. Locking clips on the zippers offer added security. Pet parents remarked how comfortable their dogs were in this camping crate and the ease of the 3-door options.
Best Camping Dog Tie Out
Give your pup more room to roam while you get the s’mores ready with this stake and long-lead tie-out. The vinyl-covered steel cable will hold up to the elements. Customers say it’s impressively strong even when used with larger, high-energy breeds.
Best Camping Dog Harness
The lack of light pollution when camping with your dog is great for stargazing, but not so much for keeping an eye on them in the dark. This thick, durable harness that comes in 9 colors and 5 sizes has reflective piping to help spot your dog at night. One reviewer said this harness has the “best fit and quality” with “no movement restriction.”
Best Camping Dog Leash
This premium outdoor leash with reflective features makes for a comfortable walk while hiking and camping in low visibility. One pet parent called it “far and away the best leash I have ever owned,” and another happy customer says she’s been using the same one since 2018, and the reflective material is still bright.
Best Dog Food Bowls for Camping
Collapsable bowls save precious space for hikers backpacking to camp and in need of hiking gear that packs light. These silicone food and water bowls are BPA-free and come as a set that can be easily zipped shut and clipped onto a backpack or carabiner on a leash. Customers say it’s the “perfect travel set” to take on the road.
Best Dog Food Storage for Camping
Take your dog’s food anywhere without worry of spilling or losing freshness. Fill the container made from durable hex-weave fabric with kibble, fold the top down, and then lock it in place with the clip. One pet parent wrote, “perfect for traveling, used this for a camping trip and it worked great. Easy to wash, fold up, and store for the next time.”
Best Pet First Aid Kit
There are more than 50 pieces in this pet-friendly first aid kit, including gauze pads, an ice pack, antiseptic and sting relief pads. Just remember to supplement it with any necessary medications specific to your dog. One pet parent said the “little field guide it comes with is very useful, and it’s nice to have the peace of mind of having the wipes and bandages … on hand.”
Best Dog Light for Nighttime Safety
Slide this LED dog collar alongside their other collar with ID tags. It’s weather-resistant, so it’ll work even if you get caught in the rain. Reviewers say the collars work well as a nightlight, especially on dogs who have a darker coat. The collar isn’t rechargeable, so you’ll need batteries.
What Do I Need to Go Camping With a Dog?
Much of the gear you’ll want to bring when camping with your dog falls into a handful of key categories.
Bedding
Where your dog sleeps while camping is really up to preference. Some dogs may be fine outside, while others want to curl up in the car or tent next to you. “I bring a foldable sleeping pad for my dog to help them understand this is your place to sleep,” says Schultz, admitting her pups still often end up nuzzled into her sleeping bag. A soft dog bed with extra blankets can further insulate your pup from the cold, hard ground, says Clark. Bedding that’s made with durable, wipeable material will come in handy since your dog is going to get dirty.
Food and Food Containers
Portion your pup’s food for however long you plan to be out camping—with a little extra since they’ll likely be more active than typical, says Schultz. Airtight containers, or even bear-proof lids, for storing pet (and human!) food are a safe bet when camping in backcountry areas known for wildlife, adds Clark.
Collapsible dog bowls are a great space-saving item to pack on camping trips, says Schultz. They “can be stored in your backpack or attached to your dog’s gear for easy access during hikes or outdoor activities,” says Clark. She recommends looking for bowls made from durable, water-resistant materials that are easy to clean and disinfect.
Leashes, Crates and Fences
Be mindful of the campground rules and potential hazards like steep drop-offs or wildlife while camping with your dog. Pet containment items like dog crates and playpens, as well as dog leashes and tethers, will help keep your dog safe. “I personally love our crate for traveling—it’s Ember’s safe space,” says Clark. “A long line leash is my number No. 1 camping item and comes in handy in many situations, but it’s mainly there to give Ember enough space to walk around while I set up camp.”
First Aid Supplies
Snag a dog first aid kit to go alongside your own before heading out. Make sure to pack Benadryl and vet tape if the kit doesn’t already include these in case of allergic reactions or wound care, recommends Schultz. Your dog’s paw pads are susceptible to more injuries when outside, so be sure to have an antiseptic on hand, too. (Dog boots can also help protect their paws.)
Busy Toys
If you’re hiking, swimming or out and about all day in the sun, your pup might not need anything more than a long nap, but bringing a few items like dog toys, bones and puzzles to keep them occupied is never a bad idea, says Clark. “It’s a great way to prevent boredom during downtime at the campsite,” she says. “A good tug toy that I don’t have to throw is good since where we camp might have sudden cliff sides, other campers or areas where I don’t want [Ember] wandering off.” Get 20 boredom-busting ideas to keep your dog busy.
Tips for Camping with Dogs
Know their limits. Before anything else, think about whether your dog will actually enjoy camping, says Clark. Consider, “their fitness level, temperament, and preferences when planning outdoor activities and avoid forcing them into situations,” she says. “Pushing a dog beyond their physical or emotional limits is not the way to camp.”
- Find the closest ER vet. Your dog’s safety should be a top priority. Hoping for the best but planning for the worst can give you peace of mind. Knowing the location of the nearest emergency vet will ensure you can take immediate action if something urgent happens, says Clark.
- Bring extras. If room allows, toss a few more things in your bag like a longer leash, extra food, another blanket or dog sleeping bag for added comfort and insulation, or a dog coat or doggy raincoat in case of poor weather.
- Double-check the rules. Verify whether the park or trail you’re planning to visit is truly dog-friendly, says Schultz. Is your dog only allowed in certain parts of the campground? Can you leave them unattended if you need to use the restroom or take a shower?
Want even more insight? This guide will help you determine if your pup is ready for a camping trip, how to choose a location, and even campground etiquette.
How We Chose These Products
Camping with your dog is all about spending quality time together out in nature—not stressing about whether you have the right gear. That’s why we spoke with the experts to find out what type of dog camping gear you need, and then dug through Chewy’s best-selling products to bring you only those that have a minimum rating of 4 stars from customers. This way you can be sure you’re getting camping gear that is pet-tested and pet-parent-approved.
Camping with Dogs: Next Steps
Ready to hit the road on your next adventure with your pup? Stock up on the right dog camping gear so you and they can safely and comfortably experience the freedom of the great outdoors. And don’t forget to guard your pup against pests. Read more about the best flea and tick prevention here.
Attributions
Expert input provided by Maria Christina Schultz, CCFT, owner of Maria Christina K9 Training based in central Virginia; and Madi Clark, photographer and adventurer behind @embark.with.ember.
