The Ultimate Guide to Camping With Dogs
by Jared Anderson & Taffin Evans
Alberta
Make Your Life Easier With This Camping With Dogs Adventure Guide!
We bring our dogs absolutely everywhere–we’re not joking, literally everywhere–which includes camping! We love to have options for different kinds of camping based on location, time of year, how much time we have to get out, and if we’re camping with other people.
We’ve put together this ultimate guide on camping with dogs, and tips & tricks we’ve picked up along the years of doing so. We will focus on trailer camping, rooftop tenting, and backpacking specifically within this blog post!
Trailer Camping:
Trailer camping is probably the easiest way to camp with your dog(s)–especially if you’ve never done it before and want to learn–we suggest heading out with your trailer and your pup(s)!
Trailer camping tends to be easier because there’s more room to bring extra items–dog beds, dog toys, chews, etc–which makes it nice to be able to include things to make your dog more comfortable.
We always make sure the dogs have their sleeping pads and bags because it provides a comfortable spot for them to lay, although sometimes when its hot, they would rather cool their bellies on the ground! When camping in provincial or national parks, dogs must be on leash, so we always have a stake with leads attached for the dogs and then we don’t have to worry about holding their leashes. We provide a space for them to lay down, and access to water and toys, within reach of the lead. Just be aware of other sites/people around, and how far the lead reaches, or if they have pets themself! Depending on the size of your dog, if you have a collapsible pen you can bring, that would also be a good way to keep them in their own safe space.
When camping, we appreciate a clean indoor space–and with dogs that can definitely be a bit harder to manage–so we always pack their portable paw washer and a towel! We like to give them a quick wipe down (also checking for bugs!) before we head in for the night.
Fave trailer items for camping with dogs:
- MudBuster–paw washer, just add water!
- Towel–we bring a quick dry one for them (and also for ourselves!).
- Toys, chews & comfy beds–an elevated bed also makes a good option, especially if you’re practicing place training too!
- Ground stake & leads–this way we know the dogs are around, while also following campsite rules, without having to worry about holding their leashes.
Rooftop Tenting:
We find rooftop tenting comparable to trailer camping with dogs because you still have a vehicle with more space, so you’re able to bring more luxury items than if you were backcountry camping.
The items we bring for rooftop tenting are very similar to that for trailer camping, however, we make also sure to include the dogs coats & base layers because the tent isn’t insulated like the trailer! Even during the summer months, it can still get cold over night, and we want to make sure the dogs are comfortable while they are sleeping.
Rooftop tenting with dogs also has the issue of the ladder up to the tent–while we have a vestibule for our rooftop tent, not everyone does–so we do carry our dogs up and down the ladder, very carefully, so they can sleep up top with us! But, we do also know people who’s dogs are just fine sleeping on their bed below in the vestibule, so if you have one that’s an option for you!
In addition to bringing the same items for trailer camping, here are a couple things we also like to bring when rooftop tenting!
Fave rooftop tent items for camping with dogs:
- Jacket–especially on those colder months to keep the dogs warm.
- Base layers–we want to make sure the heat they are producing helps keep their core temps toasty!
- Dog mat–we use a fold up reflective mat for the dogs to lay on, either in their sleeping bags or not, to keep them off the ground and more comfortable!
- Elevated bed-we also have an elevated dog bed which we bring and set up for the pups. It allows wind flow and cooling from underneath on hot days.
Backpacking:
Backpacking with dogs is an absolute blast! Whisky & Echo love to get close and cuddly in the tent, and we often wake up to find them sleeping between us, all cuddled up.
We’re really lucky in that they are both big enough to carry backpacks with their own gear. We always make sure their saddlebags are evenly distributed so it doesn’t pull and that the bags are about 5-10% of their bodyweight (which is about 5lbs for both of them).
While the dogs pack most of their own gear in their backpacks, we do normally pack their sleeping bags (or pads–depending on the weather) in our own backpacks as they tend to be bigger/heavier. The dogs pack their jackets and base layers (as needed, depending on the overnight temperatures), their food & snacks, collapsible bowls and poop bags!
There’s nothing quite like carrying a 50lb bag on your back for 10km, knowing you have everything you need to stay safe, warm and dry for the night. Whisky & Echo love when we get to camp and set-up the tent, while they run around and explore–keep in mind, we’re often backpacking in public land where the dogs are allowed to be off-leash!
Fave backpacking items for camping with dogs:
- Dog sleeping bag (or pad)–we love that the dogs have their own sleeping bags for backpacking. It helps us with their place while we’re hanging around at camp, and they have somewhere warm to sleep.
- Collapsible bowls–we use their silicone collapsible bowls for hiking and backpacking, and they are amazing. So convenient to pack and store in their backpacks, and easy to put their food and water in!
- Dog backpack with removable saddle bags–being able to keep their harness on, but remove their packs is great! Especially if we plan on hiking around while at camp.
While camping with dogs can seem a bit intimidating at first, it’s such a fun way to get outside and adventure with your dog!
We always suggest doing a test run–especially if your dog may take a few times to warm up to something new–like setting up your tent in the backyard, or heading to a campsite that’s close to home for the first trip.
There are so many different items and ways to camp with your dog, and while our suggestions work for us, they may not necessarily be your favourite thing! We are more than happy to chat if anyone has questions, or wants to know more specifically which gear we use.
Enjoy the outdoors, stay safe, and happy camping with your dogs!
