13 Essentials for Camping with Dogs

Going camping? Why not bring along your furry best friend? If you have an active dog who loves spending lots of time outside, bring them along to enjoy camping with dogs!

You never know, camping might be your dog's new favorite activity, and the following items will make your next camping trip a blast for everyone.

We've included essentials that have helped make camping with dogs go smoother for us. These items will help keep your dog clean, happy, safe, and comfortable while camping.

First things first, don't forget to make sure your campsite is dog friendly! Always check the pet rules of your campsite; they can vary greatly.

With these dog-friendly camping essentials, your next adventure will be a blast for everyone! Now onto the necessities for camping with dogs! Check out my ultimate gift guide for campers; there are dog-friendly essentials included.

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What to Bring Camping with Dogs

1. Collapsible Bowls

Instead of regular hefty dog bowls, grab some collapsible bowls instead. They squash down and store really easily. They are super light, making them easy to carry anywhere. You can also throw one in your day bag when hiking so your dog gets the hydration they need.

2. Baby Wipes

We keep a supply of unscented baby wipes on hand for wiping down our dog after a hike or a day lying around in the grass. You don't want a dirty dog sharing your tent with you. It’s so much easier to use wipes rather than trying to wash your dog while camping.

3. Sweater for Cold Weather

Some dogs may never need a sweater, but if you have a short-haired dog I recommend bringing one. Weather is always somewhat unpredictable, and it often gets significantly colder at night when camping. Keep your dog warm with a fleece sweater!

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4. Adjustable Hands-Free Leash

Most hiking trails and many campsites require dogs to be kept on 6-foot leashes or shorter. For hiking or other activities, we use a waist leash which allows you to be hands-free while walking your dog.

While staying at your campsite, you can use a waist leash or a retractable leash to give your dog more freedom.

5. Trusty Harness

If you’re a hiker and your pup goes with you, I highly recommend getting them a nice harness. This will also come in handy when driving with your dog; use a dog seatbelt to buckle them in their harness.

6. Food

Pack your dog's normal food that they eat at home. It's a good idea to try and feed them the same thing. If you give your dog extra goodies besides just kibble, pack some freeze-dried chicken for them and put some water in the food to rehydrate it.

7. Outdoor Bed

You want to keep your dog comfortable when camping, and giving them somewhere to lie down outside is one way to do so. Grab a compact, outdoor dog bed so they have a nice place to rest during the day. You can also put it in your tent at night for them to sleep on.

8. Dog Water Bottle

Along with the collapsible bowls, it's nice to have a water bottle for your dog so they always have their own supply of water. Especially if you're camping with dogs in warm weather, making sure they stay really hydrated is important.

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9. Healthy Treats

Don’t forget to pack a hiking snack for your dogs too! If you’re working up a sweat on that trail, chances are your pup is burning lots of energy too. Pack smaller training treats for hitting the trail or rewarding your dog. I recommend packing dental chews for a healthy treat as well.

10. Dog Sleeping Bag or Blanket for Cold Weather

If you're camping with a dog in cold weather, make sure they stay warm too. Bring an extra blanket to cover them with at night, or even a dog sleeping bag if it's super cold.

11. Large Tent

You want everyone in your party, including your dog, to have enough room to sleep comfortably. If you can, buy a size up to ensure there is plenty of space. For example, if you and your partner would generally share a 2-person tent, opt for a 3-person tent to share with your dog.

12. Flea & Tick Prevention

Keep your dog safe by getting flea and tick prevention for them before your camping trip. We highly recommend Simparica Trio; it's more expensive, but it's a monthly oral prescription that prevents multiple issues for your dog. Ask your vet what they recommend before camping with a dog!

In case you need convincing that flea and tick prevention really is necessary, our dog, JoJo once got covered in seed ticks, but because she was already on tick prevention, they all died and weren't able to harm her or us.

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