Ruff It Right: The Ultimate Guide to Tent Camping With a Dog

How to go Tent Camping with a Dog

Did you know that according to The Dyrt’s 2024 camping report, 53.7% of campers brought their doggies to a campsite in 2023? Taking your dog camping is one of the easiest and budget-friendly ways to travel with your pup.

The idea of sleeping in the great outdoors with your four legged friend may seem overwhelming but it’s not as hard as you think. 

I’ve put together my best tips to go camping with your dog. We’ll go over what to pack, how to pick the right campsite, important safety tips, and more so you can make fantastic memories with your furry best friend!

We invite you to join our Facebook group for Traveling Pet Owners for a safe space to ask questions and get ideas on making traveling with your pets a positive experience.

How to Take Your Dog Camping For the First Time

Though it’s not as simple as pitching a tent with your pup, taking your dog camping for the first time will be a breeze if you take a little time to prepare. You’ll need to properly plan your camping trip and pack the right camping gear. You’ll also need to know how to keep your pup safe during your overnight camping adventure.

Planning a Camping Trip with Dogs

There are several things you should remember when you start to plan your dog-friendly camping trip. These things will decide your trip’s success like picking the right location and time to go.

• Check that the campground is dog-friendly and read their rules. Some places require proof of vaccinations or have other restrictions like breed or number of pets. This can make camping with multiple dogs more difficult but not impossible! 
• Reserve a good camping spot. Try to get a shady spot in a low-traffic area to lessen the chance of your furry friend barking at people walking by. The shade helps keep your canine companion cool and out of the sun.
• Avoid tent or car camping in extreme temperatures to prevent your pet from suffering heat exhaustion or frostbite/hyperthermia. (RV camping gives you the luxury of A/C and heat). In most areas, spring and fall are the best seasons to take your dog camping weather-wise. 
• Explore indoor activities that allow dogs if you encounter bad weather.
• Verify that the surrounding trails allow dogs, especially if you are camping in a national park. Many national parks allow dogs in their campgrounds but not on their trails.
• Research the area you will be camping in to learn what wildlife to expect like bears, scorpions, venomous snakes, etc. Don’t forget to learn the toxic plants, fungi, and nuts you need to keep your pup away from.
• Locate the nearest emergency vet just in case you need them.
• Make sure you have your dog camping essentials.
• Do a trial run before your first official camping trip.

Here are more tips on planning a dog friendly vacation.

Dog Camping Gear

When you decide to bring your dogs camping, you will need camping gear and the essentials for you and your pup like collapsible bowls, food, medication, water, etc. 

If you’d like camping meal ideas that don’t require numerous ice trips, here are some no-cooler camping meal ideas.

Here are some other items that will make your camping with your dog go more smoothly:

“In Case of Emergency” Information: Have any and all information you would need for emergencies. This would be things like a picture of your pup in case they get lost, dog insurance information, and your home vet’s number. You can have it in a binder, on your phone, or carry a product like our Pet Travel ID or Remington’s Pup Memory Passport.

ID Tags– Double-check that the information on their dog tags is correct. A great tip from the Kas Pack is to add an inexpensive plastic tag to your dog’s collar or harness with your campsite number to make it easier for people to find you if you and your dog get separated.

Tie Out– This will make it easier to do certain tasks if you know your dog is safe and secure nearby.

Hands-free leash– If you have a more anxious dog, this will help keep your hands free but allow your dog to be near you. These are great for hikes too.

Comb– If your dog has the type of hair where things get easily tangled, bring a comb with you to get debris out of their fur. Find one that works with your dog’s particular type of hair.

Flashlight/Headlamp– Make sure you have a good flashlight for the after-dark potty breaks your dog will need to go on.

Light-up collar/leash– If your dog is darker in color, you may consider a leash or collar that lights up to make it easier to see them at night.

Dog bed/blanket– Your dog will appreciate having a softer option to lay down on than the tented ground. Especially after all the extra activity, they are probably getting.

Tent Fan– This will help with air circulation and keep the tent cooler.

Jacket/Cool Down Vests and Mat– Have ways to help them deal with either hot or cold temperatures to keep them comfortable.

First Aid Kit– Bring a first aid kit for you and your pup.  If you already have a kit, you can easily add some things to make it more dog-friendly to save money. Here’s a post so you can make sure you have everything you and your doggie need in your First Aid Kit.

GPS Tracking– Consider a GPS tracking device like the FitBark GPS tracker for your pup so you can find them in case they run off. Accidents happen and they might not find their way back to you in a new place.

We put together a guide to help you select the right GPS tracker for your needs so you get the right one.

Become a pack member to get the Dog Camping Checklist in our Freebie Library!

Take Your Dog on a Camping Trial Run

Before you book a campsite for a long vacation across the country, do a few camping trial runs first. This will help you and your dog prepare for the upcoming experience and let you know if you need more items to make your trip successful. 

If your dog (or you) has never been camping, practice putting up your tent and spending time in it together. You can do this in your living room or your backyard (wherever your tent will fit). This will help your dog get used to being in it which is crucial for your vacation.

You will want to train your dog to be patient and not run out of the tent when you open the door. If you notice this is a problem, you can always put their leash on before you open the tent flap to lessen the chance that they run away.

If you have the time, consider doing an additional practice run at a nearby campsite for 1-3 nights to get the full experience of being around other campers and in an unfamiliar area. Doing this will tell you what additional things you and your dog might need to work on and if you are ready for a bigger outdoor adventure. Trial runs are fantastic because if things don’t go well, you are close to home if you have to shorten the trip.

Arriving With Your Dog to Your Campsite

So you’ve done your planning, booked your site, and are all packed up to go. What do you do when you get there? 

Believe it or not, the first thing you do will NOT be setting up your tent. After you have pulled up to your campsite, the first thing to do is take your dog for a walk. This will allow them to use the bathroom and get some energy out while investigating their surroundings.

While you walk around your campsite, check the area for things like discarded food, trash, animal waste, etc. You want to remove anything you don’t want your doggy to get into.

Now that you have a calmer pup and a safe space for them to relax in, you will have an easier time assembling your tent. Depending on your furry friend’s personality, you can secure them to a tie-out or a hands-free leash while you set up camp.

Tips for Camping with Dogs

Now that you’ve planned and practiced for your upcoming camping trip with your dog, I have a few more tips to help your trip go smoothly:

Give Your Dogs Plenty of Exercise

Take them on plenty of walks and other outings. Remember the golden rule for canines; a tired dog is a good dog. Barking and other destructive behavior can increase if they have pent-up energy. As long as they get the chance to get their energy out, they will behave better during your trip.

Provide Your Dogs with More Water Than You Think They Need

Keep your pup properly hydrated to avoid any heat-related illnesses. They will likely drink more water than you would expect. Make sure to bring more water than you think you will need on your hikes and always keep their bowl full at the campsite.

Stick Closely To Your Dog’s Normal Schedule

This is especially important if you have a more anxious dog. Try to feed them around the same time as you would at home so there is some normalcy even when you’re traveling. 

Remember that they will still most likely need to go to the bathroom at the same time in the morning and that their bodies are used to going to bed at a certain time. They might even want to go to bed early if you do a lot of hiking.

Safety Tips and Tricks for Feeding Your Dog During Your Camping Trip

Try to clean up any and all food after their meals. You don’t want to attract wild animals to your campsite with spilled dog food or treats. If your dog doesn’t have a huge appetite, you may want to bring something special like treats or wet food to mix into their meal to ensure they are getting enough calories and nutrition during the trip. You may even want to make sure they get extra treats during the day since they will be burning extra calories. Just be careful that you don’t overdo it and cause them to gain unnecessary weight.

Going on a trip can be a big change for your dog, they may stop eating, eat less, or have loose stool due to stress. Keep an eye on them so you can decide whether you may need to change your plans or take additional steps to keep them safe and healthy.

Tent Safety Tips for You and Your Dog

Bring an extra blanket to keep over your inflatable mattress pad. This will work wonders to keep it from accidentally being popped by your dog’s nails.  Many mattresses are sturdy, but this will offer an extra layer of protection to keep them safe.

Remember that your tent does not have solid. You should never leave your pet alone, especially in your tent. If they become anxious it is very easy for them to tear through your tent and escape.

Bring a Good Flashlight on Your Camping Trip

This is worth repeating; you will want a good flashlight or a light-up leash for the middle of the night bathroom breaks. This will prevent you from twisting an ankle and allow you to be aware of what is in the area when you walk at night for bathroom breaks.

Get Ready for Campfire Cuddles and Tent Tails

Camping with your dog is a fantastic rewarding bonding experience. It’s also a great budget-friendly way to vacation with your pup! With these tips, you will be perfectly set up to have a safe and memorable trip with your furry best friend. 

Things may not go perfectly every trip but that’s okay. Treat every trip as a learning experience so you can fine-tune the process to fit your exact needs. If you realize camping is not for you, you can always look into staying at a private rental or a dog-friendly hotel.

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