The Ultimate Guide to Camping with Dogs

by Charlie the Lab November 6, 2025

Camping is one of the most dog-friendly trips out there. It’s affordable and completely outdoors, making it the perfect way to disconnect with your furry friend by your side.

If you’ve never camped with dogs before, the process can be overwhelming. You won’t have easy access to shops and restaurants, so you’ll need to pack all the essentials for you and your dog.

Whether you’re a first-time camper, an experienced dog-loving traveller, or a family that’s new to dog ownership, keep reading to learn about camping planning, safety, set-up, and etiquette with dogs.

Pre-Trip Planning

Choose a Dog-Friendly Destination

The first step to any trip with dogs is to ensure the place you’re going allows them. Most campgrounds welcome dogs since they’re outdoors, but every place is different. So, check the pet policy before you book. Find out if they allow dogs, what areas of the campground are dog-friendly, and if there’s a pet fee. BringFido is a great resource for finding dog-friendly destinations.

You should also make sure the destination fits what you’re looking for. Do you need a powered site? Do you prefer a beach or the alpines? Also, think about distance. If it’s your first time travelling with your dog, it’s probably best to keep the trip under three hours.

Book Smart

Choose a camping site that will be comfortable for you, your dog, and everyone around you. Ideally, an area with shade is the best way to avoid overheating. If your dog gets easily excited by people and food, it’s best to set up camp a decent distance away from crowded spots like playgrounds and picnic areas.

Familiarise yourself with the other campground rules, such as leash restrictions and quiet hours. If you can’t find the details you’re looking for, contact the campground’s management to ask.

Vet & Health Prep

Dogs are at a higher risk of bug bites and parasites when out in nature. They’re also more likely to get leptospirosis when camping because of exposure to contaminated water and wildlife. So, it’s more important than ever to ensure your dog is up to date on vaccinations and flea/tick preventatives.

Before you go camping with your dog the first time, schedule a pre-trip vet visit. Your vet can confirm your dog is healthy enough for the trip while also offering tips for what your dog might need. It’s especially important to ensure sensitive dogs like seniors and brachycephalic dogs (flat-faced) are in the best shape possible.

Also, make sure your dog’s microchip and ID tags are up to date with your current information. If your dog goes missing in the woods, these methods can help them reunite with you. Keep a current photo of them in your phone as well. Of course, if you keep them leashed and closely monitored, you shouldn’t have to worry, but it’s always good to plan ahead just in case something goes wrong.

Training Warm-Ups

At least two to three weeks before your trip, you should teach or strengthen essential training cues. The three most important skills for your dog to know are:

Settle - Teach your dog to go relax on a specific mat or bed when told. This can help redirect your dog’s attention while keeping them out of trouble.
Come - Getting your dog to come when called can keep them away from other pets, people, and wildlife, especially when they’re off leash.
Leave It - When your dog tries to grab something they shouldn’t, getting them to leave it or drop it can save them from ingesting dangerous items.

Practise these skills long before you’re at the campground. Get your dog to settle inside a tent, encourage them to be calm when tethered, and have them eat when there are distractions around. In the days leading up to your trip, consider sleeping in a tent in the backyard to help them get used to it.

Packing List

Essentials

Create a list of everything your dog needs for your upcoming camping trip. Then, check those items off as you pack. Essential pet products to pack include:

Collar with up-to-date ID tags
Sturdy lead and harness
Long tether (10 to 15 meters)
Portable water bowl
Lots of water (10-20% more than you think you’ll need)
Pre-portioned food in sealed tubs (bring extra meals just in case)
Lightweight training treats and a treat pouch
Poop bags
Baby wipes, hand sanitiser, and microfibre towels
Bed/mat for your dog to sleep on (preferably one that smells like home)
Tarp, shade cloth, or pop-up awning to provide shade
First aid kit with saline, gauze, bandages, antiseptic, tweezers, and blunt scissors
Reflective/glowing collar or clip-on LED light

Nice-to-Haves

Having the essentials like food, water, and first aid supplies is necessary for camping, but feel free to bring other fun and helpful items too. Here are some other products to consider, based on your dog’s needs and preferences:

Cooling vest or lightweight coat (depending on the season)
Portable pen
Vet-approved paw balm
Sunscreen for pink noses and ears
Extra lead and ID tags
Small brush/comb
Chews, lick mats, and other enrichment items
Waterproof toys
Travel crate

Getting There: Car/Ute Safety

Before Departure

The ride to the campground is part of the adventure. No matter how far you’re driving, make sure your dog is secure in the car. A harness-and-seatbelt clip or a secure crate can keep dogs safe while also stopping them from distracting the driver.

Before getting in the car, take your dog for a walk since they won’t get a chance to relieve themselves for a while. If they’re prone to motion sickness, feed them only a small meal before or wait until you arrive to feed them.

Pack everything you need within reach, especially water. For every two to three hours of driving, plan a 10-to-15-minute break to give your dog a chance to stretch and relieve themselves.

On the Road

While driving, do everything you can to keep your dog comfortable. Make the vehicle’s interior cool, offer small amounts of water at a time, and keep windows closed when you’re driving fast. If the driver is the only person in the car, pull over whenever you need to pay attention to your dog.

If you have an anxious pup, try playing white noise while giving them a familiar blanket or bed to rest on. Talk to them in a calm voice throughout the trip. If you’re worried about motion sickness, consider asking your vet for medication to help.

Campsite Set-Up

Layout & Zones

When arriving at the campsite, this is the best order to set everything up:

Find a good parking spot (where it’s easy to unload if possible).
If there isn’t natural shade, set up your own shade with a tarp or awning.
Set up your tent (or get your cabin/camper ready).
Set up your kitchen supplies away from your tent (near the campfire if possible).
Get all your dog’s stuff ready, such as a bed and water bowl. Find a shaded spot for their tether and/or crate.

The spot your dog will hang out in should be where they can see you without blocking foot traffic. Make sure the food prep area is out of your dog’s reach to prevent counter-surfing.

Tethering & Containment

You won’t be able to hold onto your dog’s lead the whole time, and most campgrounds don’t let dogs roam free in all areas. So, set up a tether attached to a fixed point at ground level. Make sure it’s not near anything that it could wrap around. Always attach the tether to a harness instead of a collar to prevent choking.

You will likely need to move your dog’s resting spot throughout the day to ensure it’s always in the shade. Each time, check that there's nothing dangerous on the ground like anthills or prickly plants.

First hour routine

To help your dog get used to their new surroundings, take a “sniff tour” after setting up. Walk around the perimeter of your campsite. Let your dog sniff their new territory and do their business.

Next, practise your commands near your tent. For “settle,” have them rest for five minutes on their mat and then reward them for calm behaviours. Repeat that process a few times. Practise “come” and “leave it” as well to ensure they’ve mastered those skills even in a new environment.

If your campsite is close to other people and pets, introduce yourself to your neighbours politely and let your dog say hi if they’re okay with it. Practise “come” and “leave it” when you’re near other campsites.

Daily Rhythm

Morning

In the morning, take your dog for a brief walk so they can relieve themselves. Then, give them breakfast. Practising some light training in the morning, such as recall games, is a great way to keep commands fresh in your dog’s mind.

It’s a good idea to plan intense activities, such as hikes, early in the morning since it’s usually cooler outside. After long walks, you can return to the shade to rest in the late morning.

Afternoon

During the afternoon, make sure your dog gets some quiet time in the shade. This is the perfect time to offer them a chew or lick mat while you relax or play games with your family.

You can take walks in the afternoon, but keep them short if it’s a hot day. If the campground has a dog swimming area, that can be a great place for your pup to cool off.

Evening

Give your dog their dinner around the same time you normally would to help them stick to their routine. Practise commands, especially “settle” and “leave it,” while you’re cooking your own dinner on the campfire. Later in the evening, take a nice sunset stroll together. If your dog has an LED collar light, turn it on when you walk at night.

Before you go to bed, double check that your dog has access to clean water. Put your dog’s tie-out and/or crate away (unless they’re sleeping inside the crate in your tent). Completely zip your tent shut so your dog can’t slip out.

Safety & Wildlife

Heat, Cold, and Weather

You’ll be exposed to the outdoor elements for your entire trip, so don’t forget to check the weather. Extreme heat and extreme cold can both be dangerous for your dog. Always test ground temperature during hot weather before letting your dog on it. If you can’t comfortably rest the back of your hand there for more than five seconds, it’s too hot for your dog.

Signs of overheating include heavy panting, glassy eyes, and wobbly movements. If you suspect your dog is getting too hot, move them to the shade, offer them water, and get their chest/belly wet. Take them to the nearest vet if their symptoms don’t improve.

Even if it’s hot outside, it can get cold at night. Offer an insulated bed and extra blankets to keep your dog warm and cozy. Set up a windbreak outside your tent if it’s supposed to get gusty outside.

Bush, Beach, and River Hazards

If you’re camping in the bush, always be aware of your surroundings. Snakes are common in warm months, so stick to the trails and keep your dog leashed to avoid snake bites. If your dog gets bitten, keep them still and rush them to the nearest vet.

Ticks are sneaky, so check your dog daily even if they take a flea/tick preventative. Check their ears, armpits, groin, between their toes, and under their collar. Using tweezers, grab the tick as close to the skin as you can to remove it.

If you’re near rivers and dams, keep an eye out for blue-green algae. If it’s present, don’t let your dog swim or drink the water. Even if the water is free from blue-green algae, always rinse your dog off after a swim just to be safe.

If you’re on the beach, keep an eye out for fish hooks, bait, and sharp shells. Dogs could accidentally cut their paws or ingest things they shouldn’t if you don’t throw away debris. Also, make sure they don’t gulp a bunch of saltwater since that could upset their tummy.

Camp-Specific Smarts

At your campsite, ensure all your food and rubbish is secure so wildlife, such as possums, goannas, and dingoes, can’t access it at night. Store those containers away from your tent if possible.

Keep your tent and your dog’s tether away from the fire so the sparks can’t ignite anything. Also, don’t let your dog free roam when it’s dark, even if the campground allows it. Always keep an LED collar on them at night and supervise them closely.

Camp Etiquette

Around Neighbours

Always be mindful of those around you when travelling with dogs. Keep your dog on a short lead when passing others. Feel free to greet fellow campers as you pass, but don’t let your dog get too close to people and pets without asking first.

Keep your dog away from other tents and BBQ areas. Even though you love to have your dog by your side, not everyone likes being near dogs, especially when eating. Be respectful of everyone else’s space.

Always pick up after your dog and dispose of their waste. If there isn’t a bin close by, double bag it until you can throw it away.

Shared Spaces

Most campgrounds have lots of shared spaces, such as kids’ zones and cooking areas. It’s best to keep dogs out of those spaces to be respectful of others. Make sure any areas you take your dog to are dog friendly.

Barking should be kept to a minimum, especially when you’re close to others. Dogs shouldn’t bark at all during quiet hours. Offer lots of enrichment throughout the trip to reduce barking from boredom. Plan a late-evening walk as their last bathroom break and get them to settle when it’s time to be calm and quiet in bed.

Food, Water, & Hygiene

Feeding

Serve your dog the same food as at home. If that’s not possible, test the new food before your trip to ensure it won’t upset your dog’s stomach.

If your dog is more active than usual while camping, split the meals into smaller portions throughout the day. Avoid heavy exercise immediately after your dog eats.

Dogs love to snack on random things they find, so keep a close eye on them. Ensure they don’t eat any human food or garbage that’s on the ground.

Hydration

Have water accessible to your dog as much as possible. While hiking, regularly offer your dog drinks to keep them hydrated. Creeks and dams can have dangerous parasites and algae, so don’t let your dog drink from there.

When hanging out at your campsite, keep your dog’s water bowl in the shade. Refill it whenever it’s empty or warm.

Clean & Comfy

It’s hard to stay clean while camping, so your dog will likely need a nice bath when you get home. During your trip, try to minimise their filthiness by rinsing off your dog after sandy or muddy playtime. Thoroughly dry their ears, especially if you have a floppy-eared dog.

Every day, check your dog’s coat for burrs and grass seeds. Brush them out as needed. To help your dog stay clean and comfortable, keep their bedding dry and rotate between spare beds and blankets as needed.

Activities & Easy Wins

Low-Arousal Crowd-Pleasers

All dogs can benefit from casual walks where they can sniff to their heart’s content. You can satisfy their desire to sniff by scattering treats on a snuffle mat for them to find. You can also encourage them to find hidden items like toys around your campsite.

Adventure Options

For more adventurous pups, you can add intense activities and more variety. Hike along the beach or forest loop before returning to the campground to rest. Give your dog an opportunity to swim if possible, but have them wear a life vest if they’re new to swimming.

No matter what activities you choose, take plenty of photos during your trip. Encourage your dog to sit and stand next to beautiful backgrounds, but keep photo sessions fun and short.

Night-Time Routines

Sleeping Arrangements

Having the ideal sleep setup can help your dog relax. Most campers have their dog sleep in their tent, swag, or van with them. Crate-trained dogs typically settle the fastest in new environments.

Keep your dog’s bed away from draughts and bright lights to encourage a peaceful slumber. By planning your sleeping routine in advance, you can have quiet, predictable nights with your pup.

Night Noises

Campgrounds have lots of night noises that you typically won’t hear in the comfort of your home, such as wildlife and rain. To pre-emptively avoid watch-dog barking, play white noise in your tent. If your dog is in a crate, cover the crate sides. Have them do their business right before bed so they’re less likely to get up in the middle of the night.

Special Scenarios

Puppies

Puppies are adorable, but it’s no secret that they’re lots of work. So, camping with puppies is a unique experience from camping with adult dogs. When your dog is under a year old, it’s best to keep camping trips short to help them gradually get used to them. Plan for extra naps and keep their sensitive paws away from rough surfaces.

Since young puppies are new to training, it’s important to take things slow and consistently work on commands as much as you can. Introduce them to new things, like people and dogs, from a distance. Use positive reinforcement with your training to help them associate camping with something fun.

Seniors

Senior dogs are sensitive, but not in the same way that puppies are. With aching joints and limited mobility, you must take things easy when camping with a senior. Offer thicker beds, ramps into the car, and shorter walks.

If your senior dog needs any medicine or supplements, add those to your camping checklist. Keep your dog’s routine as consistent as you can, and avoid camping if you think the temperature will be unsafe for your dog’s conditions.

Reactive or Anxious Dogs

If you have a reactive or anxious dog, don’t bring them on trips unless you believe they will have a good time. If they’re stressed the entire time, no one is going to be having fun. For dogs that like to travel but don’t like crowds, find quiet campgrounds and book in the middle of the week if possible. Choose edge sites that don’t have a lot of foot traffic.

At your campsite, set up visible barriers and follow a predictable schedule for your dog. When exploring areas of the campground, figure out the best exit routes to take in case other people or dogs approach. Practise a specific cue, such as “let’s go,” to encourage your dog to turn around and avoid triggers. If people try to approach, kindly let them know that your dog is training and would like some space.

Multi-Dog Households

Ideally, there should be one person per dog when camping so there’s someone there to focus on each canine. If that’s not possible, only camp with multiple dogs if they’re well-trained and easy to control. In that situation, give your dogs one-on-one walks and training time to keep arousal low.

Make sure each dog has their own food bowls and chews. This can ensure that each dog is eating enough while also staying calm.

Camping with dogs can be a great activity for pets and their humans, but there’s a lot to consider. Using all the tips mentioned above, plan a camping trip that fits your dog’s needs best. By taking things slow and preparing for every aspect of the trip, you and your furry friend will have the best time camping!