welcome to our camping with dogs packing list. this is a basic list of everything we like to take with us for a smooth and seamless camping experience with our pup! keep in mind, we’re not vets and are not giving any specific veterinary advice – just what has worked well for us so far!
to do before setting off
these are must-dos before setting off on any adventure with your pup!
- take your dog to the vet and Make sure your pup is up to date on any vaccines/preventative medicines for tick/fleas/worms etc. needed! your vet can also recommend if anything else is necessary for your individual pup, based on its specific health concerns.
- make sure your dog has recall/can come when called
- make sure your dog knows “leave it”
- double check that your campground is “dog friendly” and see if there are any specific rules or regulations. for example, many campgrounds in california require your dog to be on a certain length leash, or have a maximum number of dogs per campsite. also check trails in the area – not every trail is dog friendly!
Essentials
essentials are items that you should never go camping without. they’re vital to your pup’s survival!
- Dog food for entire trip + extra day or two in case plans change
- treats
- collapsible food bowl
- collapsible water bowl
- plenty of water for your dog
- portable water bottle for hikes
- Collar with ID tag (we have an air tag on ours)
- harness and leash (preferably reflective)
- towel for your pup
- any meds your furball takes regularly (bring a few extra days worth)
Pro tip: make sure your microchip info is updated before you go on any trip.
health/safety
it’s easy to DIY your own first aid kit for your pup’s needs if you don’t want to splurge on a pre-made one. here are some items that we consider useful to have while camping.
- Durable bandage wrap
- alcohol or antiseptic wipes
- gauze pads
- tweezers and tick remover tool
- blunt scissors
- styptic powder for bleeding
- saline wash for eyes
- paw balm
- printed copy of vaccine records
- emergency vet phone number (save this offline in case you don’t have service!)
Campground needs
this is everything your pup will need to enjoy life safely once you get to your campsite.
- LED collar light
- stake or tie system, such as a large carabiner
- portable playpen or pop up shade tent
- dog warm or rain jacket (depending on location/dog type)
- booties for hot/cold surfaces
- dog bed or blanket (we love a raised packable dog bed)
things you might not think you’d need
here are a couple of things that we like to pack “just in case”…
- extra extra poop bags
- doggie safe wet wipes for paws
- enzymatic cleaning spray for accidents + paper towels
- extra trash bags
- hand sanitizer
beach adventures
headed to the beach? here are some specific items we like to bring with us for sunny beach days.
- Extra water (it gets hot at the beach – and your pup might accidentally swallow some ocean water!)
- sunscreen balm if recommended by vet
- quick dry microfiber towel
- floating toy
- shade canopy or pop up tent
trail/hiking
Here are some things we like to bring while hiking in forests, mountains and more!
- doggie backpack (if your dog is conditioned for it)
- small comb for foxtails
- headlamp
- extra treats – luna loves high protein trail treats when she’s on an adventure!
- portable water bottle
for good measure
if it’s your first time camping with your pup, and your pup (or you) are nervous about it, here are a couple of things you can bring for peace of mind!
- backup leash and collar
- printed map of campground (+ download offline maps)
- printed campsite info (site #, phone #, emergency services #)
- car seat cover
- keep gas tank over half full
that’s our complete camping with dogs packing list, and the key to having a successful camping adventure with your pup in the wilderness. be sure to test all your gear at home first, and consider doing a short overnight stay before embarking on longer trips! check out some of our favorite california campgrounds here.