The Ultimate Guide to Camping with Your Dog

Thinking about taking your dog camping for the first time?

Then we have an awesome guide to help make the experience go as smoothly as possible!

Camping with your dog can be a fantastic experience. We absolutely love it when our son brings the “Granddog” along on our camping trips!

In fact, Guinness (his Dalmatian) loves nothing more than spending time outdoors, exploring new trails with us, splashing in the lake, and curling up by the campfire at night.

If you’re thinking about taking your fur baby camping, then have a look at our guide.

We think preparation is definitely key to making your trip enjoyable and stress-free for everyone involved.

Should I Bring My Dog Camping?

So let’s start at the beginning. Should you even bring your dog camping?

Assessing Your Dog’s Personality

Honestly, it depends on your dog’s personality.

Guinness is active and loves being outside, so camping suits him perfectly. He’s also pretty good around people and other dogs.

Inverhuron Provincial Park - Guinness the dog running at the beach

Consider if your dog feels comfortable around new environments, strange noises, wildlife, and other campers.

Also, ask yourself if your dog is well-behaved around strangers and other animals.

If you’re unsure, start with short trips to test things out.

Health and Fitness Check

Considering your dog’s health and fitness is also pretty important.

For example, really young puppies and older dogs with health issues may not be a good fit for camping.

This year, our son made sure to schedule a quick vet visit before camping season.

He wanted to make sure that Guinness is up to date on vaccinations and preventive medications.

Point Farms Provincial Park - Guinness and I at our campsite

Tick and flea treatments are especially important to be up to date on.

Another great tip is to know your dog’s physical limits. This helps to avoid any unexpected health issues while camping, or especially while out for a hike.

Guinness is energetic, but we always monitor how he’s doing, especially on longer hikes in hot weather.

Pinery Provincial Park - Lady walking on the beach with her dog — Scarlett enjoying a short walk on the beach

However, when my mom brought her 9-year-old Frenchie mix camping, “Scarlett” was only able to handle short walks and needed plenty of shade, or she became uncomfortable.

Choosing the Right Campsite for Dogs

Choosing the perfect campsite is always at the top of our list, whether we travel with or without pets.

But when Guinness accompanies us, it’s extra important.

Since John and I normally camp in Ontario Provincial Parks, we make sure to book sites in dog-friendly campgrounds, just in case the Granddog joins us.

Sometimes Ontario Parks will have pet-free campgrounds, like Awenda Provincial Park’s Snake Campground.

In this case, you would have to look at one of the other campgrounds in the park.

However, other parks will only have pet-free campsites, like Algonquin Provincial Park, which has specific campsites within the Achray, Canisbay, Mew Lake, and Pog Lake Campgrounds that are pet-free.

Most campgrounds will clearly list their pet policies online, so you should not have any issues when looking for the perfect location.

. Leave empty if the image is purely decorative.

In my opinion, parks that offer designated pet areas, trails, and even pet-friendly sections on the beach definitely make life easier.

When picking your exact spot, we would recommend choosing a larger site with mature trees that will give your dog plenty of space to move around, shade, and a buffer from your neighbours.

Most Ontario Parks, as well as conservation areas and many private campgrounds, will provide photos of the campsite, so you know exactly what you are getting.

Pinery Provincial Park - Dog at the beach — Scarlett napping in the shade after a swim at the beach.

Since Guinness loves a good nap in the shade after a morning hike, he’s appreciative of the sites with large trees that we tend to choose.

🌿. Pro Tip: Watch for poison ivy in the parks, on the trails and even around your campsite! While off-leash, your pet could easily bring poison ivy back to the campsite on their fur without your knowledge and spread it to you and all your gear.

Etiquette for Camping with Dogs

This is a big one!

Following campground etiquette is important for the safety and enjoyment of everyone around you, but most importantly, your dog.

Campground Leash Rules

First and foremost, make sure that you are familiar with leash laws.

Sandbanks Provincial Park - Guinness the dog running on the dog beach

Most campgrounds require dogs to be leashed at all times. Some even mention the maximum length that the leash can be (i.e. Ontario Parks require your leash to be no longer than 6 feet, or 2 metres).

Most parks will allow dogs to be off-leash in pet exercise areas, and even while in the water on the pet-friendly beaches.

Ferris Provincial Park - Leash-Free Area

I think the nicest off-leash area that we have seen in an Ontario Park was at Ferris Provincial Park.

Not only was the area fenced, but there were benches inside and out that were shaded, dog waste bags were provided, and there was even a water tap in the run!

We keep Guinness on a comfortable 6 ft leash around the campsite, allowing him a little freedom without bothering neighbours.

Quiet Hours

Another rule to be aware of is that campgrounds have quiet hours, and that applies to dogs as well.

Always be ready to calm your dog if he gets too excited.

This is where knowing your dog’s personality will come in handy.

Inverhuron Provincial Park - Guinness the dog sleeping in the van

We know that Guinness may let out a couple of barks if strangers (or other animals) approach.

But we also know that he doesn’t bark nonstop in that situation.

Cleaning Up After Your Dog

Cleaning up after your dog is non-negotiable.

Pack plenty of waste bags and know the proper disposal spots around your campground.

Dog Waste Disposal at Campground Comfort Station

For example, when we were camping at Inverhuron Provincial Park, we noticed dog waste disposals located at the comfort stations.

Besides, leaving no trace is good etiquette and helps keep camping areas welcoming for everyone.

Respecting Wildlife and Other Campers

Your dog should never interfere with the enjoyment of other campers.

This means making sure your dog is not wandering into other campsites uninvited, barking incessantly or at all hours (like we mentioned above), or chasing other dogs on the trails and in other areas of the park.

Inverhuron Provincial Park - Us walking on the Tulip Trail

Dogs should also not be allowed to chase wildlife.

Squirrels, birds, raccoons or even bears may live in the park, and your dog should not be allowed to interact with them.

Now, if your dog alerts you to large animals like bears, that’s perfectly fine! I say give them an extra treat in that case!

🐶 Insider Tip: You can check out all of the pet regulations at Ontario Parks here.

Safety Concerns for Dogs While Camping

There are several safety concerns to keep in mind when bringing your dog along on a camping trip.

Wildlife Encounters

As we just mentioned, respecting wildlife is important.

Wildlife encounters can be dangerous, so it’s pretty important that your dog responds well to commands.

Guinness has a really good recall command, but we would not want to test this during an encounter with a wild animal!

Point Farms Provincial Park - Famiy bike ride including the dog

Another way to keep wildlife encounters to a minimum is by keeping a clean campsite.

All food scented items, including your dog’s food, should be stored in your RV, tow vehicle, or provided bear bins to avoid attracting wildlife.

This includes garbage and recycling.

We once had a cheeky raccoon at Sibbald Point Provincial Park steal our garbage bag right off the picnic table, WHILE we were sitting a couple of feet away!

At the end of the day, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the risks of local wildlife before your trip, or at the very least, when you enter the campground.

If you are unsure of what lives in the area, ask the park wardens or staff when you arrive.

In fact, we are often alerted to bears in the area by park staff during check-in.

Common Health Issues

A good pet owner also knows how to recognize common health issues like overheating, insect bites or other injuries.

Overheating

Dogs can easily overheat, especially active breeds like Guinness, or older dogs like Scarlett.

Point Farms Provincial Park - Guinness the dog in the water

If you are spending the day at the beach or on a gruelling hike, be sure to carry extra water and a collapsible bowl, and take regular breaks in the shade.

Ticks

Ticks are a very real problem for both people and dogs when camping. And the tough part is that they can make you pretty sick.

So not only do we make sure that Guinness is up to date on his shots, but our son also regularly checks him for ticks, especially after hiking through grassy areas.

Inverhuron Provincial Park - Enjoying our hike

Make sure that you have a pair of tweezers or tick removers in your camping gear, and be thorough with your checks.

Cuts & Scrapes

We always check Guinness for cuts and scrapes after we have been on a hike, or even after a walk on the beach.

Rocks or shells can easily cut the pads on a dog’s paw or between their toes.

We have also gotten cuts and scrapes on a hike from branches or weeds that grow over the trails.

First Aid Kit for Dogs

With everything that we mentioned above, it makes sense that we carry a first aid kit just for the dog.

A dog-specific first aid kit should contain essentials like bandages, tweezers, tick removers, antiseptic wipes, and paw balm.

Sandbanks Provincial Park - Guinness the dog at the Woodlands Campground

It’s also a good idea to know where the closest veterinary clinic is, just in case of a serious emergency.

Camping with Your Dog Checklist – What’s Essential & What’s Just Nice to Have

We are overpackers. And unfortunately, our son has inherited that trait!

This is why Guinness has his own bag when he comes camping!

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad thing! We never have to worry that our Granddog doesn’t have everything that he needs for a great camping trip.

Sandbanks Provincial Park - Family on the beach at dusk

We suggest having a packing list for your dog, just as you would have one for yourself when you travel.

We have broken down our packing list into 2 sections: Must-Have items that you should not be without, and Helpful Items are good to have but not absolutely necessary.

Must-Have Camping Items for Dogs

Food, water, and portable bowls – Keep your dog hydrated and fed on the go. Don’t forget treats!
Dog first aid kit – Handle minor injuries promptly and effectively.
Comfortable leash, collar or harness and ID tags – Important for safety and identification in case the dog gets lost.
Ground Spike – Somewhere to anchor your dog in the campsite if there are no appropriate trees.
Waste bags – Maintain cleanliness and leave no trace.
Dog bed or sleeping pad – Helps your dog have a comfortable and restful sleep.

Inverhuron Provincial Park - Guinness the dog in our campsite

Optional but Helpful Camping Items for Dogs

Separate backpack for hiking – Make sure that your furry friend has all the essentials when out on the trails.
Extra towels for cleanup – Useful for wet or muddy paws and fur.
Favourite toys or comfort items – Help your dog feel secure and more at home.
Dog-friendly tent or shelter accessories – Provide extra comfort and protection from the elements.
Dog Enclosure – Some kind of playpen or exercise pen for smaller dogs.
Life Jacket for Your Dog – Keep your dog safe if you are paddling.

Selkirk Provincial Park - Man and Dog out on Paddleboard

Preparing Your Dog for Camping

One of the best ways to ensure a successful camping trip with your dog is to do a little pre-trip training and prep.

Pre-Trip Training

Some of the best pre-training things to do at home include:

Practicing commands your dog should know (e.g., sit, come here, stay).
Introducing your dog to tents and camping gear at home.
Leash or harness training.
Training the dog to stay leashed to a fixed point, like a tree or a ground spike.
Getting the dog used to sleeping in a tent or in the car.
Getting the dog used to longer car rides.

Sandbanks Provincial Park - Guinness the Dalmatian sitting in our campsite

🚨 Pro Tip: If your dog is not used to children, be extra careful until you know how they will react. Take them to places prior to camping where you can expose them to kids. Guinness gets a fair amount of attention from kids (he’s the “firedog” after all), so we are extra careful. Good thing he’s ok with littles!

Test Runs

Of course, if you are unsure how your dog will react, you can always try a couple of test runs.

Try backyard camping to get the dog used to sleeping in a tent.
Do day-trips to conservation areas to get the dog used to the car rides.
Take the dog to a public beach or park to get them used to other people and dogs being around.
Go for single-night camping trips to get a good feel for how your dog will react.

Activities to Enjoy With Your Dog While Camping

So part of the fun of bringing your fur baby camping is getting to do all your favourite activities together.

Some of the things we like to do with Guinness include:

Hiking
Biking (Guinness runs alongside)
Trail runs
Swimming
Playing on the beach (fetch, frisbee, etc)

Sandbanks Provincial Park - The kids and Guinness in the water at the beach

Some things that we have not tried, but are planning to include:

Canoeing
Paddleboarding

The important thing to remember is to make sure that your dog is ok with the activities that you are planning.

While Guinness loves hikes and swimming, Scarlett did not. She preferred chilling by the campfire and sleeping in our beach tent.

Inverhuron Provincial Park - Guinness the dog at the beach

And while water activities like swimming or canoeing can provide hours of fun, we really would suggest investing in a dog life jacket for safety.

Camping with Your Dog – FAQs

Pinery Provincial Park - Family at the beach with the dog

Can I leave my dog alone at the campsite?

No! You should not be leaving your dog alone at a campsite. Dogs can become anxious or disruptive when left in unfamiliar surroundings. Not to mention, they could overheat in an RV or tent, or get hurt when they encounter the local wildlife.

What should I do if my dog barks excessively?

If barking is a concern, train your dog to respond to calming commands or distraction techniques ahead of time. Bring toys and treats as a distraction.

Are there dog-friendly national parks?

Many parks allow dogs, but usually with restrictions. Research each park’s policies carefully before planning your visit.

What if my dog has allergies?

For mild allergies, always carry medications prescribed by your vet. If your dog has severe environmental allergies, then maybe camping is not the best option.

How do I help my dog sleep comfortably outdoors?

We don’t advise allowing your dog to sleep outdoors at night. But for daytime naps, providing a familiar bed and a nice spot of shade would make all the difference.

Inverhuron Provincial Park - Crossing the park road to get to the trail

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, camping with your dog can be a fantastic time when you prepare well.

The best thing you can do is research ahead of time and plan for your dog’s comfort, health, and safety.

With the right planning, your fur baby will become the ultimate camping companion, bringing endless joy and memorable experiences to your adventures.