Camping With Your Dog: How to Plan a Safe and Supportive Trip Together

Camping with your dog can be peaceful, grounding, and connection-building—here’s how to make it work for both of you.

Camping with your dog can be one of the most rewarding ways to build connection, explore nature, and create lasting memories together.

But if your dog is sensitive, anxious, or reactive, it can also feel intimidating to even consider.

The good news is - with the right preparation, training, and expectations, camping can become an enriching, confidence-boosting experience for both of you.

In this guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to consider—from gear and training prep to site selection, behavioral considerations, and safety practices—to make your camping trip feel like an exhale, not a stressor.

Essential Dog Gear for Camping

When you're planning a camping trip with your dog, it's easy to get caught up in the human gear checklist—but your dog has their own needs to consider, too.

Whether you're heading into the mountains, woods, or a private site in the countryside, having the right dog camping gear can make or break the experience.

Here’s what your dog actually needs to stay safe, comfortable, and calm at camp:

• A secure harness and long line

• Tick and flea prevention (monthly treatment plus extra protection if needed)

• Reflective or light-up gear for low-light visibility

• Familiar items like a mat, chew, or toy for comfort

• A dog-specific first aid kit

• Shade (like a pop-up canopy or reflective blanket)

Training Prerequisites: Set Them Up for Success

When it comes to camping with your dog, gear alone isn’t enough. What truly makes the difference is behavior—especially in novel, unpredictable environments.

Nature is full of distractions, from wildlife scents to nighttime noises, and your dog needs the tools to navigate those moments calmly and safely.

Before you head into the woods or even plan that first overnight, spend some time reinforcing the foundational skills that will make the experience smoother for both of you.

These behaviors aren’t just helpful—they’re essential for managing freedom responsibly and reducing stress for sensitive or reactive dogs.

Core Behaviors to Practice Before Camping:

• Recall: Your dog should be able to come when called reliably, even with distractions.

• Stationing/Mat Work: Helps with decompression, boundary setting, and fire safety.

• Leave It/Drop It: Critical for unfamiliar objects, wildlife, and trash.

• Tent Desensitization: Practice calmly entering and exiting a tent together.

Not sure where to start? Try a trial run in your backyard or set up a short overnight trip close to home. This gives you a chance to observe how your dog handles novel sounds, gear, and transitions—without the added pressure of being hours from home.

The more you can replicate the camping environment in advance, the more confident and prepared your dog will be when it’s time to hit the trail for real.

Choosing the Right Campsite

Not all campsites are created equal—especially when you’re camping with a reactive or sensitive dog. The location you choose can make or break your trip.

While it’s tempting to just book the closest campground and call it a day, the best site is one that actually supports your dog’s comfort level and emotional well-being.

If your dog is anxious, easily overstimulated, or reactive to people or other dogs, a crowded campground filled with unpredictable encounters will likely leave you both on edge. Instead, think about what your dog can truly handle—not just what would be convenient for you.

Here’s how to choose a dog-friendly campsite that’s better suited to calm connection and decompressing outdoors:

• Avoid: Crowded campgrounds or popular state parks if your dog is anxious or reactive.

• Consider: Private sites on platforms like Hipcamp* that offer more space and quiet.

• Check for: Rules around leash use, dog-friendliness, and nearby hiking opportunities.

Some sites even offer dog-friendly cabins or yurts, which can be a great in-between option if you’re not quite ready for tent camping but still want that immersive nature experience.

Choosing the right location is one of the most important things you can do to set your dog up for success. It’s not about isolation—it’s about intentionality. The more thoughtful you are with your surroundings, the easier it is for both of you to relax and actually enjoy the trip.

A moment of awe. Resting together after a long hike to the top.

Behavioral Considerations: Is Camping Right for Your Dog?

I’ll be honest: camping isn’t the right fit for every dog—and that’s okay.

Just like us, dogs have unique personalities, preferences, and thresholds. Some dogs thrive in new environments, adjusting quickly to the sounds of wind through the trees or the scent of a crackling campfire. Others may find the novelty of the outdoors overwhelming, overstimulating, or downright scary.

If your dog struggles with impulse control, reactivity to wildlife, sensitivity to kids or other dogs, or has difficulty settling in unfamiliar places, traditional camping might feel more like survival than enrichment.

And if that’s the case? You’re not failing them by recognizing that.

That said, many dogs can learn to enjoy camping with the right preparation and a thoughtful plan.

Start with shorter trips. Choose low-key environments. Practice outdoor skills gradually. With gentle exposure and realistic expectations, it’s absolutely possible for your dog to build confidence in the outdoors over time.

The key is to be radically honest about your dog’s current needs—not who you hope they’ll be one day. And if your dog isn’t ready for camping right now? That doesn’t mean never. It just means not yet.

Setting Up Camp (And setting the stage for your trip)

The way you handle your first hour at the campsite can make all the difference—especially when camping with a dog who’s sensitive, reactive, or easily overstimulated.

This is your opportunity to set the tone for the trip: calm, predictable, grounded, and FUN!

Dogs thrive on clarity and routine. And when you arrive at a campsite filled with new smells, sounds, and wide-open space, they’ll likely be buzzing with excitement or stress (or both). Rather than jumping straight into setup mode, take a moment to tune in to your dog first.

Here are a few ways to create a smooth and low-stress campsite transition:

• Let your dog stretch and sniff before setting up your gear. This helps release pent-up energy and gives them a chance to decompress after travel.

• Use a tie-out, long line, or portable x-pen to safely manage space. This gives your dog freedom without compromising safety while you work.

• Reinforce mat work while you pitch the tent or start the fire. Having a stationing behavior in place helps your dog settle and gives them a job to do.

• Manage energy: If you’ve been driving for hours, take a hike before setting up. A quick game or walk before unpacking helps prevent chaotic behavior around camp.

The best dog campsite setups are proactive, not reactive. A little planning—and a little patience—go a long way in helping your dog feel secure in a new space. When you start camp with clarity and calm, your dog is far more likely to mirror that energy right back.

Sleeping Arrangements

When camping with your dog, it’s essential to create a familiar and secure sleeping setup. Dogs rest best when their environment feels predictable—especially in a new place filled with unusual smells and sounds.

Think about where your dog sleeps at home and try to recreate that comfort:

• Crate sleeper? Bring the crate if space allows—it’s familiar and grounding.

• Floor sleeper? Use a mat, blanket, or elevated bed inside the tent for a cozy rest spot.

Expect some alert barking—especially the first night. A backyard practice run is a great way to get your dog used to sleeping in the tent and gives you a chance to reward calm behavior before your real trip.

Evenings by the fire. Practicing calm place work as the sun sets over the bay.

Campground Etiquette & Fire Safety

Great dog camping etiquette isn’t just about rules—it’s about creating a safe, respectful space for everyone. Being thoughtful helps ensure dogs continue to be welcomed in outdoor spaces.

A few key things to keep in mind:

• Follow leash laws and observe campground rules.

• Communicate with neighbors, especially if your dog is nervous or needs space.

• Manage barking after dark. Some is normal—just try to keep it minimal.

• Teach fire boundaries early. Use a mat, tie-out, or a strong “leave it.”

• Use management if you’re unsure of your dog’s impulse control.

If you can’t actively supervise your dog around the fire, tether them or use a barrier. Safety first—always.

Leave No Trace With Dogs

Part of responsible camping with dogs is minimizing your impact on the environment and other people. You’re not just camping—you’re representing all dog guardians in the outdoors.

Here’s what Leave No Trace looks like with dogs:

• Pick up and pack out all waste—even if it’s “natural,” it’s not native.

• Prevent wildlife chasing with a leash, long line, or strong recall.

• Keep your dog close, and out of neighboring campsites.

Be the kind of camper who makes it easier for others to say, “Yes, dogs are welcome here.”

(You can read the full 7 Principles of Leave No Trace here.)

Emergency Prep (Because they do happen)

Even with the best planning, things can go sideways. A little emergency prep for your dog can go a long way in keeping everyone safe and supported.

• Bring a dog-specific first aid kit—don’t rely on your human one.

• Learn basic pet first aid or take a quick course online.

• Use a long line if your recall isn’t fully reliable.

• Watch for signs of overheating, especially without AC.

• Always have fresh water available. Hydration is non-negotiable.

• And yes—it’s okay to leave early. Sometimes that’s the best choice for both of you.

Camping should feel adventurous, not stressful. Preparation makes that possible.

We train for this exact moment, so we can enjoy these days together.

camping with your dog...

...doesn’t have to look like the aesthetic van life pics you see on Instagram.

It can look like dirty paws, takeout dinners by the fire, and simple moments of trust in a tent.

It won’t be perfect. It might take a few tries. But it can be powerful.

With preparation, honesty, and patience, camping can become more than just a weekend away—it can become a ritual of reconnection.

See you on the trail!

Looking for your next step?

→ Book a free consult call — Let’s talk about your dog, what’s going on, and where you want to go. Whether it’s 1:1 training or finding the right resource, we’ll figure it out together.

→ Join me on Patreon — For just $5/month, you get access to hundreds of training and behavior videos, curated by a certified trainer who gets it.

About Mattison Skoog-Simpson

Mattison Skoog-Simpson is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) who helps overwhelmed dog guardians create calmer, more connected lives with their sensitive or complex dogs. She’s the founder of Freed by Training, a values-driven dog behavior practice rooted in science, compassion, and second chances.

Mattison’s approach is shaped by her own transformative journey, which began in a prison dog training program. Today, she’s known for helping people feel capable, supported, and confident as they navigate behavior challenges using humane, relationship-based methods.

Through her virtual programs, courses, podcasts, and writing, Mattison is on a mission to make ethical, sustainable training more accessible—and to prove that both dogs and their humans are capable of lasting change.

Learn more at freedbytraining.com or follow her on Instagram @freedbytraining.

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