Hiking, Camping, and Backpacking With Dogs: The Ultimate Guide

Most dogs love outdoor adventures like hiking, camping, and backpacking. However, bringing your dog along on your adventures requires some extra planning and preparation to ensure it’s a safe and enjoyable trip. This guide covers everything you need to know about adventuring outdoors with your dog including gear lists, tips for different climates, and dog-friendly places.

Pros and Cons

There are numerous pros to hiking, camping, and backpacking with dogs.

• Dogs will alert you of nearby wild animals.
• They can also deter people who may have malintent. This is especially beneficial if you are enjoying the outdoors alone.
• For solo adventurers, dogs also offer companionship.
• They will provide much joy and entertainment on your trip.
• They can help motivate you to keep going on a strenuous hike.
• On cold nights in the tent, a dog can help keep you warm.

While there are some cons to going on outdoor adventures with your dog, they are easily mitigated with proper planning.

• Your dog will need enough food and water for your trip. For long hikes or backpacking trips, the weight of this extra food and water can be a concern. An easy way to mitigate this is to train your dog to carry its own pack.
• There are some restrictions to where dogs are allowed in the outdoors, but don’t let this get you down. There are so many great hiking trails and campgrounds that are dog-friendly.
• Outdoor adventures with dogs require you to be hypervigilant of any potential dangers to your pet. However, proper training will make the trip more enjoyable for both of you.

The more knowledge you have, the more you can mitigate any potential downsides and ensure that hiking, camping, and backpacking with your dog are purely positive experiences. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to have lots of great outdoor adventures with your pup.

Before Your Trip

If you have a new puppy and you love hiking, you are probably eager to hit the trail with your new pet. However, your puppy may not be ready for hiking quite yet. A puppy’s bones and muscles are still developing during its first year of life.

Puppies should start with short walks and build up to longer hikes as they get older. A general rule of thumb is five minutes of hiking per month of your dog’s age. For example, a 3-month-old puppy should not walk for more than 15 minutes at a time. Once your dog is one year old, they can safely go on one-hour hikes.

For dogs under one year old, it is best to avoid steep or rocky hikes. Because the dog’s body is still developing, injuries at this stage of life can be extremely detrimental. Choose flat, smooth hiking trails for your puppy’s first adventures.

Older dogs may also struggle to do big miles. However, age is not the only determinant of how strenuous of a hike your dog can handle. The breed, size, previous injuries, and overall health of your dog are important factors as well. Your vet can help you figure out how much outdoor activity is right for your dog.

Maintaining your adult dog’s health is essential for it being able to continue going on adventures with you throughout its life. If your dog’s breed is prone to joint, hip, or knee problems, consider giving it a daily glucosamine and chondroitin supplement. These supplements help with joint health. They can prevent or ease arthritis to keep your pup hiking for years.

Vaccines and Preventative Medicines

Your dog should have all of its shots before you take it hiking or camping for the first time. The standard shots recommended by vets in the U.S. are rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus are often given in one vaccine referred to as DHPP.

Puppies will need 2-3 rounds of these vaccines in their first year of life. Boosters of the vaccines should be given every 1-3 years. You should receive the exact schedule of vaccines from your vet as the time between boosters varies.

For dogs that will be going hiking or camping, you may also want to consider vaccines for leptospirosis and Lyme disease. Leptospirosis can be contracted from rodents and standing water, so it is possible for your dog to be exposed to this disease on your outdoor adventures.

Lyme disease is contracted from ticks which your dog is likely to pick up on hiking and camping trips. Therefore, this vaccine is highly recommended for adventure dogs. Talk to your vet about how often your dog needs a Lyme disease vaccine booster. As an alternative to the Lyme disease vaccine, you can give your dog a monthly tick prevention medicine.

If you live in an area with mosquitos, vets recommend that you also give your dog a monthly heartworm medicine. Additionally, your dog should be on a flea medicine regardless of where you live or how often you go on outdoor adventures.

This may seem like a lot of medicines to administer to your dog every month. However, you can purchase one medicine that prevents ticks, fleas, and heartworms at the same time. The medicine comes in two forms: a chewable pill and a liquid that is put onto the dog’s back. See the table below for a few samples of tick, flea, and heartworm prevention methods available on Amazon.

Last update on 2024-11-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Training for Adventure Dogs

Dogs should be able to walk with a loose leash before they start hiking. If your dog pulls on walks, it can be annoying, but when you start hiking and backpacking, this behavior can become dangerous. Loose leash walking helps protect you and your dog on rough, steep trails.

If you are still training your dog, make sure to bring your training gear with you on your outdoor adventure. This includes treats, a clicker, a water squirt bottle, or whatever else you use to train your dog.

Below is a list of specific dog commands that will be beneficial on your camping, hiking, and backpacking trips. Keep in mind that you do not have to use the exact words listed below. You can use any words you like for your dog commands or even use hand signals.

• Heel: This sends a signal to your dog that it needs to immediately move to your side. You can train your dog to heel to your left or right side. If you have two dogs, you can train each to heel to one side of you.
• Stay: This command is really important when hiking because it can prevent your dog from coming in contact with dangerous animals, plants, or terrain.
• Okay: This is a release command. It signals to your dog that it no longer has to stay or heel. It’s a great way to tell your dog that it’s time to start walking again.
• Come: While similar to heel, come is more often used when a dog is off-leash far away from you. It signals to your dog that it needs to immediately make its way back to you.
• Focus: This less common command tells your dog to look at you. This is essential if you want to use hand signals for commands, because your dog needs to be looking at you to see the signals. The focus command can be a word or a noise.
• Leave it: This is the command that I personally use the most when hiking with my dogs. It tells them to ignore something that has their attention such as another animal, discarded food, or smelly trash. Using this command effectively can prevent your dog from being injured.
• Drop it: This signals for your dog to drop whatever object is in its mouth. If you weren’t able to use the “leave it” command fast enough, this is a great back-up.
• Back: Another great command to prevent injury, back means to walk backward a few feet. For example, you can tell your dog to back away if it gets too close to a hot fire or a steep cliff.
• Speak: This command can protect you as well. If there is a wild animal on the trail or at your campsite, you can tell your dog to bark to alert the other animal of your presence or scare it away.

Preparing for the Car Ride

Going camping, hiking, or backpacking often requires a long drive to the location of your adventure. When preparing for the trip, it’s important to prepare for the car ride too.

Dogs can get car sickness just like humans. And, like us, they may experience it worse on windy, mountain roads. If you are not sure how your dog is going to react to the car ride yet, pack extra towels and disinfectant just in case you need to clean up a mess. To help keep your car clean, you can purchase a removable backseat cover. They are easy to install, remove, and clean.

It can be unsafe for your dog to move around in the car while you are driving. For smaller dogs, a pet carrier is a great way to keep your pup safe in a moving vehicle. You can also purchase a dog seatbelt. Seatbelts for dogs clip into your car like a regular seatbelt and attach to your dog’s collar or harness. Seatbelts can be used for all sizes of dogs.

When you’re getting in and out of the car, consider picking up dogs that are young, old, or prone to joint problems. While your dog may try to jump in or out of the car, eager to start the adventure, this can be really hard on its body. When training your dog, it is helpful to train it to stay in the car after you open the door until you pick it up or give it the “okay” command to jump out safely.

Hot Weather

Imagine wearing a fur coat while hiking on a hot day. It wouldn’t be enjoyable, and it could be dangerous. Your dog can’t take off its fur coat, so it should not hike on hot or even warm days. Make sure to check the weather before you head out for your hike or backpacking trip.

Large dogs, overweight dogs, and senior dogs are more susceptible to the negative effects of heat than other dogs. The general recommendation is that no dog should hike in temperatures above 90°. For temperatures between 70° and 90°, exercise caution when hiking with your dog. When temperatures are above 70° avoid long hikes on paved trails as concrete and asphalt get hotter much faster than dirt and grass.

When planning a camping trip in warm or hot weather, choose a campground that has shade. If you are going camping in an area that doesn’t have a lot of shade, consider purchasing a pop-up shade structure. Click here to shop for one online. Alternatively, you can build your own shade structure at your campsite. All you need is a tarp and some rope. You can also use one of the best dog carrier backpacks to aid your best friend if they need a little boost on the trip.

Cold Weather

If you live in a cold climate, you may wonder, how cold is too cold for camping? That depends on the breed of your dog and the thickness of its fur. Generally speaking, below 10° is considered too cold for dogs that aren’t acclimated to cold weather. Consult your vet to figure out the low temperatures that are safe for your dog.

If you will be camping at a high altitude, check the weather using this website before you go. It provides specific forecasts for different altitudes on many mountain ranges across the world. Make sure to check the overnight lows as temperatures can drop drastically, especially at high altitudes.

Packing Lists

When adventuring with your dog, there are some items you will need to pack in addition to your normal gear. The lists below only cover dog-specific items. Don’t forget to pack all your regular gear as well!

Camping List

Here’s a basic list of dog-specific gear to pack for your camping trip:

• Food and water bowls: Big bowls that are sturdy and not easy to tip over are best.
• Food: You should feed your dog its normal food brand and serving size on camping trips. Camping is not the time to experiment with new dog foods. Pre-measure the amount of food you will need and seal it in ziplock bags. I usually bring an extra day’s worth of food in case of an emergency.
• Water: It is recommended to bring at least one gallon of water per day for each dog. Just like at home, you should set up a water bowl for your dog as soon as you get to the campsite. I suggest dumping the water bowl out each night when you are ready to go to bed to avoid attracting other animals and bugs to the standing water.
• A rope or cable to tether your dog at the campsite: Any sturdy rope or cable will do. You can bring a stake to secure the rope or tie it to the picnic table at the campsite.
• A leash for walks around the campground: Your normal leash is fine. Most campgrounds require dogs to be on a leash of no more than 6 feet long.
• Waste bags: Bring more dog waste bags than you think you will need as it would be unfortunate to run out. Just like walks in your neighborhood, make sure to dispose of your dog’s solid waste in a trash can.
• Extra blankets: Bring at least one blanket for inside the tent and one for outside. The material of the blankets should depend on how cold it will be.
• A jacket for camping in cold weather: A jacket is particularly important if your dog has short, thin fur. Dog jackets can be purchased online here.
• A comfort item: Camping can be stressful for some dogs because they are in a new, strange environment. Bringing one of its favorite toys or stuffed animals from home provides some comfort for an anxious dog.

Hiking List

For a day hike, here’s a list of items you should pack for your dog:

• At least 8 ounces of water per hour of hiking per dog
• A collapsible water bowl: I like to use one with a carabiner so that I can clip it to my dog’s harness. Then, I have one less thing to carry!
• At least three dog waste bags per dog
• A dog-specific first aid kit

Backpacking List

The packing list for backpacking is similar to those for camping and hiking. The main difference is that for backpacking, you want all your gear to be as lightweight as possible.

• A collapsible bowl: Use the same bowl for food and water to save space and reduce weight.
• Water or a water purification device if you will be backpacking near natural water sources
• Pre-measured dog food in a ziplock bag
• Dog waste bags or a lightweight shovel to bury your dog’s solid waste
• A dog-specific first aid kit

Best Outdoor Gear for Dog Owners

Some people go crazy over gear while others like to keep it simple. Whatever your style, there are some pieces of gear that will make camping, hiking, and backpacking with your dog more comfortable and enjoyable.

Camping Gear

One of the key pieces of gear for any camping trip is a tent. When camping with a dog, any tent is fine as long as there is enough space for you, your human companions, and your canine companion, but you can find some of our recommendations for the best tents for camping with dogs. You may also want to keep your pack with your clothes and first aid kit in the tent, so make sure your tent has enough space for gear too.

Tents with some low mesh windows are ideal for camping with dogs because they like to be able to see out of the tent. I recommend this weatherproof Coleman tent which comes in four different sizes.

Another option to consider is a separate tent just for your dog. You will need to make the choice based on your knowledge of your pet, but the best tents for dogs is a great place to start your research.

Another essential piece of camping gear is a light source such as a headlight or lantern. It’s helpful for your dog to have its own light as well. I highly recommend you purchase a light that clips to your dog’s collar. That way you can keep track of your dog after dark. I like this clip on light from Nite Ize because it’s rechargeable, lasts up to ten hours, is weather-resistant, and has four different color options.

At most campsites, you will need to tie up your dog. I recommend a corkscrew stake and heavy-duty cable. It’s strong enough to stay in the ground even when your 70-pound dog tries to run after a lizard (I’m speaking from experience). It comes with an attachable 20 feet cable, but you can also easily attach your regular dog leash or a sturdy rope to give your pup less or more roaming space.

Hiking and Backpacking Gear

For longer treks, whether they are day hikes or multi-day backpacking trips, you may want to purchase dog hiking boots. Dog paws are tougher than human feet, but they are still susceptible to the elements. Dog boots are particularly beneficial in hot climates because the bottom of a dog’s paws can burn on a hot trail.

These dog boots are made of waterproof, anti-slip material and have a reflective strip for visibility in the dark. Boots also protect your dog’s paws from scrapes when walking on rocks or other rugged terrains.

While you can hike with your dog’s regular leash, I recommend you upgrade to a leash with a waist belt, so you can hike hands-free. I use this one. The leash is made of bungee material to absorb some of the shock when your dog pulls. The feature I love the most is the two handles that make it easy to control and navigate your dog on the trail.

It’s also a good idea to carry a dog-specific emergency kit. Click here to shop for a premade dog first aid kit on Amazon. If you prefer to put together your own doggy emergency kit, here’s a list of items you should include:

• Tweezers for removing splinters or ticks
• Instant cold pack to prevent dangerous overheating
• Hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting
• An emergency blanket for freezing temperatures

Feel free to combine your dog’s first aid kit with your own, but make sure it specifically includes the above items.

Optional Gear

Trekking poles are a great piece of gear for hiking and backpacking on inclines and uneven terrain. Poles can help with balance, relieve some pressure on your knees, and give you more force to propel forward.

When hiking with a dog, you will need at least one free hand to grab the leash. Therefore, you should only use one trekking pole. If you don’t already own poles, you can purchase a single trekking pole online. I recommend this one as its adjustable, collapsible, and ultralight.

Another optional but convenient piece of gear is a pack for your dog. With its own pack, your dog can carry its own water and food which alleviates some of the weight in your own pack. A healthy dog can carry up to 25% of its body weight, but just like people, dogs need to build up endurance for hiking with a full pack. Start with short hikes with your dog’s pack weight around 10% of its body weight, and slowly increase from there. There are numerous good options for the best dog backpacks for dogs to wear when hiking or backpacking.

To determine the right size backpack for your dog, measure the circumference of the widest part of its rib cage. This Ruffwear dog pack is a good choice available on Amazon and comes in four sizes. Make sure to pack both sides of the backpack with equal weight so that you don’t disrupt your dog’s balance.

Your dog may be a bit scared on its first camping trip. It is in a new place with unfamiliar sounds and smells. If your dog isn’t used to being outside in the dark, it may get scared and bark more at night. Also, dog’s struggle to see at dusk and dawn, so your dog may bark or act more easily spooked during these times. When in the tent at night, your dog may have a hard time falling asleep.

If your dog is particularly anxious on camping trips, you can try giving it CBD oil. If you have never given your dog CBD oil, I recommend testing it out at home first. Negative reactions to CBD are rare and usually mild, but they do occur. Click here to shop for dog-friendly CBD products.

You can also get your dog their own sleeping bag to sleep in. There are multiple options to customize your trip with your pet. These best sleeping bags for dogs will give you lots to think about.

During Your Adventure

After you have done all the necessary preparation and packing, it’s time for the fun part! You are bound to have a great time while adventuring with your dog if you follow the guidelines below.

Natural Water Sources

Your dog may instinctively drink from a creek or lake that you come across on a hike. However, like humans, dogs are susceptible to waterborne pathogens, so it is recommended to filter your dog’s water just as you do for yourself.

If you backpack in areas with natural water sources, you are most likely familiar with the various water filtration systems on the market. My personal favorite is the Sawyer Squeeze Mini. It’s lightweight and simple to use. It screws on to most water bladders and smart bottles. You can then squeeze the water through the filter into your dog’s bowl.

Packing in Water

If you are hiking on a trail that doesn’t have any natural water sources, you should bring at least one gallon of water per ten miles of trail per dog. Don’t forget your collapsible bowl.

Some hikers train their dogs to drink directly from a hydration bladder tube, so they don’t have to bring an extra bowl. If the thought of sharing your water with your dog seems unsanitary, don’t worry. You can drip the water into your dog’s mouth without it touching the bladder tube.

Food Storage

If you are camping or backpacking in an area where there are active bears or bear-proof storage is required, then your dog’s food must be stored accordingly as well. In bear country, many developed campgrounds have bear lockers that are spacious and easy to use. Any time you leave your campsite and when you go to sleep at night, put your dog’s food in the locker along with all your other food, toiletries, and smelly items.

If you are backpacking in bear country, your dog food needs to go in your bear can at night. Some backpackers also put their dishes in their bear cans since the dishes smell like food. If your dog’s food bowl doesn’t fit in your bear can, place the bowl at least 20 feet away from your tent at night to ensure you and your dog stay safe from bears. I put a rock in the bowl to keep it from being moved by animals or wind while I’m sleeping.

On-leash Versus Off-leash

Following the leash guidelines on trails and in campgrounds is essential for keeping your dog safe. An outdoor area may look safe at first glance, but a curious dog who if off-leash may come in contact with poisonous plants or dangerous animals such as snakes. Even deer can be dangerous to your pet as they may kick if they feel threatened by an approaching dog.

Most developed campgrounds and trails require dogs to be on a leash that is six feet long or less. This allows you to maintain maximum control over your dog.

While at your campsite, your dog should also be tethered. If your dog is the curious type, it will likely want to roam around the campsite taking in all the new sights and smells. Be mindful of any picnic tables, fire pits, or trees that it can get tangled on. The key is to tether the dog in a place where they can safely explore their surroundings without getting tangled up. The length of the tether will depend on the campsite space and proximity to other sites, roads, or trails.

If you are in an area that allows dogs to be off-leash, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to let any dog run freely. For a dog to safely be off-leash in a wilderness area, it should:

• Be non-aggressive towards all people and other animals
• Respond to your voice commands at all times
• Have a good amount of experience in nature

Pet Waste

When hiking and backpacking, the guidelines for pet waste are the same as those for humans. Your pet should relieve itself at least 200 feet away from any water sources, trails, and campsites when possible. Some areas with sensitive vegetation or high use may have even greater distancing requirements. Make sure to check the specific requirements for waste in the area you are going to.

For solid waste, you have two options:

1. Pick up the waste with a dog waste bag and carry it out with you. Most trailheads have trash cans, so you can throw the waste away before you head home.
2. Bury your dog’s solid waste at least six feet deep. Make sure to cover the hole completely. You can use a stick or rock to dig the hole, or you can purchase a lightweight trowel. The Deuce Trowel from The Tent Lab is a favorite among backpackers because it’s sturdy but weighs less than half a pound.

When day hiking, packing out dog waste is the preferable option for most dog owners. For multi-day backpacking trips, most choose to bury their dog’s waste. The exception is if you are unable to dig a hole, for example, in a very dry desert or on a rocky, alpine mountain. In these cases, you should pack out your dog’s waste.

Monitoring Your Dog’s Health

Hot weather is one of the most dangerous elements to your dog on outdoor adventures. When it’s hot out, take lots of breaks and avoid hiking during the warmest parts of the day. It’s also important to know how to spot the early signs of overheating so that you can keep your dog safe.

• If your dog is laying down a lot during the hike or consistently seeking shade, it may be overheating. An overheated dog needs to cease physical activity and get to a cool place as soon as possible. It also helps to pour some cold water on your overheated dog.
• Panting is normal for dogs when exercising, but heavy, continuous panting may be a sign that your dog needs a break. You should rest in the shade until your dog stops continuously panting.
• Drooling when exercising is also normal for dogs. However, if your dog is drooling more than usual, this is a sign of overheating.

In addition to being vigilant for signs of overheating, you should check your dog’s paws regularly during the trip for any signs of cracking or blisters. Apply a balm to your dog’s paws if you notice any blemishes.

Even if the trail doesn’t feel hot to the touch, it can be hot enough to damage your dog’s paws. To get a better idea of what a trail feels like to your dog on a hot day, place the top of your hand on the trail in a sunny spot for approximately one minute. If it starts to feel uncomfortably hot, then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.

At the end of a hike or camping trip, do a complete check of your dog’s body for ticks. Ticks can hide in hard to see places such as inside your dog’s ears, under its tail, and between its toes. They can even hide under a dog’s eyelashes! If you find a tick, it needs to be removed by a vet as soon as possible. The vet may also recommend a blood test to see if your dog has contracted Lyme disease from the tick.

Where You Can and Can’t Go With Your Dog

With many different types of public and private lands available for exploring, it can be overwhelming to figure out where you can and can’t take your dog. This section covers all the types of outdoor lands you may want to adventure on with your pup.

National Parks

While the country’s national parks offer unparalleled beauty, many of their trails and backcountries are not open to dogs. This can be frustrating to those of us who love to explore nature with our canine companions, but the rules are in place to protect the parks. Dogs can damage wildlife and antagonize wild animals.

Where dogs can go in national parks is extremely limited, but it is still possible to bring your canine companion on your trip. Dogs are allowed in many developed campgrounds, on dirt roads, and on some short trails.

National Forests

U.S. national forests are generally less popular than national parks, so they offer quieter outdoor adventure spaces for you and your pup. Dogs are allowed in all national forests.

In developed campgrounds, recreation areas, and on interpretive trails, dogs must be on leashes no longer than six feet. On most other trails and in the backcountry, dogs can be off-leash as long as they are not aggressive and they remain under your voice control.

Most national forests also allow dispersed camping with dogs. Dispersed camping means you can camp anywhere in the forest for free as long as camping is not expressly prohibited in that area.

BLM Land

BLM stands for the Bureau of Land Management. BLM lands are mainly located in the western U.S. They are less maintained than national parks and forests, and they offer less amenities such as picnic tables and restrooms.

BLM lands are very dog friendly. Dogs can be off-leash on most undeveloped BLM lands. In developed areas such as campgrounds and trails, dogs must be leashed. Some BLM areas have specific rules about dogs, so make sure to check the area you are going to before you head out for your adventure.

State Parks and Beaches

The rules for dogs in state parks and beaches vary by state. They may also vary from park to park within a state. You can use this list to find the specific pet policies for state parks in your state.

Unlike national forests and BLM lands, most state parks do not allow off-leash dogs in any part of the park. In many state parks, dogs are allowed on trails and in campgrounds, but they must be leashed at all times. Dogs are prohibited on most state beaches.

Private Campgrounds

Private campgrounds often offer more amenities than public lands such as showers, swimming pools, and camp stores. Some private campgrounds even have their own dog parks.

Because private campgrounds are privately owned, each one creates its own rules about dogs and other pets. Most private campgrounds list their pet policies on their websites. If you can’t find the policy online, contact the campground before your trip.