The Best Dog Camping Gear: 19 Essentials for Active Dogs

With physical exertion, dogs, like people, can work up quite an appetite. Portland Pet Food Company Homestyle Dog Meals will make your dog look forward to camping just as much as you do. The human-grade dog food is ready to eat, no water required. The pouches come in a variety of flavors, including Turkey and Yams, Chicken and Yams, Salmon and Rice, Beef and Rice, and Pork and Potato. Serve them up as an irresistible topper, mixer, or complete meal. All are gluten-, grain-, and wheat-free, and come in a tear-top pouch. Pro tip: Pack a reusable bag, as the pouches aren’t resealable. But if your dogs are anything like mine, they’re happy to do any cleanup required.

[From $7; amazon.com]

Reward your dog frequently for good behavior, and they’re more likely to stay with you on the trail. Ruffwear Treat Trader Pouch keeps tasty snacks close at hand. It hangs on a quick-release adjustable webbing waistband. To get to treats, it snaps open one-handed with a pull tab, then snaps closed with magnets. And it’s hands-free for double-handed dispensing, which is convenient if you hike with a pack and not just a single pooch. Bend the rim to fit your waist comfortably (it’s designed to do that). A zippered front pocket holds poop bags, your car key on a lanyard, and even an e-collar remote. The bag’s waterproof liner is also grease-repelling. Even when I’ve carried lamb treats and other extra-oily yummies, the bag stays fresh.

[$39; amazon.com]

Keep your pup organized on their next camping trip with Orvis’ Tough Trail Chuckwagon Dog Tote. It keeps everything in one spot, so you can grab the bag and go on impromptu adventures without forgetting a thing. The tote comes with collapsible food and water bowls; a zippered food carrier held in place with removable internal dividers; and stretchy pockets for toys, meds, and more. Poop bags live on a dispenser cord in an outside pocket, while treats can be stashed in an additional exterior pocket. The tote is made from Cordura Eco, a material made from engineered recycled polyester yarn, and has a reinforced, water-repellent bottom for durability. 

[$149; orvis.com]

Whether you’re out for the day, an hour, or overnight, you and your dog need water. Chums Trail Dawg Waistpack has space for two bottles—one for you and one for your furry friend, as well as a collapsible dog bowl in a zip pouch. A zippered phone compartment on the front of the pack is touch-screen compatible, and the hip pack has plenty of room for snacks, poop bags, and more. Cinching straps at the sides compress the pack so the load doesn’t pull on your back.

[$35; amazon.com]

Conserve the water you’re carrying with Vapur’s 0.7-oz, BPA-free, wide-mouth “anti-bottle.” Flip open the three-layer flask’s dust cap and an oversized roller reminiscent of a gerbil water bottle lets your dog get a drink without drips or spills. An integrated clip keeps it convenient, and the roller clicks off for cleaning. As the dishwasher-safe Vapur EZ Lick Bottle drains, it folds to take up less room in your pack.  

[$20; amazon.com]

Make your dog visible for six hours on a charge with Nite Ize ultrabright collar. Push a button for glow or flash, and two ultra-bright LEDs illuminate an integrated optical fiber that’s consistently bright all around the dog's neck for visibility. Even when it's not illuminated, the water-resistant, buckle-close collar is low-chafe, secure, and an all-around great collar. It recharges in 1.25 hours via micro-USB.

[$25; amazon.com]

Your dog will be the best-looking canine on the camping trip with Wolfgang Man and Beast’s Dog Collar and Leash. Whether you fancy lightning bolts, butterflies, or big waves, Wolfgang has collars and leashes to match. American-made, “art-forward,” and pull-tested to 800 pounds, these collars and leashes come with a lifetime warranty. And they’ll provide many years of use since polyester doesn't get stinky like nylon does, nor do they get frayed or fuzzy. I appreciate the collar's smooth inner surface that's gentle on the sensitive skin of short-haired pups. 

[From $18; amazon.com]

Designed to offer a bunch of tethering options,  Fable Magic Link Leash can be worn as a belt or shoulder bandolier, used as a wrist strap, a slip-on collar with leash, and/or a conventional leash that attaches to a collar or harness. It's made from an industrial-strength cord that's waterproof, mold-proof, and strong—rated up to 350 pounds of pull force. High-quality, matte-black aluminum hardware handsomely sets off the nine available colors.

[$65; amazon.com]

The most innovative dog leash on the market, Ruffwear Hitch Hiker Leash is a 12-foot-long line for your pup that stores in a mini hip pack. When you want to give your dog room to roam, squeeze the camming mechanism to let the lead out. And when you need to bring Rover back to base, pull the cord, which locks like a climbing rope in an auto-belay device.

[$65; amazon.com]

Made from durable nylon with a breathable padded chest and back panels, the Orvis Tough Trail Dog Harness is everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s easy to get on and adjust with a quick-release buckle on the belly strap. Oversized black anodized metal D-rings on the chest and back are ideal spots to attach a leash. I love the handle on the back panel for when I need to grab my pup and give them a boost into the car or over a downed tree; the fact the side and back panels are made of water-repelling neoprene to keep from holding on water; reflective strands in the side webbing maximize visibility; and that the harness comes in four sizes and seven colors. Orvis will even personalize it by embroidering your dog’s name, including a phone number in case your dog gets lost. One nitpick: I wish the back handle was larger and even easier to grab.

[$50; amazon.com]

Kurgo RSG Dog County Harness is ready for the backcountry with a molle and Velcro attachment system that lets you attach panniers, a hydration pouch, a dog treat dispenser, a first aid kit, and more. The base harness has a padded back and a broad chest to disperse weight and minimize strain. Dual-haul handles make light work of carrying your four-legged friend, too.

[$57; amazon.com]

Ruffwear’s Backtrak Evac Kit can help you hike your dog out in an emergency. It's essentially a body sling for your dog that can be attached to your chest or back. It comes with a muzzle to help keep you safe so you can care for your sick or injured dog. The kit reduces the carry strain on your body by minimizes jostling. When bundled up, it's about the size of a large grapefruit and weighs just over a pound. It takes space in your pack, but it’s worth it if you need it. Ruffwear’s advice: Practice loading it at at home before you hit the trail. The kit stuffs back into its own mesh pocket for storage.

[$120; ruffwear.com]

Keep your camping dog comfy with Backcountry x Petco’s The Dog Sleeping Bag. Basic, affordable, and relatively packable, the water-resistant bag looks like a miniature sleeping bag. Inside, the base is thermal reflective to trap body heat, while the top is a cozy fleece. The bag is insulated with 100 percent polyester. Zipped, it’s a comfortable pouch; unzipped, it’s an L-shaped quilt. This bag isn’t as fancy as some other dog sleeping bags, but at a third of the price, it’s perfect for car camping. Bonus: One percent of your purchase goes to Mutual Rescue, which makes films about the power of adopting a rescue animal.

[$33; backcountry.com]

If you need a bedroll for your pup when out overlanding or hanging out in the backcountry, Ruffwear Mt. Bachelor Pad is a perfect pick. The low-profile, portable dog bed packs up small for its size and burliness, and rolls out quickly for a comfy pad that'll protect your dog from rocky, dirty terrain while also keeping dog hair off vehicle interiors. The soft side is layered in microsuede that's durable, comfortable, and easy to clean for lounging and sleeping, while the opposite side is waterproof to keep moisture from dewy mornings or wet van floors from creeping through. The interior is stuffed with recycled polyester, and the attached buckle and strap make rolling and securing the bed a snap. 

[$90; amazon.com]

We all know how good it feels to sleep in our own bed after a bike, hike, or multi-day trip. Give your dog the same luxury with Orvis’ new RecoveryZone Couch Dog Bed. It helps heal your dog’s muscles and joints faster by distributing weight, increasing circulation, and reducing pressure points. The bed is made from two densities of foam, a lot like high-quality human mattresses. The top layer facilitates air circulation inside the mattress and a solid-foam, three-quarter bolster around the perimeter supports your dog’s head. The cover is machine washable, and the bed has a water-resistant liner, so even if your pup hops in dirty or wet, the bed can handle it. You’ll save a few bucks if your dog doesn’t prefer a headrest by opting for the RecoveryZone Lounger Dog Bed.

[From $298; orvis.com]

A lifejacket helps your dog swim longer and gives you peace of mind if you’re paddling or powerboating. Ruffwear’s Float Coat is a PVC-free, foam-filled floatation device that has an adjustable neck, easy-to-operate buckles that mitigate chafing, and a sturdy haul handle for lifting your dog out of the water. When you need to use the Float Coat as a harness, clip your leash to the D-ring tucked under the handle. The well-padded jacket easily keeps an 80-pound dog afloat in a head-out-of-water position, with anatomical leg cutouts to boost mobility. Attach a light to the loop on the back to make your pup visible at dusk and in the dark.

[$90; amazon.com]

A physical leash can be a hindrance when hiking, but having your dog under e-collar command can achieve leash-like control. Garmin Delta SE is designed to make e-collar training easy to learn, while also keeping you in contact with your pup for up to a half-mile. The kit comes with both a collar and a controller that offer vibration, tone, and continuous and momentary stimulation as the situation requires. The collar is water-resistant enough for your dog to swim in, and the tactile face of the controller makes it quick to signal your dog the way you want to. E-collars are not meant to punish your dog; they’re a training tool. Work with a professional to teach your dog what you’re asking them to do with the e-collar, and train yourself to give clear commands before taking this out on the trail.

[$200; amazon.com]

Rex Specs V2's curved-lens goggles protect your canine’s corneas from snow blindness and irritants like bugs, dust, sand, and wind so they can comfortably accompany you on adventures. The goggles come with easy-to-change clear and smoke lenses, and have better fit, greater stability, a wider field of view, a more streamlined design, and a better range of motion than previous versions. There’s a learning curve, and your dog will look like an astronaut wearing them, but they work.

[$85; amazon.com]

On the trail, whether you’re a human or a dog, it’s easy to get smelly. In fact, getting smelly often means you're having a good time. If, once you’ve cleaned up, you notice your pup still carries the fragrance of old campfire or whatever they rolled in out there, lather them up with Liggett Botanical Dog Shampoo. It comes in a bottle or a bar that’s formulated to soothe sensitive or itchy skin. The bar base is colloidal oatmeal and cellulose with 12 kinds of oils for cleaning and conditioning. Almond and tea tree oil lather out dirt and odor, while lavender and rosemary essential oils help calm your dog and leave them smelling great. The soap is made in New Hamshire by a zero-waste company, and the shampoo is sulfate- and GMO-free. Liggett also makes shampoo bars and other personal care products for humans.

[From $8.50; amazon.com]