Do you love hiking and camping with your dog? Keep reading for our full gear checklist and top product picks! Not many things can surpass the experience of exploring the outdoors with your dog, but preparation is key.
If you’re a first-time canine camper, we recommend using this article as a guide to what you’ll need to buy for your trip – in addition to the essentials you’ve already got, such as food, water, and a ball or two. Don’t forget to check out our top tips for keeping your dog safe on camping trips before you go!
Checklist & Top Picks
- Dog Training Collar
- Travel Bed
- Feeding Supplies
- Portable Dog First Aid Kit
- Dog Backpack
- Biodegradable Waste Bags
- Cooling Vest
- Coat
Dog Training Collar
Technology and the outdoors don’t always sound like a natural pairing, but when you’re hiking or camping with a dog, reliable communication matters. Trails come with distractions, wildlife, unfamiliar smells, and those moments where your dog suddenly remembers they were apparently born to chase squirrels professionally.
That’s where the Jugbow BTC801 comes in.
Rather than acting as a containment system, the BTC801 is designed as a long-range training and communication tool that helps reinforce recall and attention cues when distance starts working against you. It offers up to 4,500 feet of range, which makes it especially useful for hiking trails, campsites, large open areas, and other outdoor adventures where your dog may be farther away than your voice comfortably reaches.
What makes this collar stand out is its flexibility. The BTC801 includes beep, vibration, and static correction modes, all with highly adjustable settings powered by precision technology. That means you can tailor communication to your dog instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
For most owners, the real value is in the tone and vibration settings. Once properly conditioned, those cues act like a long-distance “check in with me” reminder. It’s less about harsh correction and more about maintaining connection and focus in distracting environments.
And honestly, that matters outdoors. Even dogs with excellent recall can have moments where instinct briefly overrides listening. Having a reliable backup communication tool adds an extra layer of safety without constantly restricting your dog’s freedom to explore.
The BTC801 is also built well for outdoor use. The collar is IPX8 waterproof, so rain, mud, streams, and the inevitable “my dog found the only puddle in a 10-mile radius” situation aren’t a problem. Battery life is excellent too, with up to 35 days of standby time on the collar and fast USB recharging.
It also supports two dogs with one remote, which is genuinely useful for multi-dog camping trips (or chaos management, depending on the day).
Used thoughtfully alongside positive reinforcement and consistent training, the Jugbow BTC801 helps create a safer, lower-stress outdoor experience while still giving dogs room to explore and enjoy the adventure with you.
The Jugbow BTC801 offers beep, vibration, and adjustable static modes with a long 4,500-foot training range. Designed for customizable remote training, it supports two dogs on one remote, features an IPX8 waterproof collar, Safe-Lock controls, and a long-lasting rechargeable battery.
Reflective Dog Safety Vest
If you’ll be camping anywhere with low light (early mornings, dusk hikes, or near roads), a reflective dog safety vest is a simple piece of gear that makes a big difference. These lightweight vests make your dog far more visible to other hikers, cyclists, and vehicles, which is especially important if your pup likes to wander a bit ahead on the trail. They’re easy to pack, quick to put on, and one of those small items you’ll be glad you brought once the sun starts going down.
Water & Woods Reflective Dog Safety Vest
These vibrant orange vests are designed with safety in mind, ensuring that your furry companion remains visible and easily identifiable even in dimly lit surroundings. Equipped with strategically placed reflective strips, the vest brilliantly reflects light, creating an unmistakable glow that draws attention to your dog.
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Travel Bed
You’ve chosen the best sleeping bag for yourself – but what about your dog? Whilst some dogs are happy to sleep on the ground, others are fussier, and if your dog is older or your trip is more than a night or two, you should invest in a comfy travel bed, especially if you’re staying on hard ground or in cold weather.
Chuckit Travel Pillow Dog Bed
The Chuckit Travel Pillow Dog Bed is ideal for camping, as well as traveling to your destination in the car or RV. It’s 30 x 39 inches to accommodate larger dogs but also fits in the backseat, and it’s made of safe, soft, high-quality materials that are comfy and breathable.
It’s also machine washable and quick-drying for your convenience, and it’s designed to fold up, with a stuff-sack for portability, packing, and storage when not in use.
The quality construction of this durable dog bed means that it’s machine washable, breathable for quick dry out, and most importantly, portable! With a stuff sack included, this bed is comfy, convenient, and works for small, medium, and large dogs.
Feeding Supplies
We know you’ll be packing your dog’s favorite food and plenty of water, but do you really want to take their regular bowls?
Portable bowls and bottles are much more convenient and easier to store when you’re on the move.
Mobile Dog Gear Week Away Tote Pet Travel Bag
The Mobile Dog Gear Week Away Tote Pet Travel Bag is absolutely adorable. It comes in four colors; black, pink, and blue, as well as a cute black and white paw print pattern.
It’s even available to buy with a personalized name imprint so you’ll never have to worry about someone taking it by mistake! The bag comes in two sizes; the small option carries ten cups of food and the medium-large one carries fifteen.
The main section of the bag has a divider to keep things in place, with a zippered pocket for extra secure storage and three external mesh pockets. It also contains lined carriers for food and treats, two collapsible and removable silicone bowls, a removable placemat, and an adjustable strap for comfy carrying.
It’s not just for camping, either! It also meets airline carry-on requirements and has a handy luggage ID tag, so it will come in handy for all sorts of trips.
This travel tote makes trips with your BFF a breeze. It comes with two lined carriers for food or treats, two collapsible silicone, dishwasher safe bowls for food and water, and a placemat that fits right in the front drop-down flap for added protection against spills.
Portable Dog First Aid Kit
Another must, portable first aid kits for dogs are essential in case of emergencies. Of course, we hope nothing goes wrong on your trip, but in case of an injury, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Consider the environment you’re traveling to and choose or pack your kit accordingly. For example, a thermal blanket may be needed for cold trips, and sting relief pads for more exotic camping grounds.
Kurgo Dog First Aid Kit
The 50-piece Kurgo Dog First Aid Kit is a comprehensive, compact, and stylish kit that contains all of the canine first aid essentials for an affordable price.
It’s made from machine washable Oxford 600D fabric, with twill tape binding for security and durability, three interior mesh compartments for organization, and an exterior zippered pocket for extras like medication, as well as a carry hook that doubles up as a bottle opener. The kit includes:
- First aid guide
- Parachute cord
- Sting relief pads
- Tweezers
- Tape roll
- Crepe bandage
- Cotton swabs
- Tongue depressors
- Antiseptic towelettes
- Instant cold pack
- Disposable rubber gloves
- Gauze pads
- Gauze pads
- Gauze roll
- Trauma pad
- Alcohol prep pads
- Thermal foil emergency blanket
- Scissors
- Iodine prep pads
Make sure you’re ready to deal with everything from lacerations to choking to poisoning, with our comprehensive, 50-piece First Aid Kit, complete with Dog First Aid Guide. Stylish, compact, and essential, every dog owner should have one.
Dog Backpack
To avoid carrying too much, you could also invest in a good doggie backpack. As well as giving you more room in your own bag, it’ll also make sure everything your dog needs is in one place, making it easier to access and more secure.
Kurgo Baxter Pack
The Kurgo Baxter Pack has two saddlebags with extra pockets for essential supplies and comes in three fun colors; blue, orange, and red, as well as two sizes, regular (30-85 lbs), and big (50-110 lbs).
It’s lightweight, durable, and fully adjustable with eight different adjustment points for a custom fit, breathable mesh material, and ergonomic spine support.
The even weight distribution ensures perfect balance and comfort and it has a large, padded handle on the back, just in case. It also has a rear-mounted leash hook, a chest pad with a bottle opener, and reflective trim for low-light visibility. You can even machine wash it to keep it fresh and clean.
The Baxter Pack lets your dog share the load when you’re off on an adventure. Lightweight, durable, and fully adjustable with eight different adjustment points, it features ergonomic spine support and perfect balance for even weight distribution and ultimate comfort. It also features a large, padded handle on the back, because we all need a helping hand from time to time.
Biodegradable Waste Bags
An unavoidable part of outdoor adventures with your dog – poop! As lovers of the outdoors, we’re big fans of biodegradable waste bags that don’t harm the environment.
The Original Poop Bags
The Original Poop Bags are made from 38% plant materials and come USDA-approved. They come in packs of 8 rolls with 120 bags and are available to buy orange-scented or unscented.
They’re thick, leak-proof, and roomy, lending themselves to be used for any and all waste, such as nappies and cat poops, too. So, if you live in a busy, multi-pet family home, they could come in extra handy! T
hey also come with a perforated sticker for easy dispensing and countdown rolls to help you anticipate running out.
Pick up your pup’s waste without creating more waste for the planet with The Original Poop Bags Orange Scented Biobased Countdown Rolls Pet Waste Bags. These orange scented waste bags are made with plant based materials and feature 38% biobased content.
Cooling Vest
A cooling vest may be necessary for summertime campers. Dogs find it much harder to regulate their body temperature than we do and with all that fur and energy, prolonged exposure/exercise in 90°F or more puts your dog at risk of heatstroke and dehydration. We don’t recommend taking your dog out in extreme heat, but if you are going camping in the hot weather, consider getting them a cooling vest.
Kurgo Dog Core Cooling Vest
The Kurgo Dog Core Cooling Vest comes in four sizes; small, medium, large, and extra-large, and they have a helpful sizing guide on their website. The simple, clever design stores water in its core and evaporates it from the outer layer, taking your dog’s body heat with it. Just wet the vest, wring it out, and strap it on!
The outer layer also deflects heat and the lining transfers cooling effects to your dog’s body, with light blue, lightweight polyester, air mesh, and an athletic design that won’t interfere with their trip.
It also features a handy two-way zipper with collar/harness access, reflective accents for nighttime visibility, and two side adjustment points with Nifco quick-release buckles. Plus, it’s machine washable for easy cleaning and super stylish for your dog!
This lightweight vest uses evaporative cooling to draw heat away from your dog’s body—just wet, wring, and wear. Designed for comfort and function, it features an athletic cut, reflective accents, and dual access to collars or harnesses. Adjustable, sun-reflective, and easy to clean, it’s a must-have for every warm-weather adventure.
Coat
For those of you in colder climates, consider getting your dog a coat. Vulnerable dogs and cold-averse breeds, such as Greyhounds, always need coats in cold weather, but most dogs will need an extra layer to sleep outdoors in cold conditions overnight.
Certain breeds, such as Siberian Huskies, thrive in cold weather and can handle temperatures of around -60°F, but the average dog cannot be exposed to temperatures around or below freezing (32°F) for long periods without risking hypothermia and frostbite. We don’t recommend camping in extreme temperatures, but if you do, get your dog a coat!
Kurgo North Country Dog Coat
The Kurgo North Country Dog Coat comes in five sizes; extra small, small, medium, large, and extra-large, and it’s available to buy in three cute colors; red, blue, and black.
The 190 gsm fleece lining is super warm and cozy and the athletic design means it won’t interfere with your dog’s adventures.
The 1050 D ripstop nylon outer layer is waterproof and durable for outdoor fun and features easy-to-use buckles and a two-way zipper for use with a collar/harness. It also has two side adjustments, LED lights, and reflective piping for nighttime visibility.
The collar can be flipped up for extra protection and it’s machine washable for easy cleaning.
The North Country Coat is made from water-resistant, fleece-lined ripstop material that laughs snidely in the face of wet and cold weather. The zippered opening allows the leash to connect with a collar or harness, and the design features back darts, for a comfy, tapered fit. And even when it starts to get dark, this jacket continues to perform with added reflective piping and a flashing LED strip.
Final Thoughts
If you love going on hikes and camping out under the stars, why not include your dog in your next adventure with a little help from our checklist?
Let us know where you’re planning on going for your trip in the comments! If you’re driving to your destination, check out our review of the Lusso Gear car seat cover, too!
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