Complete (tent) camping packing list for you and your dog

So you’ve finally decided to go on a camping trip with your dog? No more leaving your pup behind but finally going on adventures together. I’m grateful that you got to this point, I’m sure you’ll have a blast!

But wait a minute, what do you actually have to bring? Even if you’ve been camping before, you might wonder: did I think of everything for Fido?

I’m a very frequent and experienced backpacker and camper. During the last 10 years I was backpacking in about 30 countries, half of them by myself. With every trip I’ve learnt to pack lighter and more efficient. Now I’m down to a 45l backpack that is mostly fine even with Baloo coming along.

Only for camping with Baloo I rely on my boyfriend to carry the tent and some of the cooking stuff. But other than that I’ve managed to downsize a lot. Since 2 years ago, I managed to only fly with carry on, which is perfectly possible with a 45l backpack and saves you a lot of money. Hence, I only take the most necessary liquids with me and buy the rest (like shampoo, shower gel etc.) when I’m there.

However, before I took Baloo on our first trip together, I kept checking if I’ve got everything. And even for short weekend trips I tend to forget things which is really annoying. Something that really helped me is to always have his most important things for Baloo in one bag. I leave the things in the bag even when I put it away at home. But then I need to add things depending on where we go, so it’s still a mess.

This is why I’ve created this packing list. It’s partly for myself, in order to double check before a trip.

This list is specifically meant for tent camping trips with small dogs. If you go RV camping you can take a whole lot more. However, I’m focusing on light packing here. And to be able to do that, it’s crucial that you know exactly what you need to bring (and what you don’t).

I’ve already made a packing list for backpacking trips with your dog. So you can choose the list depending on the trip you’re planning.

Alright, I thought maybe some of you can use it, too. So here it is.

Preparation

Of course, you should always check first if your dog needs any kind of vaccinations to enter a specific country. Check this well in advance!

Then, I also recommend you take a picture of YOUR vaccination card and save it on a cloud. That way you can always show it in the hospital in case of an emergency. Save all emergency numbers on your phone.

Also very important, download the maps.me app. This is literally my favorite app of all times 😉 It allows you to download offline maps that are insanely detailed. You can find literally anything on it, even drinking water spots! I couldn’t survive without it. So get it beforehand, download the specific country or part of it where you’re going and already look for your campground on there. Makes it much easier to find it.

Hooman

Since I wanted this to be a complete camping packing list, I’m starting with the things you need to pack to go camping. In my opinion, backpacking and camping should be as minimalistic as possible. You’ll have to carry all of your things and all of your small pup’s stuff as well. If you have a medium or big dog, he can carry some of his own things. But a small pooch won’t be able to help you with that. Clothes, e.g. can be washed anywhere, so just take the bare minimum.

Clothing

First, some general remarks: I highly recommend to use woolen clothes. They keep you warm even if they’re wet, they don’t smell so easily and dry very quickly. All my shirts, thermo underwear and sweaters are woolen, makes traveling light much easier.

Warm climate:

• 1 pair of hiking trousers
• 1 pair of jeans/nice trousers
• 1 pair of shorts or loose trousers
• 2 tanktops
• 2 shirts
• 1 light sweater
• 1 thicker sweater
• 1 piece of swim wear
• underwear and socks for 5 to 7 days
• 2 pairs of hiking socks
• 2 pairs of pajamas (just take a light shirt and shorts)
• 2 light scarves (can double up us sarong, beach towel or head protection)
• 1 pair of Flip Flops/slippers
• 1 pair of neat everyday shoes (Ballerinas in my case)
• 1 pair of hiking shoes/boots
• 1 rain jacket
• 1 rain pants
• (optional: 1 dress)

Cooler climate:

In cooler climate I prefer to wear different layers of lighter clothing over each other. This keeps you much warmer than just wearing one really thick sweater. Also, it needs much less space.

• 1 pair of hiking trousers
• 2 pairs of jeans/nice trousers
• 2 tanktops
• 3 shirts
• 2 light sweaters
• 1 thicker sweater
• underwear and socks for 5 to 7 days
• 2 pairs of woolen socks
• 1 pair of long woolen underwear
• 1 pair of pyjama (the long underwear can double up as a second one)
• 1 light and 1 thicker scarf
• 1 pair of Flip Flops/slippers
• 1 pair of neat everyday shoes (sneakers in my case)
• 1 pair of hiking shoes/boots
• 1 down jacket
• 1 rain jacket
• 1 rain pants
• 1 pair of gloves
• Ear warmers/hat

Toiletries and towels

As I’ve said before, I only take the most necessary liquids. If I’m only leaving for the weekend, then I usually take liquids in small quantities. The things listed here, I’m taking on all my backpacking trips, though.

Depending on where you go camping you should definitely take biodegradable liquids with you. This gives you the freedom to wash yourself wherever you like.

• 2 micro fiber travel towels
• 1 ice towel (can double up as a dish wash towel for camping)
• Toothbrush and small toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Deodorant roller
• Make up
• Make up remover pads
• Hairbrush
• Hair bands
• Small sun cream (to start with)
• Tampons
• Raser
• Contraceptive (pill, condom etc.)
• Plasters
• Ointment
• Antiseptic hand wash
• Baby wipes
• Handkerchiefs
• Necessary medicine (inhaler in my case). I don’t take anything else apart from the absolute necessary, the rest can be bought wherever you’re going.

The camping stuff

Alright, now the most important for this list: the camping stuff.

• 1 Tent (your small pooch can sleep in your tent as well)
• 1 down sleeping bag
• 1 inflatable mattress
• 1 inflatable pillow
• 2 foldable plates/bowls
• 1 foldable cup
• 2 sporks
• 1 cooking pot with a lid (the lid can double up as a fry pan)
• 1 pot holder
• 2 lighters
• 1 cutting board
• 1 camping stove (only empty for flights, so better buy it at your destination)
• Freeze-dried food packages
• 1 sponge
• 1 dish towel (you can also take the ice towel)
• biodegradable dish soap
• (headlamp, I just use my phone, though)

Electronics

• Phone charger
• Bluetooth headphones and charger
• Laptop and charger
• Ipad and charger (I have my travel guides as pdfs)
• Camera and charger
• Travel adapter
• Pocket charger (you’ll need your phone for many things, such as maps, flashlight, alarm clock etc.)

Miscellaneous

• Daypack
• Sunglasses
• Small sewing kit
• Small Swiss Army Knife (blades up to 2.36 in/6cm are allowed for carry on luggage)
• Plastic bags
• Tissues/paper towels
• Pen
• Playing cards
• Small shovel

Documents

• Passport or identity card
• Visa (if required)
• Drivers license
• Insurance cards
• Credit card
• Debit card

Doggo

Alright, so you’ve got everything for you. Now let’s see what Fido needs. You should still have about ⅓ of space in your backpack left. Baloo is a very light traveler because he doesn’t eat a lot. That’s very useful of course. But if your pup is a big eater, his food can make for a huge part of your luggage’s weight. This is why I recommend that you check if you can get his food in the country where you’re going to in case you’re going for more than 1 week.

Actually, your pup’s stuff isn’t really different from what you need to go backpacking, so that’s pretty easy.

• Vet passport
• Leash, collar and/or harness
• Poop bags
• Blanket or dog sleeping bag
• Carrier (backpack carrier or bag carrier)
• Food for 1 week. You can also try freeze-dried dog food
• Treats
• Chewing treats
• 2 foldable bowls
• 1 small microfiber towel
• His favorite toy
• Clicker or training tools
• Retrieve bag
• Tick remover
• Brush
• (dog tent for bigger dogs)

 

What do you usually pack for a camping trip with your dog? Did I forget anything? Let me know in the comments down below!

Btw, if you want to learn more about tent camping with dogs, make sure to check out my complete guide.