4 Dog-Friendly Campgrounds for an Outdoor Adventure
0 comments
Ready to escape to the great outdoors and sleep under the stars? Enjoy a hike by day and a cozy campfire by night? Your pup is hoping you’ll take him along! To help with your planning, here’s a list of four dog-friendly campgrounds and some tips to ensure everyone is a happy camper!
4 Paws Kingdom Campground
& Dog Retreat, North Carolina
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this is the only dog-dedicated campground in the US — designed for dogs and their adult (18+) humans. Your pup can frolic everywhere - from the hiking trails to the dog and agility parks to the swimming pond (and then get cleaned up at the bathhouse & grooming station). This dog-friendly campsite offers full hook-up RV sites and RV and cabin rentals, entertainment and activities, a camp store and a bathhouse.
Sagadahoc Bay Campground, Maine
Ocean-front camping nestled on the Sagadahoc Bay, with kayaking & paddle-boarding among other activities. Lodging options include; small travel trailers & tents, cabins, wooded sites for pop-ups, waterfront RV and tent sites and full housekeeping. Pets are very welcome with proof of vaccination, so make sure to include vet records in your planning.
Riverside Campgrounds & Cabins, California
Situated on 16 acres among the iconic and magnificent Redwoods of Big Sur, this campground offers sites for tents and RV’s, and 12 Cabins along the Big Sur River. Pets are allowed in the sites, cabins and rooms, and there are hiking trails and beach access 10 minutes away.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, Virginia
Located down the road from Shenandoah National Park, which is also very dog friendly, this site offers a range of cabins and campsites, with lots of family activities (swimming, mini-golf, gem mining, pedal boats and more). Up to 2 pets are allowed at the RV sites and in pet-friendly cabins, and pet owners are required to bring a crate for their pups.
Wakeda Campgrounds, New hampshire
A family-owned campground for three generations, Wakeda is nestled in pines 8 miles outside of Hampton Beach, and an hour north of Boston. It has a large fenced-in dog park complete with agility equipment, a drinking fountain and a fire hydrant just for pups. It's close to beaches, shopping, dining and everything the nearby Seacoast has to offer.
Flying Flags RV & Campgrounds, California
Located on the Central Coast, this villa like setting offers luxury tents and several types of cottages. For your pup, there is a dog park, a grassy pet relief area, and toys and leashes available at the front desk. For humans, there’s an outdoor pool, an onsite store and restaurant, and other walkable dining options.
Image: Booking.com
Hill Country Cottages & RV Resort, Texas
Hill Country offers pet-friendly RV sites and cottage rentals - but only for dogs under 30lbs. Outside the RV park and dog run, dogs must be leashed, and are not allowed around the pool area or inside buildings. Landa Park is located about 3 miles away and leashed dogs are allowed on the wooded Panther Canyon Nature Trail.
Kampgrounds of America - over 480 locations across North America
Kampgrounds of America offers 3 different types of KampK9 facilities; KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort, which are designed with pup-friendly places and activities, so your pup can frolic with you. Sites offer a dog park, cleanup station and other amenities to ensure a pup-inclusive camping experience.
While many campgrounds require dogs to be leashed in select areas, other campsites allow your pup to roam freely. That’s where SpotOn can help. Our app + collar GPS fence is portable and works in dense tree cover with Forest Mode, plus in 2024 we SpotOn introduced Off-grid Mode so you can contain your dog when camping and away from cell service or the internet. Bonus! The collar is waterproof so your pup can swim and splash to his heart’s content.
Here’s what some of our SpotOn campers have to say:
We've been camping all week, and our SpotOn Fence has been a lifesaver for our Golden. She's able to stay at the campsite and not be leashed. Thank you!! - Christa
Can’t say enough about our collar. We’ve had it since it came out and would buy it over again. My girl loves camping. This gives me such peace of mind. Easy to train and company is amazing. - Toni
This is a great tool for those of us who do a lot of camping and outdoor activities and have no fence. There is nothing like this that I've found on the market.
- Marissa
So when you're ready to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with nature, take SpotOn with you to unleash your camping adventure.
Learn more about how SpotOn works as a camping dog fence and how to use the instant circular fences for quick and easy campground setup.
Here are some tips to make sure you’re pup-ready for camping:
- Make sure your pup is comfortable with car rides before leaving. If not, take a test drive.
- Make sure your pup has the endurance for your adventure and chosen hiking trails.
- Remember flea & tick protection, any medication and a first-aid kit.
- Bring enough water and snacks. For safety, give your pup your own water rather than letting him drink from natural water sources along the way.
- Make sure any water is swimmable before your pup jumps in - clean and algae free. Algae occurs more in the summer, is toxic, and can cause poisoning.
- Consider a life jacket for your pup if you’ll be boating or if he does not swim.
- Bear in mind that pets are more susceptible to overheating than humans. Summer temperatures and elevation can affect you and your pet, so consider the time of day.
- Never leave your pup unattended or in a vehicle. High temperatures in cars can kill dogs.
- Consider how your pup may react if you encounter groups of campers, other dogs and wildlife (snakes, skunks, porcupines or bears).
- Keep in mind that pet food is also bear food. Store it safely away along with human food.
- Make sure your dog is tagged & microchipped before you go.
- Be prepared; some campgrounds require paperwork to show that your dog is up to date on vaccines. Reservations are often required, pet fees often apply, COVID rules are in place, and most campgrounds require your dog to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Related Stories
Best Dog-Friendly Mid-Atlantic and Southern Beaches
A great alternative to hiking or the dog park, bring your pup on an off-season beach adventure! In this series...
Virtual Fence Refresher: Taking SpotOn with you this Summer
One of the main advantages we hear of the SpotOn System is its portability so you can let your dog run freely...
Pup-friendly National Parks
Planning a summer getaway? Check out these pup-friendly national parks across the U.S. Each park offers a...
Read More