Nearly 60% of campers bring their dogs. And honestly, they’re usually having a better time than we are. But overlanding with a dog requires more planning than a trip to the dog park — remote terrain, extreme temperatures, and wildlife all create risks that don’t exist at home.
Here’s how to do it right.
Before the Trip
Vet Check
If your dog hasn’t been to remote areas before, talk to your vet about:
- Rattlesnake vaccine — doesn’t prevent a bite reaction but buys you time to reach a vet
- Tick prevention — Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis are all present in camping areas
- Leptospirosis vaccine — spread through standing water that dogs love to drink
Fitness Check
Be honest about your dog’s fitness level. A 10-year-old lab and a 2-year-old heeler are going to have very different trail limits. If your dog isn’t used to hiking 5+ miles, don’t make their first time in the backcountry.
ID and Microchip
- Collar with current tags (your cell + a backup number that’s NOT on the trip with you)
- Microchip with updated contact info
- Recent photo on your phone in case you need to make a “lost dog” post
Essential Dog Gear
Water (Non-Negotiable)
Dogs need 1 oz of water per pound of body weight per day as a baseline. Double that in heat or with heavy exercise. A 60-lb dog needs at minimum half a gallon per day.
- Collapsible bowl — Ruffwear Quencher ($15)
- Dedicated water supply — don’t share from your cooking water. Bring extra.
- Don’t let them drink from standing water — giardia, leptospirosis, and blue-green algae are real risks
Temperature Management
Dogs overheat faster than humans and can’t tell you about it.
Heat:
- Cooling vest (Ruffwear Swamp Cooler)
- Shade — bring a tarp if your campsite doesn’t have natural shade
- Never leave a dog in a vehicle — interior temps hit 120°F+ in minutes
- Early morning and evening activities, rest during midday
Cold:
- Dog sleeping bag or insulated pad (Ruffwear Highlands Sleeping Bag)
- Let them sleep in the tent/vehicle with you
- Booties for ice and snow if your dog tolerates them
Paws
- Musher’s Secret wax — protects paws from hot rocks, sharp terrain, and salt
- Booties — for extreme conditions (hot slickrock, sharp volcanic rock, extended snow)
- Check paws daily — look for cuts, thorns, cracking, and swelling between toes
First Aid (Dog-Specific Additions)
Add to your regular first aid kit:
- Benadryl (1mg per pound for allergic reactions — confirm dosage with your vet)
- Styptic powder (for torn nails)
- Gauze and vet wrap for paw injuries
- Tick removal tool
- Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting if they eat something toxic — only with vet guidance)
Containment
- Long lead (30ft) — gives freedom at camp while keeping them from chasing wildlife
- Stake or tie-out — screw-in ground stake for camp
- Vehicle barrier or crate — for safe travel on rough roads (an unsecured dog in a vehicle on a rough trail is a safety hazard for both of you)
On the Trail
Wildlife
- Snakes: Keep dogs on-leash in snake country. A curious nose in a bush is how bites happen.
- Porcupines: If your dog gets quilled, do NOT pull them out in the field. The barbed tips can break off and cause infection. Get to a vet.
- Coyotes: Keep dogs close at camp, especially at dawn and dusk. Coyotes can lure dogs away.
- Bears: A dog that runs from a bear leads the bear back to you. Leash in bear country.
Leash Rules
- National Parks: Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash at all times on trails where they’re allowed (many trails prohibit dogs entirely)
- BLM land: Generally no leash requirement but check local rules
- National Forests: Varies by forest — some require leashes, some don’t
- Wildlife areas: Usually leash required during nesting/calving seasons
Trail Hazards
- Cactus and thorns — especially in desert environments. Check paws and belly.
- Hot rock and sand — test with the back of your hand. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.
- Algae blooms — blue-green algae in lakes and ponds is toxic to dogs. If the water looks like paint, keep them out.
At Camp
Feeding
- Bring more food than you think — active days burn more calories
- Feed away from the fire and cooking area
- Seal dog food in the same bear-proof containers as human food
Sleep
Let them sleep close to you. A dog alone outside the tent will bark at every sound all night. Nobody sleeps.
Leave No Trace
- Pack out all dog waste (bring bags)
- Don’t let them dig (destroys vegetation)
- Don’t let them chase wildlife — seriously, it’s harmful and often illegal on public land
Emergency Plan
Know the nearest vet before you leave. In remote areas, the nearest emergency vet might be 2+ hours away. Have the address saved offline.
Signs of heat stroke: excessive panting, drooling, stumbling, vomiting, dark red gums. Get them in shade, apply cool (not cold) water to belly and paws, and get to a vet immediately.
Signs of snake bite: sudden swelling, yelping, lethargy. Keep them calm, carry if possible, get to a vet.
Your dog is counting on you to make good calls out there. Plan ahead, know the risks, and both of you will have a much better time.
