Tips for Backpacking with Dogs

Hoping to hike and backpack with your furry friend? Follow these expert-backed tips for a safe and stress-free adventure.

When I first got my black lab mix, I thought what most trail-loving puppy parents probably think: “Camping with this critter will be a breeze!”

Luckily, the barrier to entry for day hiking was easy with Marla, and before I knew it, we were cruising up 8- and 12-mile trails in the San Gabriel Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. What wasn’t so easy was fine-tuning the gear we would need to safely and comfortably backpack into the wilderness.

We’re all backpacking beginners at some point, and I went through that experience yet again by making some pretty boneheaded mistakes when I began backpacking with Marla. Example: tying her 6-foot leash around a thick tree at camp so that she could barely walk around in the evening and letting her swim in an alpine lake too close to bedtime so that she went to sleep damp. One time, I purchased the wrong flea and tick medicine for her and ended up infesting my apartment with itchy bugs. Whoops.

Thankfully, we’ve worked out nearly all the kinks, and backpacking with my doggo has been a cinch this season in Colorado. Read on for my favorite tips to share with newer trekkers who are looking to overnight or go bark-packing with man’s best friend.

Your Guide: Backpacking with a Dog

Train before you trek

Dogs, like humans, need to work up to completing big hikes with weight on. And, like humans, it’s not recommended that they carry more than 25% of their body weight in a backpack. Start small, like a mostly flat, 5-mile trek with 10% of your dog’s weight in the pack you’ll be using, then build up from there for a few months.

Get Fido his own sleeping pad

If you’re like me, you hate hauling extra weight into the backcountry, and you’ve likely sprung for a lightweight backpacking tent. If you don’t want to have your dog’s nails rip your nice, thin tent floor, I’d suggest getting them a sleeping pad that’s a little too big for their body size. This will give them a cozy spot to hunker down while also ensuring pup doesn’t puncture that waterproof ground barrier. Marla sleeps on an human-sized Exped FlexMat that I cut down a bit, to save her the weight. 

Pick the right pack

Pro tip: Figure out what you’re doing before investing in a slew of expensive dog backpacking gear. If you know you’ll be taking your pupper on 4-7 day treks on the regular, invest in a Ruffwear Palisades Dog Backpack which features multiple adjustment points and hydration bladders to carry extra water. Planning on shorter, 1 to 2 night treks? Kurgo’s Baxter Dog Backpack is smaller and also excellent.

Keep them warm at camp

Even though most dogs are covered in thick fur, they’ll cool way down when you stop moving and settle in for the night. Kelly Sosa, a dog trainer and friend of mine, recommends tossing a jacket onto your pooch (even if your dog has a double coat) once temperatures dip into the 40s. I also like to throw a Nomadix Mini Towel into my bag before heading out, just to be sure that Marla’s paws and fur are fully dry (and clean) before hopping into bed.

Pack extra food and water

Dogs always drink significantly more than you think on the trail, and when they’re working hard moving up and down mountain slopes, they often get extra-hungry. If you’re going on an overnight backpacking trip with your pup, a good rule of thumb is to pack an extra day of food for every three nights you’re out. So, if it’s a short weekend excursion, pack one extra day’s worth of food. For a week-long trek? Pack an extra 2-3 days of food. This will also help keep you and your dog safe, in case of an injury or emergency that extends your trip.

Lastly, be aware of the water sources along your chosen trail, and don’t forget to put all dog food and treats into your bear canister when you’re adventuring in bear country. Turns out, our ursine friends also think doggy kibble is delicious — so don’t let ‘em have it.

Secure the pups at camp

One of the biggest blunders I made when I first started backpacking with my dog was assuming that I could simply tie her regular leash around a tree at camp and go about my business. Just kidding. As an active three-year-old mutt who loves to romp around and sniff things, this was not a satisfying solution for Marla who would often pout and sulk all evening at camp.  But letting her run off leash isn’t usually a good solution either since it’s against most national forest rules, and it could disturb wildlife or other campers. 

Thankfully, I finally found my perfect solution–the Ruffwear Knot-a-Hitch. This nifty gadget makes it easy to create an up-to 28-foot stretch of rope between two trees that Marla can run around on. You could also aim to create your own hitching system, using sturdy climbing rope, a dog harness and a carabiner on a swivel.

Get the right flea and tick prevention

Back when I lived in Los Angeles, I used to take my dog out hiking every weekend, until one day I noticed that small black bugs had taken over my apartment. FLEAS. I had been using a well-reviewed, over-the-counter flea and tick medication up to that point, but what I didn’t know was that the fleas in my area had become immune to it. These days, I fork over the extra cash for Bravecto, which works well in both California and my new home of Colorado. Talk to your vet about whether or not our dog needs a prescription flea medicine in your area.

Pack the right safety gear

It’s embarrassing to share, but I’ve definitely been spooked by my own dog in the woods at night when she isn’t wearing a light on her collar. Now I won’t go backpacking or car camping without a clip-on collar light, like Ruffwear’s Beacon or Nite Ize’s SpotLit. The latter has the bonus feature of making your dog look like a rainbow candy raver, which I find incredibly fun. Another piece of safety gear that I won’t leave home without is a dog-specific first aid kit. The Trail Dog Medical Kit comes with pup-specific items, like hydrogen peroxide, to induce vomiting if they eat something yucky.

Double check that your route is dog friendly

I’ve got good news and bad news for you. As a big-time national parks lover, it pains me to say that most of the parks out west are sadly not dog-friendly. This is largely to protect native wildlife and prioritize the wilderness experience for all those who visit these natural wonders. 

The good news? Most Bureau of Land Management areas and national forests are great, legal places to visit with your pet, provided that they are on a 6-foot leash at all times. Double-check on the public land area’s website or on your navigation app if your trail and campsite are woof-friendly before hitting the road.

My Favorite Dog Backpacking Gear

Ruffwear Palisades Dog Backpack

Yes, it’s expensive, but having a well-padded and easy-to-adjust dog backpack is perhaps the most crucial piece of gear in your pup backpacking quiver. Plus, this pack gets bonus points for doubling as a comfy day hiking harness once those saddlebags come off.

Happy Trails PNW Tahoma Dog Sleeping Bag

I love it when I find quality, ultralight gear for my dog, so she’s not forced to haul a huge dog sleeping bag into the mountains. This duck-down filled bag features Responsible Down Standard feathers, a glow in the dark zipper and a ripstop nylon compression sack. Plus, the large size weighs just 21 ounces. Pair with the company’s Sahale Closed-Cell Foam Sleeping Pad for a complete kit.

Ruffwear Highlands Dog Pad

If you’d prefer to purchase a sleeping mat for your doggo that’s specifically designed to fit into the Palisades backpack, check out the Highlands Dog Pad. With an easy-to-clean, non-slip waterproof base and plenty of synthetic insulation, this bed helps dogs stay warm and dry when temperatures drop.

Ruffwear Knot-a-Hitch

As I mentioned before, I don’t think I’ll ever go camping again without this Knot-a-Hitch from Ruffwear. It packs down small, weighs 14.4 ounces and is supremely easy to set up in under 5 minutes for stress-free camp time.

Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash

It took me years to switch from my regular, everyday dog walking leash to a trail-specific bungee leash, but now that I’ve seen the light, I can’t go back. The Roamer seamlessly transitions from a hand leash to a comfortable, around-the-waist design so you have your hands free to hold trekking poles, check your trail map or whatever else your heart may desire.

Kurgo Core Sweater

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get your dog a comfy, trekking-specific sweater. At just $33, this knit fleece from Kurgo has been a staple in Marla’s backpack since I first got her a few years ago. I particularly love the visibility of the red and orange colors when she’s playing in the Colorado snow.

Ruffwear Quinzee Dog Puffer Jacket

Of course, if you live and adventure in a truly frigid climate or have a furry bestie who gets cold easily, you might want to invest in an ultra-packable puffy jacket. During a winter snowstorm that had daytime temperatures hovering around 3 degree Fahrenheit, Marla wore the Ruffwear Quinzee every single day. Though she’s blessed with a warm double coat, the extra synthetic insulation of the Quinzee helped her stay out longer and play with her dog friends when it was well below freezing.

Kurgo Zippy Bowl

Skip the spendy dog travel bowls and get yourself a pair of Kurgo’s durable, waterproof Zippy Bowls for backpacking trips with Fido. Not only do these babies hold up to 48 ounces of kibble or water, they also pack down small enough to fit into your pants pocket.

Nite Ize SpotLit Collar Light

Lastly, who doesn’t want to turn their trail dog into a magical, glowing sparkle fairy? This color-changing rainbow collar light from Nite Ize is rechargeable, bright and a super fun way to keep tabs on your pup on night hikes or in camp.