Your First RV Trip with Your Dogs : What We Learned (and What We’d Do Differently)

Simon and Prudence started coming along on trips with us when they were young — long before we ever had a motor home. That's really where it all begins: just bringing your dog along for the ride. Start small. Build up gradually. And pay attention. If your dog seems nervous or stressed in a new place, ease off. The worst thing you can do is throw them into uncomfortable situations and wait for them to get over it. Go slow, offer plenty of reassurance, and let good experiences do the work.

Once you're on the road, your dogs don't care where you're headed. They just know they're with you — and honestly, that's the whole thing. It's not about the destination. It's about morning walks in unfamiliar places, lazy afternoons in the shade, and the easy comfort of being together.

Traveling with dogs slows you down — in a good way. You notice more. You stop more. Your days start revolving around walks and fresh air and rest instead of just checking things off a list.

That said, it does take some planning.

Here’s some tips to guide you to success and make your camping trips genuinely enjoyable - for both you and them.

Preparing for the Trip

A little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth travel day.

Before You Go

Get the basics squared away before you leave:

Vaccinations current? Bring records — both paper and digital.
Pack any medications or supplements they take regularly.
Put together a simple first aid kit.
Stay on top of heartworm and flea/tick prevention.

Pack a “Dog Go Bag”

Think of this like their personal overnight bag. I keep a backpack filled with essentials by the door so I can easily grab it when we take the pups with us anywhere - whether it be for the afternoon or for a week-long trip. It holds their most basic needs and makes jumping in the car and going anywhere a breeze.

Food & Treats
Collapsible water bowls & a bottle of fresh water
A leash for each dog and a backup leash, just in case
Blankets or mats to put on the ground when we are parking it somewhere (we call these “places”)
Favorite toy and/or bone or chew
Waste bags
Treat pouches
Doggie wipes
Hand sanitizer (for dog parents)

Having their stuff organized makes a real difference in how relaxed you feel about the whole thing — and dogs pick up on that. The calmer you are, the calmer they are.

Travel Day Tips (The Game-Changer Section)

Before You Leave

Take a long walk to burn energy
Offer water but don’t overfeed right before departure
Have a specific place for them in the camper every time your travel
Get them loaded up after all of the chaos of loading everything else
Give them a chance to settle in, make it a happy time that you are going on an adventure together

On the Road

Plan stops every 2-3 hours
Keep fresh water available
Never, ever leave dogs in the RV without climate control

Arrive With a Plan for Them, Not Just You

Getting to a new campsite can be hectic, especially if you're tired from driving. Before you do anything else — before you unhitch, set up, or figure out dinner — take care of the dogs first.

Let them out, give them water, and walk them around the site. Let them sniff everything. Give them time to get their bearings. It sounds simple, but it goes a long way toward helping them settle in and feel comfortable in a new place.

Finding Dog-Friendly Campgrounds

Not all campgrounds are created equal when it comes to dogs. Some are not dog-friendly at all and some of the dog-friendly campgrounds are more friendly than others. Do your research before deciding on where you will settle. It sure puts a damper on a camping trip if you feel like you are constantly trying to mediate between your furry family member and the campground hosts. Another consideration when choosing a campground is to choose a place where there are fun things for you and your pup to enjoy together. Look for:

Pet-friendly policies (double-check breed/size rules)
The campground rules regarding temporary dog fences
Walking trails or open spaces - maybe a dog park
Shade (very important for warmer climates)
Distance between sites (more space = less stress for everybody)

Some helpful apps to try when planning:

Campground Etiquette with Dogs

Be a Good Neighbor. Clean up after your dog- every time, no exceptions. Respect leash rules. Keep barking in check as best you can. Not everyone at the campground is a dog person, and a little consideration goes a long way — not just for you, but for every dog owner who comes after you.

A calm, well-managed dog is a welcome traveler and neighbor. When us dog owners are conscientious with our dogs impact and behavior, we are not only helping ourselves to be welcomed by the camping community but the dog community as a whole.

Simple Daily Rhythm on the Road

Dogs love a good routine - even when you’re on the move. Certain aspects of their daily life are routine and you don’t have to be rigid about it, but as much as you can keep meal times consistent and building in a loose rhythm helps them feel more grounded in unfamiliar places.

We are a little more active with the dogs when we are on camping trips. Just like us, they get a lot more attention and adventure than they do when we are at home, which is one of the reasons they love going on camping trips so much. On the road, we have more time to be together and explore. It’s a lot more fun for everybody! Our camp day “structure” looks something like this:

Morning: Walk followed by breakfast
Mid-morning: Rest and relaxation at the campsite
Lunchtime: Exploration or outing - often a good hike
Afternoon: More rest and relaxation
Evening: Stroll around the campground, enjoying the sun setting on the horizon

Home is Where You Park It

The most important thing about traveling with your dog(s) is that they are with you. The closeness and attention they desire is all they care about. They don’t care about your campsite or if dinner goes as planned. They don’t need a perfect trip, they just want to be with you on this adventure - enjoying time together in the moment. I think we can learn something here and if we could more like our dogs, our experiences would shift a little….

Simple. Present. Enough