Essential Packlist for Backcountry Camping with Your Dog: Gear, Tips, and Safety
Fall is here which means camping season is upon us! We just took our 2 year old Dalmatian, Wendell, on his first backcountry camping trip with us at Virgin Falls, TN. We stayed for one-night, and fell in love with how fun it was to take him with us.
Geared up and ready to go.
What is Backcountry Camping?
Backcountry camping differs from traditional car camping in that it requires you to hike into a remote location, carrying all of your gear with you. There's no driving up to your campsite and unloading—everything you need must fit in your backpack. This kind of camping takes you deeper into nature, away from the comforts of designated campgrounds, offering a more immersive and self-sufficient experience.
For example, on our latest adventure, we had a 4.3-mile hike into our site, which we booked ahead of time through the Tennessee State Parks website. We love finding maintained campsites for their convenience—they typically offer flat, cleared areas for pitching tents and often have established fire rings, making it easier to set up camp efficiently.
If you're new to backcountry camping, one of the best tips I can offer is to book a site near a reliable water source. Access to running water makes a world of difference when you're far from amenities. While we were lucky to have a site located near a stunning waterfall, which provided an easy water source, it's always smart to consult trail maps on apps like AllTrails. These maps can help you identify nearby streams or rivers, ensuring that water is accessible without needing to carry an excessive amount with you.
Gear Recommendations + Packlist
Let me start by saying that I’m a diehard REI fan when it comes to gear. It’s not just because of the quality, but also because all of their gear comes with a one-year guarantee. This means you can use it, see if you like it, and then decide whether or not you want to keep it. They also offer a lifetime membership that provides dividends on your purchases. We’ve spent years building the perfect gear list for camping and are always on the hunt for new equipment.
This year, our trip was different because we were able to bring Wendell! This meant we needed to pack in a little extra and upgrade a few pieces of our gear.
Let’s get into it…
Our tent & lounging setup
Our Tent Setup
Tent 🏕 : Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Tent
We recently upgraded to a new, ultra-lightweight three-person tent to accommodate me, my husband, and Wendell (who is 67 lbs). The footprint of this tent is ample for all of us, while still being lighter than our previous tent, which weighed 3 lbs 14 oz. I also love that it's a three-season tent with doors on both sides. PLUS, it's currently on sale at REI for nearly $200 off—a steal for a Big Agnes tent!
For this tent we purchased the Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 Footprint which was the perfect size!
Sleeping Pads: AirRail Plus Sleeping Pad
This fall, my husband and I decided to upgrade our camping pads to improve the quality of our sleep. I’ll admit that we’re pretty light sleepers when camping, so our previous Nemo closed-cell pad wasn’t cutting it. Our top priority was finding a pad that fit in our packs and was tough enough to withstand Wendell’s scratchies and spinning before settling down. This one came highly recommended by an REI employee, and I’m thrilled to say it passed the test! Our campsite was definitely a bit rocky, but I couldn’t feel a thing—super comfortable and very durable!
Sleeping Bag: MegaSleep Duo 25/40 Double Sleeping Bag
For any couples camping out there, this is my favorite sleeping bag! The Exped Double Sleeping Bag can be used as a double sleeping bag—perfect for cuddling—or unzipped into two separate sleeping bags, which makes it easy to pack. We unzip it, each carry half, and then combine it back into a double sleeping bag for the night. It’s also super versatile for varying temperatures, offering a cooler option and a warmer option depending on which side of the blanket is up.
Sleeping Pad for Wendell: Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad
This pad fit perfectly at the foot of our tent and worked great for Wendell to sleep on all night. As an added bonus, it’s also useful around the campsite as a seat or to add extra cushion. It’s a versatile option for any size dog, as it can easily be cut or folded to fit. It also works well as a makeshift sleeping pad for humans if you’re not too picky!
Lightweight Camping Pillow:
I use the AirCore Ultralight Travel Pillow while my husband has the NEMO Fillo Pillow. After testing them both out I found the NEMO is more comfortable as it is slightly more padded but it also takes up a little more pack space. Both are great options!
Headlamp
Food & Supplies
Camping Stove
A camping stove is a MUST for any trip. Whether you’re boiling water for coffee, oatmeal, or freeze-dried meals, I couldn’t go on a trip without one. We have a basic camping stove, but after years of use, I believe investing in a higher-quality one is worth it. From the camping pots to the burner itself, going the extra mile makes a difference.
Our Camping Stove: Amicus Stove Cookset Combo
I’d recommend upgrading to the PocketRocket 2 Stove and pairing it with the Halulite Boiler Pot . The PocketRocket stove has a larger burner top, which means that when you’re car camping, you can actually cook with a pan on it—very helpful for making meals like steaks! For camping pots, I’d prioritize having cup measurement markers so you can accurately cook your camping meals. Our current pot lacks these markers, which has led to a few extra soupy dinners.
I cannot stress how important it is to pack in enough water. We always bring at least 3 liters per person, and we still make sure to camp near a water source. I was surprised by how much additional water we went through when camping with a dog. Overall, I estimate that we drank or used about 12 liters of water for 2 people and a dog over 2 days.
Water Filtration System: Sawyer Mini Water Filter
If you’re planning to backcountry camp, the biggest tip I can give you is to camp near a fresh water source. Being able to filter and refill your water supplies is incredibly helpful. We love this mini water filter; I’ve used it many times, and the water always tastes great. Just remember to collect water from a running source—avoid stagnant or brown water.
Freeze Dried Camping Meals
We always pack some freeze-dried camping dinners! Our favorite is the Beef Stew from Mountain House. To add a little extra flavor, we like to bring along some instant mashed potatoes to serve it over, along with some hot sauce.
Parachord & Carabiners
A general rule of thumb when camping is to never leave any food on the ground. It's not just bears you need to worry about; raccoons and other small critters will also get into anything left out. Packing some paracord and carabiners to easily clip your gear is always helpful!
Lounging Around
Lightweight camping chair: Flexlite Camp Chair
We love this camping chair. Although it's not the lightest option out there, it feels more stable than other products on the market. Don’t underestimate how much having a comfortable chair can improve your camping experience—I honestly regret not buying a second one!
Camping Hammock: Wise Owl Double Hammock
After years of owning an Eno hammock we finally had to replace it. I found this Wise Owl on amazon for half the price, plus it comes with straps! I honestly think its the exact same as an Eno and I love the color options.
Microfiber Towel or Blanket
I packed a microfiber towel thinking we we use it for going swimming but it ended up being a perfect place for Wendell to lounge around camp. A lightweight towel or blanket is the perfect utility item for you and your furry friend.
Just for the Dogs
Dog Booties: Protector bootie
I cannot stress enough how important it is to bring dog booties. They were the last thing I packed in my bag but ended up being such a life saver. Wendell tore his paw pad playing on the rough terrain and started limping. We cleaned it up, put the booty on and he was good as new! It’s so easy for a little cut to turn into something bigger if you let it get dirty of go untreated, bringing booties can make a huge difference in being able to safely treat minor injuries.
LED Collar: Nitehowl Rechargeable LED Safety Necklace
We LOVE our light up collar! We call it the party light and it goes on anytime the sun goes down. It makes it so easy to know exactly where he is, especially back country where he is able to be off leash. It also makes a great light in the tent while winding down to sleep!
Cleaning Wipes: Earth Rated Dog Wipes
We originally packed these wipes to clean Wendell off a bit before he got into the tend. He’s been struggling with allergies the past few months and we wanted to make sure we could keep his problem areas clean. They ended up also being incredibly useful for keeping his paw clean after it tore a bit so they will absolutely become a staple for all future trips.
Freeze Dried Food
For Wendell’s food, we packed Stella and Chewy Freeze-Dried Lamb. While we normally use this as a topper, we chose to bring it as a high-value meal that could double as treats and help save on pack weight. However, it ended up being bulkier than his kibble, so in the future, we’ll likely do a mix.
Leash of your choice
We brought our bungee leash on this trip, and honestly, it was a mistake. Bungee leashes aren't ideal when you're near cliff edges and waterfalls. I’d recommend packing a Biothane leash instead, as it's easy to clean. Our personal favorite is the Biothane gear from shopstrangetails.com. I love that it's a woman-run small business, and the quality is next level! If you're looking to get some gear, you can get 10% off with code WENDELL.
First Aid Kit & Safety Sling
This is where we dropped the ball a bit. I wish we had packed more first aid supplies for the trip. Wendell had a minor paw injury, and Bubs hurt his hip while playing. Even though they both ended up being okay, it could have easily been a tricky hike out if they hadn't recovered so quickly.
So here’s what I should have packed: I will definitely be investing in a Dog Rescue Sling. I’m still researching brands, but it's going on my future packing list for sure. And we’ll be buying a proper first aid kit, because we really should have had one with us. Accidents happen, and it’s better to be prepared.
Always remember to bring a toy!
We brought Wendell a ball to play with, I prefer something that is easy to clean and can’t be torn up as its going to get dirty.
Portable dog bowl
Any silicon bowl will do! We use the same bowl for food as we do for water.
We topped off our bags with some clothes for the weekend, basic toiletries, and bags to pack out our trash in. It’s so important when camping to Leave No Trace, so don’t forget a few plastic bags.
And that’s all! We had such a great time on Wendell’s first back country camping trip! We can’t wait to explore more places with him!
