Camp

CAMPSITE

Our dogs travel with us so finding a campsite that is dog-friendly is a must. Most state parks allow dogs (sometimes even in select cabins), and a growing number also allow dogs on some or all of the hiking trails. We find that private campgrounds are hit and miss with us. While some may not allow any dogs, others may allow only 1 dog. This will not work if you're planning to take along your family and you have multiple dogs. If there isn't enough information online about the campsite, we usually email the campsite.

PLANNING AHEAD

Prior to our travels, we always call the veterinarian and request an up-to-date printout of each of our dog's medical history. The dogs also all have ID tags with their name and our contact information. Many times we'll call ahead to the campground to make sure all dogs are welcome on the property. If not, we will not be staying there. Once we decide on a campsite we add the campsite information to their id tags.

PACKING

We pack a first aid kit, food, water, bowls, leashes, lead, bedding, toys, treats, shampoo, conditioner, brush, tick key, towels and more towels, poop bags, lighted collar, jackets for cold weather and a life jacket if they'll be boating. We also check around and get the contact information for the nearest veterinarian to our location in case they're needed.

TENTS AND LOCALES

Over the years, our dogs have camped in a variety of settings and tents. Prior to the tent with rainfly that we have now,  we had an old Camel Cabin style 8' x 10' tent. I loved this tent but found it to be too small for us and the dogs to spend more than a few days in.

 

 

CAMPFIRE

Campfire time with the dogs is always fun. While Monroe and Motley lay behind the chair, Buddy ventures out  - attracted to the smell of the roasted marshmallows.

Dog parks and dog beaches are becoming more common like those shown here at Hueston Woods 

 

SECURE YOUR DOG

A while back, we did have a frightening experience with Monroe. We'd gone camping up near Lake Erie and I left the dogs with my husband in the tent and walked across the campground to use the bathhouse. While Motley will stay where the Mr. is, when I came out of the bathhouse, Monroe greeted me with tail wagging- and leash trailing along behind him. He'd left without the Mr. even realizing he was gone.

If you are like us and have multiple dogs you will soon learn each has its own personality. While some dogs are content to lay down or sit looking out the tent window you may find another dog will be bored or frustrated doing this.

In this photo, you can see that Monroe is getting ready to sneak out of the tent. After we got over the initial shock of his cleverness in finding a way to quietly sneak out the side door, we both vowed to keep a close eye on him.

If you visit East Harbor State Park make sure and check out the cool example of glacial grooves. There is a patch in the middle of this grassy area that has scratches and grooves from the Wisconsinian Glacier. It is estimated this glacier was over 1 mile thick and could have been produced as recently as 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. 

We've tent camped for many years in a variety of tents and then a few years back we purchased a pop-up camper. 

It offers a little more security and a place to cook and clean up. We enjoy it and the dogs do too. We also stay in hotels that are pet friendly.