RV Camping with Pets: Tips, Campgrounds, and Essential Resources

Table of Contents

Tips for Pet-Friendly Campgrounds, Travel Prep & On-the-Road Pet Care

Are you an animal lover looking to explore the open road with your furry companion? RVing with pets is becoming more and more popular, and for a good reason! With an RV, you can bring your pets along on your adventures, ensuring they are comfortable and safe throughout your journey.

To make your RVing experience with your pet a successful one, we have combined two articles to create the ultimate guide to RVing with your pets. We will cover everything you need to know, from finding pet-friendly campgrounds to preparing your pet for travel and accessing pet care resources on the road.

Pet-Friendly Campgrounds

Before we dive into the best pet-friendly campgrounds across the US, let’s understand what makes a campground “pet-friendly.” A pet-friendly campground allows pets on their property, has designated pet areas, and provides pet-friendly amenities such as waste disposal stations and off-leash areas. It’s essential to note any pet policies, such as breed or size restrictions, leash rules, and additional fees.

There are many pet-friendly campgrounds across the US, but some stand out above the rest. Here are a few examples:

Yosemite National Park, California: This park allows pets in designated areas, and there are plenty of pet-friendly trails for you and your furry friend to explore.
Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, Indiana: This resort features a dog park, dog walking services, and a dog wash station.
KOA Campgrounds, nationwide: KOA is known for being pet-friendly and even has a “Kamp K9” dog park at many locations.

When booking a pet-friendly campground, be sure to ask about their pet policies, including fees, leash rules, and designated pet areas. It’s also a good idea to reserve a site near a grassy area for your pet’s convenience. Additionally, it’s crucial to book early, especially during peak camping season, as many pet-friendly sites fill up quickly.

Dog in RV
Image by Ryan Smith via flickr

Before hitting the road, it’s essential to prepare your pet for the journey. This includes making sure they’re up to date on vaccinations, packing their favorite toys and bedding, and ensuring they’re comfortable in their carrier or restraint. It’s also a good idea to take them on short trips in the RV to get them acclimated to the space.

Once you’re on the road, it’s important to keep your pet safe and comfortable. This includes using a pet restraint, providing plenty of water and food, and taking frequent breaks to let your pet stretch their legs and use the bathroom. You should also avoid leaving your pet alone in the RV for long periods and never leave them in a parked RV without ventilation or air conditioning.

RV travel can be stressful for pets, leading to common issues like motion sickness, anxiety, and boredom. To combat these issues, consider using natural remedies like calming supplements, taking frequent breaks to let your pet walk and play, and providing them with interactive toys to keep them entertained.

If your pet suffers from motion sickness, try feeding them a small meal a few hours before travel and avoid feeding them while on the road. You can also talk to your veterinarian about medication options to help prevent motion sickness.

Anxiety is another common issue for pets during RV travel. To help your pet feel more relaxed, consider bringing along their favorite blanket or toy and using calming scents like lavender or chamomile. You can also try playing soothing music or using a pheromone spray designed to reduce anxiety in pets.

Boredom can also be a problem for pets during long RV trips. To keep your pet entertained, provide them with interactive toys like puzzle feeders or treat dispensers. You can also take

them on short walks or hikes to explore the new surroundings and get some exercise. It’s important to remember that pets need mental and physical stimulation, so incorporating interactive activities throughout the trip can help keep them happy and healthy. Additionally, providing them with a comfortable and familiar space in the RV, such as their own bed or blanket, can help ease any anxiety they may feel in new environments.

In case of emergencies, it’s essential to know about the pet care resources available on the road. This includes emergency services like mobile vets, animal hospitals, and pet ambulance services. It’s also important to know where to find pet stores and supplies like food, toys, and medication. There are many apps and websites that can help you find pet-friendly businesses and services on the road, such as BringFido, a website and app that allows you to search for pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and activities in your area, and Rover, a website and app that connects pet owners with local pet sitters and dog walkers.

If you experience a pet emergency on the road, it’s important to remain calm and contact a mobile vet or animal hospital immediately. It’s also a good idea to have your pet’s medical records and medication on hand in case of an emergency. You can get your pet’s medication while on the road by asking your regular veterinarian to prescribe enough medication to last for your entire trip or finding a local veterinarian to prescribe medication for your pet. Alternatively, you can use an online pet pharmacy that delivers medication to your RV.

Tips for Traveling with Pets

How to prepare your pet for RV travel

When it comes to packing for your pet, you should bring plenty of food, water, and any necessary medication. Additionally, you should pack their regular food and water bowls, a leash, a collar with identification tags, and waste bags. You may also want to bring along their favorite bed or blanket and toys to keep them comfortable and entertained during the trip.

It’s important to note that some pets may need more time to adjust to RV travel than others. If your pet is prone to motion sickness or anxiety, you may want to consult with your veterinarian about natural remedies or medication to make the journey more comfortable for them.

Tips for keeping your pet safe and comfortable on the road

Once you’re on the road, it’s important to keep your pet safe and comfortable. This includes using a pet restraint or carrier while driving, providing plenty of water and food, and taking frequent breaks to let your pet stretch their legs and use the bathroom.

It’s also important to never leave your pet alone in a parked RV without ventilation or air conditioning. Temperatures can quickly rise inside a parked RV, leading to heat stroke or even death for your pet.

If you’re planning to explore the outdoors with your pet, be sure to check for any pet restrictions in the area you’re visiting. National parks, for example, may have designated pet areas or leash rules.

Resources for Pet Care on the Road

Even with careful planning, emergencies can happen. That’s why it’s important to know about the pet care resources available on the road. These resources include emergency services like mobile vets, animal hospitals, and pet ambulance services. It’s also important to know where to find pet stores and supplies like food, toys, and medication.

There are many apps and websites that can help you find pet-friendly businesses and services on the road. These include:

BringFido: A website and app that allows you to search for pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and activities in your area.
Rover: A website and app that connects pet owners with local pet sitters and dog walkers.
Vets on Wheels: A mobile veterinary service that provides on-site care for pets in need.

FAQs

Q1: What makes a campground “pet-friendly”?
A1: A pet-friendly campground allows pets on their property, has designated pet areas, and provides pet-friendly amenities such as waste disposal stations and off-leash areas. It’s essential to note any pet policies, such as breed or size restrictions, leash rules, and additional fees.

Q2: Can you recommend some pet-friendly campgrounds in the US?
A2: Yes, here are a few examples: Yosemite National Park in California, Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort in Indiana, and KOA Campgrounds nationwide. When booking a pet-friendly campground, be sure to ask about their pet policies, including fees, leash rules, and designated pet areas. It’s also a good idea to reserve a site near a grassy area for your pet’s convenience.

Q3: How do I prepare my pet for RV travel?
A3: Before hitting the road, it’s essential to prepare your pet for the journey. This includes making sure they’re up to date on vaccinations, packing their favorite toys and bedding, and ensuring they’re comfortable in their carrier or restraint. It’s also a good idea to take them on short trips in the RV to get them acclimated to the space.

Q4: What are some tips for keeping my pet safe and comfortable on the road?
A4: Once you’re on the road, it’s important to keep your pet safe and comfortable. This includes using a pet restraint or carrier while driving, providing plenty of water and food, and taking frequent breaks to let your pet stretch their legs and use the bathroom. It’s also important to never leave your pet alone in a parked RV without ventilation or air conditioning. If you’re planning to explore the outdoors with your pet, be sure to check for any pet restrictions in the area you’re visiting.

Q5: What resources are available for pet care on the road?
A5: There are many apps and websites that can help you find pet-friendly businesses and services on the road, such as BringFido, Rover, and Vets on Wheels. If you experience a pet emergency on the road, it’s important to remain calm and contact a mobile vet or animal hospital immediately. It’s also a good idea to have your pet’s medical records and medication on hand in case of an emergency.

Resources

PetFriendlyTravel.com: https://petfriendlytravel.com/pet-friendly-campgrounds-us/ This website offers a comprehensive list of pet-friendly campgrounds across the United States, sorted by state, which can help RV travelers find suitable locations for their trip.
BringFido: https://www.bringfido.com/lodging/campgrounds/ BringFido offers a searchable database of pet-friendly campgrounds, as well as hotels, restaurants, and activities for pet owners.
RVShare: https://rvshare.com/blog/top-10-pet-friendly-campgrounds/ This article from RVShare highlights the top 10 pet-friendly campgrounds in the US, providing details on pet amenities and policies at each location.
KOA Pet Policies: https://koa.com/blog/koa-pet-policies/ KOA is known for being pet-friendly, and this page provides information on their pet policies, as well as tips for traveling with pets at KOA campgrounds.

Takeaway

RVing with pets can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to plan ahead to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort on the road. By researching pet-friendly campgrounds, preparing your pet for travel, and accessing pet care resources on the road, you can enjoy a successful RV trip with your furry friend.

Final tips for a successful RV trip with your furry friends:

Pack plenty of food, water, and medication for your pet.
Use a pet restraint or carrier to keep your pet safe while traveling.
Take frequent breaks to let your pet stretch their legs and use the bathroom.
Use natural remedies or medication to combat common issues like motion sickness and anxiety.
Know where to find pet care resources in case of emergency.
Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations and has a current ID tag.
Research and book pet-friendly campgrounds well in advance.

FGeatured Image by Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons