27 Best Gifts of Camping Gear for Dogs (2024 Gift Guide)
Dogs are (wo)man’s best friend – and best adventure companion! If you know an outdoor-loving dog owner and are struggling to pick a perfect gift for the holidays or their birthday, how about something that helps them bring their best friend along on all their adventures?
I love to go hiking and backpacking with my dog Lincoln whenever I can, so I put together this guide to my favorite camping gear for dogs to help you find a great gift for the dog lover in your life.
Spending time in the wilderness with a dog is a blast! But just be aware that along with the dog camping essentials gear I’ll go over here, you also need to make sure you know the rules for camping with dogs at your destination. Once you’re ready to hit the trail with your four-legged friend, here’s a guide to all the best outdoor gear for dogs.
THE BEST CAMPING GEAR FOR DOGS GIFTS
We have separated this gift guide of camping gear for dogs into a few sections to help you find the perfect gift:
Camping Gear for Dogs Gifts Under $25 (if you’re on a budget)
Dog Camping Essentials Gifts
Cozy Camping Gear for Dogs Gifts
Fun Outdoor Gear for Dogs Gifts
If you’re looking for specific dog outdoor gear gift ideas, go ahead and skip ahead to that section!
While I hope this gift helps you find the perfect gift of outdoor gear for dogs for your favorite dog parent, don’t worry too much about it. Outdoor dog lovers just want to spend time enjoying nature with their furry friends, and anything that makes that experience better will be appreciated – especially the gift of your company! :)
Please note: The below post contains affiliate links.
CAMPING GEAR FOR DOGS GIFTS UNDER $25
1. RUFFWEAR GNAWT-A-ROCK TOY
Sure, a dog will find all sorts of interesting things around the campground, but a dedicated toy is nice to have to entertain them. The Ruffwear Gnawt-a-Rock toy is great since it mimics a rock and can hide a treat. It also comes in a stick version, because the best gift for a dog is always a stick!
2. ZIPPY BURROW CAMPING TENT
For an absolutely adorable toy, check out the Burrow Camping Tent from Zippy Paws. This set includes three small squeaky toys – a campfire, compass, and pine tree – which you can hide in the camping tent burrow. Dogs will enjoy playing hide & seek, while outdoorsy owners will love the camping theme!
3. GIVEPET TREATS
When taking a dog on an outdoor adventure, you need to have high-quality treats to give them energy and encouragement along the trail. GivePet treats are made of natural ingredients, are grain-free, and come in fun flavors like Campfire Feast.
Plus, each bag purchased provides treats to 10 shelter dogs, so you’ll be giving a tasty gift to lots of fuzzy friends.
4. BURT’S BEES PAW & NOSE LOTION
While most dogs love playing outside, all that exploring can be rough on their nose and toes. This lotion from Burt’s Bees helps restore moisture to dried out paw pads and cracked noses. It’s made with natural ingredients that are pH balanced specifically for dogs.
5. TIE OUT CABLE
If your favorite dog owner doesn’t already have one of these, they will definitely appreciate it the next time they go camping with their pup. Many campgrounds require dogs to be leashed, and this tie out cable keeps them in control while still giving them room to roam.
6. RUFFWEAR SWAMP COOLER DOG NECK GAITER
While they have a blast exploring and zooming around, hiking and camping dogs can overheat in warm weather. The Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Dog Neck Gaiter helps cool a dog down before they get too hot.
Simply soak the neck gaiter in water, and then the evaporative cooling technology will help the dog lower its temperature. It also is made of UPF+ 50 fabric to protect dogs from the sun. The Swamp Cooler Neck Gaiter would be a great gift of camping gear for dogs, especially for those who live in hot climates.
7. EARTH RATED POOP BAGS
Sure, it might not seem like the coolest gift, but trust me, dog owners can never have enough poop bags. When you’re camping, you have to pack everything out because backpacking hygiene means Leave No Trace, and that includes dog poop.
These bags from Earth Rated are my favorite because they are strong and leak free, and they would make a perfect stocking stuffer for any dog lover.
DOG CAMPING ESSENTIALS GIFTS
8. WATER BOWL
Water is essential for both people and dogs when camping. Even if your favorite dog lover already has a water bowl for their canine buddy, you can gift them an upgrade or an extra, because it’s the worst when you forget one!
The Ruffwear Quencher Dog Bowl is an awesome and durable bowl that packs down easily for camping or hiking. You could also get a collapsible silicone bowl which is easy to clip to a pack on the trail. Or check out the MalsiPree which is a water bottle and bowl all in one.
9. RUFFWEAR FRONT RANGE DOG HARNESS
While you can usually use a leash on short, easy trails, when you’re taking your dog for longer hikes and out camping, a harness is so much better. It makes it easier to keep the dog under control and close by, and gives you an option to lift the dog up and help them on tricky terrain.
The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is the go-to harness for many outdoor-loving dog owners because it’s durable and easy to put on and adjust. This harness would be a perfect gift for someone who doesn’t yet have a harness for their dog or deserves an upgrade.
Please note: the picture of my Italian Greyhound dog above is NOT a Ruffwear harness., but he looked cute, and so we put this picture here :)
10. RUFFWEAR APPROACH DOG PACK
If you like to take your dog on longer hikes, it’s so nice to have them carry some of their own stuff (treats, water, etc) and a dog hiking backpack lets your furry friend take some of the load. Ruffwear makes several different packs for dogs, depending on the adventure you’re planning.
The Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack is an awesome all-around pack that is perfect on a day hike or a short backcountry camping excursion. The Front Range pack is a good choice (and great gift!) for day hikes, while the Palisades pack is the best for longer backpacking trips
11. K9 SPORT SACK
On the other hand, if you want to carry your dog, the K9 Sport Sack is our go-to pack. Even when little dogs love the outdoors, sometimes their short legs get tired, and you can give them a rest (and get them home safely) in this backpack. This would make an excellent dog hiking gear gift for your small-dog-owning friends.
As you can see in the photo above, my dog, Lincoln, loves to ride in this thing when we go hiking or on bike rides!
12. NITE IZE NIGHTHOWL COLLAR LIGHT
When the sun sets and it’s campfire time, it can be easy to lose track of a dog in the dark. Give the gift of safety with the Nighthowl lighted collar from Nite Ize! These adjustable necklaces light up to make it easy to see where a dog is during the night.
These rechargeable collars also come in different colors to differentiate multiple dogs.
13. RUFFWEAR PACK OUT BAG
Just like humans, it’s important that dogs Leave No Trace when enjoying the great outdoors, but we’ve all seen the poop bags left along the trail. The Ruffwear Pack Out Bag makes it simple and sanitary to carry out poop bags. It features a big zippered pouch with waterproof lining to keep odors and everything contained, and it can be clipped to a pack or worn on the included waist belt.
14. ADVENTURE MEDICAL KITS DOG FIRST AID KIT
Nothing is more important to a dog owner than our dog’s safety, so this dog first aid kit would be at the top of my list of dog camping essentials. Adventure Medical Kits makes a variety of first aid kits, and this one is especially useful because it includes supplies for both humans and canines.
15. RUFFWEAR HAUL BAG
As you might have noticed here, you need a lot of camping gear for dogs! The Ruffwear Haul Bag is the perfect way to carry everything you need for your four-legged friend. Multiple pockets make it easy to keep everything organized, and the durable, waterproof fabric stands up to the rigors of the backcountry.
This would make a truly fantastic gift for a dog owner who loves taking trips with their pup – and you could even put some toys, treats, and other things from this post in it to turn it into the ultimate gift of camping gear for dogs!
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COZY CAMPING GEAR FOR DOGS
16. RUFFWEAR HIGHLANDS DOG PAD
The most crucial camping gear for dogs is a cozy dog camping bed, and the Ruffwear Highlands Dog Pad is the perfect combo of comfy and packable. This would be a truly amazing gift for someone who is just starting to take their dog camping and doesn’t have a dog camping bed yet.
And it integrates with the Ruffwear sleeping bag below, if you want to splurge on a whole sleep system for a lucky dog!
17. RUFFWEAR HIGHLANDS DOG SLEEPING BAG
While some dogs might be perfectly happy with a dog bed (like the one above) and a blanket, you can give the gift of extra snuggliness with the Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag from Ruffwear.
This synthetic sleeping bag zips up to keep a dog extra warm, and it has a special sleeve to integrate with the Ruffwear Highlands Dog Pad to create an entire sleep system for your favorite fuzzy friend.
18. PENDLETON NATIONAL PARK PET THROW
We absolutely love our Pendleton blanket for van life, and this would definitely be one of the best dog camping accessories you could give as a gift. The blanket is perfect to throw over your dog to keep him warm in the tent or lay it on the ground for him to lay on around the campfire.
Plus, it comes with an adorable animal squeaker toy!
19. KURGO LOFT JACKET DOG COAT
When the temps drop, all but the fluffiest dogs will need some extra insulation on their outdoor adventures. The Kurgo Loft Jacket is a water-resistant, lightweight coat that is great for active dogs. And it comes in a bunch of colors and fun patterns, so you can find the perfect one as a gift!
20. RUFFWEAR GRIP TREX DOG BOOTS
Just like hiking gear for humans includes boots, hiking gear for dog should include booties. Trails have sharp rocks and other hazards that can hurt paws, but booties like the Ruffwear Grip Trex keep them protected while providing good traction. These are useful in all trail conditions, but are especially important for winter hiking in the snow.
21. RUFFWEAR DIRTBAG SEAT COVER
Camping with dogs tends to end up with plenty of dirt, mud, and more all over our furry friends. A protective seat cover is crucial to keep your car clean and comfy on the ride home from an adventure. The Ruffwear Dirtbag Seat Cover is easy to install either in a bench or hammock configuration, and the fabric is comfortable while also being tear-resistant and waterproof.
FUN OUTDOOR GEAR FOR DOGS GIFTS
22. REX SPECS DOG GOGGLES
Protect your dog’s eyes from sun and dirt while also making an adorably absurd fashion statement! The Rex Specs Dog Goggles are basically sunglasses for your dog that stay in place and come in various sizes for different breeds. This would make a great gift for any dog owner who likes getting after it in more extreme conditions.
23. TINY TENT
This one’s for the owners of little dogs, like chihuahuas, terriers, and, of course, iggys like Lincoln! The Tiny Tent brings camping gear for dogs inside with this adorable miniature version of an outdoor shelter. It’s designed for play, and not for actually camping outside, but any outdoor-loving tiny dog owner would totally love this.
24. RUFFWEAR KNOT-A-HITCH CAMPSITE DOG-HITCHING SYSTEM
While I mentioned a standard tie-out earlier in this post, Ruffwear has developed an awesome dog hitching system that would make a great gift. With the Knot-a-Hitch, you can set up a line between trees, then attach your dog’s leash to it, giving your furry buddy more freedom to roam and play without getting tangled up.
25. RUFFWEAR FLOAT COAT DOG LIFE JACKET
If you have friends who love to bring their dogs out to play on the water when camping, whether swimming, SUPing, or boating, a life jacket is a must. The Ruffwear Float Coat is a cute PFD that’s easy to get on and adjust safely. Plus, it has a well-placed handle to lift a dog out of the water if necessary.
26. RUFFWEAR HITCH HIKER LEASH
This unique dog leash would make an especially ideal gift for rock climbers who like to bring their dog to the crag, but anyone who hits the trails with their pup will appreciate it, too. The Ruffwear Hitch Hiker Leash can be used as a normal hand-held leash or hands-free around the waist, and it can be easily hitched to a tree as a tether. The adjustable length rope and braking system is inspired by climbing gear and makes it easy to transition from a short lead to a longer line as the environment changes.
27. PEARHEAD PAW PRINT ORNAMENT
While this isn’t a gift your dog-loving friend will bring camping, it is a way to bring their dog into the holiday season. This kit has everything you need to create a special paw print ornament - just make sure to clean your dog’s paws after their outdoor adventures first!
Hopefully, this gift guide has helped you find some great gifts for the outdoorsy dog lover in your life! If you still need more dog outdoor gear gift ideas, reach out in the comments below! And be sure to check out some of our other gear resources, too!
Other Gear and Outdoor Gift Guide Resources:
Cheers,
Allison - She Dreams of Alpine
Your Ultimate Guide to the Angels Landing Hike in Zion National Park | The Angels Landing Trail is one of the most iconic hiking trails in the Untied States for a reason. It has every quality an amazing day hike needs: physical challenge, beautiful views, and epic adventure! This trail will test your mental strength as you make your way up the narrow steep spine toward the top of Angels Landing, but, trust me my friend, it’s well worth it! Check out our full trail guide & safety tips for hiking the Angels Landing trail here! | shedreamsofalpine.com