When Camping With A Dog, Where Does He Sleep?

Do you want to take your dog camping but you don’t know where to put him at night? 

I’ve been camping for over 25 years, and I often bring my dog along. My brother recently got his own dog, and he asked me the other day:

When camping with a dog, where does he sleep?

When camping with a dog, it’s important to know where they’re going to sleep. The best way is in the tent with you, but you could also put him in a camping chair, an outdoor kennel, in your car, and in a tent vestibule. 

Read ahead for details including pros and cons of each place as well as other commonly asked dog camping questions. 

5 Places Your Dog Can Sleep When Camping

In this section, we’ll discuss the places your dog may sleep when you’re camping. A lot of people choose one of these options, but are they all good for your pet. 

We’ll break down the different options with pros and cons, and we’ll also discuss any products you may want to purchase to help your dog camping experience. 

Links to products are affiliate in nature which means we earn a small commission when you buy something through the link. However, these products are recommended either by me personally or I have friends that use them with their dogs. 

#1 In Your Tent

Where does your dog sleep when camping? The best answer is in your tent. 

Inside your tent the dog can sleep in several places, including the following: 

• On the floor
• In your sleeping bag
• On a dog bed
• In a collapsible kennel

These are all fine options. But with all of them being inside the tent you have better control over the temperature and safety of your pet. 

On top of this, your dog will likely have less anxiety because he is with you. 

Pros For This Method: 

• Temperature regulation
• Safety from predators and other wild animals
• Lowers anxiety
• Keeps your pet near in case there is a problem

Cons For This Method: 

• Takes up space in your tent
• Pets nails may damage your tent if you let their nails grow too long

For those interested in this method, my cousin uses the AMOFY pet mat for sleeping with his dog in the tent. He likes this mat a lot because it’s tough and can be easily used in and out of the tent. 

For a kennel recommendation, check out the “Outdoor Kennel” section below. 

Learn more about the best tents for camping with dogs.

#2 Camping Chair

Any good camping chair will also make a good spot for a dog to sleep. It would be best if the dog was in the tent with you, but the camping chair could also be just outside the tent as long as the dog is on a leash. 

Why use a camping chair at all? Well, it keeps the dog off the ground and therefore keeps it warmer and avoids insects which may crawl on it. 

While any camping chair may do, you’ll want one made with animals in mind (especially if your dog is medium or large-sized). 

The Omnicore Love Seat is large enough for most dogs and it offers two spots for sitting (you can sit with your pup). It’s high enough off the ground that you don’t need to worry about temperatures just give your dog a bed and blanket to stay warm. 

As another option, you could even use this elevated dog bed by Paws and Pals. My sister-in-law uses this with her two tiny dogs although she brings the bed into the tent for the night.  

Pros For This Method: 

• Keeps dogs off the ground
• Gives them a comfortable place
• Keeps them out of your tent
• Affordable and saves space

Cons For This Method: 

• Dog may escape leash
• Doesn’t protect from wild animals
• Little temperature regulation
• Heightens anxiety of some dogs when left alone

#3 Outdoor Kennel

Another popular option for dogs sleeping when camping is the outdoor kennel. Dogs instinctively like kennels or crates because it reminds them of their natural dens. 

I’ve used this with my dog when we go camping places I know temperature and wild animals won’t be a problem. 

You can either drag along a full metal kennel you may use at home. I use this Midwest Home For Pets 42-inch option (other sizes available) because it collapses well and secures nicely. 

However, it’s still heavy and a pain to move around a lot. This is why I use the Petnation Port-A-Crate when camping. 

I like how this crate is easy to transport and keep the insects away from my dog while it’s sleeping. 

Usually, this is considered the second-best option behind sleeping in a tent. 

Pros For This Method: 

• Save space in tent
• Helps lower dog’s anxiety
• Protects from insects
• Useful in other travel situations besides camping

Cons For This Method: 

• Doesn’t regulate temperature

The main problem with the outdoor kennel option is temp regulation. Either put it in your tent or check out tips on how to keep your dog cool in the hot summer temps. 

#4 In Your Car

I often see campers keeping their dogs in the cars at night when the weather is mild. There isn’t a problem with this although you must make sure the car doesn’t get hot. 

Warning! Never leave your dog in a car during warm temperatures! 

At night, this gives you all the benefits of a dog sleeping in a tent except having it near you to stay calm. You can get around this by having the dog sleep in a kennel (as above). 

The main downside of this method is its limitations with those who like to go far out in the wilderness without cars or trucks. You won’t have this option available. 

Pros For This Method: 

• Saves money
• Protects from insects and wild animals
• Secures dog
• Save space in tent

Cons For This Method: 

• Not available for hikers
• Requires car be nearby
• Can’t be used in warm temperatures

#5 Tent Vestibule

The final option you have open to you is by keeping your tent in the tent vestibule if available. A tent vestibule is an entryway for your tent. 

It’s protected from insects and most wild animals. The temperature isn’t as controlled, so you’ll have to watch for that. 

But you will get to save space in your sleeping area. 

You need a tent with a vestibule for this to work. The Wenzel 8 Person Klondike tent does the job well. 

Pros For This Method: 

• Protection from insects and most wild animals
• Keeps dog near you
• Saves space in tent 

Cons For This Method: 

• Requires a tent with a vestibule
• Doesn’t regulate temperature

Should My Dog Sleep In My Tent?

In my opinion, yes, a dog should sleep in your tent. You have the best control of the temperature in there. 

You’re also nearby in case anything goes wrong with your furry friend. And humans will often scare off predators which helps keep your dog safe too. 

The only reasons you wouldn’t want your dog to sleep in your tent is if you’re limited on space or you’re afraid the dog will damage your tent. 

For both the concerns, you may just have to opt for a better quality tent. (Go check out the link at the “In Your Tent” section above.)

Is Leaving My Dog In A Tent OK?

I don’t recommend you leave your dog along in your tent for a long period of time. It can give the dog high anxiety and potentially put your pet in danger.

If you’re not around, you can’t keep an eye on other animals or people nearby. You also won’t know what the temperature is like inside the tent; your pet could be overheating. 

However, it’s not impossible to leave your dog behind in a tent while you go out someplace they can’t follow for a while. But you’ll need some tricks to help. 

Check out these tips on leaving a dog in a tent. 

Is Camping With A Dog Safe?

Yes, camping with a dog can be perfectly safe. It does require some preparation and research into where you’re going, but taking your dog along is a fun way to bond with your furry friend. 

Have a look at 11 tips for keeping your dog safe while camping.

Conclusion

We hope you found this post on camping with a dog and where he sleeps. Of these 5 places, the best is clearly some form of sleeping in your tent with you. 

But if this isn’t an option, you have some alternatives you could choose. 

Where do you sleep with your dog when camping? Let us know in the comments below.