RVing With Dogs

Find America's "Dog Friendly" Campgrounds

2010-03-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

Not every campground or RV park loves Fido. But many do.
Here is our ever-expanding directory of places to stay that love dogs. Search for a place to camp with your furry friend, or tell us about a park where you've stayed that welcomes dogs. If you find a campground that's already listed, but know more about the place or believe the information is inaccurate, please leave a comment. This way, our directory will always stay up-to-date and useful. Woof!

Will They Remember?

2007-06-18T17:24:00.000-07:00

They say that elephants never forget, but what about dogs. Recently, we came back to Maine after being gone for about 18 months. One of the issues with RVing with dogs on a long term basis is that they are constantly in different environments.

And, being the stupid human that I am, I was wondering if my younger dog would remember all of our relatives. After all, he was only two when we left and now he is four.

I am always worrying about the quality of life of my dogs: are they getting enough exercise, is the RV too small for them, do they wish they had their own yards etc. So, naturally, I worried that my youngest dog wouldn't remember my mother or my step-dad or my cousins or my friends.

What a joke!

The minute he heard their voices, his tail started to wag a million miles an hour. He and my other dog were so very happy to see all of their family again. They ran around in circles of glee and joy. And, there is nothing better than seeing the smile on people's faces when a dog is happy to see them.

So, whenever you wonder if your dogs knows something, or remembers something, or understands what you are saying, don't forget, they are so much more intelligent and complex than we even think!

Make Your Own Dog Bed

2007-06-13T05:41:00.000-07:00

If you have a few minutes, you can make your own dog bed for a fraction of the price of retail. I have two older commercial dog beds for my dogs. They are two years old, flattened to about 1/2 inch and they smell really bad!!!

So, I decided to go out shopping for new dog beds. Because my dogs are large, I thought I better consider a larger thicker bed for each of them. I looked in all of the usual places and the cheapest that I could buy two large and thick dogs beds was about $150 each. My goodness, I couldn't afford $300 for new dog beds.

So, being a normal human being, I just procrastinated and didn't buy them a new dog bed. But, then one of the dogs hurt his leg, so he needed a better bed. I was just ready to make the plunge, when my mother suggested that we make them a bed.

So, while we had our motorhome parked in her huge driveway with a lovely sewer, electrical, water, and cable connection that my step-dad put in just for us...she and I went to the local fabric store. We bought a 48x36" piece of four inch foam for about $42. Then, we went back and took two old sheets and I sewed them together on three sides to make a cover. I put velcro on the fourth side so that I could take it off easily and wash it.

Now, I have one really large dog bed, that one of the dogs can really stretch out on or both can curl up on at once. The dogs absolutely love it! And, I got rid of some guilt points about the lack of a comfy bed (well I won't mention here that one of them is always sleeping on the couch).

For $42, you too can make a terrific dog bed.

A Leash By Any Other Name

2007-06-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

Most campgrounds require you to put your dog on a leash. But, recently it seems like half the dog owners ignore this rule most of the time. This is patently unfair to the rest of us.

For example, at a campground in Ohio, we were camped next to two large Great Danes. The owners didn't put them on the leash the entire time they were there. Here is their unleashed photo...

As you can see, unleashed with no owner in sight. In addition, they took both of these dogs walking without leashes. This made it very difficult for me, because one of my dogs is a dominant female and she doesn't appreciate other dogs walking up to me. So, I had to wait until the owners tok these dogs inside, so that I could take my dogs out.

Additionally, some people are just plain scared of dogs. It just isn't very nice to walk large dogs around without leashes. But, most importantly, it shows a blatant disregard for campground rules. This only serves as a bad example fr the rest of us. It gives people a legitimate excuse for asking the owners to limit dogs at campgrounds.

PLEASE, if the campground asks you to leash your dog, do it. Not just some of the time, but all of the time!!

Latest information on pet food recalls

2007-06-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

On March 15, the FDA learned that certain pet foods were sickening and killing cats and dogs. FDA found contaminants in vegetable proteins imported into the United States from China and used as ingredients in pet food. All tainted pet food, animal and fish feed, and vegetable proteins continue to be recalled and destroyed.

FDA and USDA continue their comprehensive investigation to protect the nation's food supply. Here is where to check for the latest information on recalled pet foods and tainted animal feed.

State Parks and Dogs

2007-06-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

Even though state parks are one of our favorite places to RV. Most of the time on a long trip, we don't try to find state parks. They are usually a little too far off the highway and down a winding road and up a steep hill and around the bend. But, we were around Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and we couldn't find a campground for the life of us.

Soooo, I called the local Chamber of Commerce and they sent me to Francis Slocum State park in Wilkes-Barre, PA. We got off the highway, took a 14 mile expressway, went on a nieighborhood road for 4 miles, turned onto a winding wooded road for 2 miles and we got to the park! But, that was only the beginning, we then had to go down a really scary hill around a corner, over a causeway and around a rather small campground road to find one of the sites which were reserved for dogs.

So, we got hooked up to electricity and set up the slides, etc, then took the dogs for a walk. It is an absolutely gorgeous state park on a lake by the way. So we followed the signs which said "Dog Walk Area". Until we got to the "Dog Walk Area". Which was a three foot wide setion of gravel on the side of the road, see photo. However, the walk to get to the "Dog Walk Area" was very beautiful and worth all of the hassles!

The moral of the story is...sometimes the journey is better than the destination!

Memorial Day Dogs

2007-05-28T11:29:00.001-07:00

So, we are still on our trip from Arizona to Maine with the dogs. So far--knock on wood-- the trip has been blessedly unevently in terms of the dogs, no bee stings, skunk sprays, or bear sightings!

After spending 18 months in the Arizona desert, I had forgotten about skunks! One night at about 3am, I was asleep in bed and Jack was up working. I was awakened by the really strong smell of skunk. I popped out of bed and yelled to Jack,"Make sure you out the dogs on a leash if you let them out tonight." Since he stays up late a lot, he often lets them out in the middle of the night for a little night walk, they love it, but night time is dangerous for dogs, so always use a leash.

You know, sometimes you just stumble across a campground that is great for dogs, even thought they don't really advertise it. The KOA in Buckeye Lake, OH, just outside of Columbus is just such a campground. Here is a photo of their monumentally large dog pen...

Over the memorial Day week-end they had dog grooming, a doggie contest, a doggie parade, and K-9 Olympics! They actually had more dog events than child events---my kind of campground.

The other nice thing about this campground is that there is plenty of open space to walk your dog in the pimitive camping areas. Just don't tell them that I told you that!

Joplin, MO KOA

2007-05-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, a campground is just too nice for both humans and dogs. That was the case for us in Joplin, MO at the KOA. When we got there, we got a site way in the back, where it was open around our RV (read we could get satellite reception and sun) and the woods were all around us. The minute we got to this KOA, the dogs went crazy. They were rolling around on the grass within a microsecond. Then, they discovered the gorgeous path through the woods which was a designated pet path.

So, we stayed a second day.

On the second day, I took pictures of the geese in the big pond in the middle of the campground. While the dogs ran along the edge and went in occasionally, no swimming though, it is for widllife like turtles and geese. Then, I rescued a baby turtle from the road and put it back in the pond. I can't remember the last time I have seen a baby turtle before this time.

So, we stayed another day.

On the third day, I was walking the dogs along the edge of the woods and two white-tailed deer came out to the edge, looked at us, and silently bounded back into the woods.

Now, the weird thing about this campground was that it was near the highway between two truck stops, but it really was quiet and peaceful. And, make sure you have Frontline tick repellent on your dogs when traveling in these parts.

Finally, on the fourth day, with regrets, we filled up on propane and left.

We are in Ohio now, more about that later, but Joplin is still on my mind and my dogs minds.

Julee

Big Trip Issues

2007-05-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

So, we got ready to take the annual trip in our motorhome from Arizona to Maine a few weeks ago. It took a full two weeks to get all of the stuff we needed and to do all of the maintenance. And, of course, since I write regularly about RVing with Dogs, I was pretty smug about how well I had packed for the dogs. I had bought vast quantities of Frontline and Heartguard, I had gone to Petsmart and bought two 40 lb bags of dog food, new dog tags, and kitty litter, cat food and insulin (for the cats). Then I went to the vet and bought 2 40lb bags of Prescription dog food. So, I was ready.

The day we were getting ready to leave, we were all set. Jack had done all of the maintenance required. He had bought new windshield wipers, changed the oil, added anti-freeze and transmission fluid, checked the tires, changed the air conditioning filters, and much more. I had spent a week cleaning desert dust out of every nock and cranny. So, we were happy and ready to go. Our toad vehicle was pretty packed with big stuff like ladders and lawn chairs, and other assorted RV things.

Just before we turned on the engine, Jack went outside and sprayed the slides with slide lubricant. So, when we started to pull out, I told Jack that I smelled gasoline. He assured me that it was the slide lubricant that I smelled. However, I was my usually persisent self, so I said, no, it is definitely gasoline. So, he humored me and went outside to check the engine, only to find to his horror that gasoline was spraying everywhere.

"Get out and get the dogs out", he said.

So, in 98 degrees, I promptly, opened the door and rushed out with the dogs. Now, our dogs don't require a leash, but we always use them. But, in my hurry, I left the leashes behind. So...

There I was with two dogs, in 98 degrees, with no shade, no leashes, no car keys, and a car that was too packed to put them in.

My first thought was, now this is really ridiculous, you should have put an extra set of leashes in the car. My second thought was, the dogs are going to get too hot really fast, and my third thought was, I hope Jack doesn't blow up. Well, maybe not quite in that order.

So, to make a long story short, it was a very minor problem which was easily fixed and I got the dogs back in the RV in about 10 minutes.

HOWEVER, I now have two extra leashes in the car.....

We are in Missouri now, stay tuned.

Costco recalls dog food

2007-05-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

KIRKLAND, Wash. (May 15, 2007) - Kirkland-based Costco has announced the recall of one of its pet foods after the manufacturer announced that it contained rice protein that may be contaminated.

American Nutrition says the rice protein concentrate in Costco's "Kirkland Signature Lamb and Rice canned dog food" may contain melamine, an industrial chemical that was found in other recently recalled pet foods. The chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers may be harmful to animals if eaten.

The dog food is sold as part of the Kirkland Signature Premium Dog Food 2-Flavor Variety Pack, item #38436, with a specific code on the package that reads, "Best if used by Apr 15 09."

Costco is asking customers to stop using this food immediately and return it to any Costco warehouse for a full refund.

For more information call American Nutrition at 800-257-4530.

Doggie Bags 101

2006-04-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

When you travel with your dog, you are an ambassador for the rest of us. So, please, please, please, please, always pick up your dog's waste. I have been in hundreds of campgrounds and seen so many people claim, in public, that they always pick up their dog's waste; only to see them, in private, leave it on the ground and hope no-one noticed.

Look, it is not a pleasant job, but neither is changing your child's diapers and you still do that faithfully.

Now, on to what to use to pick up the nasty stuff.

I have been through the gamut in using doggie bags. I have used thick silver ones that cost about a dollar a bag and I have used cheap thin ones that practically break when you look at them. When I lived in downtown Boston, a remarkably friendly dog town, I had a neighbor who bought rolls of produce bags from the local grocery store for a few bucks. Those are just too thin for my taste!

But, I found a nice middle ground. They are in the grocery store with the Ziploc bags and the aluminum foil. They are called "Food Storage Bags." They usually come 75 to a box and they also have twist ties with them. A box is about $2.40. So, they are much cheaper than specialty doggie bags, but they are thicker than produce bags. I have found them to be the perfect balance. Try them...

Identify Your Dog

2006-04-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

One of the most important things you need to think about for the safety of your dog while RVing is identification. Don't put it off until tomorrow. Get identification tags for your dog now. Make sure you put a phone number where you can be easily reached. Don't put your home phone in New York, if you will be in New Mexico traveling. A cell phone number is preferable, if you have one.

These tags are called Jazzy Tags, they come in a great selection of colors and designs. They are thick and made of solid stainless steel. I received a few samples and they are really high quality. My dogs have some old tags that I bought at a local pet store, but they are thin and the numbers are wearing out. I am going to buy one of these jazzy tags for each of my dogs.

(By the way, we do not receive any form of compensation for any of the products that we review. This website reviews products which we feel can be useful when traveling with your dog.)

LOOK OUT --- Watch Those RV Steps!

2006-04-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

Whenever you read RV magazines, there is inevitably an article or tip about being careful on RV Steps. I always read those and think to myself, "They must be talking about other people, not me." Well, here is my step story....

I feed a lot of birds right on our campsite, in fact, the amount of bird seed we buy every week is going to bankrupt us! So, along with the birds, come the clean-up crew: the squirrels, the mice, the big ground birds, etc.

So, the dogs have gotten very used to the birds and the small squirrels, BUT, the big squirrels, oh those big, tasty-looking, fat, grey squirrels!
I was at the top of the steps last week, getting ready to take BruBru (aka Fearless) for a walk, when it happened. He bolted for a grey squirrel and I came after him, flying off the steps at 90+ mph.

Needless to say, I hurt my knee. It was already a bad knee to start with, but I hurt it worse than ever. I have been limping around for days now.

Let that be another one of those little warnings to you.
Be careful on the RV steps!

Whose Couch is This Anyway?

2006-04-12T16:52:00.000-07:00

Whose Couch is This Anyway?
Originally uploaded by Lilacgs.

I absolutely laughed out loud at this picture sent in by Virginia Petrelis. She wrote: "Lady and Jessica started out sleeping together but, by morning, Jessica was sound asleep on the floor. Lady has claimed that bed as hers for the past eight years."

I can soooo relate to Jessica. At night when I watch TV, my dogs think the bed is for the three of us. So, I have to get up and hit the fold-out button to make it bigger. They still try to crowd me out!

Julee

Four Paws, Part 2

2006-04-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

Here is Part 2 of a five Part Interview with Four Paws Kingdom Campground owner, Meik.

Julee: What do you think is the "favorite" activity that your campers enjoy the most?

Meik: All campers enjoy the freedom and opportunity to have their dogs run and play with others in our three 2.5+ acres of off-leash areas. Many dogs love to swim in our fully fenced off-leash pond, others like to try our Rally-Obedience Course and the "sporty ones" enjoy the Agility Ring and our new Agility Fun Park (a true playground for dogs of all ages). Many campers use our 20 acres of nature and hiking trails and almost everybody is using our exclusive doggy bath-house. Another favorite activity are our fun food and dog events.

Four Paws Kingdom Campground
Meik and Birgit Bartoschek - Owners
335 Lazy Creek Dr.Rutherfordton, NC
828.287.7324
info@4pawskingdom.com
http://www.4pawskingdom.com

$10,000 Reward Paid for Lost Dog

2006-04-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

In Alberta Canada, Hannes Kovac spent $26,000 to get back his lost yellow Lab. When his dog went missing, he put a $13,000 full-color ad in the local newspaper where he offered a $10,000 reward and a $3,000 donation to the Alberta Children's Hospital for the safe return of his dog. A landowner who had found the dog and planned on keeping him, returned the dog and collected his huge reward.

Hannes did the right things, he put up posters, canvassed the local shelters, and condulted a psychic. We always recommend that you bring a digital photo of your dog when you travel in your RV. That way, you can make posters immediately without having to somehow get a picture from back home.

I think some people would think that Hannes was nuts, but I would give anything to get back one of my dogs, if it was lost!

http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2006/04/09/1526713-sun.html

Dog Beach Suggestions?

2006-04-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

Dog Beach Suggestions?
Originally uploaded by Lilacgs.

I haven't taken my dogs to a gorgeous sand beach like this one. Greg & Kari Kijek of Roselle, IL sent in this incredible pictures of their dogs enjoying the beach. From L to R, Sadie(sadly passed away shortly after this trip, but what a last trip!) Sandie, and Brandy.

Do you know of a great RV Park with a sand beach for the dogs? Let us know, leave a comment on this post or contact me directly.

Looking forward to new beaches to explore!

Julee

Travel Time! - Part 1

2006-04-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

Many of us are gearing up for travel. Either we are heading back home from winter destinations or we are thinking about a spring/summer vacation. Now is the time to make sure that you have packed everything for your four-legged friends.

Here is Part 1 of a two part list from our book, "Camping & RVing with Dogs." These are items that you should consider bringing for your dog...

Collars, Containers for Food, Description of Tatoo, Digital Photo of Your Dogs, Dog Bed, Dog Blanket, Dog Booties, Dog Leads, Dog Treats, Extra Food, Flashlight, Flea and Tick Medication, Flea Comb, Food and Water Bowls, Food Mat.

The items in bold are particularly important. Stay tuned for part two...

Happy Trails
Julee

Lord Raggy Muffin

2006-04-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

Raggy Lying Down
Originally uploaded by Lilacgs.

Gary and Mary Glidewell sent this picture of their Lord Raggy Muffin. He is a 13 year old "Old English Sheep Dog". This picture was taken in the summer of 2005, at Misty Mountain RV Park just north of Branson, MO. There is a nice field there for the dogs to run. The park only has 10 spaces, no frills but a nice place.

Acadia National Park

2006-04-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

Reed & Jeni Mellinger of Flyn'Dust Whippets in Lock Haven, PA sent in this picture of Reed hiking Cadillac Mtn with Cadence (wearing the pack) and Wizard.

Cadillac Mountain is in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine. The view from the top is one of the most awesome views you will find in North America. Acadia National Park is one of the most visited national parks, but somehow, you can always find a beautiful quiet spot.

There are 100 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads in the park where pets are permitted. They also have some campgrounds,
Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds, which permit pets.
On Isle au Haut, pets are permitted for day hiking only. And, they also allow dogs on two of the beaches, off-season. It gets cold quick in Bar Harbor, so don't wait until too late in the season to go there, unless you like cold, arctic winds.

Happy Trails
Julee

My dog wrote a poem!

2006-04-06T10:53:00.000-07:00

Fearless wrote a poem this morning about Rving....

Dog RVing

Standing on the doghouse
Watching all the ruckus

Outside the world goes by
In glorious colors and smells

The moving room came in
The stuff was moved around

My water in the little weird bowl
My mom in the passenger seat

I squeal with great delight
The road is ahead……

by Fearless (aka Bru Bru)

That Time of Year

2006-04-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

This question is in response to a post a few weeks ago on Air Conditioning in RVs. I am very interested in a product like this as well. Can anybody help?

"Many years ago I saw a product in a camping magazine. It was thermostatically controlled and called your cell phone when the temp in the vehicle exceeded a certain temp. I can't seem to find anything on this product. Does anyone have one or know where one can be purchased?"

I Never Said I Could Read Signs

2006-04-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

This picture is of 7 month old Gus enjoying himself in the water while camping in northwest Michigan. His partners, Gail and Tom Schultz of Owosso, Michigan say, "Gus is a great camper...he gets so excited when we ask him if he wants to go camping"

It seems like the happiest dogs you ever see are the ones that are camping with their owners. Just ask Gus.

Happy Trails
Julee

Four Paws, Part I

2006-04-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

I thought I would do a five-part interview with the owners of Four Paws campground in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. I will be spacing the questions out over the next month or so. They are an example of one of the finest dog-friendly campgrounds -- one that truly loves dogs and provides amazing activities for them.

Julee: What made you and your wife decide to open a campground that focused on dogs?

Meik: My wife is an artist and for many years we've traveled to art shows around the country with our dogs in our own RV. During this time, we discovered that there aren't many places that truly appreciate campers bringing dogs. Some offer limited areas for going potty but most places consider dogs a nuisance. On one of those travels we started talking about the idea of starting our own dog related business and after doing some research into the subject we developed the idea for Four Paws Kingdom. We have a background in dog training and marketing and it was a natural progression for us to combine our love for dogs with a business venture that incorporates our talents as well as ideas for a better vacation place for humans and their four legged companions.

Contact Info:
Four Paws Kingdom Campground
Meik and Birgit Bartoschek - Owners
335 Lazy Creek Dr.Rutherfordton, NC 28139828.287.7324
info4pawskingdom.comhttp://www.4pawskingdom.com

Water, water.....

2006-04-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

The absolute most important thing you can do for the health of your traveling dog is to always supply fresh, clean water. In fact, I would argue that traveling dogs should always receive bottled water. Now, before, you say.."Yea, in an ideal world, but it would cost a fortune!" You can buy five gallons of water for $1.25 out of those water vending machines. This is not true spring water, but it is water that has been filtered so that it doesn't have many impurities. We bought a water cooler for our RV, so we buy three of those 5-gallon containers and the dogs only drink that water.

Now, I happen to know a lot about water for two reasons; one is that Jack and I were in the water quality software business for a long time and the second is that we used to be big-time tropical fish keepers and underwater gardeners. So, water quality has been a big deal in our lives.

In dogs, using different water all the time or not cleaning their water bowl enough, can cause severe gastrointestinal upsets including diarrhea. So, please take the time and effort to provide your traveling dog with good, clean water at all times. This photo is one of those no-spill water bowls which we use whenever we are traveling.