Fall is just around the corner, and so is the chilly weather that comes along with it. This means it’s time to start preparing for fall camping season—and after that, winter camping season. There are several things to consider when planning a fall camping trip, and even more things to think about when planning a winter camping trip. Among them? Your pets.
Fall camping with pets can be a ton of fun. That said, camping with dogs in fall and winter can also be dangerous. Make sure you know how to keep your pet comfy and warm during your cold-weather adventures.
Pet-Friendly RVs For Rent Near You
Cold Weather Vehicle Safety for Pets
First, let’s discuss keeping your dog, cat, or other pet(s) safe while driving to your destination. Many of the safety tips below apply no matter the season, and all are important to remember as you take your furry friend on a trip.
Your Pet Rides with You
One of the number one rules when traveling via RV with a pet? Your pet rides where you ride. Your pet should never, ever be left in a trailer—whether it’s a bumper pull or fifth wheel—while you travel. By the same token, they should not be put in the car you tow behind your motorhome.
Instead, all of your furry friends should be kept safe and sound in the living area of your motorhome or in the backseat of your towing vehicle. This will ensure the temperature is safe for them and will keep them as safe as possible in case of an accident.
Stop for Breaks
Pets need to eat, drink, and go potty. You might be able to do all of those things in your motorhome while it’s on the go, but your pet may not be able to do that. Make sure you stop for frequent breaks so they can eat and drink, potty outside (if necessary), and stretch their legs. This may not sound appealing when the weather is super cold, but it is important.
Never Leave a Pet in a Car
Pets should never ever be left in a car alone. Some think this applies only during the summer months, but that is not the case. A car can become very hot when sitting under the sun, even if the weather outside isn’t all that warm. Additionally, a car can quickly become very cold in extremely cold temperatures.
Keep your pet safe by taking them in with you or leaving someone in the car with them.
Leaving Pets in the RV in Chilly Weather
It’s best to take your dog to destinations that will allow them to accompany you as you go sightseeing. That said, most other pets won’t be able to go with you no matter where you go, and even the most pet-friendly RV destinations will have some restrictions. Therefore, you will likely have to leave your pet in the RV at times.
Here’s what you need to know in order to do so safely.
Maintaining a Warm Temperature
The easiest way to ensure your RV stays nice and warm while you’re out is to run the onboard furnace. This should do the job perfectly as long as the propane does not run out while you’re gone. To avoid this, make sure the propane is topped off before you go and avoid staying out all day long.
Note: You’ll also want to make sure your battery is charged up if you are not hooked up to electricity, as an RV furnace will not run without battery power. To be extra safe, consider expanding your battery bank and adding a solar panel or two to your setup.
Not into the idea of burning through propane all day long while you’re out? If you have access to an electrical hookup, you can also run space heaters to keep the RV warm.
Just make sure you choose small space heaters that won’t flip the breaker, and place them in spots where they won’t be tipped. Most space heaters will turn off if tipped, meaning they aren’t necessarily a fire danger, but they won’t be keeping your pet warm any longer if tipped.
Monitoring the RV
Of course, you will want to keep an eye on things while you’re gone in order to ensure your pets aren’t left in the cold. This is where a temperature monitor comes into play.
For this we recommend a battery-powered cellular pet temperature monitor, which will continue to work even if your rig loses power. This works well as long as you’re in an area with decent cell service.
If you plan to do a lot of boondocking in remote locations that do not have cell service, you might need to look for other solutions. In this case we recommend using a battery operated Wi-Fi temperature monitor connected to Starlink internet. The Starlink can be run on your RV battery using a pure sine wave inverter. That said, you will want to make sure you have plenty of battery power to ensure your bank lasts until you return.
Going Out with Your Pet in Cold Weather
Ready to go out exploring with your furry friend? You will want to take steps to keep the both of you comfortably warm during your adventures, especially if you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors.
Choosing the Right Destinations
When RVing with a pet, your destination can make or break your trip. Make sure you choose a pet-friendly destination so your pet can get out and about with you.
It’s also important to consider the weather when choosing a destination. A super cold place is probably not ideal for spending time outdoors with your furry friends. Instead, look for milder destinations.
On top of all that, you will want to avoid spots near large bodies of water that could freeze. This is because a dog may run out onto the ice and fall through, something you definitely don’t want.
Keeping Warm Outdoors
Even in the places with relatively mild winter weather, you will likely want to bundle up before heading outside. Make sure to invest in a good coat for your doggo and put some waterproof booties on their feet to protect them from the cold wet ground. The shoes are especially important in the case of snow, which you hopefully won’t see, but you never know.
Taking Breaks
Even in cooler weather, it’s important to take breaks while out hiking and exploring. Try to find spots with plenty of sunshine to keep you and your pet warm.
Make sure to carry a portable water bowl and offer plenty of water during your adventures. Remember, it’s very easy to become dehydrated during the winter months because you and your dog won’t feel as thirsty. Drinking water proactively is crucial.
Washing Up
After spending time outside, be sure to wipe your pet down. De-icing products and antifreeze are often found on the ground during the cold months and are toxic. Washing the chemicals away helps ensure your pet is not poisoned.
Checking your pet’s paws after a cold-weather walk is also a good idea. Snow, ice, and even just cold weather can cause cracked and/or bleeding paws that will need to be treated. If you notice this, contact your pet’s vet to find out what your next steps should be.
Emergency Preparedness when Traveling with a Pet
Even if you do everything right, things can still go wrong. Weather you’re camping with dogs in winter or during another time of year, it is important that you go in prepared for emergencies just in case.
The best way to go about this? Always, always carry all of your pet’s medical paperwork and make sure you know where the nearest emergency veterinarian is.
It’s likely you won’t need any of this, but it’s definitely better to be safe than sorry.
The Best Chilly Weather RV Destinations for Pets
Now that you know how to camp in cold weather with dogs, cats, and other pets, let’s talk about the best pet-friendly destinations to visit during the chilly time of year.
Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park is a great pick because the weather stays relatively mild there all through the winter months. This means fall and winter outdoor adventures are perfectly comfortable.
Congaree National Park is totally pet-friendly and allows dogs (and other leashed pets) on all park trails and boardwalks. On top of that, your doggo will be welcome in the park’s campgrounds and on park tours presented by Carolina Outdoor Adventures.
Find a pet-friendly RV near Congaree National Park!
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon National Park does get chilly during the winter, especially at night. That said, the days tend to warm up, with most days in January reaching 55 degrees (°F) or so.
This park allows leashed pets on most popular trails, meaning your pup can hike with you. That said, your furry friend will need to be left behind for shuttle rides. Fortunately, there is a kennel available on the South Rim in case you aren’t comfortable leaving Fido in your camper.
Find a pet-friendly RV near Grand Canyon National Park!
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park gets cold during the winter, and we cannot recommend visiting December–February. That said, the foliage in the park during the fall months is spectacular, making this an ideal autumn destination.
Quite possibly the most pet-friendly national park out there, Shenandoah allows dogs on almost all hiking trails as well as in the in-park campgrounds.
Find a pet-friendly RV near Shenandoah National Park!
Petrified Forest National Park
A lovely place to visit in the cooler months, Petrified Forest National Park rarely sees highs below 50°F. It’s lovely all year round, but we love visiting in late fall for the low crowd levels.
All park trails and wilderness areas are open to pets in this park, meaning you can explore all the bizarre petrified trees together. Just make sure your pet is leashed, and avoid the in-park buildings.
Find a pet-friendly RV near Petrified Forest National Park!
White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park is an amazing, otherworldly place that everyone should visit at least once. That said, during the summer the sand here gets really, really hot, making it hard to fully enjoy the park. Fall and winter are much more pleasant times to visit, thanks to the cooler sand.
Of course, it is also nice that this park is 100% dog-friendly. Dogs and other leashed pets are allowed in all outdoor areas in the park, meaning you and your furry friend can wander freely.
Find a pet-friendly RV near White Sands National Park!
There you have it—everything you need to know to go camping in the fall with your dog or cat. Why not start planning your getaway now so you and your favorite furry friends can enjoy the beauty of the upcoming season to the fullest?
