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Kayak Camping with Dogs: Packing List and Tips

Kayaking is so much fun! Camping can be fun although I must say I prefer to sleep in a mattressed bed at night. Now combine kayaking and camping and you get a whole new adventure called kayak camping. This is a quick guide to kayak camping with dogs.

You get the whole new challenge of trying to fit everything you need for camping onto a kayak in waterproof bags. Now if you think that all sounds easy peasy, lets add dogs into the mix. This is the situation I found myself in for Memorial Day Weekend of 2019. Kayak camping with dogs was really fun but there are definitely new challenges that present themselves.

My Uncle does kayak camping all the time with his family and some of my family has gone with them before, however this was my first time. I was a nervous wreck the whole week leading up to the trip because I didn’t know what to bring, how my dog was going to handle it, or really what I was doing at all. So hopefully this will help you not have to stress as much as I did.

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Kayaking with dogs on a kayaking camping trip.

Where We Went Kayaking

We went to Arkansas to float the Buffalo National River. The water levels were a little lower than normal but we had a great time! There were lots of places to stop and take breaks or set up camp and I wasn’t worried about fast moving water for the dogs sake. This camping packing list will work for any warm weather location though.

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Whitaker Point Trailhead

If you do decide to float this river though then there is an awesome hike in the area! If you have an extra few hours I highly recommend it. Just enter the address below and it will take you to the trailhead.

Whitaker Point Trailhead, Country Road 5 Kingston, AR 72742

Hiking with dogs in Arkansas
This is the end of the trail! How stunning are these views.

Kayaks

We brought our own kayaks but there are companies that will rent kayaks. I am not sure what their policies are for overnight rentals but you can also do day trip floats here. There are also periodic camping sites where you can rent a space and then pick up floating the next day. We just camped along the bank where it was free.

Kayak camping with dogs

What to Pack

This is where I struggled the most. But here are the essentials. I am linking you to a couple items that I found the most helpful and really loved. I will just say I choose to wear sports bra’s and underwear instead of a swimsuit because I found it more comfortable but if you choose a swimsuit just replace that for the sports bra’s and underwear. But make sure you bring dry panties to sleep in. The quantities will vary based on the length of your trip.

The number one item you’ll need is a good water proof bag or two. I have a 35L one from Storm Tech that worked great! No leaks at all.

kayak camping with dogs

Clothing

  • Shorts (quick drying material will be the most comfortable)
  • Sports Bras
  • Underwear
  • Tank Tops
  • Water Proof Sandals
  • Dry Shoes for at night
  • Swimsuit (in case you actually decide to go swimming)
  • Pajamas
  • Sweatshirt

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Hand Sanitzer
  • Bug Spray
  • Sunscreen
  • Flushable Wipes
  • Deodorant
  • Contacts/Extra Contacts/Contact Solution
  • Hairbrush

Food

Hiking with dogs in Arkansas

Misc.

  • Water Purifier
  • Water Bottle
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Pillow Case (stuff it with clothes at night for an actual pillow or bring a mini pillow)
  • Waterproof Case for your phone, keys, and wallet
  • Tent

Dog Supplies

Just a quick word about the collapsible food and water bowls for your dog, these bowls are amazing, they take up almost no space and they make it so easy to give your dog water anywhere. I have a couple of these and they always come with us on hikes, road trips, camping, and even just events around town. I cannot recommend them enough. They are SO handy and less than $8 for a set of two!

In the Car

I recommend leaving a few things in the car for when you finish your trip. No matter how hard you try almost everything in your bag will get a little damp and you’re going to appreciate having something dry to put on before you drive home.

  • Towel
  • Leggings
  • T-shirt
  • Shoes
  • Undergarments
  • Chargers
Kayak Camping with dogs packing list, kayak camping packing list

Kayak Camping With Dogs

I really enjoy kayaking, I think its good exercise and it is so fun to be out in nature! Kayak camping with dogs can be a whole other adventure though. I brought my husky pup and my parents brought their boxer. Copper the husky didn’t want to stay in the kayak AT ALL so I ended up letting him swim/run along side me for the majority of the way. I only picked him up when he got stuck or tired.

Kayaking with dogs in Arkansas

Pumpkin the boxer didn’t want to leave the kayak and stood in the center the whole time. So knowing and learning your individual dog and their personal limits is important. Try taking them on a shorter trip first to see how they’ll react and don’t be afraid to experiment with letting them off leash and swimming on their own. Just make sure you have treats so that you can be confident in their recall skills.

I hope you have an awesome trip and a fun new experience. Let me know if you have any questions or advice to share with others in the comments! Make sure you also check out my Guide to New Orleans or the First Timers Guide to New York.

This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. Kathy Walker

    It looks like a lot of fun. I canoe but never did an overnight trip. Your pictures are stunning!

    1. Rachel

      It was a new experience for sure, but really fun and in a canoe space wouldn’t be nearly as tight! Thank you 🙂

  2. Mariam

    Those views look unreal! I’ve never been kayaking but it looks like a lot of fun!

    1. Rachel

      This river went through some very impressive cliffs! It was gorgeous. And definitely add kayaking to your bucket list, it isn’t hard to learn at all and its great exercise.

  3. maya

    I love traveling around with my dogs ! sadly they don’t go overseas with me, but I love taking them to the beach, nature, camping, in my country. They get so excited and so happy that it just warms my heart everytime.

    1. Rachel

      I love bringing my pup along too! Overseas is hard, we’ve never done that either and we don’t plan on it. BUT I love seeing how happy he gets when he’s outside exploring. Life doesn’t get any better than that.

  4. Cherishingflo

    Water purifier is a great idea, I had never thought to do that! You sound hella prepared which I almost never am !! lol

    1. Rachel

      HAHA I try to be but undoubtably I always forget something or think of something else I could have brought that would’ve been helpful.

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