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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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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

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.

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.

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

• Freeze Dried Meals
• Collapsible Mess Kit
• Snacks
• Portable Burner

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

• Food in a waterproof bad, ziplocks work, you can store it all in a gallon bag or separate it out by meal into smaller ziplocks.
• Dog Treats
• Waterproof Leash
• Collapsable Food and Water Bowls
• Life Jacket
• A Toy (or two for down time)

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

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.

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.