Heading into the great outdoors with your pet by your side is one of the absolute best ways to spend your time. That being said, there are a few extra measures and considerations for you to make before hook up your Cub and hit the road, furry friend and all. Here are 15 tips to make travelling with your pet as successful and fun as it possibly can be…
Researching
Every good camper knows that it really is all in the research! Taking the time to look into where you’re going and then planning out your movements will result in a truly memorable, successful trip. Sit down, fire up that search engine and get researching to have the trip of a lifetime.
Check for pet friendly sites
One of your first points of references during your research needs to be whether the sites on your shortlist are pet friendly or not. There are plenty of campgrounds out there that enable you to camp with your furriest friends by your side, it’s really just a question of finding them!
When in doubt, ask!
Unsure of whether a certain site is going to be able to accommodate your bundle of fluff? There’s nothing wrong with giving them a call and asking! It can be difficult to decipher whether all creatures are welcome at a new or unfamiliar spot, so it’s better to get some verbal confirmation rather than forfeiting the adventure or finding out the hard way!
Make sure you’re in season
Some camping areas do allow pets, however, only during certain spells throughout the year. These tend to flow with the on and the off seasons, so double check whether the time frame that you’re working within matches up with their policies.
Reviews are your friend
Camping with pets isn’t always so simple, particularly if you’re heading to a campground for the very first time. When this is the case, it’s best to get some insight in the form of online reviews from your fellow campers! Scour the reviews to read accounts of their experiences, this will help you with your decision making when planning that big trip.
Dogs and other creatures
Some campgrounds accept more than dogs! You’ll find areas that also welcome cats and other creatures should you wish to bring them along. If you’ve got a slightly more obscure yet undoubtedly adorable pet on your hands, it’s best to give the ground a call just to double check. As always, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Think twice about National Parks
Whilst this is by no means a blanket rule, it’s largely understood that National Parks are not so accepting when it comes to pet friendly camping. Better to stick to sites that explicitly welcome animals.
Conservation spots and forests state by state
Keep in mind that the rules and preferences for conservation spots and forest areas tend to vary from state to state. Brush up on the state guidelines before you start exploring to be extra sure that you can have your animal filled adventure where you’d like.
Stay mindful of native wildlife
It is incredibly important that your entire camping clan stays mindful of the native wildlife that might well be roaming in and around your site. Avid awareness will keep your pet and the local wildlife safe.
Brush up on the specifics
Pet friendly camping does not come without a few specifics. Look into the conditions that campgrounds might impose on animals when camping as they tend to vary and can create a real impact on your overall trip. These can include pets remaining on a leash and access to certain areas of the grounds.
Awareness at all times
Staying aware is essential for maintaining the safety of your entire camping group, four legged friends included. This means keeping your pet on a leash when you’re out and about at the campground, staying aware of surrounding flora and fauna and moving yourselves out of the sun during peak UV ray hours.
Neighbourly behaviour
Although you love your pet to bits, your neighbours might not. It is important to stay considerate and compassionate towards your fellow campers when bringing any animals on site.
Keep it clean
Cleaning up after your pets is essential for maintaining campgrounds both during and after your stay. Bring along plenty of bags to clean up after your animals and make the camping experience enjoyable for everyone at the site.
Come prepared
Don’t forget to haul along a few chew toys for entertainment, food and water bowls as well as plenty of snacks to keep your pet fed and happy for the duration of your trip. The Escape will give you all that you need for a comfortable, memorable family adventure, furry friend and all. With plenty of interior room, a bed, storage and off road capabilities, this model is ideal for that holiday that has everyone along for the ride!
Have fun!
Lastly, remember to kick back and enjoy all that amazing outdoors time you’re getting to spend with your pet!
