New to Camping? Here's How to Have a Perfect, Pet Friendly Trip

Picture this: it's a cool autumn night and you're sitting around the campfire with your kids toasting s'mores and talking about all the fun they had that day. First they decorated your site for Halloween, then they played in the Jellystone Park pumpkin patch before taking pictures with Yogi Bear™, Cindy Bear™, and Boo Boo™. And those are just the highlights.

Along with your kids and maybe some other family members, chances are your family's pet – or pets – are camping with you. Today, two-thirds of American families have pets, and they are true family members. A Pew Research Center survey found 97% of U.S. pet owners consider them to be part of the family – and 51% say they're as much a member as a human child.

What's more, animal lovers are taking them on the road with them more than ever.

According to a PETS International survey, 72% of pet owners worldwide travel with their furry friends each year. A GoRVing survey found 68% of RV owners bring a pet with them on RV vacations. Most – 92% – bring dogs, but 14% of owners take cats along on RV trips.

Traveling can be a real challenge for families with pets. Nobody wants to leave them behind, boarding is expensive and hotel, vacation home, and airline pet fees can really put a squeeze on the budget. That's why a family camping, glamping or RV trip – especially at a nearby Jellystone Park Camp-Resort – makes for a perfect fall getaway. Compared to hotels with costly pet surcharges, Jellystone Park locations allow pets at no or very low cost. RVers pay no pet fees, and while some Camp-Resorts have additional charges for pet-friendly cabins, they are far less than those typically charged by hotels and vacation homes.

The best part is that Jellystone Park locations are very pet-friendly and they welcome four-footed campers with amenities such as fenced dog parks with obstacles, as well as cabins and RV sites with attached fenced "doggy dens." The location near Akron, Ohio even features a dog splash pad. Some locations host pet-themed events such as "Yappy Hours" that bring guests and their dogs together. Camp stores are stocked with dog treats, supplies and branded pet merchandise, with some offering "barkchuterie" boards.  

Along with the recent pet ownership boom, there's been a big increase in families exploring camping and RVing. Jellystone Park asked Jeremy Puglisi, a family camping expert, author and host of The RV Atlas podcast, to share tips on how to ensure all family members – including four-legged ones – have safe, enjoyable fall adventures. He knows a thing or two about camping with pets as his family of five travels with their two dogs, Maddie and Maverick.

Jeremy has these suggestions for families who are new to outdoor vacations and planning to travel with their pets:

BEFORE YOU GO

• Pick a destination close to home. This will allow for more time to have fun.
• Confirm the campground or resort is pet friendly. Understand the location's pet policies, restrictions, and fees, and make sure it offers pet-related amenities.
• Ensure your pet's ID tags, microchip information, vaccinations and preventive treatments are current. It is vital that your pets be up to date on their rabies and other shots as well as flea, tick, and heartworm medications. Remember to bring a copy of your pet's medical records with you.
• Pack health and safety essentials for your pet, such as pet-safe insect repellent, a brush or comb and a small pet first aid kit.

WHILE YOU ARE CAMPING

• Keep your pet and site safe. Food and waste need to be properly sealed and stored to avoid attracting wildlife and pests. Keep your pet leashed or in a secure area, provide shade and fresh water at all times, and never leave it unattended.
• Keep your dog leashed while at your site as well and when away, especially near trails, water, wildlife, and other campers. Even obedient dogs may wander, chase wildlife or other guests. Some plants can make pets ill when eaten.
• Keep dogs away from swimming areas. Health regulations do not allow dogs in pools and lakes where people swim.
• Monitor your pet's health daily. The American Kennel Club recommends checking your dog from nose to tail each evening. It's especially important to look for ticks.
• Be aware of weather changes. Temperatures in the fall can change quickly and dramatically. Be sure to provide shade and water for your pet during the day and make sure they stay warm inside your RV or cabin in the evening.

Whether it's trick-or-treating with kids and pets in costumes or relaxing around a fire, camping, glamping and RVing provide unique opportunities for everyone in the family – including pets – to enjoy amazing autumn adventures. Following these suggestions will make for trouble-free and memorable family outings. Download them here before you hit the road.

For more great family camping and RV ideas and advice, listen to Jeremy's podcasts at The RV Travel Atlas.

One last tip: book now as fall weekends at Jellystone Park locations often sell out and you don't want to miss an opportunity to create "furr-ever" family memories!