Frankie wasn’t always an RV dog. Before we rescued him, he spent a few months surviving on the streets after Hurricane Michael. When he was found by his rescue org, he was matted, skinny, and unsure about everything. But once he moved in with us, he quickly figured out that life with us meant soft beds, belly rubs, and—most importantly—never being left behind again.
Now, he’s a full-time traveler, a professional napper, and a surprisingly opinionated co-pilot. He loves his mom and dad (and his new little sister—though that may just be because she drops unlimited Cheerios). And he’s been to more National Parks than most humans.
For us, traveling with a dog isn’t just about convenience—it’s about time with him. Dogs don’t live nearly as long as they should (😢), and we want to spend as many of those years as possible with Frankie right by our side. That’s why RVing is so great. No dealing with airline cargo. No boarding him while we’re off on vacation. Just pack his stuff and go.
RV travel with a dog is easier in some ways—he always knows where we are, and there’s no need to find pet-friendly hotels, the RV provides continuity—but it still takes planning. Here’s what we’ve figured out along the way.
Frankie’s Setup in the RV
Technically, Frankie has a dog bed on the floor. Realistically, he rotates between a few prime locations. The dinette is his favorite daytime perch, perfect for judging fellow campers trying to back in their rigs. Our bed gives him the best view out the front window, where he can sigh dramatically as people walk by. And then there’s the picnic table—he likes to be high up so he can watch everything from a proper perch. We also bring a portable outdoor dog bed, which he actually enjoys by the fire—usually under a blanket. But when we put the dog bed on the picnic table? That’s his absolute favorite.
Gear That’s Actually Useful
Over the years, we’ve tested a lot of dog gear on the road. Some of it’s unnecessary, but a few things actually make life easier.
Harness
A good harness is non-negotiable. Frankie doesn’t pull, but a harness is still safer and more comfortable for him than just clipping a leash to his collar. It also makes it easier to attach a light, which helps since he’s grey and blends in with asphalt.
Lights
At night, Frankie just blends into the dark. If we’re at an off-leash place, it helps me keep tabs on him. Even when I’m walking him, I like that people can see us. We have two types of lights, one that stays on his collar and blinks different colors and another that’s more of a flashlight that helps him see, too. Both are rechargeable and require no batteries (that’s key).
Jacket
Frankie has a thick coat, but he still loves to be cozy and warm. He hates being cold—which is funny, considering his breed was meant for trekking through snow-covered mountains or something. When we’re in higher elevations or winter camping, he’s the first to burrow under every blanket in the RV. His dog jacket1 keeps him comfortable, which means less shivering and fewer attempts to completely disappear into a pile of bedding.
Life Jacket
We do a lot of boating, paddleboarding, and canoeing, and while Frankie likes the water, he has strict rules about it. If it’s shallow and calm, great. If it’s deep or has waves, absolutely not. His life jacket keeps him comfortable and gives us a handle to grab when he suddenly decides he’s done being on the paddle board.
Leash
Many campgrounds require dogs to be leashed, and a longer lead gives him more room to explore without letting him wander too far. We like this double end leash which also can wrap around our waist when hiking. We also keep an extra leash in the truck because leashes have a way of disappearing right when you need them.
Dog Bowls
We’ve used other bowls, but stainless steel is the way to go. They don’t break, are easy to clean, and stack well for storage. His food stays in its original bag, stored under the sofa. We also have a few collapsible bowls with carabiners attached to his leash so we always have a water bowl on the go.
Bathing & Grooming on the Road
Frankie doesn’t love baths, but he loves rolling in things that make baths necessary.
We use an Oxygenics shower wand because it rinses out soap fast, and laying a towel down in the shower helps keep him from slipping. When an RV bath isn’t ideal, Tractor Supply Co. has been our favorite spot for DIY dog washes. PetSmart and Petco also have self-serve stations, and some campgrounds even have pet wash areas. Since Frankie is part Tibetan Terrier, his fur grows fast. We either brush him ourselves or find mobile groomers and pet stores along our route when he needs a haircut. Oh, we also have “Frankie Only” towels in the RV, so we don’t ruin our good towels.
Vet Care on the Road
Taking care of vet visits on the road is pretty straightforward with a little planning. We get Frankie’s medications and food from Chewy, which ships anywhere, so we just update our delivery address as we travel. Some vet clinics, like Banfield, have national locations, which can be convenient if your dog needs care while you’re on the road. We prefer sticking with our local vet when possible, but once, Frankie needed a vaccine while we were traveling, so we took him to a vet our friends recommended. They handled everything, sent his records to our usual vet, and it was seamless. It’s always a good idea to keep digital copies of vaccination records handy since some campgrounds, boarding facilities, and even groomers require proof of shots.
Emergency Preparedness
When we roll into a new town, one of the first things we do is look up emergency vet options nearby—just in case.
We also keep a doggy first aid kit stocked with essentials like styptic powder for minor cuts, Benadryl in case of allergic reactions, and paw balm for dry or cracked paws after long hikes. We also carry a digital copy of Frankie’s vet records, so if we ever need to see a new vet on the road, everything is easy to access.
Leaving a Dog in the RV (Safely)
Frankie is fine being left alone for short periods—he doesn’t bark much, and most of the time, he just sleeps. But we don’t leave him unless we know he’s safe. We use a Govee WiFi temperature monitor that alerts us if the RV gets too hot or cold, and we always leave the fan and a window cracked just in case. A Nest camera lets us check in on him, though every time we do, he’s either asleep or gazing out the window, waiting for our inevitable return.
We don’t leave him for a long time, so the Govee works great. If we were to leave him during the day to go to work, or go for a day hike, I’d invest in the Waggle Pro. It requires a subscription plan – but monitors everything to keep your dog safe (and even has GPS/geo-fencing). You can more in this post about how we have cell service in the RV to keep it all connected.
Handling Long Drive Days
Frankie loves sleeping in the truck while we drive, so we don’t need to stop any more often than we normally would. When we do stop, we prefer rest areas or truck stops since they have plenty of space for a quick walk. Some of the larger truck stops, like Pilot and Love’s, even have dog parks, which means he gets to stretch his legs or just hang out at a picnic table, which is always his first choice. And of course, we give him some water and maybe a little snack before getting back on the road.
Dog-Friendly Adventures
Frankie, the National Bark “Ranger.” Frankie has been to more National Parks than most people. He hasn’t hiked them all—he prefers paved trails with good scenery and minimal effort—but he’s been to his fair share. The South Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon is a great dog-friendly option. Fully paved, full of incredible views, and perfect for a slow sniff walk. Frankie loved it. He also earned his National Park B.A.R.K. Ranger badge, which is actually really fun and I highly recommend.
At Badlands, we stuck to paved roads. At Glacier, we stayed near the lakeside campgrounds, which were scenic and dog-friendly. White Sands National Park is a dog’s dream – as it’s miles of white sand. Frankie loved running up and down the sandy hills.
At Carlsbad Caverns, we boarded him for a few hours while we explored underground. Not all parks allow dogs on trails, so we adjust. Many parks have dog-friendly trails just outside their boundaries, which are often just as scenic. If we’re with friends, we swap dog-watching duties so one group hikes while the other stays back with the pups.
One of our favorite finds was Fiesta Island in San Diego, a huge off-leash beach where dogs can run, swim, or just relax in the sand. It’s not a typical crowded dog park—there’s plenty of open space, calm water, and trails for walking. Frankie enjoyed trotting along the shoreline and actually playing in the water. He had a blast. It’s one of those rare spots where dogs can actually explore without being leashed, and if we’re ever back in San Diego, we’ll definitely take him again.
We also use AllTrails to find pet-friendly hikes, BringFido for dog parks and beaches, and good old Google searches to check local rules. We did find that the West Coast was a bit more dog friendly than other places and that Michigan, of all places, was the least dog friendly.
The Reality of RVing With a Dog
Traveling with a dog in an RV takes planning, but it’s worth it. Frankie doesn’t care where we are—he just likes being with us. And honestly? That’s the best part of RV life anyway.
Want to see the gear we use for Frankie? Here’s a link to RV Dog Gear.
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