There is something special about waking up in a campervan with your dog curled up nearby, ready to see where the day takes you.
Perhaps it is a quiet woodland walk before breakfast, a long stretch of beach with space to run, or an evening tucked up in the van while the rain taps on the roof. Whatever the day brings, it feels better when your dog is there to share it.
Our Black Labrador, Katie, has travelled with us to Cornwall, Wales, Norfolk and all around Derbyshire. Like most Labradors, she has never met a body of water she did not want to investigate. Sea, river, lake or muddy puddle — if there is an opportunity to get wet, she will find it.
Of course, that usually means sandy paws, damp towels and the occasional shake inside the van just when you think you have finally dried her. But those are the moments we remember: Katie stretched out after a day on the beach, all of us tired and content, with the kettle on and nowhere else we need to be.
For us, that is what travelling with a dog in a campervan is all about. She is part of the family, so she is part of the adventure too.
Why dogs and campervans work so well together
A campervan gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace. You can stop for a walk when you need to, choose quieter places to stay and keep all the familiar things your dog needs close at hand.
It becomes a little home from home. Katie has her own permanent bed and her own space in our van, so she always knows where to settle. Her food, leads and towels have their place too. After a long walk or a wet day by the sea, we can all get warm, put the kettle on and relax.
Dogs also encourage us to enjoy the parts of campervan travel we love most. You get outside earlier, explore footpaths you might otherwise have passed and spend more time noticing what is around you. Even an ordinary morning feels like an adventure when it begins with a new view and an eager Labrador waiting by the door.
A little planning makes a big difference
Travelling with a dog is usually straightforward, but planning ahead helps everything run more smoothly.
Before setting off, check that your campsite welcomes dogs and read its individual rules. Some sites require dogs to remain on leads or use particular exercise areas. It is also worth checking nearby beaches, walking routes, pubs and attractions, as local restrictions can change throughout the year.
Think about what makes your own dog comfortable. Some dogs love busy campsites and meeting new people; others need a quiet pitch and a little more space. Try to keep familiar routines around food, walks and bedtime, especially during their first few nights away.
On longer drives, plan regular breaks for water, a short walk and a chance to stretch their legs.
Keeping your dog safe and comfortable on the road
Safety while travelling is just as important as comfort once you arrive.
In our van, we have a secure restraint point fitted especially for Katie. She is attached to it using her travel harness while we are driving, which keeps her safely in her own area and prevents her from moving around the van.
Whatever system you use — a suitable harness, carrier, crate or dog guard — it needs to be appropriate for your dog and fitted securely.
Ventilation and cooling matter too. Our van has been set up with airflow and temperature in mind, helping Katie stay comfortable while we travel and when we are all relaxing inside. We keep fresh water available, use shade where possible and pay close attention to the temperature throughout the day.
These features help to make the van more comfortable, but they do not make it safe to leave a dog unattended in warm weather. Campervans can become dangerously hot very quickly, even when the temperature outside feels mild. If there is any doubt, Katie comes with us.
What we pack for Katie
Dogs seem to need nearly as much luggage as people, but having the right things with you makes life in the van much easier.
Our dog-travel essentials include:
- Her usual food and treats
- Fresh water and bowls
- Her bed or a familiar blanket
- A lead, spare lead and long line
- Her travel harness
- Poo bags
- A favourite toy
- A tick remover and basic dog first-aid supplies
- Any medication and important health information
- Plenty of towels
That final one deserves repeating: plenty of towels. One never seems to be enough when you travel with a Labrador who considers every puddle an invitation.
It is also useful to keep a small dog bag near the door, with a lead, poo bags and a towel ready to grab. It saves rummaging through cupboards when somebody suddenly decides she needs to go outside.
Where does the dog sleep?
This is one of the questions people often ask about travelling with dogs in a campervan. The honest answer is that every dog — and every van — is different.
Katie has her own bed and dedicated space in our van. Because it is always there, she recognises it as her place to rest, whether we are parked at home or miles away beside the coast. That familiarity helps her settle and gives her somewhere comfortable to stretch out after a busy day.
Other dogs might sleep in a crate, on a bed on the floor or close to their owners. The important thing is to give them enough room to relax without blocking a doorway or becoming a midnight trip hazard.
Muddy paws are part of the adventure
Campervan trips with dogs are not always spotless. There will be wet coats, sandy blankets and paw prints in places you did not know paws could reach.
We have found that a simple routine helps: towel Katie off before she comes inside, keep wet equipment together and let everything air whenever the weather allows. Washable bedding, good ventilation and easy-clean surfaces all make a real difference.
It does not need to be perfect. A little mess is a small price to pay for a day spent walking beside the sea or exploring a new trail together.
A campervan designed around you and your dog
One of the lovely things about campervans is how differently people use them.
My mother-in-law, Sharon, travels with four dogs, so her campervan has a purpose-built area designed especially for them. It works brilliantly because it reflects how she actually travels. The dogs have their own secure space, while the rest of the van still works comfortably for everyday living.
That is the beauty of a bespoke campervan conversion. If you already have a van you would like to convert — or you are planning to buy one — the layout can be designed around your real life. That might mean a permanent dog bed, a secure crate area, fitted restraint points, better ventilation, easy-clean flooring or dedicated storage for food, leads and towels.
It is not about adding features for their own sake. It is about creating a campervan that works for you, your family, and the adventures you want to share.
Fancy trying it for yourself?
If you do not own a campervan, hiring one is a lovely way to discover whether this style of travel suits you and your dog. You can enjoy a ready-to-go escape without the commitment of ownership — perhaps a weekend in the Peak District, a few days beside the Welsh coast or a longer road trip further afield.
And if you fall in love with campervan life and decide you would like a van of your own, we can help you explore a bespoke conversion designed around the way you want to travel.
Whether you hire a campervan for your first trip or create one that is completely your own, the best part is the same: packing the leads, closing the door and setting off together.
Because the sandy paws, wet towels and muddy footprints are all part of the story — and we would not have it any other way.
Want to try a campervan adventure with your dog? Explore our campervan hire options. Already have a van, or thinking about buying one? Talk to us about a bespoke conversion or upgrade designed around your lifestyle.
Where will Katie go next?
We would love to take Katie further afield, and Europe is next on our list. Travelling abroad with a dog takes some extra preparation, from travel documents and vaccinations to planning the journey itself.
That deserves a blog of its own, so next time we will be sharing what you need to think about when travelling to Europe with your dog.
Wild River Campers, where your adventure begins.