Last updated on January 19th, 2024 at 09:44 am
If you frequently take your dog camping, you might wonder what bed he might need. It’s important to find a bed you can travel with that will withstand outdoor use. We’ve rounded up the top beds available today and provided our three favorite picks. Ensure you have the right gear to keep your pet snoozing happily while outdoors. Here are our reviews for the top five best dog beds for camping.
Quick Pick 3 Best Dog Beds for Camping
| Editor’s Pick | Luxury Pick | Budget Pick |
 | | |
 Noblecamper 2-in-1 |  K9 Ballistics Rectangle Nesting Dog Bed |  GigaTent Elevated Cot |
 |  | |
| ✅ Lightweight ✅ Doubles as a sleeping bag ✅ Machine washable ✅ Portable ✅ Compacts down to fit into a small rucksack | ✅ Multiple sizes up to extra large dogs ✅ Indoor/outdoor use ✅ Thick padding (5” thick) for protection from hard surfaces ✅ Durable Rip-stop fabric design ✅ Easy to clean | ✅ Portable ✅ Easy to clean ✅ Good for dogs with bone or joint problems. ✅ Helps keep pets out of dirt and damp ground ✅ Sturdy steel frame |
| CLICK FOR PRICE ⧁ | CLICK FOR PRICE ⧁ | CLICK FOR PRICE ⧁ |
Top 5 Best Dog Beds For Camping
- Noblecamper 2-in-1 – Editor’s Pick
- K9 Ballistics Rectangle Nesting Dog Bed – Luxury Pick
- GigaTent Elevated Pet Cot – Budget Pick
- Better World Pets Orthopedic Dog Bed
- Kurgo Loft Wander Travel Dog Bed
1. Noblecamper 2-in-1 – Editor’s Pick
Our Editor’s Pick, the Noblecamper 2-in-1, is the ultimate dog bed for camping. It collapses down to fit into a rucksack that you can attach to your pet’s collar, stuff into your backpack, or hook onto your belt as you and your pooch hike through the toughest terrain.
Made of Taslan nylon, this bed is water-resistant, breathable, and dries quickly, so your pet can rest comfortably in a light overnight rain. However, it is not entirely waterproof, so your pet might get wet if exposed to too much water. Clean with a damp cloth or toss in the washing machine.
Chase away the cold by converting this poly-fill, high-loft insulated dog bed right into a toasty sleeping bag. There’s a zipper on the bottom, which collapses the sides of the bed down, so you can fold them over your pet like a blanket.
The total weight of this bed is 1.3 pounds, so it’s light enough to tote anywhere. There are three different sizes to choose from: small – 22 inch diameter (22” x 22” x 7”); medium – 26” diameter (26” x 26” x 7”); or large – 30” diameter (30” x 30” x 7”). Large dogs can fit, but extra large dogs won’t. The sides of this bed are the same length as the diameter, so the bed can be laid on the side instead of flat.
There is only one color theme – red and blue. There isn’t much padding for this bed. Some dogs might not find it comfortable when lying on the hard ground. The Rip-Stop liner keeps this bed durable, so sharp rocks and twigs won’t cause damage. However, it won’t stand up against chewing. Make sure your pet doesn’t chew on it.
| PROS | CONS |
| ✔ Lightweight ✔ Doubles as a sleeping bag ✔ Machine washable ✔ Portable ✔ Compacts down to fit into a small rucksack | ❌ Not ideal for extra large dogs ❌ Thin padding ❌ Water-resistant but not waterproof |
| Get Noblecamper 2-in-1 Now | |
If you’re looking for a true camping dog bed that is easy to carry and will keep your dog warm in the middle of the woods, consider Noblecamper 2-in-1.
2. K9 Ballistics Rectangle Nesting Dog Bed – Luxury Pick
The K9 Ballistics Tough Rectangle Nesting Dog Bed has all the essential features you could want in your pet’s bed. Available in multiple sizes and colors, there’s sure to be an option you’ll love. Your color choices are:
- Black
- Blue
- Brindle velvet/green camo rip-stop
- Brindle velvet/lattice
- Carbon velvet/camo rip-stop
- Green
- Lattice
- Pink
- Poseidon blue
- Quatrefoil
- Red
- Sunny sky stripe
- Tan
The different sizes are:
- Small – 18” x 24” x 5”
- Medium – 27” x 33” x 5”
- Large – 34” x 40” x 5”
- X-Large – 38” x 54” x 5”
- XX-Large – 40” x 68” x 5”
- XX-Large – 68” x 40” x 5”
*Length(how long) times (x) width (how wide) times (x) height (how tall) in inches (“).
Suitable for indoors or out, this bed is five inches thick so your pet will be protected from the hard ground and debris often found outside. Although it would be great for camping or traveling, this bed is not meant for permanent outdoor use. And its size makes it less ideal to take with you when you’re hiking or backpacking. The bed does not compact down. There is a 120 day warranty that covers any malfunction or damage.
This product is resistant to dirt, moisture, and hair. Simply wipe it down with a washcloth or a water hose – perfect for travel. Need a deeper clean? No worries. The cover is also machine washable on cold cycle and air dried. Just pull open the velcro seam at the bottom of the bed and lower the zipper so you can easily remove the slip.
The K9 Ballistics dog bed is water-resistant due to the liner on the inside of the velvet cover. However, in rain or standing water, liquid can get through the seam and soak the shredded virgin CertiPUR USA foam stuffing. The interior is divided into separate stuffed and sewed chambers to prevent clumping and flattening.
If your pet likes to dig, scratch, or sometimes chew, this product might be your favorite on the list. Rip-stop ballistic nylon fabric makes this bed durable enough to withstand the rugged outdoors. But the manufacturer warns that this product will not hold up to heavy chewing. They do offer a separate product designed just for dogs that like to chew on everything.
| PROS | CONS |
| ✔ Multiple sizes up to extra large dogs ✔ indoor/outdoor use ✔ Thick padding (5” thick) for protection from hard surfaces ✔ Durable Rip-stop fabric design ✔ Easy to clean | ❌ Velcro seam can leak ❌ Some customers experienced zipper separation ❌ Can be damaged if chewed on hard |
| Get K9 Ballistics Tough Rectangle Nesting Dog Bed Now | |
If you’re looking for a durable, padded indoor/outdoor dog bed for your small to extra-large dog, consider our luxury pick K9 Ballistics Tough Rectangle Nesting Dog Bed.
3. GigaTent Elevated Pet Cot – Budget Pick
If you’re looking for a simple, transportable dog bed to take along on your camping trecks, allow me to present GigaTent Elevated Pet Cot. Available in small/medium (35” length x 24” wide x 8” tall( or large (42” x 24” x 8”). This cot keeps your pet off the ground, which is ideal in the outdoors. The height allows air to circulate around your dog’s body, so he doesn’t overheat – excellent for dogs who get hot a lot.
There are four colors to choose from: black, gray, green, or tan. The frame is made of steel and folds for easy transport. The U-shaped legs provide extra support, so you don’t have to worry about the bed tipping over as your pet steps up. There is a weight limit of 100 pounds. This bed won’t work for all dog breeds.
This product is low maintenance. No assembly is required to put it together. It has dual handles, so you can easily tote it around when it’s in the folded position. It is about three inches thick (Folded) for the small and about 5.5 inches for the large. At 11.9 pounds, you might find this product light enough to take along when hiking. Although it is still a bit bulky when folded in half in the shape of a square.
There are a few downsides to this product. Although it is great for dogs with arthritic bone or joint problems, it might not be right for small dogs who have trouble stepping up and down, as this bed is higher off the ground than most fabric dog beds. And there’s no padding to support your dog’s body. The bed is made of heavy-duty polyester, which is simple to clean. Just wipe or spray off.
The manufacturer does warn that some dogs have to be taught how to use this bed compared to padded floor beds. Some dogs think this is a chew toy. While the fabric is tough enough to withstand frequent use, being chewed on can cause damage.
| PROS | CONS |
| ✔ Portable ✔ Easy to clean ✔ Good for dogs with bone or joint problems. ✔ Helps keep pets out of dirt and damp ground ✔ Sturdy steel frame | ❌ Not for dogs over 100 pounds ❌ No padding ❌ Some dogs think it’s a toy instead of a bed |
| Get Giga Tent Elevated Pet Cot Now | |
If you’re looking for a dog cot that can keep your pet elevated off the cold ground while camping, check out our budget pick GigaTent Elevated Pet Cot.
4. Better World Pets Orthopedic Dog Bed
If your dog is older but still likes to be active, you might want to consider an orthopedic camping dog bed. Designed with the unique features of senior and large dogs in mind. Such as the Better World Pets Orthopedic Dog Bed. Available in four sizes, small (24” x 18” and up to 20 pounds), medium (36” x 24” and up to 50 pounds), large (40” x 28” and up to 80 pounds) and x-large (46” by 36” and up to 120 pounds). This bed is perfect for large breeds.
This bed is filled with individual chambers of five-inch thick shredded memory foam. Covered with a two-sided zippered polyester cover, which has a polyurethane liner that makes this bed 100% waterproof. The cover is removable and machine washable and doesn’t show dirt or hair. And there is a non-skid bottom, so it stays in place.
Some customers did experience issues with a busted zipper after machine washing. Because this product is five inches thick, it might be difficult to transport. If you’ll be hiking to your camping site, it wouldn’t be the right mattress to take along. It does weigh 19 pounds. But if you’re showing up in your SUV or RV, it would be a perfect fit.
Although the polyester fabric is durable and can withstand some abuse, it is not chew-resistant. If your pup likes to gnaw on everything around, this bed might not be the right choice. You have four color schemes to choose from: gray/midnight gray trim; gray/ ocean blue trim; gray/rave green trim; or gray/Spanish red trim.
| PROS | CONS |
| ✔ 100% waterproof ✔ 5” thick memory foam ✔ Ideal for senior and large dogs ✔ Non-skid bottom ✔ Doesn’t show dirt or hair | ❌ Can’t stand up to chewing ❌ Difficult to transport ❌ Numerous complaints about busted zipper |
| Get The Better World Pets Orthopedic Dog Bed Now | |
If you’re looking for an orthopedic bed to keep your aging or large dog comfortable while you’re out bonding in nature, consider Better World Pets Orthopedic Dog Bed.
5. Kurgo Loft Wander Travel Dog Bed
Another favorite of ours is the Kurgo Loft Wander Travel Dog Bed. This bed is perfect for trips when you need to keep your load as light as possible. Instead of lugging around a bulky foam mattress, the Kurgo compacts small enough to fit into a backpack. Or just hook the attached handle to your dog’s collar (if they’re tall enough not to drag the bed).
The medium size bed is 25” x 36” x 2” and only weighs 2.2 pounds. When rolled up like a sleeping bag, the bed is only 12.5” by 8”. The large bed is 36” by 48” by 3” and weighs 3.7 pounds. Rolled up, the size is 17” by 9.5”. Unfortunately, the color selection is lacking. Medium is available in brown or chili red. Large only comes in chili red.
If you feel that your dog is going to need a lot of padding against the hard ground, you might not like that this bed only has 2” polyfill padding. But for a pet with no joint or bone problems, this should be plenty of support. The stuffing is covered by a quilted microtomic Rip-stop fabric top that is machine washable on gentle cycle and air-dried.
The Rip-stop material provides an extra layer of protection, so you don’t have to worry that this bed will get damaged by debris or damp conditions. It’s resistant to tears and water – that does not mean indestructible or waterproof. The Rufftex nonslip waterproof bottom keeps this bed in place and dry, whether you’re riding in the truck or sitting by the campfire.
There’s even a hidden zippered pocket on the inside where you can place small items that smell like home, so your pet can feel more relaxed while traveling. All in all, this product is the perfect outdoor camping dog bed.
| PROS | CONS |
| ✔ Lightweight ✔ Portable ✔ Rip-stop material ✔ Waterproof bottom ✔ Secret pocket | ❌ Limited colors ❌ Thin padding ❌ Not ideal for large dogs |
| Get Kurgo Loft Wander Travel Dog Bed Now | |
Important Qualities of a Dog Bed for Camping
When you’re going to be using your dog bed outdoors, you’ll need to consider different factors before making your selection. There are various criteria you will need in an outdoor bed than you would in a bed meant for indoor use. Many pet owners have separate beds for their dogs rather than bringing the same one in and out.
Weather Resistant
How the bed will hold up against foul weather is a crucial bargaining point when considering a mattress for outdoor use. If you’ll be out in cold temperatures, you’ll want to make sure the bed you pick is insulated. You might prefer a bed with high walls over a flat mat.
Or you could buy a dog bed that converts into a sleeping bag, so your pet stays nice and warm. This type of bed can also help keep your pet dry if a sudden shower pops up overnight. Although these beds don’t have thick mattresses, they usually have waterproof bottoms. Your pet won’t be disturbed by the damp ground.
Waterproof versus Water Resistant
When reading the product details, make sure you pay attention to whether the bed is water-resistant or waterproof. There is a difference. Water-resistant means that if there’s a light sprinkle or a heavy dew, your pet won’t feel the dampness. But if a downpour occurs, the fabric will leak. Waterproof, on the other hand, means it’s completely sealed. No water can penetrate.
If you’re purchasing a bed to take camping, you want to find one that can provide your pet protection from water, top and bottom. You need to make sure the top fabric is water-resistant, if not waterproof, in case of rain. And the bottom should be waterproof, in case of flooding or damp ground.
Waterproof Dog Beds
Cots make great beds in areas where there’s standing water on the ground. These types of beds stay elevated off the ground, so they’re waterproof. Your pet won’t get wet from the ground. But unless you purchase a canopy, or find a bed that has one built on, your pet will still get wet from the rain. And these types of beds have no insulation or cushion to keep your pet warm. But you can buy separate cushions to add on.
Portable
How easy the bed to move around is also a factor you’ll want to think about. If you plan to hike up a five mile trail to get to your camping spot, you certainly aren’t going to want to haul a five inch thick bulky memory foam mattress with you.
Instead, consider travel beds, which collapse down. In a way that they can easily fit into a backpack or rucksack that you can attach to your pet’s collar so he can tote it himself. They’re super light and durable enough to withstand the occasional brush against branches.
Durability
If you’re going to be using your dog bed outside, you need it to withstand some wear and tear. These beds will be sitting on wet dirt, sticks, rocks, shells, snow, sand, and any other number of debris that can damage its surfaces.
When picking an outdoor dog bed, look for products that have Rip-stop material. This durable polyester is strong enough to stand up to the abuse your active pet will put it through. Many dog beds have a waterproof liner on the underside of the cover, which protects the mattress from getting wet.
Don’t Forget the Waterproof Bottom
The bottom of the bed should be a source of awareness for you. Look for a bed that has a waterproof bottom. If the base gets wet, it can seep into the mattress, ruining the product. And your pet might gets cold and miserable.
Skidproof
You might also want to consider a non-skid layer on the bottom of your dog’s bed. If you plan to have it set up in the seat of your vehicle, you’ll want it to have grip so that your pooch doesn’t slide all over the place. You want her to be safe.
Size
The size of your dog is the most critical aspect you should think of when selecting your dog’s bed. You don’t want to get a bed that is too small because your pet could end up cramped, which can make them feel stiff and achy.
Large dogs often need more support for their bones when lying down, so you might have to look for a dog bed that comes with a decent amount of padding. But the downside to this is that these might be harder to port around with ease. They are quite large.
Maintenance
Giving your pet a clean, comfortable place to sleep is a big part of taking care of your pet’s health. Sleeping on the ground can expose your pet to dirt, fleas, ticks, and parasites that could make your pet sick. If you don’t keep your pet’s bed clean, these contaminants can build up on the material, exposing your pet anyway.
When picking a bed to use outdoors, think about how it needs to be cleaned. If your dog jumps into his bed after running through a muddy puddle, it’s going to be difficult to get it clean and dry. Especially when you don’t have access to a washing machine or even a sink. Dog beds that can be wiped off or sprayed with water make the best products for low maintenance.
Removable Covers are Convenient
Beds that have removable covers that can be cleaned with a wipe down or spraying with a water hose make it super easy to keep your pet’s hygiene healthy while outdoors. These types of beds typically have a cover that is secured via a zipper that can be removed and tossed in the washing machine for a deep clean.
Make Sure You Pick the Best Dog Bed for Camping
Spending time outdoors with your dog is a great bonding experience. Make sure your pet stays comfortable and protected while you’re camping by picking the best dog bed. We’re sure you’ll find one you love on our list. As a reminder, here are our top three:
- Noblecamper 2-in-1 – Editor’s Pick
- GigaTent Elevated Pet Cot – Budget Pick
- K9 BallisticsRectangle Nesting Dog Bed – Luxury Pick
