Skip to Content

10 Tips for Solo Backpacking with Your Dog

Solo backpacking is a great way to explore nature, push yourself to your own personal limits, and go your own pace.  But solo backpacking can be even more enjoyable by bringing along your four-legged friend.  And in a world with so many stresses and distractions, going on a solo backpacking trip with your dog may be a great way to relieve stress and anxiety.

However, solo backpacking presents its own set of challenges and obstacles and bringing along your dog can add to those challenges.  Below, we’re going to provide you with 10 tips for solo backpacking with your dog to make your trip more enjoyable and relaxing.

What is Solo Backpacking

Backpacking has grown in popularity in recent years.  And, so too, has solo backpacking.  Solo backpacking is simply a form of backpacking which is done alone and without any other people.  And backpacking is simply a more rigorous form of hiking and camping, wherein you will carry all personal items and collections, moving campsites as your travel across a particular landscape.

Solo backpacking, however, is even more rigorous than backpacking with a group of people.  You will be individually responsible for all aspects of the trip, including carrying all necessary items and ensuring you don’t veer off the trail.

When it comes to solo backpacking, choosing what to bring and carry is of utmost importance.  For beginners, you will want to choose a relatively easy backpacking destination.  It should be only 5-10 miles in total length, allowing you to complete the trail easily and methodically.

In addition, for beginners, you will want to ensure that your first solo backpacking trip is done in the warmer months to avoid hypothermia and the effects of cold weather.  Choosing a well-traveled and established trail will also help you to build your understanding and experience of what is required.

Lastly, for beginners, you will want to choose a trail that has multiple water sources or one that is close to running water.  Doing so will help you to ensure you will always have access to water and won’t run out during your trip.

What to Take on a Solo Backpacking Trip with Your Dog

Backpack – perhaps the most important item, a proper backpack will help you to carry all your gear and essentials.  The backpack should fit comfortably on your back and should be large enough to carry all your essentials, including food, water, and your tent.

Personally, we’ve used and enjoyed the Mardingtop Molle Hiking Backpack.  This hiking backpack has a large capacity, ensuring you will be able to efficiently carry all your gear.  In addition, it has two detachable side pockets for extra storage.  Perhaps even more importantly, this backpack has a padded waist belt for additional comfort.

Tent – your tent is your home during a backpacking trip and as a solo backpacker, you will want to choose one that is not only comfortable but also durable throughout your trip.  It should also be one that is relatively easy to setup and disassemble and pack.

Personally, we like the Geer Top Ultralight Waterproof Tent.  We’ve used this tent before and find that it is both extremely lightweight and easy to setup, which is absolutely necessary when solo backpacking with a dog.

Sleeping Pad – in addition to a tent, you will need something insulated and warm to sleep on.  A sleeping pad will help you to get a more restful night’s sleep and will help you to avoid the cold, wet floor directly beneath your tent.

There are plenty of options for sleeping pads online, but we always recommend getting one that is lightweight and easy to carry.

Water Treatment Solution – even the cleanest looking water can have things you’d rather not drink.  And nothing is really worse than getting sick on a backpacking trip, especially a solo one with your dog.  Be sure to invest in a water treatment solution so that finding and drinking clean water can be done easily.

Personally, we highly recommend the Sawyer Mini’s.  This water treatment solution fits nicely in the palm of your hand and weights just 2-ounces.  It attaches to the included drinking pouch and removes 99.99999% of all bacteria and protozoa found in water sources.

Check With Your Dog’s Veterinarian

Before planning your solo backpacking trip with your dog, you should discuss so with your dog’s vet.  Your dog’s vet will be able to assess whether or not your dog is ready and able to complete a hiking trip.  You should be honest with the vet about the difficulty of the trail and take their opinion into consideration before pulling the trigger on the trip.

In addition, you should be honest with yourself as to whether or not your dog is capable of completing the trip.  Does your dog tire easily on walks, are they a bit older, do they require additional medications and specific foods?  If so, you may want to leave them behind and take the trip alone.

Choose the Right Trail

Once you have spoken to your dog’s vet, you should determine the optimal backpacking location for both yourself and your four-legged friend.  Firstly, you will want to make sure that the location you choose is not only suitable for your dog but also one that allows dogs to enter.

However, with many parks and trails becoming more friendly to dog’s, this shouldn’t be too difficult.  But, make sure you complete your due diligence beforehand.

When it comes to choosing the right trail for yourself and your dog, you will want to ensure there are plenty of water sources for both yourself and your dog.  In addition, you will want to assess how difficult the trail is.  Being honest with yourself, will your dog be able to complete the trail without too much assistance?

Lastly, be sure to consider other animals and wildlife.  Are there snakes and moose?  If so, be sure you and your dog are properly prepared and that your dog is properly trained to not chase those animals.

Make Sure Your Dog is Physically Prepared

Solo backpacking is more difficult than backpacking with a group.  And bringing along your dog can make the experience even more difficult if they are not properly prepared.  You should ensure that your dog is physically fit for the rigors of the trail and has a healthy temperament for the trail.

You can also prepare your dog for the solo backpack trip by going on smaller, easier hikes with them, helping to prepare them for the upcoming trip.

Bring a Dog Backpack

Bringing along a dog backpack will not only help you carry more items on your trip, but it will also be a great way to have your dog carry items that they may need on the hike.  However, it is important to test these products on your dog beforehand. 

Generally, most dogs are able to carry up to 10% of their total bodyweight. However, some other dogs are able to carry 25% of their total bodyweight.  Speak with your dog’s vet to determine an appropriate weight range and don’t overload the items on your dog’s back.

Keep Your Dog Under Control

When it comes to wandering in the great outdoors, you really never know what you will encounter.  As-such, it is of utmost importance to ensure that your dog is under your control at all times.  Whether you face other travelers or wildlife animals, you don’t want your dog running or chasing those people or animals.

While you will likely be backpacking with your dog off-leash, you should keep a leash with you at all times and have it easily accessible.  This will help you to secure your dog in case you do come across any people or animals and to do so quickly.

Keep Your Dog Warm

Contrary to popular belief, dogs can in fact get cold and develop symptoms of hypothermia.  You will want to keep your dog warm and comfortable throughout your trip and avoid those symptoms at all costs.  We’ve discussed this further in our article on how to keep your dog warm while camping, which may be of interest to you.

Invest in Dog Booties

Similarly, while dog’s paws are better built and designed for direct surface contact than our hands and feet, they are still susceptible to cuts, scrapes, burns, and the cold.  If you are planning on taking your dog with you on a solo backpacking trip, then it is advisable to invest in dog booties.

Dog booties will help to protect your four-legged friends paws and allow them to trek further and for longer.  however, be sure to purchase and trial these booties before your backpacking trip.  Many dogs find booties uncomfortable in the beginning and will require some time to become accustomed to them.

Invest in Reflective Gear

In addition, while solo backpacking with your dog, you should invest in reflective gear for your dog.  Reflective, bright, and conspicuous gear will help you keep track of your four-legged buddy and ensure they are always visible, whether during the day or at night.

Ensure There is Sufficient Space in Your Tent for Them

If you are planning on going on a solo backpacking trip with your dog, then you should ensure that there is sufficient space in your tent for both yourself and your dog.  You should never leave your dog outside of the tent overnight, as that can lead to hypothermia, or they can escape from your campsite.

In addition, you should also invest in additional blankets and a dog bed for your little one.  You don’t want to choose options which are too bulky, but you should bring both blankets and a dog bed to ensure your dog is comfortable and also gets a good night’s sleep.

Bring Extra Water, Treats, and Food for Your Dog

Lastly, when it comes to solo backpacking with your dog, you should bring sufficient amounts of food, water, and treats for both yourself and your dog.  Your dog will likely need additional water throughout the day as they trek alongside you.

In addition, you should invest in high-energy, high-calorie food and snacks for your dog.  This will help them to maintain their energy stores and reserves and will ensure that they do not feel fatigued or lethargic.  These snacks can include beef or chicken jerky and other small, portable, lightweight treats which can be given quickly and easily.