Pets left alone in RV at campground?
We are now a dog owner and would consider bringing her on next camping trip. Question for all: is it considered acceptable to leave dog in trailer while we are away? Windows and vents will be open,...
Forum Discussion
JimK-NY wrote:
When I was a campground host in a National Park, pets were not allowed on the trails and were not allowed to be left alone in the campground. That made it about impossible for a visitor with a dog to do much of a visit. The rules were enforced.
I suppose a few visitors left dogs alone and got away with it. It would be much better to leave the pets with friends/relatives or to board the animals. Of course it depends on the style of "camping" you plan on. If you want to hike and visit scenic areas, a dog can be an issue. If you want to sit around an RV park, drink and eat and have BBQs, then not so much.
I have been to a couple National Parks and I have taken my dogs. This is what I did to ensure we all had a good time within the rules:
1. I planned the trip so that the weather was conducive to bringing the dogs with me. For example, I went to Death Valley in December and Mt Lassen in May.
2. I contacted each park and specifically asked about their policies of dogs in vehicles. With Death Valley, I was told they did not citate for that in December when temps are mild. With Lassen, it was a less exacting response of "as long as the temps are mild, it's OK".
3. When I went out to explore the park, the dogs came with me. I carried water for them at all times. I let the dogs out in paved parking lots and on roads where they were allowed to be. I cleaned up after them.
4. I limited my stops to an hour or less. The exception was when a friend was with me. One of us could hike a trail on our own while the other stayed back at the car with the dogs.
5. I NEVER took my dogs on the trails, left them behind in the campground alone, or had them offleash. I always used a 6ft leash and never a flexi-disaster.
I really enjoyed my trips. My dogs really enjoyed their trips. I limited my sightseeing to half days, giving us plenty of time to kick back and enjoy the campground.
However, I admit, I have no desire to hike 2+ hours. If I had the need/desire to do that, I would leave the dogs home.
I also took many trips to national forests, BLM, and COEcampgrounds. Places where I COULD hike with my dogs on the various trails, play in the water. Those are the dog holidays - it's about letting THEM have a fun trip.
