The Best Outdoor Dog Beds
for Travel, Hiking & Camping in 2024
Dogs make the best travel companions, and they are always up for a long hike or a weekend camping trip. Why not make your furry friend’s tail wag by giving them a comfortable outdoor bed to enjoy while you are away? Outdoor dog beds provide a cozy spot for your pet to sleep, keeping them safe from bugs, dirt, and the hard, cold ground.
Outdoor dog beds come in a variety of styles, but the one you choose should be durable enough to last in the great outdoors and comfortable enough for your pup to get a good night’s sleep. Check out the top six outdoor dog beds that are great for traveling and camping.
Our Top List
Last update on 2024-09-15 at 09:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Kurgo Portable Waterproof Outdoor Bed
The waterproof dog bed from Kurgo is the perfect camping companion. Ripstop material makes this bed extra durable so it can resist tears from sticks, rough surfaces, and your dog’s nails. The bottom features a non-slip material to prevent the bed from sliding around.
The best part about the Kurgo outdoor dog bed is that it easily rolls up for compact travel. Handles make it easy to transport on any vacation or camping trip, so your pup will have a warm, dry place to snooze no matter where the road takes you.
This bed offers maximum portability without sacrificing your dog’s comfort. Lightweight padding makes this bed a great companion for picnics on grassy lawns or overnight stays in the back of the car.
Takeaways
- Machine-washable.
- The non-slip bottom makes it perfect for use on any surface.
- Can be rolled up like a sleeping bag for maximum portability.
2. Lightspeed Outdoor Self Inflating Fleece
This outdoor dog bed is an air mattress for your furry friend. Featuring an irresistibly soft fleece cover, your dog will love lounging on this outdoor bed from Lightspeed. This puncture-resistant pad is self-inflating, so you don’t have to worry about your puppy tearing out any stuffing.
This soft dog bed is machine washable, making it easy to clean away dirt and grime from camping trips and adventures. When not in use, the bed easily rolls up and can be secured with built-in straps that make storage a breeze. This bed is perfect for large dogs who love to be on the go with their owners.
Takeaways
- The soft fleece cover makes this bed warm and cozy.
- Nylon carrying straps allow for easy storage.
- This bed can be cleaned in the washing machine.
3. Hero Dog – Anti Slip Mattress
This comfortable bed from Hero Dog offers orthopedic support that will help your dog get a good night’s rest on your trip. Crate technology eases the pressure on your pup’s joints and spine, allowing them to sleep comfortably and safely. The mat is designed with a non-slip bottom to prevent it from sliding on slippery floors.
The outside of the bed is super soft, yet durable enough to be machine-washed after each use. This bed features a flat design that works well in the back of your car. You can also place it in the bottom of your pet’s crate for added comfort and warmth.
Takeaways
- This bed is machine-washable.
- It fits perfectly in the car or in the bottom of a pet crate.
4. Carlson Green Portable Bed
The pet bed from Carlson features a pop-up design that keeps your dog off of the floor. Similar to a camping chair, your dog will love lounging by the fire in this bed. The bed easily folds up, making it portable and easy to store.
This water-resistant, nylon pet bed is perfect for medium and large pups. Because the bed is elevated, your dog will stay nice and cool as air flows underneath him. This dog bed is perfect for summer camping trips and makes a great bed for older dogs who can’t tolerate the cold ground.
Takeaways
- The elevated cot design makes this bed perfect for camping, especially for older dogs.
- This nylon bed is cool and water-resistant.
- Large dogs will have plenty of room to sleep on this bed.
5. Snoozer Waterproof Round Pet Bed
This extra cushy pet bed offers a soft place for your pup to sleep at night. This bed is designed for pets with bladder issues and features a removable waterproof cover. The machine-washable cover makes this bed ideal for outdoor use, so you can take it with you on hikes, picnics, and camping trips.
Drool, dirt, water, and fur don’t stand a chance against this bed. Simply remove the cover and toss it in the washer for easy cleaning. Although this bed isn’t easy to transport, it provides a comfortable spot for your pup to snooze that keeps them off the ground.
Takeaways
- The removable cover is machine-washable and water-resistant.
- Cedar and poly filling make this bed extra fluffy and cozy for your dog.
6. Heininger Portable Dog House & Shelter
This dog bed is like a miniature tent for your furry companion. Made of breathable material that resists fleas, this cot-style bed features a protective cover that looks like a dog house. Your dog will enjoy the feeling of safety that the cover provides while you enjoy the great outdoors together.
This lightweight dog bed is portable and folds up for easy storage. It’s available in a variety of sizes to perfectly accommodate small, medium, or large dogs. If you are going on a long hike or camping trip, your dog will love having their own pop-up house to sleep and relax in.
Takeaways
- The cot design keeps your dog off the ground while the walls and roof keep your dog protected from wind and rain.
- The material is lightweight, breathable, and resistant to fleas.
- The elevated design prevents the bed from getting dirty or wet.
Verdict & Review
Kurgo Outdoor Bed for Dogs
Pros
- Machine-washable
- Non-slip bottom
- Portable, can be rolled up
Cons
- We haven't encountered any cons.
Outdoor dog beds are great for keeping your companion comfortable while camping and traveling. Durability, portability, and comfort are the most important things to consider when selecting an outdoor dog bed.
The winner of this roundup is the bed from Kurgo. It’s durable, easy to carry, and machine-washable. Whether you want to bring it along on a picnic or keep it in the back of your car, the bed from Kurgo offers maximum comfort without taking up too much space.
Buying Guide
With so many styles and designs to choose from, it’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for when selecting an outdoor dog bed. To get started, here are just a few of the things you’ll want to consider when making your selection.
Material, design, portability, and comfort are all important the Pet Dog Pals consider when we look at outdoor dog beds that a pup will love. Ideally, the bed you choose will offer an optimized mix of comfort, portability, and durability.
Material
The material the bed is made of is the most important thing to consider for several reasons. Certain materials will do a better job of repelling dirt and preventing fleas from breeding than others.
Water-resistant materials are ideal in case your pup decides to go for a swim while you’re out camping. Choosing a bed made with water-resistant material ensures that it won’t get ruined if it rains unexpectedly.
If your dog is a chewer, you may want to select a bed that doesn’t contain stuffing. Some beds are designed with a durable shell that will stand up to bites, chews, and tears from sharp nails.
Design
In this roundup, the featured designs included cots, mats, and beanbag-style beds with poly filler. The design you choose should depend on the conditions you plan on using the bed in and the age of your dog.
For example, an older dog who’s going to be sleeping in the back of your car would require an orthopedic bed like the one from Hero Dog, while a young pup going camping for the first time would benefit most from the popup bed from Carlson.
Camping can bring about wet conditions, making an elevated bed ideal. Older dogs with joint issues can also use an elevated bed but might be more comfortable on an orthopedic bed.
Cleaning and Portability
Many of the beds featured in this roundup are machine washable, but not all of them can be stored and carried with ease. The bed from Kurgo is ideal because it’s washable and portable. It can be rolled up like a sleeping bag and packed into your car without much thought.
Elevated popup beds are nice, but they are less portable and bulkier than beds that can be rolled up. Popup beds work great outdoors, but they aren’t ideal for the back of the car. If you want a bed that’s easy to clean, carry, and set up, a flat, roll up bed is ideal.
Comfort
Even the most well-made dog bed won’t be any use to you if your dog doesn’t want to sleep on it. While it can be hard to tell which type of bed your pup will enjoy most, choosing a bed that offers orthopedic support ensures that your dog will sleep well.
While elevated beds don’t have padding or stuffing, they keep your dog from resting against the hard ground and give their joints a break. Beds like the one from Kurgo are nice because they offer maximum portability without sacrificing your dog’s comfort.
By the way, check out this page for outdoor dog houses!
Size and Durability
Two other important factors to consider are size and durability. You want to choose a dog bed that is compact and portable without being too small for your dog. Many of the beds in the roundup come in a range of sizes, so you can choose the best option for your pup. Give them plenty of room to stretch out and they are sure to love their outdoor bed.
Durability sometimes comes at the expense of comfort, but some dog beds offer the best of both worlds. Dog beds made from rough materials will stand up against chewing and tearing but can be uncomfortable for your pup. Ripstop nylon isn’t too rough, and it will stand the test of time.
Quick Tips for Selecting and Using an Outdoor Dog Bed
- Select a bed based on your dog’s size, age, and the conditions of the place you are traveling to.
- Follow all care and cleaning instructions properly.
- Choose a bed that is optimized for comfort, durability, and portability.
We are the Pet Dog Pals, a group of avid pet owners, bloggers, product testers, and writers for all your canine needs! We own a collective 16 dogs and 21 cats to help us test and review pet products. Our top lists and tips come from experience to help you be the best dog owner you can be!