Best Dog Crates For Camping 2023

Do you have a camping trip planned but you still need to purchase a dog crate for your adventure?

I love to bring my dogs on the road with me as they’re a big part of my family and we love to create memories with them.

If you’re like me, you’ll want to bring your canine companion on your camping trip so your dogs can experience a couple of days in the wild.

However, you’ll need a sturdy dog crate to keep your dog safe and secure in the car on the way to the camp site and at night when you’re tucked up in your sleeping bag.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at the best dog crates for camping so you can be prepared for your adventure this year.

We’ll take a look at three of our top picks for the best dog crates for camping to save you time so you can focus on your packing and supplies.

What Makes A Good Dog Crate For Camping

Dog hangs next to owner at campsite (Photo: Adobe Stock)

If you’re planning to bring your dog on the road for your camping trip, your dog’s safety will be a priority. Not only do you need a dog crate that will serve effectively during the camping experience but keep your pet safe during the car journey to the national park, the beach or the desert. We’re going to share some of the key factors that we considered when looking for the best dog crates for camping. We hope that these considerations will allow you to make a considered and informed decision about the right dog crate for your camping trip.

Size and Space – It’s probably an obvious consideration but you’ll want to get the right size crate for your dog whether you’ve got a Spaniel, Labrador or Great Dane. There should be sufficient room for your dog to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. You’ll need a crate that fits your car’s trunk but big enough to give them space. Ensuring you’ve got the right size crate will give your dog an added sense of security. Most of the dog crates in this article provide a measuring guide to help you get this right.

Durability and Material – If you’re going to invest in a quality dog crate, you’ll want to select an option that’s been manufactured using durable and sturdy materials. Your dog crate will need to be sufficiently strong to withstand the bumps and potholes on the road. Once you get to the campsite, you’ll want the dog crate to be able to withstand different elements that come with a camping trip, such as rough terrain, temperature changes, rain or wind and potential impacts. We’ve only included crates that are constructed from high-quality materials capable of withstanding camp life and roadtrips.

Portability and Weight – You’re going to have to get to grips with the crate – moving it to your trunk, removing it from your trunk, setting it up inside your tent or next to your tent. A dog crate suitable for camping needs to be relatively lightweight and portable despite being made from durable materials. Does the crate have an ergonomic handle? Does the crate have wheels? Can it be collapsed to make it easier to carry? These are all factors that we considered before creating our list.

Ventilation – Your dog may spend hours in the back of your car or in the trunk so your dog crate needs to have sufficient ventilation. We only included dog crates made by companies who considered the ventilation factor. Whether it’s windows, mesh panels or perforated sides. Ventilation is equally important at the campsite if you’re staying in a warm climate and you want your dog to benefit from proper airflow at night.

Security and Safety Features – I’ve got two escape artists and if you own a breed like a Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute, you’ll want to ensure your dog crate has top notch security. Whether it’s multiple locks, butterfly latches and a sturdy build. The last thing you want is your dog to escape and you spend your camping trip trying to find your missing canine companion. If you’ve got a dog who gets nervous on the road, you’ll want a crate that protects your dog from themselves.

Easy Cleaning – Life on the road and at the campsite can get messy. One of my dogs gets car sick. Maybe your dog loves to find that puddle or muddy patch in the woods. Whatever the case may be, you’ll want a dog crate that’s easy to clean. This is a key point because you may need to clean your crate multiple times during your camping trip if you want to keep your dog’s living space tidy and odor free (nobody wants a bad smell emanating from the dog crate on the drive home).

Best Dog Crate For Camping

Now that we’ve discussed some of the things to consider ahead of your purchase, let’s take a look at three of the best dog crates for camping.

1) Impact Collapsible Dog Crate

Where To Buy: impactdogcrates.com

Impact Collapsible Dog Crate (PImpact Collapsible Dog Crate (Photo: hellobark.com)oto: hellobark.com)

If you want a dog crate that will last the lifetime of your dog, you should consider Impact’s Collapsible Dog Crate. Impact are one of the leading suppliers of premium dog crates in the USA. For the purposes of this article, we’re going to take a look at their Collapsible Crate but they also offer Stationary, High Anxiety and Bantam Crates plus their Den. The Collapsible Crate is ideal for camping because you can fold it away when you’re walking from your car to your campsite. It’s got military grade handles so it’s easy to carry and it’s made from durable but lightweight aluminum. They’ve really considered everything – the Collapsible Crate has rounded diamond-shaped holes to provide plenty of ventilation but ensure you dog can’t damage their teeth if they’ve got a tendency to chew. There’s ample security with a one-handed open and close lock plus butterfly latches to add extra security. Having tested this crate with my dogs, it takes less than 60 seconds to set up and to collapse. So you won’t have to fumble around. The Collapsible Dog Crate starts at $999 but I believe it’s worth the investment if you want a long-lasting dog crate.

2) Diggs Revol Dog Crate

Where To Buy: diggs.pet

The Revol crate by Diggs (Photo: hellobark.com)

The Revol is another great option if you’re looking for a dog crate for your camping trip. It looks more like your traditional wire crate that you have probably purchased at some stage from an online retailer if you’re a dog owner. However, the Revol is different in the sense that Diggs have used high-quality, durable materials to create their crate. Not only that, it’s got an ergonomic design inspired by baby industry standards. You want have to worry about getting your fingers caught in wire metal like some cheap options on Amazon. I have also tested out the Revol and once I got to grips with the set up, it was super simple to collapse and put back together. It has a single piece metal frame so a sturdy base with diamond-shaped wire mesh pattern. The wire mesh is extremely strong so it can withstand high impact. The Revol has multiple access points – the front door, the garage-style door and the roof. This flexibility will be useful if you need to reach your dog during your drive to the campsite. It’s easy to clean and hassle-free to collapse and move thanks to the handle and wheels. The smallest version of the Revol starts at $375.

3) DAKOTA 283 G3 Framed Door Kennel

Where To Buy: www.amazon.com

DAKOTA 283 G3 Framed Door Kennel (Photo: Amazon)

The final suggestion in this feature is the DAKOTA 283 G3 Framed Door Kennel. It has a different aesthetic to Impact’s Collapsible Crate and the Revol Crate by Diggs. It looks like a traditional travel crate but has a superior design. For instance, the DAKOTA crate has 32 ventilation holes (for small and medium size) and 40 ventilation holes (for large and extra large). The holes provide air flow but have been carefully designed so your dog can’t sink their teeth in. Unlike the other two crates in this article, the DAKOTA isn’t collapsible. So once you put it together, you’ll have to move it as is. However, they’ve included an easy-to-grip handle to make it comfortable to transport. It’s easy to clean with a drain hole to get rid of any spilt fluids. It has a key locking latch door to ensure your dog is secure and safe. DAKOTA 283 G3 starts at $329 (available on Amazon) and the price increases with the size.

How Did We Picked The Best Dog Crates For Camping

Yorkie sticks head out of camper van (Photo: Adobe Stock)

We began by researching what makes a good dog crate for camping based upon the advice of experts and recalling our personal experience.

There’s no shortage of information online from dog trainers and dog behaviorists to help dog owners make the right choice for them and their dog.

We spent time reading through customer reviews to see what other pet parents had to say about the crates we decided to feature.

I considered a number of important factors that I mentioned above, such as the materials used, the thoughtfulness of the design, the safety features and indestructibility of the crate.

The list above represents what we believe to be the best dog crates for camping, and it’s updated often for accuracy and integrity. It was last updated June 2023.

Wrapping Up – Our Final Thoughts

Golden Retriever sits outside tent (Photo: Adobe Stock)

We’ve reached the end of our article on the best dog crates for camping.

My top pick would be the Impact Collapsible Dog Crate based upon my experience using the crate for road trips.

It’s easy to put together and you can collapse it and put back together in 60 seconds. Although it doesn’t have wheels, it’s easy to move thanks to the military grade handle.

Having said that, I don’t think you’ll go wrong the Revol, which I use in my day-to-day life in my office for my dogs.