A Guide to Dog Sleeping Systems: Cozy Nights Under the Stars

Top Products For Your Canine Camper

• Ruffwear Highlands Sleeping Bag - Insulated zippered bag designed specifically for dogs

• Kurgo Loft Wander Dog Bed - Waterproof bottom, portable design perfect for tent or ground use

• Ruffwear Travel Dog Bed - Paddeded design keeps pets off cold, damp ground

• Chuckit! Travel Dog Bed - Budget-friendly option that rolls up compactly with carrying case

The first time I took my Labrador Luna camping in Colorado's high country, I made the rookie mistake of assuming her thick coat would keep her perfectly warm through the night. Around 2 AM, I woke to find her shivering and attempting to burrow into my sleeping bag—a clear sign that I'd failed to adequately prepare for her comfort. That chilly night transformed how I approach sleep systems for my adventure pups, leading to a much more thoughtful setup that ensures they rest as comfortably as I do, no matter the conditions.

After experimenting with various options across different seasons and terrains, I've settled on a modular approach that adapts to changing conditions. The foundation of our system is the Ruffwear Highlands Sleeping Bag, which has proven its worth on countless adventures from alpine meadows to desert canyons. What makes this bag exceptional is the synthetic insulation that continues providing warmth even when damp (an inevitable reality when camping with dogs) and the circular design that accommodates the natural turning behavior most dogs exhibit before settling in. On particularly cold nights above 5,000 feet, I've found that placing a small chemical hand warmer under the sleeping bag (never inside where Luna could access it) provides additional warmth that radiates through the night.

For warmer conditions where a full sleeping bag would cause overheating, the Kurgo Loft Wander Bed has become my go-to option. Its waterproof bottom prevents ground moisture from seeping through—a feature I particularly appreciate during dewy mountain mornings when everything seems slightly damp. The microtomic ripstop material has withstood Luna's pre-sleep digging ritual remarkably well compared to cheaper beds that began showing wear after just a few trips. For summer desert camping where nighttime temperatures remain high, I'll often bring just the Rumpl Dog Blanket, which provides just enough cushioning while allowing plenty of airflow to prevent overheating.

One critical consideration often overlooked in canine camping setups is insulation from the ground. Even when air temperatures feel mild, the cold earth can sap body heat throughout the night through conductive heat loss. I learned this lesson the hard way during a spring trip to Utah's canyon country, when relatively warm evening temperatures masked the still-frigid ground. Now, regardless of which sleep system we're using, I always place a closed-cell foam pad underneath as a thermal barrier. The Z-Lite pad by Therm-a-Rest, trimmed to Luna's size, adds negligible weight to our pack while dramatically improving sleep quality by preventing this ground-to-dog heat transfer.

Location within the tent matters significantly as well. Through much trial and error, I've discovered that positioning Luna's bed against the tent wall creates unnecessary exposure to temperature fluctuations and condensation. Instead, I place her sleeping system adjacent to mine but slightly offset from the tent walls, creating a warmer microclimate while still giving us both adequate space. On particularly cold nights, this arrangement allows shared body heat to benefit us both—a natural warming system that has made the difference between comfortable sleep and shivering wakefulness on more than one high-altitude adventure.

What ultimately transformed our camping experiences was recognizing that, just like humans, dogs sleep better when following familiar routines. I now pack a small stuff sack containing "sleep signals" for Luna—a specific blanket that only comes out at bedtime and a dedicated "camping only" plush toy that signals it's time to settle in. These consistent elements create a sleep routine that transcends changing locations, helping her understand that despite the unfamiliar surroundings, the expectations and comfort of bedtime remain consistent. These small touches require minimal pack space but make a world of difference in helping your four-legged adventurer transition from exciting day activities to restful sleep under the stars.

Adventure Together. Explore Further. Paw and Peak.