Campground limits on number of dogs

travelrider73 · January 8, 2014

Hi, when we hit the road, we will have three miniature dachshunds along for the ride. Are we going to run into a lot of issues with maximum number of dogs allowed? They're small so they shouldn't count for more than one Lab but I suspect campgrounds might not look at it that way.

SIBERNUT · January 8, 2014

Some CG's charge per pet. If'n it was me & they look alike, I'd declare 2 & only walk 2 at a time. $ can get a little nuts.

mrfrank · January 8, 2014

We've travelled with 2 dogs for years. We've never had a problem with the number of dogs with us. Maybe because we have "only 2". If a campground charges for dogs, we don't go there. We rarely see one that limits the number you can have.

LFDR3116 · January 8, 2014

The most common limitation I see is "2" . We only have one small dog, and very few campgrounds have even asked us if we have a pet or how many we have. We do not frequent or support any campground that has a fee for pets, and I think that is when you will run into the question of how many you have so they can charge the appropriate fee. (Make more money off you).

Jack Mayer · January 8, 2014

I agree that the most common limitation on numbers is "2". That is the restriction I have on my rental lots, and that is what I see in most HOA/covenants that have anything to say about them.

grumpydoc · January 8, 2014

You will find that there are many different pet rules from one campground to the next. There can be limits on number, size, and breed. There is even the occasional "vicious dog rule". Some charge extra for pets, most have leash rules and "pick up" rules. Many prohibit leaving dog(s) unattended either in the rig or on the lot. The best advice is to ask specifically about pet rules when you call ahead to the park. You particular dogs will be unlikely a problem in most cases bu you would be surprised at what some people travel with. Best wishes, Jay

theeyres · January 9, 2014

While two seems to be the limit I have found that most places are very open. We have one dog which is sometimes over the weight limit in a few cgs that have a 20 or 30# limit on weight. When I tell them what I have, they have always said, "come on in...it's just fine". Just be upfront, and don't lie about it, or avoid the truth. Most places want your business. If they don't then move on.

travelrider73 · January 9, 2014

We won't be able to hide it - or at least won't want to do the covert things required to do so, especially since we're planning to set up camp for 3 months at a time.

One of the dogs is old as the hills and just lies around. He only gets up for treats and potty breaks. The other two are young and spry. So, we have 2.5 dogs.

Kirk W · January 9, 2014

We won't be able to hide it - or at least won't want to do the covert things required to do so, especially since we're planning to set up camp for 3 months at a time.

With longer stays it becomes much more important that you be upfront about this. If it were me, I would contact the park you want to stay in before you get there and discuss it with them. Better to know before arrival. Most of the long term parks that we have stayed in also have no pet sections and pet sections so that those who don't like pets can have their areas too.

As Earl says, they do want business, but just want to avoid problems with people's pet and between pet owners and other visitors. Very few of the park managers just dislike dogs.

Rav · January 9, 2014

when we had 3 dogs ( 2 now, lost our schnauzer last year) we ran into a problem in Ohio - they only allow 2 dogs at the state parks, we went any way and only took them out 2 at a time.

there was a private campground in Mi. that charged 5 dollars per day per dog after one. I think it was Indigo Bluffs by Sleeping Bear Dunes.

our dogs are small 25 lbs and 5.5 lbs and I agree they should go by weight not amount!! LOL

last fall we took our 2 dogs and our 2 fosters we had at the time to potato creek in Indiana and there was no issue.

drifting · October 19, 2014

Rules are rules, but sometimes they are more to be able to clamp down on real nuisances and are not strictly enforced. There was someone on another forum who wanted to travel with 8 of the little yappers and who was quick to tell everyone about her and her husband's health problems. Somehow, I can't imagine these very ill people bending down 16 times a day to scoop poop.

rsmithey · September 13, 2015

Just sharing my recent experience (August 2015) RVing with my three rescue dogs and my rescue cat (it sounds crazy even to me, but we did it and had a blast!!!)

I'm a boat liveaboard, so the fur kids (and I ;-) :

(1) have learned to be on our best behavior around others;

(2) are accustomed to enjoying lots of walkies (yes, even my cat walks on a leash :-) So there's no way to be stealth - we are extremely quiet (I'm a retired librarian - shhh!) but we are very visible!

During our two-week RV trip from Southern California to Southern Oregon and back, I encountered absolutely no issues whatsoever regarding the number of pets. I informed each campground/RV park in advance of the species/number/breed/size/weight of my pets, and my pets were entirely welcome at all of them.

I even visited several breweries (Lagunitas in Petaluma CA, Chetco Brewing Company in Brookings OR, and Arch Rock Brewing Company in Gold Beach OR) and my pets were welcome at all of them!

I found that most campers seemed to be good about cleaning up after their dogs, but at off-leash areas there was random poop. I always maximize bag space and pick up whatever I find.

I hope this is helpful to anyone concerned with finding camping/RV parks while traveling with multiple pets:

(1) inquire in advance;

(2) be a good citizen :-)

LFDR3116 · September 14, 2015

Many of the campgrounds have a website and their "pet policy" will be listed. You can also check to see what their restrictions state before you call. I have seen a few where 3 was the limit. In that case, you wouldn't even need to call.

rsmithey · September 14, 2015

Well said Pete & Pat! However many pet policies are vague ("Pets permitted"). Species, breed and number are omitted.

I'm finding in my hoteling/RV/camping travels that the pet policy is flexible, as I politely inquire prior to each stay, and demonstrate my commitment. I also write a "many thanks" follow-up to each campground and establishment we visit, thanking them for being pet-friendly.

From my experience, hotels have a flexible 2-pet limit (yes, I hotel'ed with the pets - back in the days of traveling with my [late] Mom). I once paid for two rooms in Medford OR because of the third dog. However en route to OR, stopping overnight in Elk Grove CA , a hotelier said "you're the only customer not asking for a discount of some kind - I'm somehow not seeing the third dog." It was all well worth it for the family stories!!

I am learning not to be deterred by "pet policy." Simply ask in advance, always be respectful of your neighbors, and always be kind to the staff.

Edited September 14, 2015 by rsmithey

travelinbob · September 14, 2015

We travel with 4 dogs and it's a problem some of the time. 3 are small and 1 large old one, 15 years old now.

We are Thousand Trails members and the parks are pet friendly and that helps a lot.

We always ask about pets at other parks just to be sure. Most will say "no way".

I sure don't want to pay for a month and then be told "sorry, you have to leave and we don't give refunds".

whj469 · September 15, 2015

I am glad that I don't have this problem. Our little dog wouldn't stop barking if I

took her RVing and I wouldn't do that to other RVers. Also they would likely ask us to leave.

WeBeFulltimers · September 16, 2015

I am glad that I don't have this problem. Our little dog wouldn't stop barking if I

took her RVing and I wouldn't do that to other RVers. Also they would likely ask us to leave.

I have got to agree with this! Our neighbor across the street left yesterday morning about 8 am and returned at 2:30 pm. His little "yapper" barked the entire time he was gone. Not fair to the animal or his neighbors. If he does the same today I will call the rangers on him.

Classic Hammond · October 17, 2015

We full-time with 4 rescued dogs. It's why we started RVing. Any park charging for dogs or limiting dogs usually gets told I will take my money elsewhere. Although I usually ask them what are rates for families with no children. When 2 old farts come in with no noisy, non-facilities utilizing/utilities use, a few dogs should not be an issue. Don't get me wrong, I actually enjoy watching the children (I'm a retired Teacher) and spend as much time as possible with my Grandsons. But the dogs are a bargain for camp ground owners compared with kids. Just be sure as dog owners we are responsible and yes, I've picked up my share of poop----not left behind by my pooches. See I walk there, and don't want to step in it.

remoandiris · October 17, 2015

Any park charging for dogs or limiting dogs usually gets told I will take my money elsewhere.

Agreed. If they actually provided services for dogs, like a nice fenced-in dog run, I might agree to paying a few extra bucks a night. Unfortunately, some parks think they can supplement their rates with extra charges while providing no extra service.

Sharona61bio · October 5, 2016

I agree. I tried to book a vacation rental cottage in Florida this year. I have 3 Maltese and a Yorkie. All under 10lbs and pretty well behaved as they are all 5 to 7 years in age. The man renting the home wanted $30 per night, per dog in addition to a $300 pet deposit. The weekly rental became astronomical. I don't understand why motels and rental agents are so ready to let up to 2 kids stay for free and want to charge so much for a little dog. Seems that the kids would be much more destructive.

Hey hey hey · August 19, 2021

On 10/16/2015 at 9:07 PM, Classic Hammond said:

We full-time with 4 rescued dogs. It's why we started RVing. Any park charging for dogs or limiting dogs usually gets told I will take my money elsewhere. Although I usually ask them what are rates for families with no children. When 2 old farts come in with no noisy, non-facilities utilizing/utilities use, a few dogs should not be an issue. Don't get me wrong, I actually enjoy watching the children (I'm a retired Teacher) and spend as much time as possible with my Grandsons. But the dogs are a bargain for camp ground owners compared with kids. Just be sure as dog owners we are responsible and yes, I've picked up my share of poop----not left behind by my pooches. See I walk there, and don't want to step in it.

Where do you stay with your 4 dogs we need a place for us and 4 dogs all winter we are from nh long time renters never had to take all 4 dogs in the rv before but our house is being sold an we don’t have a choice I’m struggling to find a park that will allow us.