The Best Outdoor Dog Toys for Camping (According to Our Expert Testers)
Camping with your dog is an unforgettable adventure, but keeping them entertained outdoors can be challenging.
There is a lot to do, from long hikes to relaxing by the campfire. However, depending on your dog’s energy levels, they may need something more when hanging out at the campsite.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Our little boy Lucifer is like the canine version of the Energizer Bunny…
Packing the right outdoor toys for your trip is the secret to a stress-free, enjoyable trip for everyone involved, including you and your pup.
Unsure where to start?
To help you create your perfect packing list, we’ve worked with our team of expert testers to create a list of the best outdoor dog toys to keep your dog happy and occupied during your next pet-friendly camping trip.
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click and buy, we will make a commission (at no cost to you). See my full disclosure policy for more details.
Some items included in this list were gifted to us by the brand, but the opinions shared about these products are all our own.
Meet the Experts
Of course, anyone can write/publish an article online claiming to know the best outdoor toys for dogs. So, what makes our list different?
This isn’t a sponsored post. No one has paid to be included or mentioned (although we have received a couple of these toys as gifts when attending events in the past).
Instead, this list was curated with the help of two experts here at The Kas Pack:
Lucifer: Director of Chaos and Destruction
Willow: Director of Cuddles and Affection
These two experts couldn’t be further apart on the spectrum regarding their toy preferences, allowing for a well-rounded final list of recommendations.
Lucifer is a ball of energy who often destroys his toys (and quickly). When choosing toy options for him, we heavily focus on durability.
Willow, on the other hand, is the gentlest dog I have ever seen with toys.
She loves to play more interactive games with us or with Lucifer vs playing solo but can be enticed to engage in some solo play with the right motivation.
With that in mind, we allowed them to test a wide assortment of toys and here are our 10 favourites for camping and outdoor play:
Our Top 10 Dog Toys for Outdoor Adventures
Over the years of camping with dogs, including our former dogs Daviana and Indiana and now Lucifer and Willow, we have always prioritized finding ways to keep them entertained at the campsite.
During that time, we’ve discovered:
- Toys that were destroyed quickly, leaving us with more garbage to dispose of
- Toys they showed zero interest in
- Toys that were fun but were nearly impossible to clean when we got home
- Toys that are fun, entertaining, and outdoor-friendly (i.e. easy to clean)
As a dog parent, the goal is obviously to spend your hard-earned money on options that fit that final point… but it’s not always easy!
The following toys have been tested and received the stamp of approval from our pack.
West Paw Zogoflex Toppl
Starting with the most popular toy on this list, the West Paw Zogoflex Toppl is a treat dispensing/interactive food toy you may have already seen on social media (especially Instagram).
If you have a dog that struggles to relax while you set up camp, this is the perfect solution!
We will fill a Toppl for each dog with one meal worth of Carna4, our dog food of choice, and a few pup-approved healthy treats.
They are then overnight and packed in the top of our camping cooler. This ensures that they are easily accessible when we arrive at our campsite.
Give your dog(s) the frozen Toppl, and they will work their way through their meal while you focus on setting up your tent, dining shelter, etc.
Here are a few quick tips:
- Choose the Toppl that will best fit your dog’s meal size. That means a large for Lucifer and an XL for Willow.
- Mix a bit of water, bone broth, or another liquid with the food to freeze everything in place. This will make it a little more challenging and extend the time it will take.
- Consider layering freezer-friendly treats like Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, mashed sweet potato, and unsweetened apple sauce.
- Place the frozen Toppl in a Ziplock bag before placing it in the cooler to avoid unwanted messes.
In addition to the Toppl, our pack also loves the West Paw Zogoflex Bumi for tug of war and the West Paw Zogoflex Hurley for a casual chew toy.
Playology Dri Tech Ring
Our dogs love playing tug-of-war. Whether they are playing with one of us or with each other, it’s one of their favourite ways to burn a little energy.
The Playology Dri Tech Ring is a rope-style toy with an enticing scent.
Depending on your dog’s preferences, you can choose from several scents, including beef, chicken, cheddar cheese, sweet potato, and peanut butter.
While our pack prefers the ring-shaped toy, they also come as a traditional straight rope toy.
The toys pick up a lot of dirt and mud at the campsite. Luckily, they are machine washable and can be tumble-dried on low heat, making them easy to clean.
JW Hol-ee Roller
If you’re looking for a single toy that can serve several purposes, the JW Hol-ee Roller may be the answer.
With its many holes, this natural rubber toy works well for fetch because it’s easy for dogs to carry.
You can also use it to create an enrichment toy by rolling treats inside a small towel or scraps of fabric before stuffing it inside.
They must pull the fabric out to get to their treats while snuffling through. This works their noses and minds, offering mental stimulation and a great activity for quiet days at the campsite.
BetterBone All-Natural Nylon-Free Dog Chew Toy
Do you have a chewer in your pack?
When we’re relaxing at the campsite, whether for a calm day off or waiting out some rainy weather, Lucifer is always looking for something to chew.
While attending Global Pet Expo 2024, he was gifted a BetterBone All-Natural Nylon-Free Dog Chew Toy, specifically the hard-density option for heavy chewers.
These toys are made from cellulose and vegetable oil instead of nylon, making them a safer option for our pups.
Lucifer has tried many chew toys, but this has quickly become a favourite.
Tall Tails Antler Chew Dog Toy
Another favourite chew toy in our house is the Tall Tails Antler Chew Dog Toy.
This was initially gifted to Lucifer by the company. However, it’s safe to say that Willow has now stolen it away and claimed it as her own.
These chew toys have a steamed-in bacon scent that the dogs seem to love.
They also have divots where you can add something special, like a little dog-friendly peanut butter.
If your dog tends to get their toys slobbery and dirty (Willow is a master of this), these chews are top-rack dishwasher safe.
ChuckIt! Air Fetch Ball
One of Lucifer’s favourite pastimes when we’re camping is playing fetch… for hours and hours on end!
This, of course, means he needs a reliable toy to support that.
The ChuckIt! Air Fetch Ball is great for highly active dogs like our little man. Its unique design allows him to breathe easier while carrying it, helping to prevent overheating.
Other toys from this brand that receive an honourable mention and can usually be seen on our campsite include:
This is a brand that has proven to us time and time again that they are durable, reliable, and well worth purchasing.
ZippyPaws Skinny Peltz
Plush toys aren’t usually the top choice when considering outdoor toys. After all, they pick up everything – mud, dirt, grass stains, etc.
However, some dogs love playing with them. Willow adores her soft toys.
ZippyPaws Skinny Peltz are soft plush toys with no stuffing, meaning your dog can’t rip them open and spread stuffing all over the campsite.
They are marketed for small and medium breeds, but try convincing Willow.
She loves carrying them around, thrashing them, throwing them around, and cuddling in with them when she’s ready to rest.
How did they make our list of outdoor dog toys if they get dirty that easily?
Skinny Peltz are machine washable, so they’re easy to clean again as soon as you return home.
Browning Vinyl Training Dummy
This is technically a training dummy used to train working dogs to retrieve game, but it’s also an excellent option for camping and dog beach days.
Made from a rugged vinyl material, the Browning Vinyl Training Dummy is built to last.
This is our #1 go-to fetch toy when playing in the water with Lucifer. The textured body is designed to be easy for dogs to grab, although he prefers carrying it by the tow rope.
One bonus is that he can retrieve it while minimizing the water he ingests, lowering the risk of water intoxication.
DuraForce Blue Seahorse
Earlier this year, we received a PR package with some DuraForce toys for Lucifer to test out.
When we were first approached, I was skeptical but interested. The toys were being marketed as made from industrial-grade webbing to withstand the most destructive dogs.
They are brightly coloured, machine washable, and they float, making them (on paper) a great option for camping.
It’s fair to say that Lucifer gave them a solid run for their money, and there is evidence of wear and tear, but these toys are still going strong.
In fact, they stood up well enough to earn a mention on our list of the best outdoor dog toys!
His favourite from the package is the DuraForce Blue Seahorse due to its smaller size and the many little flaps and areas to grab onto when he’s playing tug or fetch.
However, we also bring two other favourites on our adventures: the DuraForce Boomerang and the DuraForce 3 Way Tug.
I can honestly say I’m pleasantly surprised with how well they stand up, and we look forward to adding more to our collection.
Nina Ottosson Puzzle Toys
One of the best ways to keep your dog busy and burn extra energy without leaving the campsite is to turn mealtime into a mental enrichment game.
We often do this with the help of the Nina Ottosson Puzzle Toys from Outward Hound.
This isn’t one toy like the other options on this list. Instead, it’s a collection of puzzles categorized based on their difficulty level.
While they are a little bulkier for travel (especially if you’re backpacking or paddling to your site), they are still a great option for car camping adventures.
Each puzzle features different challenges your dog must figure out to get to their food, such as sliders, doors, swivels, covers, and even locking mechanisms.
We recommend starting at level one to introduce the idea and slowly adding new puzzles to keep it fun and exciting.
How to Keep My Dog Entertained Outside Without Toys
During past discussions about our favourite toys in our Camping & Hiking with Dogs Ontario Facebook group, one question made us think…
What about dogs that don’t like toys? How can I entertain my dog while camping?
This is a challenge we actually have experience with! Our sweet boy, Indiana, was never a big toy fan, except for his puzzle toys because food was involved.
Some options that worked well for him included:
- Tasty chews like yak cheese, bully sticks, or Earth Animal No-Hide chews
- Training sessions (a great time to work on your hiking basics)
- Interactive games like wrestling or hide and seek around the campsite
- Build a DIY busy box with cardboard or boxes you have on hand
- Prepare a lickmat with some pet-friendly lickable treats
Final Thoughts on The Best Outdoor Dog Toys for Camping
Keeping your dog entertained while camping can be challenging, especially if your pup is high-energy.
For this reason, we believe that every camp gear packing list should include a few fun and engaging outdoor dog toys to keep them busy.
When selecting your toys, consider key factors like durability, ease of cleaning, and whether they float (especially if your dog loves playing in the water).
From long-lasting and safe chew toys to interactive food puzzles, we hope you have found some new options for your travel buddy.
Does your dog have a favourite outdoor toy? We’d love to hear what they love and why in the comments!
