Sit! Stay! Shaaaaake…. OK, now down! Good boy!
If you’re a dog owner, would you pay up to 20% more for a fenced campsite where your dog could run free? No leashes allowed—just pure sniffing, peeing-on-everything bliss. What do you think?
You know who would pay 20% more for a fenced campsite if they could? Your dog. That’s who.
Imagine how nice it would be to sip your morning coffee while your pup roams safely within sight—no tangled leash, no anxious pulling, just tail-wagging freedom. That kind of setup sounds like the ultimate win-win: a happy dog and a more relaxed owner.
Of course, not everyone thinks it’s worth the extra cost. Some RVers say a good walk or a nearby dog park is plenty of exercise. Others point out that adding fences to campsites could raise maintenance costs or take away from the natural feel of a campground. Still, for those who travel full-time with pets, a private fenced area might feel like pure luxury.
As pet-friendly camping options grow, it’ll be interesting to see if fenced sites become more common or stay a niche feature for those willing to splurge. What about you? Would you pay extra for that peace of mind (and peace from leash duty)?
After voting in the poll below, leave a comment and tell us if you’ve ever come across a fenced campsite (or private area, not a dog park) for Fido or Fifi. We’d like to know. Thanks!
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RVDT2775
It depends. 20% of 2 nights, probably. 20% of 5 nights, NO Way.
We have two sets of dog fence with us.. Easy set up and take down..
We have had dog fence sites twice, (once it was the only available, the other it was comped). Our dogs didn’t care for them. They have to be right by us, LOL. We do have portable fencing we will set up around our ‘patio’ area. This they like.
I’ve had a fenced site once and Iris just sat and stared at us when we were outside. I don’t carry fencing and I would get another site with a fenced yard, but probably not at a 20% surcharge.
Once in a while, but definitely not all the time,
I would never take one even if free. There is most likely no spot on the ground that hasn’t been pooped or pee’ed on. I do not believe I would like to sit out there and I know my dog would not like to lay down where she can smell nothing but other dog pee. I look at these as just another excuse for lazy dog owners to ignore their dog and leave it outside to bark at all that passes by.
Owning a dog requires a commitment from the owner, if you are unwilling to keep that commitment please do not get a dog.
I can understand these sites for handicapped persons with pets.
I agree 100%, Joe. I would expect that grass in a fenced in site will soon be dead and it would be a fenced in dirt/mud site.
Nearly 50 years RVing with dogs and never needed a fenced in site yet.
Maybe but only if all the poop was cleaned away after the last resident.
Our dog (golden retriever) mostly wants to be where we are; inside or outside. Which is fine because other than possibly MY potty need, he is not outside alone. I have a cargo ring on the side of the box holding our folding steps. I used two zip ties to create an out of the way ring on the bottom of the swing door handle for the dog’s end of a tie-out. Easy to hook or unhook the dog from the door.
And the final point, free or tethered, after a couple trips around a small yard, he wants his leash. Let’s go for a walk, Dad! Good for both of us.
cats don’t care. now a fenced area for ill behaved children is an idea.
The biggest issue we have witnessed with the dog enclosures that are popular is that owners leave their dogs outside and they bark all day and few parks enforce their own rules.
My dog always had to sit between us or be near us, we carried a portable kennel with us at all times. If the campground had a dog run, I had to be in there with him or he sat by the fence and barked. Unless the trailer was in a fenced area it wouldn’t do any good.
I voted no, BUT, most of the time we don’t stay long. One of our dogs is always watching and “warning” us of all the “stranger dangers” he sees and hears. It would also depend on the quality of the fenced area. If it was dirt, well, we can walk them to the potty area. If it were nice grass and we were going to stay several days we just might spring for their (we have 2) comfort.
My husband would like this late at night instead of taking the dogs for a walk. He could just open the door and let them out to do their business. Considering we camp mostly at state parks, I don’t think it would be a reality for us.
I voted no for 1 reason, my pomeranian girl is 16 years old, partially blind. She no longer needs the running space, n didn’t go outside without me. I can see someone with larger young dogs needing the fence to.