Tarp camping with dogs?

[Greg Deitrick]

Its cabin fever time in Texas as it is still unpleasantly hot outside.

I camp with 2 65 lb busy dogs, mostly in the gulf coast. Hiking is on trails, easy walking except for logs and ditches. Because of the dogs it works best to keep moving; I set up just before dark and pack up as soon as there is light.

I’m thinking of trying a 5×9 tarp and trying to imagine how that is going to work.

A half pyramid pitch looks most appealing to me.

I plan to use a water resistant bivy to keep bugs and stuff from dirty wet dogs out of my sleeping space. I can’t imagine doing without the bivy, because of the bugs and because of the dogs. The first thing a dog does when it comes in out of the rain is shake off.

I imagine that for setup and takedown in the rain I’m probably going to want a sit pad or piece of plastic to kneel or sit on as I transition between my (hopefully) clean/dry sleeping space and wet/dirty environment-at-large.

Would be helpful or overkill to use a poncho tarp for rain gear, in addition to the shelter tarp? On that first night I’m out in heavy rain with a bit of wind am I likely to want the extra space and protection?

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