If you travel with a dog, you already know the window between pulling into camp and actually being settled is exactly when things go sideways. Dinner’s on, the awning needs leveling, and your dog has strong opinions about all of it.
It’s one of those backcountry realities that doesn’t get talked about enough — and it’s just one of the topics we dig into this summer in Your Dog Loves the Backcountry — How to Keep Them Alive, our full feature in the Summer 2026 Edition of Boondocking Magazine, due out in less than a month.
In the meantime, one piece of gear that’s already earned a permanent spot in our rig: the FXW Instant Dog Playpen (fxw.life). The hinged panel system stands up in under two and a half minutes, handles large breeds without flexing, and configures into square, L-shaped, or circular layouts to work with your site instead of against it. A gravity-action latch keeps things secure without becoming a chore every time you reach in. Four height options — 24, 32, 40, and 45 inches — cover everything from small dogs to the ones that actually test the walls. When camp breaks, it packs flat and disappears into the rig.
It won’t replace training. But for every moment you need your hands free and your dog needs a boundary, it’s exactly the right tool. We’ll have the full story — and the full FXW field test with Brinx — in the Summer Edition.
We Want Your Pet Camping Photos — Deadline Is Closing Fast
We’re putting the finishing touches on the Summer 2026 Edition and we want your dogs, cats, and trail companions in it. Got a great shot of your pet at a dispersed site, on a trail, or just living their best off-grid life? We’re accepting submissions for only a couple more days.
Submit your photo here: boondockingmagazine.com/submit-content
Include your name, your pet’s name, and where the photo was taken. High-resolution images preferred. Selected photos will be credited in the Summer Edition.
This one’s for the dogs. 🐾
— The Editors, Boondocking Magazine BoondockingMagazine.com
Find the FXW Instant Dog Playpen at:
Playpen – fxw.life
Easy-Carry Straps