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Dog-friendly camping in the South West.

Short answer: dogs are generally not allowed in WA's national parks, but some campgrounds, council reserves and caravan parks welcome them. Here is how to work out where yours can go.

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A small tent pitched on grass beside a wooden picnic table, with bush behind.
Photo by Mark Direen on Pexels. For illustration only: it is not a place we have checked.

The short version

  • DBCA says pets are generally not allowed in WA’s parks, with a few exceptions.1
  • You can camp with a dog only at particular DBCA campgrounds, with the dog on a lead and under control at all times.1
  • Poison baits called 1080 are often laid to control foxes, including on DBCA-managed land, and they kill dogs. Look for the signs.12
  • Beaches and reserves run by councils have their own dog rules, so read the signs.3
  • Caravan parks and private campgrounds set their own dog rules, so ask before you book.

The national park rule

The Parks and Wildlife Service (DBCA) says pets and other domestic animals are generally not permitted in parks.1 DBCA says it is an offence to bring an animal onto land and waters it manages under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984, and that penalties apply. Its page does not give amounts.1

DBCA lists a few exceptions:

  • Assistance animals that are certified as trained, or approved, can go into parks.1
  • Designated dog areas. Dogs can visit, but they must be on a lead at all times. In signed dog exercise areas the dog does not need a lead, but must be under your control at all times.1
  • Driving through. If there is no other practical way to make your journey, you can take your dog across a park. You must not stop in the park, and the dog stays inside the vehicle.1
  • Marine parks. An animal may travel in a boat in a marine park or reserve, but it must not get on or off the boat inside the park.1

DBCA gives four reasons for the rule. The sight, sound and smell of pets stress native animals. Poison baits kill pets. Pets are at risk of snake bites. And kangaroos and goannas may defend themselves and hurt a dog.1

Camping with a dog in a park

DBCA says that where you can camp with a dog, it must be controlled and kept on a lead at all times. Dogs are not allowed everywhere in a park, only in particular places or campgrounds.1

When we read it on 19 October 2026, DBCA’s list of campgrounds where you can camp with a dog named sites in or near Big Brook Arboretum, Blackwood River National Park, Lane Poole Reserve, Logue Brook, Rapids Conservation Park and One Tree Bridge.1 We have not visited them, so we do not describe them here. Use DBCA’s page for the current list, then check the campground’s own page for its rules.

Poison baits (1080)

DBCA’s Western Shield program lays meat baits containing 1080 poison to control foxes and feral cats and protect native wildlife.2 DBCA says 1080 is poisonous to humans and kills cats and dogs, and asks people to leave pets at home or keep them out of 1080 poison risk areas.2

These areas are signposted “1080 POISON RISK”. The program covers about 4.7 million hectares of DBCA-managed and nearby land across WA.2 DBCA publishes a map, but says other risk areas may exist that are not on it. If you see the sign, keep your dog out. If you are unsure, ask the local DBCA district office.2

Council beaches and reserves

Beaches, foreshores and reserves in and around towns are usually run by the local council, and each council sets its own dog areas. The City of Busselton is a good example. It says its area has places where dogs are banned, places where they must be on a lead, and places where they can run off the lead, and some off-lead areas apply only in certain seasons.3

The City’s basic rule is that a dog in public should be held on a lead by someone who can control it, and that in an approved off-lead area the owner must keep effective control at all times.3 It also says it does not manage dogs on State Government beaches, and sends those questions to the Parks and Wildlife Service.3

Other councils publish their own pages, so search the council’s name and “dog exercise areas”. Then follow the signs on the day, because a beach can change from one end to the other.

Caravan parks and private campgrounds

Holiday parks, caravan parks and farm stays set their own dog rules. Some allow dogs, some do not, and some add conditions. Before you book, ask:

  • Are dogs allowed on the site I am booking?
  • Do they need to be on a lead the whole time?
  • Is there a limit on the number, size or breed?
  • Is there an extra fee?
  • Where can I walk my dog?

On our Camping near pages, a place shows “Dogs allowed” only if its source record says so, and that record is an unverified suggestion until we have checked it. Use the “Dogs OK” filter as a starting point, then confirm with the park.

Find places near you

Our Camping near pages list the campsites, caravan parks and rest areas on record near each town, from open data. Each place says whether Trek Eleven has checked it, and unchecked places are only suggestions. They do not say that camping is allowed, free or open, so read the sources above first.

AlbanyAugustaBunburyBusseltonCollieDenmarkDunsboroughMargaret RiverPembertonWalpole

Open the app (testing)

Sources

Every rule, fee and date above comes from one of these official pages, written up in our own words. We read each page on 19 October 2026. Rules change, so open the page itself before you rely on it.

  1. Pets in parksParks and Wildlife Service (DBCA), Explore Parks WA. Checked . The page says it was last updated 7 April 2026.
  2. Western Shield Program 1080 poison risk areasDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). Checked . The page says it was last updated 19 April 2023.
  3. Dog exercise areasCity of Busselton. Checked .

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Trek Eleven has not visited the places it mentions and does not say that any of them is open, safe or allowed.

Check before you go

Dog rules, campground lists and baiting areas change, and this guide is general information. Before you go, read DBCA's pets page and the page for your campground, look at the 1080 baiting map, and follow the signs on site.

More guides.

RulesFree camping in the South West of WAWhat the state and six local councils say about camping outside a caravan park, and where you can stay instead.Read the guide
FireFire season camping in WATotal Fire Bans, council burning periods, Fire Danger Ratings and campground fire rules, and where to check each day.Read the guide