Baden Powell Campground

Baden Powell is a campground inside Lane Poole Reserve near Dwellingup, set among jarrah forest beside the Murray River and just over an hour from Perth. It is one of the few premier reserves in Western Australia where dogs may stay overnight, which makes it a rare bush camping option for owners with a dog in the car.

Dogs at the campground

This is a camping-only site, so dogs stay with you at your tent, caravan or motorhome site and must be on a leash and under strict control at all times, both in the campground and on the trails. Standard DBCA camping fees apply and there is no separate pet fee, though it pays to confirm current conditions with the department before you go.

Max: 1080 poison baiting runs through Lane Poole Reserve and it is lethal to dogs. Leash on, eyes on, and never let a nose wander into the bush or scavenge.

The campground

Facilities cover long-drop toilets, a camp kitchen, fire pits, picnic tables and barbecue plates, with swimming, canoeing and walking trails on the doorstep. The river holds calm stretches through the warmer months for a dog swim close to camp, and bring your own water for drinking and cooking.

Booking and getting there

Bookings are essential and made in advance through the DBCA Park Stay WA platform rather than at the gate, and weekends and school holidays fill quickly, so a midweek site is the quieter play. Dwellingup township is a short drive back up the road for supplies and fuel.

While you're out there

Dwellingup Dog Park in town gives your dog a proper off-lead stretch that the reserve cannot, and Marrinup Campsite is another dog-tolerant camping option in the same forest. Blue Wren Cafe in Dwellingup is the morning coffee stop before you drive back in.

More stays that take dogs are in the Western Australia pet friendly accommodation guide, and the Dwellingup destination page covers the region.