Dog Friendly Vacation Spots In Michigan

Dog Friendly Vacation Spots In Michigan – At the tip of Michigan’s thumb, Port Austin is one of the lesser-known gems in the entire state, and it’s also very dog-friendly! With more than 3 miles of sandy beaches near Port Crescent State Park, you can spend the day in the crystal clear waters or hike the 35 miles of trails to see the spectacular water.

Dogs are allowed on a stretch of beach near the mouth of the Pinebog River, accessible by a metal bridge connecting the trail closest to the campground. Pets must be on a leash and remember to clean up after your pets!

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One of our favorite dog-friendly patios, Pak’s Backyard, is also located in Port Austin! They have Michigan craft beer, great pub food and a great atmosphere. They often have live music, so after a long day at the beach you can enjoy dinner and drinks by the water with your backpack!

Pet Friendly Michigan: Your Complete Dog Friendly Travel Guide!

Just a few hours from the shores of Lake Huron is one of our favorite stops, Tawas Point! This dog beach is one of the few in Michigan that is completely fenced, where dogs can run free in a designated area. The campground is also dog-friendly, so you can bring your dog along for a fun summer weekend!

Another great stop is the Boathouse Beer Company & Brewery where you can dine on the patio with your pets. They are located in the heart of Tawas and have great food and drink, and across the street from another small park that is also dog friendly!

If you’re looking for a unique experience to spend with your dog in Michigan, Mackinac Island is for you. Hop on a dog-friendly ferry – Star Line or Shepler’s – and head to the car-free island – a one-of-a-kind experience! There, you can explore more than 70 miles of trails and views, dine at one of the dog-friendly local restaurants, and explore historic Fort Holmes with your dog. Many downtown stores allow pets – look for the “Dogs Welcome” sign!

There are also three dog-friendly hotels on Mackinac Island, including Park Place Suites, Sunset Condos, and our favorite, Mission Point Resort, which has a great outdoor patio!

The 11 Most Dog Friendly Beaches In The U.s

In front of the wall across the street from the barley and corn yards on the Mackinac bridge

Home to the famous Pictured Rocks National Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Manistee is a Northern Michigan gem, and yes, you can bring your dog! The park has several dog-friendly areas, including Sand Point Beach, Munising Falls Trail, Miners Falls Trail, Miners Beach, Lake Superior Overlook and Beach, and Sable Falls Trail and Beach.

While the North Country Scenic Trail and all backcountry campgrounds are unfortunately closed to pets, three campgrounds in the area, including Little Beaver Lake, Twelvemile Beach and Camp the Hurricane River, allow dogs.

Marquette, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is one of my favorite places on earth and definitely worth putting on your bucket list to visit with your dog. Nestled on the shores of Lake Superior, with rolling hills and spectacular views, there are many hidden gems to explore.

Pet Friendly Activities In The New Buffalo, Mi Area

During our visit, we stay at the Staybridge Inn and Suites, located in the heart of the city. The rooms are large and have useful equipment for pets, and the dogs love to escape our typical camping trip. Staybridge Inn and Suites is a great hotel worth checking out in other cities as well – we’ve stayed at several of them on our travels and they’re always great!

Take a hike to one of the area’s many waterfalls, and if you’re feeling brave, you can even jump into Dead River Falls — a 2.7-mile hike that’s moderate but short. If you’re looking for a view of the water from above, check out Sugarloaf Mountain or Hogback Mountain.

After a day of hiking, visit the Ore Dock Brewing Doghouse. They have their own beer and last year when we went we even had seltzer which was amazing too! If you’re lucky, you’ll catch Dia De Los Tacos standing outside – these tacos are so good that they haunt this food truck anywhere on any given day!

Traverse City has been named one of the best small towns in the United States and it lives up to that name. It is also very dog friendly and we try to visit once a year! The Greater Traverse City area is one of Michigan’s premier wine regions, with more than 40 wineries on the peninsula. Go on a wine tasting day and bring your dog to some of our favorite dog-friendly spots like Mari Vineyards, Left Foot Charlie, and Bonobo!

Traveling With Pets

If you want to eat, check out The Filling Station downtown for our great pizza, or The Little Fleet, our indoor dog food truck. They also have amazing cocktails in the main building!

If you are into hiking or exploring the famous blue beaches, Good Harbor Bay Trail and Beach is friendly and will not disappoint! It is 4.7 km long and gently slopes down to a quiet beach. Dogs on a leash are welcome on the loop and beach, as long as they are cleaned up after themselves.

If you want to visit Sleeping Bear National Park, visit Beulah and the surrounding area! Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on some trails in the summer due to the endangered piping plovers found in the lakeshore, but there are other nature trails in the park from December 1st through March 31st.

Leased pets are allowed year-round at quieter beaches, including Alberta Beach, which is usually less busy because Mother Nature takes care of it herself, and Peterson Road Beach, at Empire Bluff and Sleeping Bear Point. Famous for spectacular views, and even South Manitou Island on a clear day.

Dog Friendly Us National Parks

Many campgrounds near the park allow pets on leashes, but be sure to check before you go if you’re visiting Sleeping Bear NPS!

One of our favorite spots in the area is the Iron Fish Distillery. The property is beautiful and there are so many things to do and try, including their own syrup, spirit flights, and my favorite, pizza!

When you visit, don’t forget to ask the locals about their favorite spots! From the Thumb to Michigan, to the UP, to the West Coast and in between, there’s plenty to see – and yes, you should bring your dog!

In the area? Check out our guide to dog walking in Michigan and our dog guide to Cleveland!

Discover The Best Dog Friendly Campgrounds In Michigan

Rachel Jezowski and The Wild Goldens Rachel is a freelance graphic designer and content creator living in Northern Michigan with her three golden retrievers, Barley, Cassie and Moe! They spend as much of their free time packing and hitting the road so they can spend their weekends enjoying what Michigan has to offer. When we’re not hiking or going to the beach (and Rachel is off work, alas!), the dogs enjoy playing catch and swimming in their backyard. Rachel also became a big supporter of conservation after adopting Casey, who was rescued from the Chinese meat trade in 2019. You can follow all his adventures and more on Instagram at @wildgoldens.

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