DNR - Pets in state parks

Pets in state parks

Pet-friendly recreation

Generally speaking, pets are welcome in Michigan state parks and campgrounds, state forest (rustic) campgrounds, state forests, harbors, the majority of state-designated trails and boat launches (except for some sites during certain times of the year). Pets are NOT allowed in designated bathing/swimming areas, areas protected for endangered species, such as piping plover, and any other area marked otherwise.

The following rules apply to pets at ALL locations:

Pets must be on a 6-foot leash and under your immediate control at all times.
Always clean up after your pet. Please carry a waste bag with you at all times.
Dogs should not be left in campers or tied up unattended to prevent barking from negatively affecting the park experience of other visitors.
Keep pets from interacting with wildlife.
Keep pets from disturbing visitors.
Pets are not allowed in state buildings (ie. offices, bathrooms, showers, cabins and lodges) with the exception of the pet-friendly alternative lodging options listed below.

Pet-friendly lodging - Pet-friendly lodging is available at several locations. There is an additional fee of $10 per night/pet/cabin or $15 per night/pet/lodge. Up to two pets (cats and dogs only) are allowed.

All overnight lodging options can be booked up to 12 months in advance at MiDNRReservations.com.

Cheboygan State Park (Poe Reef cabin)
Craig Lake State Park (Teddy Lake Yurt and small cabin)
Harrisville State Park (mini cabin #186)
Lime Island State Park (mini cabin #4)
Little Presque Isle Cabins (cabins #4 and #5)
Leelanau State Park (Hemlock and Cedar mini cabins)
Port Crescent State Park (mini cabin A)
Sleepy Hollow State Park (modern cabin) (rustic cabin - NEW option Nov. 1, 2021)
Van Riper State Park (Rustic Peshekee Cabin and Mini Cabin #2)

Pet-friendly shoreline - Pets are allowed along the shoreline with the exception of designated bathing/swimming areas within state parks and areas signed otherwise (ie. piping plover nesting habitat). Pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash even if they are in the water. The following are some highlighted locations:

Baraga State Park
Brighton Recreation Area
Brimley State Park - along the Lake Superior shoreline outside of the designated swimming area.
Burt Lake State Park - section of shoreline on Burt Lake.
Dodge #4 State Park - section of shoreline located to the west of the rock jetty.
Grand Mere State Park - entire length of the Lake Michigan park shoreline - 1 mile.
Harrisville State Park - section of shoreline located on the north end of the camper's beach; accessible via foot trail near site #103)
Hoffmaster State Park - entire length of the Lake Michigan shoreline apart from the designated swim area.
Holland State Park - located in the Lake Macatawa day-use area directly across from the Lake Mac Campground.
Holly Recreation Area - section of shoreline on Heron Lake.
Leelanau State Park - shoreline in northern park unit.
Ludington State Park - majority of the park shoreline is closed to pets to protect endangered piping plover habitat; however, a pet-friendly beach is located between the beach house and the Big Sable River.
McLain State Park - portion of Lake Superior shoreline.
Mears State Park - southernmost section of shoreline.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - entire length of Lake Superior park shoreline.
Port Crescent State Park - section of shoreline available near the mouth of the Pinnebog River accessible via the steel bridge that connects to the hiking trails closest to the campground.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park - entire length of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Sleepy Hollow State Park - section of shoreline located 100 yards north of the Lake Ovid swimming beach.
South Higgins Lake State Park - two pet-friendly beach areas, one along a section of shoreline in the day-use area (along the east park boundary) and a campers-only area (along the west boundary of the campground).
Straits State Park - Lake Huron shoreline.
Tawas Point State Park - section of shoreline available on Tawas Bay between the campground and the lighthouse - enclosed by fencing.
Twin Lakes State Park
Van Buren State Park - allowed along the entire length of the Lake Michigan shoreline except for the designated swim area.
Wilderness State Park - majority of the park's shoreline closed to pets to protect endangered piping plover habitat; however, there is a pet-friendly beach located down a small path in the picnic area (just east of the headquarters building).
Warren Dunes State Park - 2.5 miles of pet-friendly Lake Michigan shoreline located north of the northernmost swim buoy.
Young State Park - section of shoreline available east of the boat launch.