DNR - Pets in state parks

Pets in state parks

Michigan state parks are pet friendly

There are many pet-friendly solutions to get you and your pet into Michigan’s great outdoors together. Pets are welcome on a 6-foot leash in Michigan state parks, park campgrounds, state forest (rustic) campgrounds, state forests, non-designated bathing beach areas, harbors and the majority of trails and boat launches.

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. Please note that pets are not allowed in bathrooms or showers.

Pet-friendly lodging pilot program - Pet-friendly lodging is available at several Michigan state parks. 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)

State park and state forest campgrounds - In general, pets are permitted in state parks, state park campgrounds and state forest campgrounds as long as they are on a six-foot leash. Please become familiar with all of the rules regarding pets and pay attention to signage.

Trails - Pets are welcome on state-designated trails and pathways located in state parks and state forests; however, there are some instances where pets are not allowed. Check trailhead signage to make sure pets are not permitted on a particular trail.

Boating access sites (boat launches) - The majority of boat launches allow pets, with the exception of the following boating access sites (during certain times of the year).

Harbors - Pets are allowed in state harbors. Some harbors have a designated pet area.

Pet-friendly shoreline - Pets are allowed in non-designated bathing beach areas (not designated swimming beaches) within state parks. Please note that pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash even if they are in the water. The following parks offer sections of pet-friendly shorelines:

Baraga State Park
Brighton Recreation 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)
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)
McLain State Park (portion of Lake Superior shoreline)
Mears State Park (southernmost section of shoreline)
Otsego Lake State Park (section of shoreline on Otsego Lake accessible via a flight of stairs near site 64 - may not be accessible during high water)
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 - Pets are allowed along the 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 (section of shoreline in the day-use area and a campers-only area near the west campground)
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)
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)