Dog-Friendly Activities in Michigan

Don’t leave Fido in the hotel room when you’re on vacation. Get out and play! No matter where you’re headed in Michigan, we can point you towards the nearest off-leash dog park, the most popular dog beach, a really great hiking trail, and lots of other places to play with Fido.

Pet Friendly Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Tahquamenon Falls State Park Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Paradise, MI, is dog friendly. The centerpiece of the park's 50,000 acres is the waterfalls of the Tahquamenon River. The Upper Falls, one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, has a drop of nearly 50 feet, more than 200 feet across, and a water flow of more than 50,000 gallons per second. Dogs aren't permitted in buildings or swimming areas. See Details
Pet Friendly Kruse Park Dog Beach
Kruse Park Dog Beach Kruse Park Dog Beach is located at the park's Northern end in Muskegon, MI. The dog-friendly area is marked, so pay close attention to the signs to avoid being ticketed and keep Fido on a leash. Upon arriving, please note there is a 10-foot cliff/steep sand dune when you enter the area. Call ahead to ensure the beach is open due to erosion issues. See Details
Saugatuck Dunes State Park A day-use park along a secluded strip of the dog-friendly Lake Michigan shoreline, Saugatuck Dunes State Park offers 2.5 miles of shoreline. The park has freshwater coastal dunes that are over 200 feet tall. The terrain varies from steep slopes to rolling hills. Leashed dogs are welcome but not permitted in buildings or public swimming areas. However, a pet swim area is located a half mile from the parking lot via the Yellow Trail. Your furry friend must always be on a six-foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control. See Details
Mari Vineyards The patio at Mari Vineyards in Traverse City, MI is dog friendly and offers stunning views across East Bay. Fido can enjoy a fresh bowl of water and a complimentary dog treat. Sit back and relax in the spacious outdoor area with a glass of vino, or try a range of delicious wines with your friends in a group tasting. Charcuterie is also available for purchase. See Details
Shepler's Ferry Shepler's Ferry is a pet-friendly business in Michigan. Two and four-legged passengers are welcome to join you on any ferry departures between Mackinac Island and the mainland. The ride takes between 15 to 25 minutes. Leashed dogs are permitted free of charge. See Details
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours Mackinac Island Carriage Tours is a pet-friendly horse and carriage tour in Michigan. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on board to join you around the island. If your furry friend is a lap dog, they ride for free, whereas large dogs are allowed for the price of a child ticket. See Details
Colonial Michilimackinac While spending the day on Mackinac Island with your pup, be sure to visit Colonial Michilimackinac in Michigan. Leashed dogs are welcome to explore the historic 18th-century fort and trading village to experience life as it was in the 1700s. Although Fido isn't permitted inside most buildings, couples with pets are welcome to share a single rotating admission ticket to the museum. One person enjoys the grounds with the pet while the other explores the museum. Hours for attractions vary by season. Be sure to check their website or call ahead. See Details
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Learn about the perils of maritime transport on the Great Lakes at the dog-friendly Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise, MI! Leashed and well-behaved pets are allowed almost everywhere on the historic property, including inside the buildings. Dogs are not allowed to climb up the Whitefish Point Light Tower. The Shipwreck Museum is open seasonally, from May 1 to October 31. Dog owners can check out the Museum's official website for information on admission and tours. See Details
Bavarian Belle Riverboat The family operated Bavarian Belle Riverboat is an authentic Stern Driven Paddlewheel in Frankenmuth, MI. Offering a 1-hour historical narrated tour of the Frankenmuth area, Fido is bound to have fun aboard this fully restored, dog-friendly, 150-passenger vessel. The Bavarian Belle is open-air canopied on the upper deck and has a fully enclosed lower salon with restrooms. They offer a snack bar and soft drinks on board. Located in the River Place Shops, the Bavarian Belle is docked at the waterfall. The dock and lower level are both handicap accessible. Please bring cash or check to pay for your trip aboard the Bavarian Belle. See Details
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is a pet-friendly activity in Traverse City, MI. The attraction melds old-world, historic charm with cosmopolitan vitality. It is a thriving economic center and a diverse, multi-generational residential community. A place to live, work, play, shop, dine and explore. The Village allows dogs in the Mercato, and many merchants keep treats behind the counter. There are also hiking trails available to do with your furry friend, but please note they aren't marked well. See Details
Windmill Island Gardens Windmill Island Gardens in Holland, MI, is dog friendly! Leashed pups are allowed to explore the Gardens, with the exception of the windmill and gift shop, due to food processing. Visiting dog owners must clean up after their pets. Clean-up bags are available around the park. Please note you must purchase a ticket to visit. See Details
Ore Dock Brewing Co. Ore Dock Brewing Co. is a dog-friendly microbrewery in Marquette, MI that welcomes Fido at a table on their outdoor patio with a fresh bowl of water, when the weather is nice. They brew a wide variety of beer styles as well as hard seltzers. Check their website for a current schedule of events and live music. See Details
Two K Farms Cidery & Winery Two K Farms Cidery & Winery is a pet-friendly destination welcoming leashed dogs in Suttons Bay, MI. Stop by for a tasting and panoramic views of West Grand Traverse Bay while Fido enjoys a fresh bowl of water and a complimentary treat. There are snowshoeing trails on the property that can be accessed during tasting room business hours. See Details
Tri-City Brewing Company Leashed dogs are always welcome to join their owners at Tri-City Brewing Company in Bay City, MI! This pet-friendly brewery is BYOF and serves many styles of beer, such as the Cherry Torchon, Bay City Light Ale, Black Rye Summit, and the Lenore Belgian Brown. Bring Fido along inside the spacious taproom or outside in the beer garden. See Details
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Along forty miles of Lake Superior, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a pet-friendly spot in Munising, MI, that puts the glory of nature's ever-changing scenery on display every season. Ensure you and Fido head out to Sable Falls or Miners Beach. Your pet is permitted along roads and in designated developed visitor facility areas but not in fields or the backcountry. On trails, dogs must be kept on a leash, six feet or shorter, at all times. See Details
Drifa Brewing Company BringFido when you stop by the dog-friendly biergarten at Drifa Brewing Company, located in Marquette, MI. Take a seat and relax at an outside table or inside the taproom with your best friend and enjoy a tasty craft beer. Open from lunchtime until late evening, pair your favorite freshly brewed ale or larger with a bite to eat from the onsite food trucks. Check their website for current schedule. See Details
Warren Dunes State Park Warren Dunes State Park has a beautiful pet-friendly beach on Lake Michigan in Sawyer, MI. Dogs are allowed in the campground, forested trails, boardwalks, and north of the northernmost swim buoy at the beach, which provides two and a half miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Pets must always be on a six-foot leash and under an owner's immediate control. All pet waste must be properly disposed of in trash receptacles. Entry fees do apply. See Details
Kirk Park Kirk Park is a pet-friendly attraction in Grand Haven, MI. The area offers nature trails with wooden stairways that wind through the dunes, offering spectacular views of Lake Michigan. In winter, they allow cross-country skiing, but please note the trails aren't groomed. Kirk Park also offers a dog-friendly beach, but have specific hours when Fido is allowed. See Details
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a pet-friendly destination in Empire, MI. However, keeping your pets away from birds and their nests during your visit is essential. This area has only 70 breeding pairs of piping plovers, an endangered bird where one-third of them nest at Lakeshore. Your furry friend is permitted in most of the park, but be sure to watch for the "no pet" signs. See Details
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park P.J. Hoffmaster State Park is a pet-friendly recreation area just south of Muskegon in Norton Shores, MI. The park is situated on 3 miles of stunning shoreline and features towering dunes and 10 miles of scenic trails for hiking and cross-country skiing with your leashed furry friend. During your visit, dogs are not allowed in buildings or swimming areas. See Details
Michigan