Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Michigan

If your dog likes to ruff it, bring Fido hiking in Michigan. Our dog friendly hiking section includes everything from easy one-hour walks to fantastic overnight trips in Michigan that won’t be soon forgotten. Seriously, go take a hike!

Pet Friendly Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
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
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
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
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
Palms Book State Park Palms Book State Park is a dog-friendly recreation area in Manistique, MI, that welcomes leashed pups. Fido is welcome on the trail and observation deck where you can view Michigan's largest freshwater spring known as Kitch-iti-kipi. 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
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
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 areas with the "no pet" signs. See Details
Headlands International Dark Sky Park Bring Fido to the pet-friendly Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Mackinaw City, MI. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you as you explore the 555 acres of pristine woodlands, two miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline, marked nature trails and more. During your visit, your furry friend must remain on a leash and dogs aren't permitted inside buildings. See Details
Fisherman's Island State Park Fisherman's Island State Park is a pet-friendly destination in Charlevoix, MI. Fido is welcome to join you on the Lake Michigan shoreline in certain sections but must remain on a leash. Your furry friend can also tag along for a day of hiking, dog sledding and snowshoeing. Please note your pup isn't permitted in buildings or swimming areas. See Details
Miners Falls Trail Miners Falls Trail is a dog-friendly hike within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, MI. The short trail will lead you to the beautiful falls and a set of stairs will take you to a lookout point. The park is large and there are many other hiking options. See Details
Detroit Riverfront Leashed dogs are welcome on the Detroit Riverfront in Detroit, MI. It spans from the Ambassador Bridge to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the Belle Isle Bridge. Currently 2.5 miles of East Riverfront is complete and open to the public. See Details
Straits State Park Straits State Park in St Ignace, MI, has fantastic views of the Mackinac Bridge and the boat traffic on the Straits of Mackinac. The park also features pet-friendly trails, a campground and a viewing platform. Please note that your furry friend isn't permitted in buildings or swimming areas. See Details
Hartwick Pines State Park Hartwick Pines is rich in scenic beauty and different habitats in Grayling, MI. The principal features of this pet-friendly park are the 49-acre forest of old-growth pines that you'll witness exploring the trails with your furry friend. There is ample subject matter for the sportsperson, photographer or naturalist throughout the year. Dogs are not permitted in buildings or in swimming areas. See Details
Munising Falls Munising Falls is a pet-friendly activity in Michigan. Bring Fido on this .4-mile heavily trafficked trail that features a waterfall and is easy enough for all endurance levels. The best time to use the path is April through October. See Details
Van Buren State Park Van Buren State Park in South Haven, MI, is a great place to walk the dog-friendly trails and enjoy a picnic with Fido. Please note that dogs aren't permitted on specified areas of the beach within the state park boundaries. All pups must be on leash no longer than 6' and clean-up is required. Pets may not be left unattended at any time and aren't permitted inside any park buildings. See Details
Rifle River Recreation Area The Rifle River Recreation Area is a dog-friendly natural area in Lupton, MI. It is located within the AuSable State Forest and provides a variety of recreational opportunities. Bring Fido along while you watch for wildlife, hike, fish, or picnic. Dogs are not permitted in buildings or in swimming areas. See Details
Seney National Wildlife Refuge Seney National Wildlife Refuge, located in Germfask, MI near Seney, was established in 1935 for the protection and production of migratory birds and other wildlife. Today the refuge comprises a rich mosaic of marshes, swamps, bogs, grasslands and forests. There are dog-friendly trails, but Fido must remain leashed at all times. Please note that pets are prohibited in the Federally Endangered Piping Plover Nesting Area. See Details
Bond Falls Scenic Site Bond Falls Scenic Site is a dog-friendly scenic waterfall in southern Paulding, MI. The 50-foot falls are created by the middle branch of the Ontonagon River. Bring Fido for a stroll on the boardwalk, stopping at the six viewpoints, and bring lunch to enjoy at one of the picnic tables at the top of the falls. See Details
South Higgins Lake State Park There are two pet-friendly areas of shoreline at South Higgins Lake State Park in Roscommon, MI. The first is for campers-only and is near the west campground. The second area is in the day use area. Please contact the park for specific details. Pets must be on a six foot leash and under an owner's immediate control at all times. All pet waste must be properly disposed of in trash receptacles. South Higgins Lake State Park contains almost one mile of shoreline along Higgins Lake. As the second largest campground in a state park, the park's 400 modern camp sites are situated in a hardwood-shaded area. The park is very popular during the summer months and reservations must be made early. See Details
Michigan