Best Dog Friendly Vacations In Michigan – With its diverse landscapes and welcoming communities, Michigan is a great destination for animal lovers. From scenic trails and beaches to charming towns that embrace your furry friends, there’s no shortage of pet-friendly activities in the Great Lakes.
If you are traveling with a pet, it is important that you follow the leash rules and clean up after your pet. The pet owner is responsible for controlling pet-friendly areas. Following these few simple courtesies will ensure that places of business and leisure remain open to well-behaved dogs and their people.
Best Dog Friendly Vacations In Michigan
Michigan prides itself on its pet-friendly trails, especially along its scenic lakes. Take a walk with your four-legged friend at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where you’ll encounter sandy trails and beautiful views of Lake Michigan. For a more woodsy experience, head to the North Country Trail, where your pup can roam freely on miles of woodland trails. Click here for the best hikes in Eastern Michigan.
Dog Friendly Beaches On Lake Michigan
Unleash your dog’s inner water lover at Michigan’s dog-friendly beaches. Oval Beach is a popular spot in Saugatuck where your pet can play in the waves and enjoy the sun-kissed sand. Grand Haven City Beach and Holland State Park Beach also accept pets on leashes, making for an unforgettable day on the water for you and your furry friend. For more great beaches in West Michigan, click here.
Michigan’s craft beer scene isn’t just for two-legged enthusiasts. Many breweries in the state welcome well-behaved pets to their outdoor seating. Enjoy a locally made drink while your pup relaxes by your side at pet-friendly spots like Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo or Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids. The Upper Peninsula is full of great breweries. Click here to see ten.
Discover the historic charm of Mackinac Island with your pet by your side. Although pets are not allowed on indoor attractions, the island offers scenic carriage roads and hiking trails where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Huron with your furry friend. Don’t forget to visit Doud’s Market to pick up some goodies for you and your pet. There are plenty of pet-friendly activities on Mackinac Island.
Enjoy Michigan’s wine culture without leaving your pet behind. Several wineries in the state accept pets on their premises. Plan a visit to Chateau Chantal on the Old Mission Peninsula or Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery in Traverse City, where your leashed pet can join you for a relaxing afternoon of wine tasting. Click here for eight of UP’s best wineries.
Dog Friendly Stops Along Southwest Michigan’s Makers Trail
In the heart of Detroit, the Dequindre Cut Greenway offers an urban oasis for pet owners. This renovated railway offers a pedestrian and pet-friendly path decorated with vibrant street art. It’s the perfect place for an off-leash walk or jog, so you and your pet can enjoy the city’s unique blend of nature and culture.
Many Michigan vacation rentals are geared toward pet owners. From cozy cottages to luxurious lakeside estates, there are accommodations to suit all styles. Look for pet-friendly options that offer amenities like green spaces and pet towels. Be sure to read the property descriptions carefully for size/weight restrictions, maximum number of pets allowed, pet fees and other details. If in doubt, please call the vacation rental company to discuss any concerns or questions.
You can click below to view the pet friendly vacation rentals offered by Freshwater Vacation Rentals in Michigan. Exploring the best things to do with pets is easily accessible from your home away from home.
When embarking on a pet-friendly trip through Michigan, don’t forget to check local rules and guidelines to ensure you have a seamless experience. Whether you’re exploring nature, lounging on the beach, or enjoying local breweries with your pet by your side, Michigan offers pet-friendly activities that will create lasting memories for you and your furry companion. So buckle up, hit the road and let the adventures unfold in this animal-friendly paradise. At the tip of Michigan, Port Austin is one of the lesser-known gems in the entire state, and it happens to be a beautiful dog. – friendly too! With 5 miles of sandy beach at nearby Port Crescent State Park, you can spend the day in the clear blue waters or hike the 18 miles of wooded trails that wind across the dunes to beautiful waterfront views.
Great Lakes Beaches — Hike With Your Dog
Dogs are allowed on the shoreline, which is accessible at the mouth of the Pinebog River and accessed by a steel bridge that connects to the hiking trails closest to the campground. Pets must be kept on a leash and it is important to remember to clean up after your pet as well.
One of our favorite backyards for dogs, Pak’s Backyard, is also located in Port Austin. They have a great selection of Michigan craft beers, great bar food, and a great atmosphere. They often have live music, so after a long day at the beach you can enjoy your dinner and drinks with your package right by the water.
Just a few hours’ drive 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 actually fenced, allowing dogs to roam free in an off-leash area. The camp is also dog-friendly, so you can bring your dog for a weekend of summer fun.
The Boathouse Beer Co. & Boozery is another great stop where you can dine on the patio with your pets. They are in the center of Tawas, have great food and drink, and are across the street from another small park that is also dog friendly.
Plan A Vacation In Pet-friendly Holland, Michigan
If you’re looking for a unique experience to enjoy with your dog in Michigan, Mackinac Island is IT. Board one of the dog-friendly Star Line or Shepler’s ferries for a trip to the car-free island, a unique experience in itself. Once there, you can explore over 70 miles of trails and overlooks, dine at one of the many local dog-friendly restaurants, and even explore historic Fort Holmes with your dog. Most shops in the center also allow four-legged friends – look for the “Dogs welcome” sign.
Mackinac Island also has three dog-friendly hotels, including Park Place Suites, Sunset Condos, and our favorite Mission Point Resort, which also has a great dog-friendly garden.
Gary’s view of the Mackinac Bridge and in front of the courtyard mural
Home to the famous Pictured Rocks National Park on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Manistee is another northern Michigan gem, and yes, you can bring your dogs. There are quite a few places that allow dogs in the park, including Sand Point Beaches, Munising Falls Trail, Miners Falls Trail, Miners Beach, Lake Superior Overlook and Beach, and Sable Falls Trail and Beach.
Traverse City Pet-friendly Vacation Rentals
Although the North Country Scenic Trail and all Backcountry campgrounds/campgrounds are unfortunately closed to pets, all three campgrounds in the area, including Little Beaver Lake, Twelvemile Beach, and Hurricane River Campgrounds, allow pets.
Also located on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Marquette is one of my favorite places on earth and is definitely a place you should explore with your dog. Located on the shores of Lake Superior, with rolling hills and breathtaking views, there are many hidden gems to discover.
When we visit, we stay at the Staybridge Inn and Suites, right downtown. The rooms are large and equipped with pet-friendly amenities and the dogs love being pampered as a change from our usual camping adventures. Staybridge Inn and Suites is a great hotel chain that can also be seen in other cities. we have been on the road several times and it is always a pleasure.
Take a hike to one of the many waterfalls in the area, and if you’re brave enough, you can even jump into Dead River Falls, a moderate but short 1.7 mile hike. If you want a view of the water from the top, head to Mt Sugarloaf or Mt Hogback, both moderate climbs but worth it once you reach the top.
1000 Islands With A Dog: Best Way To Experience The Scenic Thousand Islands
After a day of hiking, visit the dog-friendly Ore Dock Brewing patio. They have some house brews and last year when we were there they also had some seltzers which were great too. If you’re lucky, you’ll see Dia De Los Tacos parked outside – these tacos are so delicious, we’ll be chasing this food truck all day wherever it is.
Named one of the best small towns in the US, Traverse City certainly lives up to the hype. It is also very dog friendly and we make a point of visiting at least once a year. The greater Traverse City area is one of Michigan’s premier wine regions, with more than 40 different wineries spread across the peninsula. Enjoy a day of wine tasting and take your dog to some of our favorites like Mari Vineyards, Left Foot Charley and Bonobo, all of which welcome dog visitors.
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