Traveling is always a fun time, but it can be difficult when you have a dog. Not all places are pet-friendly, and sometimes you have to plan your trip around your dog. If you are hoping to have some beach time fun in Michigan, you should know which beaches are available to you and your pup.
We have made a list of 21 amazing beaches for you to check out, so see if any of them are destination-worthy to you.
The 21 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Michigan
1. Esch Road Beach
- Esch Road Beach can be found at the mouth of Otter Creek, which is located inside the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- This beach is 3 miles south of Empire, MI
- Bathrooms are available
- Parking is available along the road
- Esch Road Beach is a beautiful place to explore with your dog and is full of wildflowers
2. Buttersville Park Beach
- Buttersville Park Beach is associated with Buttersville Park Campground, where visitors can stay overnight
- The beautiful trails provide spectacular views of nature, including a glimpse of Lake Michigan’s shoreline
- Included in the experience are a pavilion, a grill, and a playground
- Restrooms are available
- Expect to see some wildlife: deer are a common sight around the area
3. First Street Manistee Beach
- The First Street Manistee Beach is a part of the Douglas Recreational Area
- There are other amenities such as concessions, restrooms, sporting areas, picnic spots, and fishing availability
- The picnic area provides an incredible view of Lake Michigan
- It is important to note that this beach is not open to dogs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but there is a dog run available within the Douglas Recreation Area
4. West End Beach in Traverse City
- There are nearly 10 acres of beauty to explore
- This beach provides fishing, sports, swimming, grilling, and picnicking
- The far west portion of the beach is available to dogs, but the remaining areas (including swimming areas) are off-limits
5. North Beach in South Haven
- Dogs are not allowed at the picnic areas, the volleyball courts, or the off-trail locations
- This beach has beautiful trails by the water, giving you a great view of the coast
- There are restrooms available to the public
- Available activities include swimming, fishing, kiteboarding, and volleyball
6. Frankfort Public Beach
| ️ Address: |
Frankfort, MI 49635 |
| Open Times: |
Open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm |
| Cost: |
$10 per car |
| Off-Leash: |
Yes, but only in the dog-run area |
- This beach is on Lake Michigan and has a beautiful view
- On the northern part of the beach, there is a dog-run area
- Parking and bathrooms can be found on the main street leading up to the beach
- Dog-friendly hotels are nearby for those who want to turn their beach trip into an overnight stay
7. Peterson Beach
- This beach is a gorgeous and secluded area on Lake Michigan
- There is an incredible view of Sleeping Bear Point and Empire bluffs
- An island called South Manitou Island is close enough to be visible on days with good weather
- Parking is unfortunately limited
- Note that the south portion of the beach welcomes dogs, but the northern part does not
8. Baraga State Park
- Baraga State Park is located in the Upper Peninsula and contains plenty of gorgeous natural sights
- The state park overlooks the Keweenaw Bay, which is located in Lake Superior
- The beach area is somewhat limited due to rocky landforms
- Baraga provides plenty of activities such as camping, hiking, and kayaking
9. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has long beaches, hiking trails, and incredible views
- Nearly 100 miles of trails are available to explore
- Massive cliffs of sandstone create a stunning view
- Dogs are invited to many locations at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore such as the Twelve-mile Beach Campground and Miners Beach
10. McLain State Park
- The beaches at McLain State Park are entirely pet-friendly
- Cabins and modern amenities are available for overnight stays
- There is a perfect view of a nearby lighthouse to enjoy
- The terrain is gorgeous, with open areas, wooded locations, and areas where ice can form along the coast
- Activities available include berry picking, fishing, hunting, and windsurfing
11. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
- The Porcupine Mountains are among the few wilderness areas in the midwestern United States
- This state park is the largest in the state of Michigan, with 35,000 acres of wooded areas and over 90 miles of trails
- Other than the coast of Lake Superior, visitors can enjoy dazzling waterfalls, rivers, and streams
- Attractions in the park include the Porcupine Mountains Ski Area, a disc golf course, and an observation tower at Summit Peak
12. Marquette South Beach
- This is an accessible beach with parking and restrooms in close range
- South Beach is just south of downtown Marquette, offering great entertainment both on and off the beach
- All summer long, local lifeguards are around to ensure visitor safety
- The view of Lake Superior and the Marquette skyline gives this beach two vastly different yet equally incredible sights
13. Mackinac Island
- Mackinac Island is a popular tourist destination in Michigan due to its historical significance and beauty
- The price of your stay will be influenced by how long you plan to stay, how you intend to reach the island, where you plan to lodge, and other various trip details
- There are plenty of places to walk, bike, and explore throughout the island
- Some shops may be closed during slower tourism seasons, but the island itself is accessible year-round
14. Otsego Lake State Park
- Otsego Lake State Park is a beautiful location with over 60 acres of land to explore, including a gorgeous sandy beach
- Available activities include a boat launch, water volleyball, picnicking, and fishing
- Certain parts of the beach are not available to pets, and the portion that is welcoming to pets is only accessible past a set of stairs
15. Grand Haven City Beach
- Prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day, dogs are permitted on the beach at all open hours
- Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the hours that dogs are allowed on the beach are limited to before 11:00 am and after 5:00 pm
- Free parking is available but limited
- Restrooms are available on-site
16. Orion Oaks Dog Park
- This park contains 24 acres of fields, trails, and bodies of water for your dog to explore unleashed
- Amenities include restrooms as well as pavilions for picnicking
- There is a dog dock for access to Lake Sixteen, which is only available for dog swimming
- Activities such as fishing and non-motorized boating are available to pup parents
- Three separate parking lots provide access to the park at Clarkston, Baldwin, and Joslyn streets
17. Port Crescent State Park
- Port Crescent State Park is settled on the tip of the “thumb” of the state of Michigan
- Certain trails, as well as a section of the beach near the Pinnebog River, are available to off-leash dogs
- There are plenty of available shorelines to explore, with nearly 3 miles of coast to enjoy
- This park is secluded from the commotion of the city, allowing visitors to embrace the beauty of nature to their fullest potential
- A dark sky preserve is available to those who want to gaze at the stars with more clarity than ever before
18. Kirk Park
- The southern portion of the beach is an off-leash area where dogs can roam free and enjoy the beach
- Bags are provided on-site to clean up after your dog
- There is a lot to explore, including dunes, wooded areas, hiking trails, and sandy coasts
- Parking fees will be mandated from Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Due to changing water levels, dogs are only allowed in the park from 7:00 pm to 10:00 am
19. Tawas Point State Park
- This area is often referred to as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest”
- Off-leash dogs are allowed on trails as well as on the part of the beach between the lighthouse and the camping grounds
- Dogs are not permitted to use the swimming areas
- There are over 180 acres to explore
- The Tawas Point Lighthouse is a fun visit that is rich in history
20. Warren Dunes State Park
- All dogs must be on a 6-foot leash to be allowed on the beach
- This state park has nearly 2,000 acres full of fun activities
- Dunes rise almost 300 feet above sea level, providing a great spot for hang gliding as well as an unforgettable view
21. Grand Mere State Park
- One whole mile of Lake Michigan shoreline is available to dogs
- Nealy 1,000 acres of woodland and sand dunes contain beautiful hiking trails to explore
- Hunting, fishing, metal detecting, and picnicking are all activities available to visitors
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of amazing beaches in Michigan, and even more that allow dogs. This list is by no means exhaustive, so if there is a beach in your area that was not mentioned, look into it and see if your dog is welcome. After all, it’s not a family day at the beach without your furry friend!
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: MieczysławSam, Pixabay
The 21 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Michigan
