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!

Saugatuck Dunes State Park

Holland, MI

Saugatuck Dunes State Park A day-use park along a secluded strip of the dog-friendly Lake Michigan shoreline, Saugatuck Dunes State Park in Holland, MI, 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

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Munising, MI

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

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Paradise, MI

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

Windmill Island Gardens

Holland, MI

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

Headlands International Dark Sky Park

Mackinaw City, MI

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

Seney National Wildlife Refuge

Germfask, MI

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

Palms Book State Park

Manistique, MI

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

South Higgins Lake State Park

Roscommon, MI

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

Kirk Park

Grand Haven, MI

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

Ludington State Park

Ludington, MI

Ludington State Park Ludington State Park is a dog-friendly trail and state park in Ludington, MI. Leashed pets are welcome to explore the State Park, which features beautiful hiking trails along Lake Hamlin. The hiking trails are wooded and cross several small islands. There are many places along the trail to sit and enjoy the lake. The Park does not allow pets in any water area used for swimming or wading, including Lake Michigan. However, pets are allowed on the Big Sable River (east of the highway bridge) and on Hamlin Lake (outside of the swim area) as well as other public park areas. See Details

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park

Norton Shores, MI

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

Good Harbor Bay Trail

Cedar, MI

Good Harbor Bay Trail Good Harbor Bay Trail is pet friendly. This 2.7-mile lightly trafficked loop trail is located near Cedar, Michigan, and offers the chance to see wildlife along the way. Leashed dogs are welcome on the path as long as they are cleaned up after. See Details

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Empire, MI

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

Detroit Riverfront

Detroit, MI

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

University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum

Ann Arbor, MI

University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum The University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor, MI, is dog friendly! Although the botanical gardens are off the cards for dogs, pups are welcome to join their owners on the trails around the arboretum. Enjoy the varied fauna from the pet-friendly trails with your leashed pup. Admission is free. See Details

Island Lake Recreation Area

Brighton, MI

Island Lake Recreation Area Island Lake Recreation Area is a pet-friendly place in Brighton, MI. Bring Fido along on one of the paved or unpaved trails, for a canoe trip on the lake, or have a picnic in one of the shelters. Note that dogs are not permitted in buildings or in swimming areas. Remember to clean up after your pup. See Details

Straits State Park

St Ignace, MI

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

Grayling, MI

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, MI

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

Fisherman's Island State Park

Charlevoix, MI

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