Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Michigan

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dog-friendly Sugarloaf Mountain is located in Marquette, MI. Bring your pup to explore one of two incredible trails that set off from this trailhead. Pet parents are reminded to clean up any mess left behind and to keep their furry friends leashed.

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.

Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve is a pet-friendly recreation area in Arcadia, MI. Leashed pups are welcome to join you in exploring the 15 miles of trails that wind through the forests, dunes and many other beautiful landscapes. The hikes are considered relatively easy and lead to scenic views.

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.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a pet-friendly destination in Ontonagon, MI. Fido can join you on the hiking paths welcoming to all endurance levels, totaling 90 miles. The park also includes a disc golf area and allows dog sledding.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ocqueoc Falls is a pet-friendly destination and a universally accessible falls system in Millersburg, MI. Your leashed furry friend is welcome to tag along to explore the largest waterfall in the lower peninsula. The park includes six miles of hiking or cross-country skiing with three marked loops. During the spawning season, you can see the salmon swim through these underground channels.