21 Best Dog Friendly Beaches In Michigan 2024

We all love to spend a holiday with our family, and a beach must be a classy choice. But the problem is families like ours who have pets. Whenever we enjoy the outdoors, consider what our four-legged friend is doing. To overcome this problem, we discuss the nearby dog-friendly Michigan beaches.

However, visitors need to follow a few safety rules in those beach towns while taking pets to those tourist destinations.

List of 21 Top Michigan Dog-Friendly Beaches

1. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – Munising – Upper Peninsula

This place at Munising is a great option to take out our pets. Beautiful spots like Miners Beach and the Twelve Mile Beach Campground allow dogs. The location is visually impressive because of the beaches, dunes, forests, lakes, and multi-colored sandstone cliffs. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore also has wildlife.

The place is great for other activities as well. Sightseeing, kayaking, camping, boating, picnicking, backpacking, fishing, etc. A Maritime Museum and Lighthouse are also here.

Location: N8391 Sand Point Rd, Munising, MI 49862, United States.
Entry fee / Parking: A vehicle pass is needed for every member in the car. The same pass works as an entrance fee. Children under 15 do not require any fee.
Dog Rules: Pets are permitted here except in the Lakeshore backcountry. The dogs should wear a six-foot leash all the time while visiting here.
Hours: It is open every day for 24 hours.

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2. Marquette South Beach – Marquette

The Southern end of this beach allows pets. There is a specific section of a pet-friendly shoreline. The flat and sandy beach has shallow water, which is excellent for swimming. Lifeguards are always present here throughout the summer. The beach has other amenities like restrooms and parking spaces.

Marquette is a wise choice for every kind of traveler. There are many places like – Lighthouses, shops, museums, golf courses, etc. The whole area is full of waterfalls and inland lakes. All these make it scenically beautiful.

Location: 501 S Lake St, Marquette, MI 49855, United States.
Entry fee / Parking: This beach doesn’t require any fee for entrance or parking.
Dog Rules: Dogs are welcome to play on and off-leash. However, some beaches in Marquette with swimming areas and lifeguards are not for these furry friends.
Hours: Every day from 6 am to 11 pm.

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3. Zoll Street Beach – Harbor Springs – Northern Lower Peninsula

The famous Zoll Street Dog Beach has portable toilets, a water spigot, and an outdoor shower. It allows dogs all over the year. The sandy beach and grassy area are great for running. The beach is small but picturesque, located on Little Traverse Bay.

There are many public playgrounds here, including equipment. Also, small public beaches are there with floating rafts.

Zoll Street Beach Michigan — Zoll Street Beach, Michigan

Location: Zoll St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, United States.
Entry fee / Parking: The beach doesn’t charge any entry fee or parking.
Dog Rules: Under owners’ supervision, dogs are allowed with or without a leash.
Hours: Open from 6 am to 10 am & 7 pm to sunset, Thursday to Monday. Beach staff are present at that time.

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4. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Empire

Besides being a dog-friendly destination, it’s famous for its natural beauty. The forests, beaches, and dunes have made it a beautiful spot. Sleeping Bear Dunes includes historical cultures like the 1871 Lighthouse, three former Life-Saving Coast Guard Stations, and a historic farm district.

Travelers can enjoy various activities like – hiking, swimming, climbing the dunes, etc. The museums, maple forests, and lighthouses are exciting spots here.

Location: Empire, MI 49630, United States.
Entry fee / Parking: Entrance to the park costs $25 for people with private cars, $20 for a motorcycle, and $15 per person. Children under 16 don’t need an entry pass. Annual passes are available for $45.
Dog Rules: Licenced dogs with leashes are allowed on this beach.
Hours: The park is open to visitors from 8:30 am to 6 pm, and hiking trails allow dogs from 1st April to 30th November.

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5. Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is a pet-friendly spot that allows them to swim. It’s among the top tourist spots in Michigan and famous for its unique history and attractive atmosphere. The beautiful sunsets and sunrises have made it popular among tourists.

The place is excellent for having a peaceful time. There are no cars or chain hotels. The Historic fort and shopping places are worth visiting, and the island features extraordinary nightlife.

Location: Mackinac County, Michigan, US.
Entry fee / Parking: It charges $13.50 for adults and $8 for children as an entry fee.
Dog Rules: The island allows dogs with leashes. Crates are available here for them to travel.
Hours: 9.30 am to 7 pm.

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6. Orion Oaks Dog Park Beach – Lake Orion – Central Lower Peninsula

Orion Oaks Dog Park Beach is located in Orion Oaks County Park. The furry friends can play and swim here. The dogs can play here without the leash.

The park showcases a field area, modern restrooms and picnic grounds, parking lots, and two trails. There is a dock on Lake Sixteen only for the dogs. Visitors can go hiking, fishing, and boating here.

Location: 2301 W Clarkston Road Lake, Orion Twp, MI 48360, United States.
Entry fee / Parking: It costs $5 for non-residents to make an entrance.
Dog Rules: Dogs older than four months are allowed here. They must be licensed.
Hours: Open from 8 am to 8:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday. On Sunday, it’s open from 8 am to 8 pm.

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7. Belle Isle Dog Beach – Detroit – Southern Lower Peninsula

Belle Isle Dog Beach is a pet-friendly beach with a pet-friendly park section. It’s a beautiful place to spend away from the city chaos of Detroit. The place is rich with historical facts and natural beauty.

The place has many attractive spots for travelers of each age group. Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, a giant slide, athletic fields, picnic areas, tennis courts, the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, and the James Scott Memorial Fountain are a few of them. Apart from all these it also has some fantastic views.

Location: Beach in Detroit, Michigan.
Entry fee / Parking: The entry fee here costs $12 per person.
Dog Rules: Leashed dogs are allowed here with the owner’s supervision.
Hours: Open all year round from 5 am to 10 pm.

8. Grand Haven City Dog Beach – Grand Haven

Grand Haven has a lovely sandy swimming beach along with excellent beachfront restaurants. The white sand beach is in the south of Grand Haven State Park. It’s a perfect outing place and one of the best family beaches in Michigan. Hotels and excellent resorts are available near the beach.

Location: South Harbor Drive, Grand Haven, MI 49417, USA
Entry fee/Parking: Visitors need not pay an entry fee. Limited free parking is applicable on a first-come-serve basis.
Dog Rules: This beach doesn’t allow dogs between Memorial Day to Labor Day, and the beach allows only leashed dogs before and after these holidays.
Hours: 7 am-11 pm every day.

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9. Kirk Park Dog Beach – West Olive

This beautiful beach is across the Lake Michigan shoreline of south Grand Haven, and Kirk Park has the famous Muskegon Dog Beach. There are gentle natural dunes over the beach area, and pet-friendly lodging and dining out are affordable here.

Location: Peterson Rd, Honor, MI 49640, USA
Entry fee/Parking: $8.00 parking fee for non-residents of Ottawa County. The parking fee is $5 for Ottawa residents and $7 for non-residents.
Dog Rules: Kirk Park Beach allows dogs daily between 7-10 am and 7-10 pm. Owners must use a 10-foot leash for dogs, clean up dog waste, and dispose of it in trash containers. Pets must be controlled for the safety of others.
Hours: Open 7 am-10 pm throughout the year.

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10. Hagar Beach Southwest Michigan – Coloma

Hagar Beach is a beautiful public recreation area across Lake Michigan’s shoreline, and the pathway has a long staircase toward the beach access area. People can find pet-friendly restaurants inside Coloma County, and well-equipped pet-friendly hotels are there to stay overnight.

Location: 5440 M-63, Coloma, MI 49038, USA
Entry fee/Parking: Entry is free of cost. Parking is free across all Hagar Township parks.
Dog Rules: Dogs must be on-leashed throughout the stay. Owners must keep a close watch on the aggressive dog for safety purposes. The dog keeper must dispose of dog waste in trash containers with clean-up bags.
Hours: 24 hours a day throughout the year.

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11. Tannery Beach – Boyne City

Tannery Beach is a beautiful public beach in Boyne City, Michigan. This beach is accessible in winter and summer with a fantastic view of Lake Charlevoix, and it’s an excellent place for kayaking. You can enjoy this soft and sandy beach throughout the day.

Location: 862 Front Street, Boyne City, MI 49712, USA
Entry fee/Parking: Entry is free. The parking lot is a short walk over the dune to the beach.
Dog Rules: A poop bag is available inside the beach, and it is good to carry freshwater and clean-up bags. Tannery Beach allows off-leashed dogs, and dog owners must always be attentive.
Hours: 7 am to 10 pm every day.

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12. Bohemian Road Beach Good Harbor Bay

Lake Michigan has a beautiful beach section along Good Harbor Bay. It’s a popular outing destination and one of Michigan’s best dog-friendly beaches. People enjoy the clear lake water here. Sleeping bear dunes along the beach area are the main attractions here. You will find pet-friendly hotels to stay nearby.

To reach, take County Rd 669 (Bohemian Rd); otherwise, County Rd 651 (Good Harbor Trail) from M22 near the north corner of the Dunes parkland.

Location: Maple City, MI 49664, United States.
Entry fee/Parking: There is an entry fee of $10 for current and $15 for new tourists in Sleeping Bear Dunes. An annual pass is available. Parking costs $10.
Dog Rules: Dogs must be on-leashed with the owner’s control. In addition, owners must carry cleaning bags to dispose of dog waste.
Hours: 24 hours throughout the year.

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13. Peterson Beach

Lake Michigan beach at the end of Peterson Road is dog friendly. There is a long stairway towards the beach access point. Sleeping Bear Point Bluff and Empire Bluff look amazing from Peterson Beach. You will find a nice picnic spot.

Location: Peterson Rd, Honor, MI 49640, USA
Parking: Parking is Limited.
Dog Rules: The south end of the beach allows leashed dogs, and dogs are not allowed on the north end of the beach.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset.

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14. Buttersville Park Beach and Campground

Buttersville is a famous clean beach in Ludington. This shore is far from the main town. People love to visit here because of fewer crowds—a couple of hotels and pet-friendly restaurants near the beach.

Location: 991 S Lakeshore Dr. Ludington, MI 49431, USA
Entry Fee/Parking: Beach entry is free. Limited parking near the beach access point.
Dog rules: Owners must clean dog waste, and clean-up bags are available inside the beach. Dogs must be under the owner’s control for the safety and owner’s attention in the off-leash dog areas.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset throughout the year.

15. Frankfort Public Beach

Frankfort Beach is located along Lake Michigan. Designated walkways are there for Dog owners. The North section of the beach has a dog-run area. People love to see the sunset here.

Parking lots and restrooms are available along the main street. Frankfort has a few dog-friendly restaurants, and hotels are there to stay overnight.

Location: Frankfort, MI 49635, USA
Entry Fee/Parking: Parking costs $10 per car, and a $30 weekly pass is also available.
Dog Rules: Dogs must be under a leash in the walkway and not allowed outside the dog-run area. In addition, owners must clear dog waste and dispose of trash with clean-up bags.
Hours: 7 am-11 pm every day.

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16. North Beach South Haven MI

Northside of South Haven has a famous dog-friendly beach on Lake Michigan’s shore. You can enjoy swimming, kiteboarding, beach volleyball, and fishing. Excellent water trails over the coast are perfect for a long walk on this scenic beach.

Location: 45 Lakeshore Dr, South Haven, MI 49090, USA
Entry Fee/Parking: You must pay a $10 parking fee. A weekly pass costs $30.
Dog Rule: Leashed dogs are allowed inside the North Beach of South Heaven and under control. However, they do not allow dogs in volleyball courts, picnic shelters, and off-trail areas.
Hours: 7 am to 11 pm every day.

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17. South Beach Park South haven

South Beach is a beautiful beach destination in Southwest Michigan. Bring your bathing suit to enjoy swimming. The Beach sunset gives a fantastic view. In addition, South Beach is a great picnic and recreation spot in South Haven.

Location: 60 Water St, South Haven, MI 49090, USA
Entry Fee/Parking: Parking costs $10 per car. You can avail of a $30 weekly pass.
Dog Rules: Dogs must be on-leashed at times.
Hours: 7 am to 10 pm every day

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18. West End Beach Traverse City

West End Beach is located near the west downtown of Traverse City. Far west of this beach allows dogs, and a mile-long sandy beach is suitable for a volleyball playground. It would be best if you enjoyed boating from the shoreline.

Location; 716 W Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City, MI 49684, USA
Parking: Ample parking space is available.
Dog Rules: This beach allows only leashed dogs. Pets are not allowed in designated swimming areas.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset throughout the year.

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19. First Street Dog Beach Manistee

1st Street Beach Manistee Beach is a famous family beach in Douglas Park, Lake Michigan. You can enjoy a nice walk on the beach. It’s one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Manistee County. Few dog-friendly hotels with parking available inside Manistee.

Location: S Lakeshore Dr, Manistee, MI 49660, USA (near Douglas Park)
Entry Fee/Parking: Beach entry is free of cost. In addition, this Beach area has free parking facilities.
Dog Rules: This beach does not allow pets from Memorial Day to Labor Day; the Beach allows leashed dogs.
Hours: Twenty-four hours.

20. Loomis Street Boat Ramp Dog Beach

A small dog beach is present in Ludington State Park. The sandy beach area is designated for dog running and play. Loomis Street Dog Beach is noisy due to fast-going boats through the water.

There are walking trail loops across the beach. People must carry an umbrella and enough water during summer.

Loomis Street Boat Ramp dog beach — Loomis Street Boat Ramp Dog Beach

Clean-up bag stations are available inside the beach. A few pet-friendly hotels can be found in the Ludington area.

Location: 1000 W Loomis St Ludington, MI 49431
Entry fee/Parking: Entry is free of cost. Paid parking is available for $2.
Dog Rule: Dogs must be on-leashed. In addition, owners must clean and dispose of dog waste inside the trash can.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.

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21. Esch Road Beach or Otter Creek Beach

Esch Road Beach is formally known as Otter Creek Beach. The beach is a popular swimming destination and dog-friendly, found at the mouth of Otter Creek. Esch Road Beach is part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

It would be best if you enjoyed walking through the shadow creeks. Beautiful wildflowers are amazing to see through the pathway. The view of the Empire Bluffs is a great background attraction. The drinking water facility is unavailable here, but the toilet is near the parking lot.

Location: The beach is at the end of Esch Road. Esch Road Beach is about 4 miles south of Empire on M-22. Esch Road. Michigan 49640. The USA.
Parking: Parking is available along the road.
Dog Rules: They allow Leashed dogs inside the beach, and dog keepers must clean up waste and dispose of the trash container.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.

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Are dogs allowed on Michigan beaches?

There are many Dog-friendly Beaches in Michigan. Dogs are allowed in non-designated bathing areas and must be on-leashed inside dog-friendly areas. Owners must be careful and attentive inside the dog’s off-leash areas.

Do Michigan state parks allow dogs?

Most of the Michigan state parks and state forests are pet-friendly. Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash inside state parks. Owners need to carry their clean-up bags of pet waste. Owners must check out the pet-friendly sign over any trail before hiking.

Are dogs allowed in Michigan restaurants?

Bars/restaurants don’t allow pets inside. Few designated restaurants allow well-behaved service dogs.
They have outdoor patios and enough space for dogs. Owners must keep control of dogs in restaurant spaces.

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Conclusion

Tourists visit Dog-friendly Beaches in Michigan and Indiana throughout the year. Visitors are advised to check the weather forecast before making any plans.

Most places allow free or discounted entrance for locals; some allow yearly passes with a one-time fee. People must carry dog food along with other recreational items.

All these beaches and parks have important pet rules that all owners must follow. The same pet rules apply to international tourists, too.

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21 Best Dog Friendly Beaches in Michigan 2024