Pet Friendly Parks in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a place of remarkable wildness and natural beauty, surrounded by three of five Great Lakes–Michigan, Huron, and Superior. It’s a place of islands, interior lakes, waterfalls, forests, towering cliffs, and so much more. You and your pet can access this landscape through its state parks, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior, and Hiawatha National Forest and take advantage of the opportunities they offer for hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Munising, MI 49862
This is a stunning park of 200-foot-tall sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, and lakes extending along the shoreline of Lake Superior for 40 miles and encompassing more than 70,000 acres.

In general, pets are not permitted on the park’s hiking trails, in the backcountry, or in the forests and fields. Pets are permitted in these specific locations (and they need to be on a 6-foot leash):

Munising Falls: Parking and picnic areas and the trail to the falls
Sand Point: Parking and picnic areas, beaches, and road
Miners Falls: Parking and picnic areas
Miners Beach: Parking and picnic areas, beach, and trail to the beach
Little Beaver Campground: In campground only
Beaver Basin overlook: Parking area and road
Twelvemile Beach Campground: Campground picnic area, and Lake Superior Beach directly in front of campground
Hurricane Beach Campground: Campground, picnic area, and Lake Superior beach directly in front of campground
Log Slide: Parking and picnic areas
Grand Sable Lake overlook: Parking and picnic areas
Grand Sable Visitor Center: Parking and picnic areas
Grand Sable Lake boat ramp: Parking and picnic areas
Sable Falls: Parking and picnic areas

Hiawatha National Forest
2727 North Lincoln Road
Escanaba, MI 49829
Over one million acres in extent and stretching across the central and eastern regions of the Upper Peninsula, Hiawatha National Forest is a wonderful recreation resource for you and your pet. Known as the Great Lakes National Forest, these wild and scenic areas offer up stunning shoreline along Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron, as well as deep wilderness areas, six lighthouses, and hundreds of miles of trails to enjoy.

In particular, you won’t want to miss the Grand Island National Recreation Area, which is part of the forest. The island is located a half mile off the coast of Munising, Michigan, in Lake Superior. To get to there, you need to take a passenger ferry, which requires you to have your pet on a leash or in a crate or carrier. Once on the island, you and your pet can camp, bike the perimeter trail that encircles the island, or just walk along the beach.

Within Hiawatha National Forest, you must have your pet under control at all times, either on leash or voice control.

Brimley State Park
9200 W. 6 Mile Road
Brimley, MI 49715
Explore this park located on the shore of Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay. Keep your pet on a 6-foot leash and away from park buildings and beaches.

Indian Lake State Park
8970W County Road 442
Manistique, MI 49854
Situated near Hiawatha National Forest (actually, one section of it is in the Forest), this park is located on Indian Lake, which is six miles long and three miles wide. You and your pet are welcome to take advantage of the opportunities it offers for fishing, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. Keep your pet on a 6-foot leash and away from park buildings and beaches.

J.W. Wells State Park
N7670 Highway M-35
Cedar River, MI 49887
You and your pet can enjoy camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing in this 678-acre park on the shore of Green Bay. Keep your pet on a 6-foot leash and away from park buildings and beaches.

Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park
Sundell, MI 49885
You and your pet can hike and enjoy the falls from one of three observation decks. Keep your pet on a 6-foot leash and away from park buildings and beaches.

Mackinac Island State Park
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
There is so much for you to do in this lovely park and your pet is welcome to join you so long as you keep him on a 6-foot leash and out of park buildings and off the beaches (this is strictly enforced). Some of the park’s highlights include:

Arch Rock: Formed by wind and water erosion, this freestanding stone arch towers 146 feet above the water, with a span of 50 feet.
Hiking and biking: The park encompasses 61 miles of roads and trails, perfect for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Be sure to check out M-185: The nation’s only state highway that prohibits motor vehicle traffic, it encircles the island’s outer perimeter and extends for 8 miles.
Cemeteries: For a quiet stroll, you and your pet can explore the three historic island cemeteries: Post Cemetery, which dates back to the 1820s, and the island’s earliest Protestant and Catholic cemeteries.

Muskallonge Lake State Park
30042 County Road 407
Newberry, MI 49868
This 217-acre park sits between Muskallonge Lake and Lake Superior. You can take your pet fishing or enjoy a nice hike. Be sure to keep your pet on a 6-foot leash and away from park buildings and beaches.

Palms Book State Park
Manistique, MI 49854
You and your pet can visit one of Michigan’s biggest natural attractions, Kitch-iti-kipi, The Big Spring. It is Michigan’s largest freshwater spring, pushing out more than 10,000 gallons of water a minute. Keep your pet on a 6-foot leash and away from park buildings and beaches.

Straits State Park
720 Church Street
St. Ignace, MI 49781
You and your pet can enjoy amazing views of the Mackinac Bridge from this park located on the shore of Lake Huron.Keep your pet on a 6-foot leash and away from park buildings and beaches.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park
41382 W. M 123
Paradise, MI 49768
You don’t want to miss this beautiful 50,000-acre park and the waterfalls of Tahquamenon River. More than 200 feet across with a drop of 50 feet, the Upper Falls are one of the largest east of the Mississippi. Four miles downriver from the Upper Falls are the Lower Falls, consisting of a series of five smaller cascading waterfalls. You can your pet are welcome to enjoy the falls and explore the rest of the park together. Keep your pet on a 6-foot leash and away from park buildings and beaches.