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Burt Lake State Park Campground features a pet-friendly beach area with dedicated dog swimming access, separate from the main beach. This state park maintains a clean, well-maintained campground with large sites averaging 40x65 feet, providing ample space for pet owners and their dogs. Pets must remain leashed throughout the campground except in designated dog areas. All campgrounds near Afton allow pets with varying amenities—Aloha State Park, Petoskey State Park, and Indian River RV Resort accommodate dogs year-round. The bathrooms stay clean and modern facilities include electric hookups at most locations. The park provides waste stations and most sites include picnic tables where pets can rest nearby while families eat. Many campers note the park hosts are helpful with pet-related questions and enforce quiet hours to prevent excessive barking.
The sandy shoreline at Burt Lake offers excellent water access for dogs who enjoy swimming, with a shallow entry point extending over 100 yards into the lake while remaining only about three feet deep. Trails throughout the campgrounds provide convenient walking routes for daily pet exercise. During summer months, early morning walks are recommended to avoid hot pavement. Most campgrounds require vaccination records at check-in and limit pets to three per site. Nearby Haakwood and Black Lake State Forest Campgrounds provide more rustic options for those seeking quieter environments for easily startled dogs. The entire region maintains strong cell signal coverage except at Burt Lake, allowing easy access to emergency vet services in Petoskey (25 minutes away) or Indian River (10 minutes away). Campsites with shade trees offer better protection for pets during hot summer days.
"Dog park and beach area for dogs. Large, grassy recreation area and nice playground. Park hosts on site with daily activities for campers. Town is nearby with restaurants, shopping, etc."
"Staff was helpful, neighbors were friendly, bathrooms were clean, and it's right on the lake! Very pet-friendly, very busy. Reserve in advance."
"A lot of geese tho, and my dog did get skunked. Also the spaces are Packed in pretty tight. Buts it a great location and it’s all about the water anyways!"
"Right on Mullett Lake, close to town for easy access to food, but really enjoyed kayaking lake"
from $30 - $34 / night
Check Availability"The beach was convenient to walk to and we enjoyed the 3 amazing fire work shows you can see on the 4th of July from the beach."
"We were here two days and fell in love with the town, the surrounding area, and never got tired of beautiful views of Lake Michigan. "
"Beautiful colors and within 10 miles of Ocqueoc Falls and 24 miles to Lake Huron."
"There are camp sites along Black Lake, which is the 7th largest lake in Michigan. The lake side campsites are very close together but you are right by the water's edge."
"This campground is right on the north central bike path and I came to this here for that easy access."
"You can’t beat $15 a night, each rustic site is fairly secluded with privacy, and you’re right by Michigan’s only area to view free roaming wild elk!"
from $15 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Even with families and dogs it’s very peaceful and relaxing. The vibe is contagious and all the neighbors are friendly and considerate."
"Close to stores, tubing, able to ride atv/utv in and out."
from $50 - $95 / night
Check Availability"This park is operated by Emmet County and offers a very remote feel yet it is only 15-20 minutes from Petoskey, Michigan. "
"The best place to camp in northern Michigan. Should be more well known."
"Then, for $15 a night, we found this beauty along the northwest shore of Burt Lake, one of the larger inland lakes in northern Michigan. "
"Pros: Location! 25 minutes from Mackinaw City, 10 Minutes from Pellston for supplies. Right on Burt Lake. Clean pit toilets. Generally not too crowded."
"There is an off-leash dog park but it was pretty small for our lab to get a good run in. The laundry was nice and clean but a bit expensive $2.25 per load. "
"Lake Michigan beach is about a 5 minutes drive."
"The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under."
"The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days."
TravelerThe owners were constantly driving around and correcting people. Rules are okay but they were over the top. They would even stop and just stare at our site while we sat outside.. it was very odd. Also not kept up at all. The playground was old and my 30 lb dog slipped out from under the “dog park” fence because it was so high off the ground where they were allowed to be unleashed, luckily we got her and she’s ok.
GuideLarge, level electric sites. Very large campground in general. Since we were there in September and mid week, it was quiet. Bath house clean, but a bit outdated. Nice beach and swimming area. Dog park and beach area for dogs. Large, grassy recreation area and nice playground. Park hosts on site with daily activities for campers. Town is nearby with restaurants, shopping, etc. Burt Lake is stunning. Bring your kayaks, boats, and fishing gear.
ScoutWe spent a 4th of July weekend up in Petosky with our family. It was a perfect mixture of rustic modern camping. The facilities are nice and clean and the campground is well kept. Even on a busy holiday weekend it was so enjoyable. The beach was convenient to walk to and we enjoyed the 3 amazing fire work shows you can see on the 4th of July from the beach. The only downside is that no dogs are allowed on the beach which is kind of a bummer. There is a great dog park however in Petosky nearby.
LegendThis is a great campground if you like to bring your boat along too. We were able to tie our boat up and use it all weekend. The campground is beautiful with an awesome dog park as well.
LegendWooden Shoe Campground in Ellsworth, Michigan is a small campground set on a hill above Ellsworth Lake. This park is great if you want to sometime explore Michigan’s waterways. When we visited the park, it was about 25% full which made it very quiet and relaxing. There are some great sites that overlook the lake that are inviting for an evening fire and enjoying a pleasant view.
The park has 45 RV sites with water, 30 amp electric, cable TV, and internet. There are seven designated tent sites in a heavily wooded area with some glimpses of the lake. Some sites have a nice amount of shade while those towards the front of the park are more open and have a better water view. Picnic tables and fire pits are at each site. The main road throughout the park is paved, in good condition, and easily navigable with even large RV. There is a dump station at the entrance of the park that is easy to get in and out of. A camp host is on site. The price per night to stay here is $25 and they offer a super inexpensive price of $125/week. Reservations can be made by emailing a reservation request or calling the city.
The town of Ellsworth is quite small with a couple of shops and restaurant or two. The quaint coastal town of Charlevoix is 10 minutes away where you will find plenty of shopping, restaurants, a pretty harbor, weekly live music (in the summer), a farmers market and really great library with a large room that has a great selection of books for sale for a few bucks. The towns of Boyne City and Boyne Falls are about 20 miles away and also worth visiting if you have the time. For dog owners, Boyne city has an off-leash dog park and Boyne Falls has a large ski resort that is perfect for walking dogs in the summer. The larger town of Petoskey is about a 45 minute drive but well worth a visit.
If you want to “get away” and enjoy water activities this is a good place to come. There is a canoe/kayak boat launch just down the hill from the park that puts you in a narrow stretch of water that connects Lakes Ellsworth and Saint Clair. A short (approximately 1 mile) paddle into Lake Saint Claire lands you in a beautiful nature preserve administered by the Little Traverse Conservancy. Be sure to visit Friske’s Orchard which has a fruit stand, bakery with pizza and sandwiches, general store and petting zoo and is only six miles away on Rt. 31.
The good things about this park are the price, access to pretty water for kayaking/canoeing/fishing and the view from some of the sites. You are not too far from some of northern Michigan’s most popular towns yet only paying $25 night. The small size of this park gives it a quieter feel than some of the nearby state parks that have hundreds of sites. When we were there about half the campers appeared to be seasonal who come to enjoy the boating and fishing. Many of these people were not there during the week which made the park super quiet.
A couple dings for this park are that many of the sites are not level and even pitching a tent can be difficult. The bathroom/shower facilities are old and run down. The main bathhouse is located in the front of the park with port-a-potty’s scattered about. Some of the sites are close together and give a crowded feeling.
Overall, I would say this is an average park which is why it gets three stars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vBh0Dej5Ro
ScoutMake reservations early! This is a beautiful state park with the best of pure Michigan woods and Lake Huron sandy dunes and beaches . Very family and pet friendly but also quiet and peaceful for couples who just wanna get away . Only drawback is low signal cell service but hey getting off the grid is what’s its all about. Unplug and recharge yourself. Electric hook up availability 20/30 amp . Hiking and biking paths , a cute play ground , sandy beach with volleyball area all walking distance from campsites! Friendly staff , we love this park !
ScoutFriendly staff very accommodating. Pet friendly has small dog enclosure at front as well as mini golf and playgrounds. Lots of trees and wooded areas to feel more remote without the driving. Very peaceful.
GuideEdit: as of right now this listing is all jacked up. Coordinates are incorrect, "French Farm Lake Road" on Google Maps or 45.7621519, -84.7673995 will get you there. There is no water, trash services, or showers. Just 6 primitive sites with fire pits
We first came to French Farm Lake Rd to do a hike while staying with a local Boondockers Welcome host. We were excited to find our first real free camping in Michigan, and so close to Mackinaw City.
We showed up late Wednesday morning and just perfectly timed it when a couple had been packing up their camp, as there are only 6 or so sites and all were full. The sites back by the boat launch seem better for large groups.
We took site #1, which is one of the better sites IMO. Don't forget to grab a registration sheet on your way in (found near the camping sign before site #1). I had very little issue backing in our 24 ft class c with a utility trailer (37 ft total), though I had to maneuver the trailer into an opening off to the right of our driveway, as to find a more level spot. Only had to use one block under each front tire to level, with plenty of room to pull forward to unload my motorcycle. Plenty of wood around for a fire, though people had firewood for sale on the roadside when driving into the area.
Beware of sandy roads and make sure to scout before pulling in with your big rig. There is one opportunity to turn around via a parking lot of the right hand side when first entering French Lake Rd. The next spot would be what I think are sites 3 & 4, which is a big wide open lot also on the right, and also very sandy. The last would be the boat launch area at the end of the road, though that could prove impossible if there are a bunch of vehicles parked back there. So scout on foot first.
There are a few sites that would accommodate big rigs, the only way to know is to come check. It's kinda frustrating to be in states without dispersed camping, because there are a few spots that I would deem worthy, but alas you must stick to the designated sites. There are plenty of spots for a quick night's sleep in a van or smaller RV, just beware of the ranger. I've only seen them out here in the afternoon so far though.
My review is mostly based off of what we've been able to find in the area, this campground would not score as high if it were in WA or somewhere with endless options.
And as per usual in the Midwest, bring plenty of mosquito and fly products. They weren't horrible at our campsite, but evening walks are definitely not happening again.
The lake isn't anything special by my books so we skipped paddling here, though there appeared to be people fishing if that's your gig. Tons of trails suitable for hiking or biking, again, nothing too exciting on that front.
Come check it out!
ScoutVery friendly staff and clean park. Family friendly and pet friendly, beach was close by and clean. Reservations were very easy to make online and allows you to pick your site.
Campgrounds near Afton, Michigan offer wooded sites and lakefront access in the northern Lower Peninsula. The area sits amid the Inland Waterway, which connects multiple lakes through rivers and channels. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with some experiencing heavy mosquito activity in June and limited cell service outside major towns.
Fishing from shore or boat: At Aloha State Park Campground, visitors access Mullett Lake for various fishing opportunities. "The fishing from our 14' boat was lively every day. The fresh donuts made at the store were delicious," writes John, who visited the park decades ago but still remembers the experience fondly.
Kayaking connected waterways: The Indian River area allows paddlers to travel between lakes. "Indian River is the best area to cruze on the water," notes Edmund P. about Aloha State Park, where boaters can launch from the campground to explore multiple connected bodies of water.
Hiking forest trails: Haakwood State Forest Campground provides access to wooded trails with minimal crowds. A camper reports, "The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days."
Wildlife viewing: The northern Michigan region hosts elk populations. Ryan L.T. mentions about Pigeon River: "You're right by Michigan's only area to view free roaming wild elk! We went and tried, but unfortunately didn't see any elk."
Spacious sites: Black Lake State Forest Campground offers larger campsites in its upper section. "We opted to head over to the upper part where the sites are three times the size. We were only one of two campsites taken, so it was extremely peaceful and quiet," shares Kate K.
Beach quality: Many campgrounds feature clean, sandy beaches with gradual entry. Sarah L. describes Black Lake: "Sand bottom lake, and the park beach was a short walk from the site. Wish I could reserve, but def would go back."
Clean facilities: Petoskey State Park Campground maintains well-kept amenities. "The facilities are nice and clean and the campground is well kept. Even on a busy holiday weekend it was so enjoyable," Amanda O. reports.
Night sky viewing: Remote locations offer minimal light pollution. Kate K. notes about Haakwood: "The stars are amazing. In the morning we took at dip in the beautiful crystal clear, sandy beach. It was pretty perfect."
Reservation requirements: Many popular sites fill quickly, especially in summer. "Staff was helpful, neighbors were friendly, bathrooms were clean, and it's right on the lake! Very pet-friendly, very busy. Reserve in advance," advises Anna E. about Burt Lake.
Generator noise: Some rustic campgrounds allow generators. Robert M. warns about Black Lake: "Generators everywhere, no peace and quiet, no rangers to tell people to turn down their music, no one to police the crazy orv drivers who treated the 10 mph roads as race tracks."
Off-season conditions: Onaway State Park Campground offers fall camping with reduced services. Kristy W. shares: "Onaway SP is a quiet little park with electric pedestal at each sight. Sanitation/dump station has water to fill your fresh water tank for your visit. Beautiful colors and within 10 miles of Ocqueoc Falls and 24 miles to Lake Huron. Water is shut off Oct 10 for season."
Insect presence: Bugs can be intense in certain areas. "The only problem with this hike was the insane amount of ticks," reports Ian R. about trails in the Pigeon River area.
Boat rentals: Many lakes offer equipment for water activities. "There are kayak rentals, a boat launch, and activities that the host organizes," notes Ann D. about Onaway State Park.
Playground access: Camp Petosega provides family-friendly amenities. According to Nancy W., "There are also rental cabins, playgrounds, a recreation hall and pavilion, a canoe/kayak launch, basketball court, hiking trails, beach area, restrooms/shower house."
Safety considerations: Some waterfront areas require supervision. Paul C. warns about Pigeon River: "The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn't recommend for 6 and under."
Beach hunting: Petoskey State Park offers a unique activity for children. John F. notes, "Hunting Petoskey Stones is the highlight," referring to the distinctive fossilized coral rocks found along the shoreline.
Site dimensions: Most campgrounds provide measurement details. Kerry P. mentions Burt Lake: "Lots were easy to back into. Lot sizes are huge! Nearly every lot down the hill (west loop) has a nice view of the lake."
Hook-up variations: Electrical access differs between parks. Brenda M. advises about Burt Lake: "There is no water or sewer hook up. The lot lines are strange, they run on an angle. Bring extension cords for the electric service."
Non-traditional sites: Rustic campgrounds sometimes accommodate larger vehicles. Lydia T. shares about Pigeon River: "I've seen people tenting and I've seen people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large RVs."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies throughout the region. Don B. notes about Burt Lake: "The campground is close to I-75 but we couldn't hear any traffic noise," while others mention spotty service in more remote locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Afton, MI is Burt Lake State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 21 reviews.
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