Clear Lake State Park Campground features designated pet-friendly sites throughout both upper and lower camping areas, with each site including a picnic table and fire ring. Pets must remain leashed within the campground boundaries, though they can enjoy access to the park's hiking trails and outdoor spaces. Nearby Jackson Lake State Forest Campground provides another pet-friendly option with large wooded sites, many offering direct lake access and clean facilities. Avery Lake State Forest Campground maintains a quiet, pet-welcoming environment with spacious sites featuring lake views. All state forest campgrounds in the area permit leashed pets and provide amenities like picnic tables, fire pits, and drinking water. The campgrounds rarely get overly busy, making them ideal for campers seeking a peaceful outdoor experience with their pets.
Multiple hiking trails throughout the Atlanta area provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with the surrounding Pigeon River State Forest offering extensive trail systems where leashed pets can explore alongside their owners. Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground allows pets at sites positioned directly on the water, making it convenient for dog owners who want to anchor boats near their campsite while keeping pets close. Most campgrounds enforce standard pet policies including waste cleanup requirements, leash rules, and quiet hours to minimize barking disruptions. The natural sandy beaches at Clear Lake are particularly popular with campers and their water-loving dogs, though swimming areas may have specific pet restrictions during peak seasons. For camping during colder months, Clear Lake State Park remains open year-round with pet-friendly sites available even in November, though water spigots may be turned off during winter months.
"Beautiful turquoise lake. Nearest store in Atlanta. Freddie’s. Has everything u need Sites on outer edges bigger w woods. Stayed in the lower area near lake."
"This is a nice state park and campgrou nd on clear lake near Atlanta, MI. About 45 minutes from Gaylord. The lake was absolutely beautiful and super blue and clear."
$15 / night
"It’s on a beautiful lake that is great for swimming and boating. It has a few walk in sites that have beach access. All sites include picnic table and fire pit. Shared rustic vault toilets available."
"The lake is amazing with several islands to explore and one of the islands has a campsite. No busy roads near by so you really feel like you’re deep in the woods."
"This is a nice little state forest campground that has a beautiful lake for paddling and a handful of beautiful lakefront sites."
"20 bucks a night very clean toilets, fire pits picnic tables plus $11 for out of state registered vehicle plate so nowhere near free camping but a nice stay over spot"
"Beautiful location with a perfect kayaking lake. The coyotes were very loud and close at night keeping us awake but the experience was exiting. Highly recommend"
"Looking for something off the beaten path? Well, here it is (if you can find it)."
"Bait and convenience store across from entrance. Good hub for local hiking and activities around the area."
"Ramps to walk down to water. Amazing sunsets"
"Restaurants close by and supermarkets. Side is clean bathrooms are clean and the Internet is great."
"The lot's are huge, on the ThunderBay River, no reservations, very friendly and easy to walk into a small village."
"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."
"Butting up to Tomahawk Lake and surrounded by the Atlanta State Forest Area, you are close to Oqueoc Falls, hiking trails, and other natural wonders northern Michigan has to offer."
"Only maybe 12 sites and about half with waterfront access to the little lake. Lake tomahawk is attached to the first unit."
$45 - $65 / night
"No restrooms but if you are in the area(Hillman Michigan) this is a great place to rest and relax! There is a good restaurant on site and lovely walking area."
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.
GuideThis here is one of my favorite campgrounds in Michigan. The facilities are clean and kept up. All access to trails, lakes and the river are close and easy to get to. Great location to bring family and pets.
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.
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 !
ScoutI think jewel lake is pretty good because they have good campsites. I like the dog, they have an island, you can go on can't sleep on there, but you can go on it. They have a beach, they have a bridge, so you can fish on good water to go swimming, you can drive a boat, you can go on a kayaking on a jet ski, any type of water boats the camp site it's pet friendly perfect for campers or pull behinds tense, they're ok, for motorhome\ RV's but it's pretty good.
TravelerWe rented their pet-friendly cabin. It consists of a single room, two bunk beds, a table mounted to the wall, two chairs, a mini fridge, a microwave, coffee pot, a wall heater and a wall-mounted fan. Nothing fancy, but serviceable. There's a site with a picnic table, grill, and fire pit, connected to the cabin, as well as a decent sized front porch. Also nearby the dumping station, but this isn't as bad as it could be, at least during our midweek stays ((We've done two weekday stays.) There's a patch of grass across the drive, where puppy potty bags are dispensed, for easy bathroom breaks with the dogs, and it is also close to the campground host site and firewood vending machine. The firewood is really decent quality, and the machine accepts cards, which is nice, compared to other parks. The bathrooms/showers are a short walk away, and are really a lot nicer than most state park facilities. Several accessible/family restrooms are available, offering shower seats, benches, a dual height showerhead, sink, and toilet with grab bars, all in one lockable room. Several campsites are one the waterfront. As other's have mentioned, the beach is seeing some significant changes, due to historically high lake levels, which has forced several campsites to close, and the designated dog beach to be inaccessible. They have alleviated this by shifting the pet-friendly beach area to the site of the closed campsites. It is still an amazingly beautiful place to just sit in awe of the beauty of Lake Huron. There is a two mile nature trail that winds through the outer part of the park, and it supplied a great hike with our dogs. The park itself is within a reasonable walk to the local grocery store, utilizing a paved path that leads from the campground to the town. We just love it there. The only thing holding back from a five star is the beach area's struggles. But that doesn't even feel fair, because there's little that humans can do at this point, to change that.
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.
The northeastern Michigan landscape surrounding Atlanta features numerous inland lakes and extensive forest areas across elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet. The region sits within the Pigeon River Country State Forest, which contains over 100,000 acres of woodlands and wildlife habitat. Rustic campgrounds in this area typically remain open from April through October, though some offer year-round accessibility with reduced winter services.
Hiking trails for all abilities: The extensive trail systems throughout Pigeon River State Forest Campground provide various hiking options from beginner to advanced. "The Shingle Mill Pathway (a roughly 10 mile loop trail) runs right through the campgrounds which is ideal for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking," notes reviewer Halie C. Many trails connect directly to campgrounds for easy access.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for fishing. At Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground, sites are positioned for anglers. "Sites are good size. Reservation side has sites up to split rail fence. Ramps to walk down to water," says Amanda B. The Thunder Bay River at Emerick Park is known for good fishing according to reviews.
Wildlife viewing: The region is home to diverse wildlife including elk herds. As Paul C. mentions about Town Corner Lake, "The coyotes were very loud and close at night keeping us awake but the experience was exiting." When driving through the forest roads, keep an eye out for wildlife. Ron F. notes, "Saw an elk while driving around the area."
Lake water quality: The clarity of water in area lakes stands out to visitors. Town Corner Lake State Forest Campground earns praise for its "perfect kayaking lake" according to Paul C. Kate K. describes it as "a beautiful secluded rustic campground" where "the lake was perfect for swimming, paddling, or fishing."
Quiet camping atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the Atlanta region maintain a peaceful environment. At Avery Lake, Corey O. notes, "This place rarely gets busy. Nice sites with great views of Avery lake. Clean privy, cold water. Quiet." Similarly, Paul C. describes Pigeon River State Forest Campground as "Quiet and secluded."
Spacious campsites: Sites throughout the region tend to be generously sized. Nicole V. describes Avery Lake sites as "Large wooded sites" while at Jackson Lake State Forest Campground, she found "Large wooded sites- many with lake access. Clean and stocked outhouses." Thomas S. notes that at Emerick Park, "The lot's are huge, on the ThunderBay River."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in this region have limited or no cellular coverage. Aaron T. advises about Pigeon River, "Bring a map/gps because there is not cell service." Lydia T. notes that at Avery Lake State Forest Campground, "I had 3 bars of service here," making it an exception to the rule.
Distance to amenities: Campgrounds in the area are typically remote. Aaron T. cautions, "Make sure you have all of your supplies before you arrive as the nearest town is 20+ minutes away." However, Emerick Park offers closer access to conveniences, with Edwin V. noting, "Restaurants close by and supermarkets."
Seasonal considerations: While most campgrounds operate from April through October, some have extended seasons. Clear Lake State Park remains open year-round, though Bill W. cautions about winter camping: "water spigots were turned off for winter (someone told us that there was a hose available back by the office somewhere) and shower house was closed (but vault toilets still open and pretty clean)."
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Several campgrounds offer swimming access appropriate for children. At Clear Lake State Park Campground, Samantha S. describes, "The beach was beautiful too. It wasn't busy until closer to noonish, but that makes sense. The water was clear, and really there wasn't a lot of debris."
Playground access: For families needing additional recreation options, Emerick Park connects to community facilities. Nicole V. notes it "Connect's to a park with playground and pickleball court. Easy to walk or ride your bicycle into town for ice cream."
Site selection for families: When camping with children, waterfront sites require caution. Paul C. advises about Pigeon River, "Me and my son picked one of a few spots on the 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."
RV accessibility varies: While many campgrounds accommodate RVs, site conditions differ. At Emerick Park Campground, Thomas S. mentions, "The lot's are huge, on the ThunderBay River, no reservations." Lydia T. notes about Pigeon River, "I've seen people tenting and I've seem people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large rvs."
Hookup availability: Most state forest campgrounds lack hookups, while some parks offer electric. At Thunder Bay Golf And RV Resort, MickandKarla W. explain, "There are no restroom facilities in the CG but all the sites are FHU [full hookup]." Clear Lake State Park provides electric but not water or sewer hookups.
RV size limitations: Be aware of size constraints at rustic campgrounds. Melissa B. shared about Big Bear Lake, "This was a nice and quiet spot, but not much to do in the area." While many sites can accommodate larger rigs, narrow roads and tree clearance can be challenging in some areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Atlanta, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Atlanta, MI is Clear Lake State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 147 dog-friendly camping locations near Atlanta, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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