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St. James Township Campground on Beaver Island permits pets at its 17 tent sites with electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables. Wilderness State Park Camping near Carp Lake also welcomes pets across its tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with full hookup options including water, electric, and sewer. Hog Island Point State Forest Campground maintains a pet-friendly policy for its waterfront and non-waterfront sites, with direct beach access for dogs to enjoy Lake Michigan. Big Knob State Forest Campground offers year-round pet-friendly camping with drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings. Most campgrounds in the region require pets to remain leashed when outside vehicles or tents. The beach at Fisherman's Island State Park provides excellent shoreline for dogs to explore with plenty of cool beach rocks.
French Farm Lake Road offers six primitive dispersed camping sites that accommodate pets without restrictions, making it ideal for campers seeking a more natural experience with their dogs. The nearby Straits State Park Campground provides pet-friendly camping with modern amenities including showers, electric hookups, and sanitary dump stations. Campers report the dog park at Indian River RV Resort is spacious with plenty of room for dogs to run off-leash and make friends. When camping with pets in the Beaver Island area, visitors should be prepared for seasonal mosquito activity, particularly during evening walks. Burt Lake State Park features a designated dog beach area where pets can swim, along with a dog park for exercise. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours that apply to barking dogs, and veterinary services are available in larger towns like Petoskey and Charlevoix.
"the potable water spigot near our campsite (just a short walk away) was still on!"
"Beaches are not dog-friendly (as is the case throughout Michigan, although dog beaches are starting to make headway). There is a dark sky park nearby - don't bother."
"I have camped at St James on Beaver Island numerous times, typically for 5-8 days. Beaver Island is a designated dark sky area and I’ve seen the aurora multiple times."
"Watch the sunset from your tent on top of a 40 foot over lake MI."
"Rustic campground along the shores of Lake Michigan. 23 sites. Hand pump for water available. Beautiful spot on Lake Michigan with no signs of life for miles down the beach. Pets are welcome."
"Sites are a little small, and are moderately close to other sites. heavily wooded makes it feel cozy. Some sites have "private" trails to the beach, approximately 50-75yrds away."
"Pet friendly."
"Our site was just steps from Lake Michigan. Others were tucked in the woods. The out house was clean and we’ll stocked. There was a pump for water but no electricity."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"So yes you will sorta see if from the beach and you will see it when you drive up to go into the park. Other than that you won’t really know it’s there."
"Driving in to the campground, wear your blinders as there's a concrete plant right next door. I camped this past week and there were signs the park hadn't been used by many at all just yet."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"We reserved site 83A for our family of 5. we were in close proximity to the newly constructed bathhouse complete with dish washing stations. it was a full campground on the Friday night that we were there"
"The Straits State Park in Michigan's Upper Penninsula sits on the North end of the Mackinaw Bridge in St. Ignace."
from $22 - $42 / night
Check Availability"Our campsite was feet away from Lake Michigan- practically on the shoreline! Going to bed and waking up to the lapping of the waves is something you can’t miss here."
"beautiful park next to the lighthouse. no showerhouse or flushing bathrooms...portajohns only.water pumps to get water from...and beautiful views of Lake Michigan"
from $20 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Very nice lakeside campsites. Little on the pricey side for me. Edging a little bit towards the style of the Michigan state parks, which isn't my scene."
"You are able to rent water equipment, play mini golf and swim around the lake. You are able to buy bagged ice ($2.50) and firewood about 6-7 pieces ($5.00) on site."
from $26 - $48 / night
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ScoutI have camped at St James on Beaver Island numerous times, typically for 5-8 days. Beaver Island is a designated dark sky area and I’ve seen the aurora multiple times. My favorite thing to do is paddle my kayak out into the bay, anchor up, and sit for hours in the gentle waves reading a book.
LegendPrivate, quiet, and easy access to the beach (pebbly). Clean outhouses, nice fire rings, and a water pump. Very windy so prepare by packing the right gear. No crowds which are very nice. We stayed at the "Bill Wagner Campground" but heard great things about the "Beaver Island Hideaway Campground".
Loved the lighthouse on the island. Surrounding islands are very neat to check out as well.
GuideTop three things that are best about this state camp ground are as listed:
Camp sites are huge. Plenty of room for multiple tents. Also all have trees for shade or a hammock.
Camp sites are NOT on top of each other. Usually you only get this in the backcountry. I was very impressed for rustic camping I had privacy and plenty of room.
The beach was fantastic. Lovely shoreline. Lots of cool beach rocks. The day use area is also very accessible.
The only major con is that it is next door to a cement facility. So yes you will sorta see if from the beach and you will see it when you drive up to go into the park. Other than that you won’t really know it’s there. I will say if you like airplanes the beaver island is nearby and A LOT of planes do fly by. So if you’re looking for library quite... this isn’t it but it pretty dang close.
The vaulted bathrooms were fine. There was water accessible as well. A great place and I would totally come back!
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.
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
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.
TravelerRustic campground along the shores of Lake Michigan. 23 sites. Hand pump for water available. Beautiful spot on Lake Michigan with no signs of life for miles down the beach. Pets are welcome. Fire pits are available. Seven sights are along the lake. Six mile drive down a dirt road to access the campground. The road is usually in good condition. It is well worth it. An extremely peaceful and beautiful place.
TravelerThis is a great lakeside campsite just outside of Manistique. There is a main bathroom area with showers. Good shallow water to swim (and watch the beautiful sunset) but a little difficult to fish. Staff is friendly. They even do weekly events such as "Traveling Trivia" for kids. Pet friendly too!
Dispersed camping sites near Beaver Island involve planning for remote locations with limited facilities. French Farm Lake Road offers the most accessible option with six primitive sites that require visitors to pack out all trash. Access to Beaver Island itself requires either a ferry from Charlevoix or a small aircraft landing at the island's municipal airport. Most camping on the island maintains rustic conditions with minimal amenities throughout the May-October season.
Stargazing at dark sky areas: Wilderness State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. "I believe the only dark park in Michigan. Beautiful expansive night views of the sky from the beach. Worth sleeping on the beach during meteor shows," notes Tracie S. about Wilderness State Park Camping.
Kayaking in protected bays: The sheltered waters around St. James Township provide calm paddling conditions. Mike M. describes his experience at St. James Township Campground: "My favorite thing to do is paddle my kayak out into the bay, anchor up, and sit for hours in the gentle waves reading a book."
Beachcombing for unique rocks: Lake Michigan shorelines around the campgrounds offer excellent beachcombing opportunities. "There are plenty of sites all along the shore of Lake Michigan! It gave the illusion of our own private beach," reports Magy C. about Fisherman's Island State Park Campground.
Private beach access: Many campers appreciate the secluded shoreline access at waterfront sites. "Sites are close together. Very kid friendly, not a ton of hiking trails right off campground but clean restrooms and beautiful area to stay," notes Brittany B. about Wilderness State Park.
Quiet camping atmosphere: The remote nature of Big Knob State Forest Campground creates a peaceful setting. "This place is great for relaxation and getting in touch with nature," shares Donna F., while another camper adds, "There are 23 campsites all within close walking distance to the water."
Reliable campground facilities: Despite their rustic nature, dog friendly campgrounds near Beaver Island maintain consistent standards. "The sites are first come, first serve. Sites are a little small, and are moderately close to other sites. Heavily wooded makes it feel cozy," reports Aaron N. about Big Knob State Forest Campground.
Weather considerations: Conditions can change rapidly near Lake Michigan. "Sites 3-7 have a path to the Lake Michigan beach, which takes less than 2 minutes to get to. The water is calm over here, and cannot be heard from the campground," notes Angelica S. about Big Knob.
Bug preparation essential: Insect activity varies by season and location. "Very buggy in June, come prepared," warns one Wilderness State Park visitor. Another camper at Hog Island Point State Forest Campground adds, "If you are in the wooded sites it can be buggy."
Reservation requirements vary: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate on first-come basis. "Stayed here on a chilly late September weekend with very few other campers around. Loved it. It's remote, rustic and the lakefront is scrubby and unspoiled," shares Mary H. about Leelanau State Park.
Water safety protocols: Establish clear rules at waterfront sites. "We have camped here for 7 years and look forward to coming back each year. We do camp on non-holiday weekends to avoid crowds," notes a Big Knob camper, mentioning the beach is "great for a day in the water."
Pack extra supplies: Limited services mean bringing necessities. "Bring paperwork," advises Sara G. about Wilderness State Park, highlighting the importance of having reservation confirmations and permits readily available.
Choose sites strategically: Waterfront sites offer advantages but also considerations. A visitor to Leelanau State Park Campground shares: "Those with small kiddos may want to opt for interior site as lake sites are RIGHT ON THE WATER."
Access limitations: Many campgrounds have challenging access roads. "Long drive off HW2, felt longer than 6 miles. Sites are small but some back up to Lake Michigan but not flat," notes Joie V. about Big Knob State Forest Campground.
Size restrictions matter: Larger RVs face limitations at most area campgrounds. "Some sites say they will fit a 40' RV but be careful as roads are narrow and there are low-hanging tree limbs," warns a Fisherman's Island visitor.
Utility planning required: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Beaver Island offer limited hookups. "I had electric only. It was a short walk from my campsite to the beach," reports Ashia about Wilderness State Park, adding that "bathrooms were fine."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Beaver Island, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Beaver Island, MI is Wilderness State Park Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 77 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Beaver Island, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 78 dog-friendly camping locations near Beaver Island, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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