W. J. Hayes State Park Campground welcomes tent, RV, and cabin campers with their pets across 90+ wooded sites near Brooklyn, Michigan. The park's campground features electric hookups at every site, picnic tables, and fire rings where dogs can relax with their owners after exploring the surrounding lakes and trails. Ted Ranch Campground also accommodates pets with spacious, grassy sites offering water and electric hookups. Both campgrounds maintain pet-on-leash policies throughout common areas, though Ted Ranch provides more open space for dog exercise according to visitor experiences. Bathhouse facilities at Hayes are modern with hot showers, while Ted Ranch offers more rustic accommodations with porta-potties instead of permanent bathroom structures. Campers consistently note the family-friendly atmosphere at both locations.
Waterloo Recreation Area's multiple pet-friendly campgrounds surround Brooklyn with diverse options for dog owners seeking nature experiences. The Green Lake Rustic Campground section allows dogs on trails and in camping areas while providing basic toilet facilities and trash service. Tent campers with pets particularly appreciate the shaded sites at Hayes State Park where mature trees provide cooling cover during summer months. Michigan International Speedway's proximity to these campgrounds creates occasional noise issues during race weekends, particularly at Ted Ranch which sits directly across from the track. Despite this seasonal consideration, the surrounding Irish Hills region offers numerous pet-friendly hiking options, lake access for dogs who enjoy swimming, and peaceful camping experiences outside event weekends. Seasonal availability varies, with Hayes State Park operating year-round while other facilities like Apple Creek Campground maintain April to November schedules.
"Most sites around the outside are decently wooded. There’s a nice little mile nature trail through one of those loops. There’s a nice dog run that we took advantage of."
"It has access to Wamplers Lake and there are several other lakes near by. The area is quiet and clean."
$25 / night
"campground though, MIS started a new music night this year at the M50 Creekside campground within the track and the music was so loud that we heard the bass and every lyric at Ted Ranch (which is a mile away from"
"This place is across the street from Michigan international speedway and sure beats fighting all the people/campers in the infield campgrounds!"
"It is usually easy to get multiple sites next to each other with reservations.
There is a decent sandy beach here with a playground and volleyball net.""There is an outside vault toilet behind the cabin. Lots of trails connecting the cabin to the rest of the park. Cheap too! Only $68 per night."
"It is a bit of a walk to get to but is handicap accessible.
There are two bathrooms throughout the loop and one at the beach.""A few bathrooms are located around the campground. The spaces are generous and the majority have electricity only. The lake has a little beach with sands. Nice place."
"There is also nice walking/hiking trails connected right to the property. Our visit was for 2 days/3 nights. Over half the sites are seasonal, so despite a lot of RVs, we saw very few people."
"The group area is circular and surrounded by trees which helped to keep it cool. Each site had electric hook-up and some had water."
$20 - $150 / night
"This small campground (about 40 sites) is well off the beaten path, but still easy to access by road. This is the perfect campground to get back to nature."
"My site has a path right out to the lake. My 2p tent could easily fit on this lakeside spot but it is sadly much too windy on the lake today."
$35 - $75 / night
"The campground offered a haunted trail, trick or treating and crafts for the kids."
"Pool, lake, arcade, golf, ice cream parlor. Bathrooms are clean."
"Very friendly and family oriented the do activities right down the street from the lake and they make you feel like one big family :)"
"The lack of cover between sites gave everyone a nice view of the lake from our tents on our inland sites, which was beautiful."
"I stayed at #6 and had a beautiful view of the lake. There is muddy lake access on that site and I paddled from there in my kayak. There is an official boat launch nearby."
"Giant dog park and ponds. Pool was closed. Just needs more grass. Our spot was really patchy and resulted in a lot of mud. Great campground with polite and helpful staff. Don’t pass this one up."
"Giant dog park and ponds. Pool was closed. Just needs more grass. Our spot was really patchy and resulted in a lot of mud. Great campground with polite and helpful staff. Don’t pass this one up."
GuideA mostly seasonal campground that can be had to find. Super amenities with huge pool and large field with dog park, baseball field, bags, basketball and sand volleyball. Many trails to walk.
ScoutWe really enjoyed our stay. The hosts were very welcoming and helpful. Delivered our firewood right to our site. Lots of shade trees, beautiful well groomed trails for walking. Even a dog park, which our Golden Retriever really enjoyed.
GuideNice Park Nice park for full timers. Large spots to accommodate big rigs and kids. Full hook ups. Cell service great with Verizon hotspot(22u, 20d, 38ms and AT&T cell(27d, 20u, 27ms). Playgrounds everywhere for the kids. Giant dog park and ponds. Pool was closed. Just needs more grass. Our spot was really patchy and resulted in a lot of mud. Great campground with polite and helpful staff. Don’t pass this one up.
GuideNice park for full timers. Large spots to accommodate big rigs and kids. Full hook ups. Cell service great with Verizon hotspot (22u, 20d, 38ms and AT&T cell(27d, 20u, 27ms). Playgrounds everywhere for the kids. Giant dog park and ponds. Pool was closed. Just needs more grass. Our spot was really patchy and resulted in a lot of mud.
Great campground with polite and helpful staff. Don’t pass this one up.
GuideWe have been here a few times. Really enjoy the secluded sites and the lake. It’s a small campground but it’s clean and quiet. Most sites don’t have water hookups but they do have electric. There isn’t much to do outside of the campground but there is a nice lake with canoe and kayak rentals. Very pet friendly and even has a dog beach.
RangerThey offer campsites full hookups pet friendly
They offer electric only no pets they offer campsites no pets.
They have a tent only section.
They have a beach, tennis courts, children's playground,rustic cabins, they have a recreation field Kids Activities arts and crafts!!! They have 16 resort cabins, this place is HUGH
Bathrooms were dated and we arrived Monday after Labor Day so I can't judge them. They had a FULL HOUSE on Labor Day per the front gate. I was very impressed there was no garbage at campsites and picked up very well.
GREAT biking trails you can catch on premise and bike over to Kensington and to the charming town of Milford
TravelerNice lakes for swimming and can take your pet as well! Big playground and nice bathrooms
ScoutPet friendly. Great camp store. Clean campground. Nice beach. Beautiful!!
ScoutThe camping area is nice. It is a little open for our like but there good activities you can do with the kids or pets.
Campers visiting Brooklyn, Michigan can explore over 20,000 acres of natural terrain at Waterloo Recreation Area, where the landscape features rolling hills, glacial kettles, and more than 40 lakes. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F while spring and fall offer cooler camping conditions. Many campgrounds in the area remain open April through November with a few year-round options for campers seeking off-season solitude.
Fishing access points: W. J. Hayes State Park Campground offers multiple lake fishing opportunities. "Take the kids there and they love it. Nice little fishing pier and access to Round lake and Wamplers lake," notes Gary R., who gave the park 4 stars.
Night sky viewing: The region includes a designated dark sky preserve at Lake Hudson Recreation Area where light pollution is minimized. "The best part of this campground is the stars at night! This is a dark sky preserve campground and the stars are the show. We stayed here at the end of the perseid meteor showers and saw several of falling meteors," reports Michelle M.
Hiking trails: Multiple trail systems connect throughout the recreation areas, with specific options for different skill levels. "There's a nice little mile nature trail through one of those loops. We also went on both east and west sides of the waterloo-pickney trail, located off the Campground access road. I believe it was the west trail after Cassidy road we experienced some steep inclines," explains Rebekah J. about Green Lake Rustic Campground.
Spacious sites with privacy: Many campers appreciate the site layout at Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern campground. "The property is very well maintained with a nice park and clean bathrooms. The campground has some nice full-grown trees, but isn't extremely wooded. The trees offer shade, but are spaced out enough that a group can pull their campers around for privacy," writes Jonah H.
Lake activities: Multiple lakes in the area provide swimming and boating opportunities. "Nice flat campsites near the beach area. It has a very nice play area for the children and clean bathrooms. The boat launch was near our camp site which was nice not having to leave the campground," comments Debra B. about Portage Lake.
Pet-friendly options: Ted Ranch Campground provides pet-friendly camping near Brooklyn, Michigan with fewer restrictions than some state parks. "Dogs are allowed and trust me, there are TONS of them around," notes one camper, while Laikyn C. adds, "Really friendly staff!! Nice campsites! Love the lake and the people were great as well!!! Lots of open space as well, doesn't feel crowded!!"
Rustic vs. modern facilities: Campgrounds in the area vary significantly in amenity levels. "This campground is pretty rustic with water and electricity at some sites, no showers or restrooms, a dump station for one at a time, Porta potties scattered around, small beach, small boat launch," explains a CRC S. about Ted Ranch.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "Our camper is self contained so this campground was a test of just how well all the systems work... They don't sell firewood there but a short drive gets you deal from the local farmer," reports Steven S. about his Lake Hudson experience.
Reservation requirements: Apple Creek Campground & RV Park and other facilities can fill quickly. "I would recommend getting a reservation before showing up. They have laminated signs posted on the campsites to let you know which ones are taken. When I showed up I found site 13 open for only one night. In the morning I was told by the DNR that most weekends are booked solid," advises Rob.
Structured activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled programming. "Great owners that care about the camping experience and provide activities on the weekend for the kids," notes William D. about Apple Creek, while another camper adds, "The park workers walk around and tell you about the activities they have that day."
Swimming options: Not all lakes provide ideal swimming conditions. "The lake is not good for swimming as it is very mucky and covered in Lilly pads," cautions Mike B. about Green Lake, while others recommend Portage Lake for better beach conditions.
Playground access: Family-friendly amenities vary by location. "This is a well kept campground that has lots of trees (shady sites) and some nice amenities for kids. There is a pool and a volleyball area as well as a playground," writes Robyn H. about her experience at Holiday RV Campground.
Site selection for larger rigs: "If your longer than 40ft be aware most sites will not work for you here, they do have some but the wood line, privacy and nature is great," advises Mano P. about Hayes State Park.
Electric hookup considerations: Power availability varies widely between rustic and modern campgrounds. "They just put electric on some sites, but not all. They are thinking about putting in bath houses, which would be wonderful," explains Stephanie C. about pet-friendly camping accommodations at Ted Ranch.
Water access points: "No public showers or laundry. Clean porta potties for public use. Pay per cleaning sewage removal for RVs," explains Jen D., highlighting the importance of planning water usage at certain campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Brooklyn, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Brooklyn, MI is W. J. Hayes State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 11 reviews.
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