Wabasis Lake County Park accepts dogs in all camping areas including cabins, tent sites, and RV spaces. This Kent County campground features modern restrooms with showers, water and electric hookups, and lakefront sites that provide fishing access. Leashed pets are welcome throughout the common areas, though dogs must remain on a 6-foot lead at all times. Cedar Springs RV Resort, Duke Creek Campground, and Double RR Ranch RV Resort also accommodate pets with designated walking areas. Sites at most campgrounds include fire pits and picnic tables, allowing campers to enjoy outdoor meals with their dogs nearby. Modern bathroom facilities with flush toilets are standard, and several campgrounds offer full hookup options for RVs. The raccoons at Wabasis Lake can be persistent, requiring campers to secure pet food properly.
Several hiking trails surround the Cannonsburg area's pet-friendly campgrounds, providing exercise opportunities for dogs. The nearby Meijer White Pine Trail State Park allows leashed dogs along its 93-mile linear pathway, perfect for long walks. Wabasis Lake's swimming areas generally prohibit dogs, though pets can access designated shoreline areas at specific times. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours starting around 10 pm, when barking must be minimized to avoid disturbing neighbors. Local veterinary services can be found in Cedar Springs, Greenville, and Grand Rapids, all within 30 minutes of most campgrounds. The Double RR Ranch RV Resort combines camping with horseback riding opportunities, and while pets aren't allowed on horse trails, the facility provides designated pet exercise areas. Campers report the area's campground bathrooms are exceptionally clean, an important consideration when spending extended time outdoors with pets.
"There are a few downsides:
- Because it's so close to Grand Rapids and some other cities, it typically is full on the weekends. Booking a site can be troublesome."
"However, we were able to get a hold of the staff the next day, we were refunded for our first night, and had a great second night at Wabasis Lake staying in the camper cabins."
$24 / night
"There is a disc golf course, mountain bike trail, equestrian trails, hiking trails, a beautiful no wake lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, or fishing. "
"First let me say the rustic area is walk-in only. I was unaware of this until we arrived."
"Right across the road from Michigan's Adventure amusement park"
"family owned dog Freindly. Kids have activities hay rack rides and train rides heated pool tent and travel trailer some pull thrus all in all nice place"
$45 - $85 / night
"Nice and secluded yet close to town and easy access to the highway"
"Lots of greenery to walk my dog. As a bonus, they have river cruises that leave directly from the office."
"Only downfall is the proximity to the highway and lack of woodsy camping feeling. Restrooms are always immaculately clean. Close to Cedar Springs downtown."
"Nice fishing pond, the cleanest bathrooms I’ve ever seen at a campground and nice walking path."
"It is close to a town to get take out food if it rains. There are some larger vacation lodges to rent that ars nestled away in the woods, and a bunkhouse with rentals."
"We love this as an easy getaway close to home. I wouldn’t call it a beautiful campground... but it is clean, and has a ton to do for kids!"
"Great trees surrounding the property. Tons of kids - great activities for them! Campground is clean, and staff friendly."
$15 / night
"3rd night here in mid September and it's very peaceful, there is a nearby gun range but you can barley hear."
"Relatively close to town if you need to purchase food or other gear. Bugs (mosquitoes) can get pretty bad, bring lots of bug spray!"
$28 - $50 / night
"Lots of kids and dogs. You can rent golf carts by the day to play with in the campground. Bathrooms were newly redone. Looking allot better then previous years."
"Recently, I inherited a pop up camper and chose this place to be my first location to try it out. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Our site was nice with electric and water hookups."
TravelerDefinitely the best camp ground in West Michigan! Clean sites, friendly staff, and many amenities. Camp store, laundry, showers and bathrooms, huge pool, hot tub, pickle ball courts, kids play ground, bikes, scooters, and kayaks for rent (with a kayak launch) and boat slips on the water. They have access to a dog park as well. Home away from home!
TravelerWas a decent place to camp- lots are very close though! Luckily in the fall it wasn’t very busy. Nice little lake on property. Fire pits in odd spot near the road. No pets allowed-not even a cat that stays inside in your camper! Also- there is a $7 a day fee for out of the county. Even when you arrive late at night.
LegendHolland State Park is popular for its expansive sandy beach along Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa where swimming, sun bathing, fishing, and boating are popular activities. Holland SP has two campgrounds – the Lake Macatawa Unit and the Beach Campground (which is where we stayed and the focus of this review). The Beach Campground is essentially a parking lot as the sites, patios and roads are paved with little grass among them. It is nestled between dunes which adds to the scenic value and blocks the strong winds coming off of Lake Michigan. The Lake Unit campground is much larger (211 campsites) than the Beach Campground and has more of a state park feel with trees, grass, and fire pits.
Site description:
The Beach Campground has 98 RV sites of which 31 are 50 amp full hook-up and two camper cabins. Some sites towards the northern section of the park have great views of Lake Michigan but be warned that strong winds can come off the lake and really shake your RV. When we were there in early May the winds were very strong with blowing sand which made us really glad we were not near the water.
Campsites are plenty wide to fit your RV with slide outs and car next to it without feeling cramped. Utilities are at the very back of the site so you may need an extension for your sewer hose. All sites were level. Every site has a picnic table. There are no fire pits at individual sites but community ones are located near the beach and you are permitted to use your own fire pit if you have one.
We were able to get nearly two dozen television stations with our antenna and had no problem locking into a satellite with our roof-mounted dish. Verizon phone and hotspot worked well.
So is this park big rig-friendly? In general, yes. Our site was certainly long (and wide) enough to fit our RV and the tow car next to it. However, we did have the back five feet overhanging the sand at the back of the site. This was no problem for us because our stabilizing jacks are in between our back tires. We were also there at a time when the park was fairly empty so backing in and pulling out was no problem. The sites are all set at an angle to the main road which makes backing easier.
Campground amenities:
By far the beach is the biggest draw to the campground. The wide beach lures sunbathers out in warm weather and is popular for a walk at sunset. There is a playground, picnic area, community fire pits, dump station, boat launch and concession stand. There is one restroom/shower house that was very clean but no laundry facilities.
What we liked:
We loved that fact that this campground was so close to water and the nice paved path for walking and hiking trails in the main part of the campground. Within 50 yards from our site we could be walking along Lake Macatawa or along the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. The beach is wide and expansive and is the place to be for awesome sunsets. When we were there the beach was not crowded because it was cold and windy but it would be a great place to enjoy a good book under an umbrella. Definitely liked the fact that this was a full hook-up state park with level sites.
What we didn’t like:
The park is essentially a parking lot with little grass and trees. What really surprised us was how many cars drove through the campground that were not staying there. There apparently are no restrictions on who drives through the park so many day-use visitors came by just for a look resulting in unnecessary traffic.
Be advised there is a “no alcohol” policy in the park and campground and you have to sign a piece of paper saying you will abide by that rule. The rule states that “Possessing or consuming alcohol is prohibited in all areas of the park throughout the entire year” even inside your RV.
In order to enter the state park you must have a Michigan Recreation Passport which costs $32 for an annual non-resident OR you have to pay $11/day to enter the park even if you are camped there.
Pet:
There are plenty of places to walk dogs here and access points to water if your dog likes to swim. Unfortunately, they are not allowed on the beach but there is a long walking path and within the main part of the park are miles of hiking trails and a nice overlook. This park does not have an unleashed dog park; however, there is one within five miles at the fairgrounds.
GuideI grew up coming here and they had expanded a lot on it in the last few years. You will never be bored and it is a true resort feeling, you will forget your camping! They have themed weekends filled with activities for both adults and children and have a pool, pizza and ice cream, jumping pillow, clubhouse, fishing, playground, dog park, and so much more!
ScoutThe staff is very friendly and helpful. There are activities for young and old and everyone in between. The showers are clean and spacious. They have campsites to meet everyone's desires. Pets are welcome here with two fenced dog runs and trails to keep the owners exercised. I love this place and have made it a regular stop.
GuideGreat family campground - Paired with the area offers many options!
With mostly modern sites situated in hardwoods, pines, or a mixture, we stayed in the hardwoods area; however, my kids would have enjoyed the pines better for it appeared to have hammock hanging at almost every site. Well-maintained and clean restrooms had soda vending machines.
Children's play area with equipment and activity field, where several kites were hoisted high into the air, were great. Gillette Visitor Center in the State Park area about 1/4 mile away offers Explorer and interpretive programs Tuesday through Saturday, with topics ranging from nature history/preservation to information on wildlife. We enjoyed the spider and bear presentations most, but maybe that is because I have all boys! The campground beach, only a 5 - 10 minute walk from any site, was awesome! While there wasn't a lifeguard, I appreciated the "flag system" advising how safe the water is each day. Unfortunately, a red flag was flying on our visit, so we only waded at the water's edge- but - still cool to lay out on the sugar-like sand and walk its 3 mile length! I do regret not making it back to the beach for sunset as our camping neighbors RAVED about it the following morning!
My favorite part of this campground was the trails. In addition to several trails within the campground (the one along the creek was especially loved!), many more can be accessed in the state park, which contains over ten miles of trails in its 1,200 acres. Trails to dunes, beach, and other parks as well as dune preserve: all well-marked and vary in difficulty, weaving through pine and hardwood forests nestled among dunes. Plus, the adjoining North Ottawa Dune Preserve offers an additional ten miles of trails! OMG - what a phenomenal place for a walk in the woods or trail running! One of our walks was up a 5-story staircase near the nature center, leading to an observation platform with expansive views of majestic dunes and Lake Michigan. I was impressed that a portion was barrier-free.
Some family ventured into nearby towns of Muskegon, Spring Lake, and Grand Haven to experience what they had to offer: shops, museums, World War II boats, piers to walk, and several craft breweries - all 15 minutes away! Our dogs enjoyed the visit to the unleashed dog park at Coast Guard Park that is a ten-minute drive or a five-mile walk through the trails.
Logistics to note: Campground sells ice - $2/7# bag and wood/$5.50 a bundle. We quickly realized that residences outside the park sold it at $5 for larger bundles. Area grocery stores include a Meijer superstore and Leppinks grocery. We preferred Leppinks for the quick trip and Meijer for items beyond groceries, such as that forgotten bathing suit or a propane tank for the grill. While we don't have a big rig, I did notice the backup of campers at the two campground dump stations Sunday before 1pm checkout. Being a state park, Hoffmaster requires vehicles have a recreation passport to enter ($11/year -residents and $32/year -non-residents or a daily rate of $9). No alcoholic beverages between April 15 and Labor Day.
I talked to a ranger about coming back later this year, and he told me it is best to book months ahead for weekends because they fill up at the beginning of summer; however, cancellations are not uncommon, so watch the DNR site for openings. Weekdays usually have availability, especially the first half of the summer. He added that a great time to visit would be the weekend before Halloween as they encourage people to decorate their sites, wear costumes, and participate in trick or treating on Saturday night.
ScoutThis is always my go to campground! All natural camping with plenty of nice people! One word of advise is to bring your own tp though lol they seem to always run out on Sunday mornings lol but are back up and running by mid afternoon. No showers and just outhouses but that's REAL camping right!!!? No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails. Walking trails around the lake that offer nature at it's purest! I have been coming to this lake to camp for over 40 years and I hope I have 40 more years left!!!
ScoutPretty nice sites. Pool and game room as well as a store. There are trails that lead to the river and also to an area where bald eagles have a nest. Pets are allowed . Nice little playground for the kiddos.
TravelerThis campground is great, it's only 25 minutes from Grand Haven beach. The sites are well treed and flat! Lots of the activities within the park, they have a small petting zoo, sky pad, playground. Several cottages in the park as well. Well be back.
Cannonsburg camping areas sit within Michigan's Grand River watershed, with elevations ranging from 800-900 feet above sea level. The region experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds near Cannonsburg remain open from April through October, though several offer limited winter camping options for cold-weather enthusiasts.
Hiking trails: The Meijer White Pine Trail State Park extends beyond the Cannonsburg area, offering extensive hiking opportunities for campers with dogs. "We've stayed here a few times over the last several years and it's been great every time! Whether we're in the area for the mtn bike trails, or for an event in Grand Rapids, this is the place we always try to stay at if they have an opening," notes a visitor to Wabasis Lake County Park.
Disc golf: Bertha Brock County Park features a highly rated disc golf course within easy driving distance of Cannonsburg. "Some of the trials are hard to find, but this disc golf here is one of the best courses I have played," writes one reviewer who stayed at the park.
Water activities: Sessions Lake at Ionia State Recreation Area provides no-wake boating options. "A short walk or bike ride to the beach of Sessions Lake or even to the peninsula to fish from dock. This is also a great place to watch sunsets," says a camper who enjoyed the peaceful setting.
Modern cabins: Camper cabins at Wabasis Lake feature surprising amenities. "Each cabin had a living room, two bedrooms, kitchen work counter, dining table, microwave, and a small fridge. One of the rooms contains a queen size bed, and the other bedroom contains two sets of bunk beds," reports a reviewer who stayed at the park.
Waterfront access: Duke Creek Campground offers river access for visitors with pets. "The campground was great, and clean. The park was nice and so we're all the kid activities! The pool is very nice and the store is stocked nicely," notes a camper who enjoyed the facilities.
Quiet seclusion: Less crowded campgrounds provide peaceful alternatives to busier parks. "Bertha Brock is a great place for families. Brining our kids here from Grand Rapids is quick and easy. It is generally quiet, especially on non holiday weekends," mentions a reviewer of Bertha Brock County Park.
Weather considerations: Michigan's climate affects camping conditions throughout the season. "We have loved this campground for its sites right on the park, and great beach area with park at the beach also. Lots of trails for hiking and exploring but unfortunately this summer swimmers itch got us!" warns a visitor to Wabasis Lake.
Seasonal facilities: Winter options exist but with limited services. "Tyler Creek campground combines camping with golf facilities. Love this winter spot. Will definitely be returning in the future. Very friendly staff," notes a winter camper.
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife can be persistent around campsites. "Lots and lots of raccoons, that aren't shy at all!" cautions a visitor to Wabasis Lake, reinforcing the importance of securing food and supplies.
Site selection: Many campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy and space. "Get cozy with your very close neighbor campers. Little or no tree cover and tight sites make it good for camping with friends or making new ones. Sites on the shoreline are great for fishing (although shallow and weedy) or boating in," advises a Wabasis Lake camper.
Kid-friendly activities: Woodchip Campground caters specifically to families with children. "We love this as an easy getaway close to home. I wouldn't call it a beautiful campground... but it is clean, and has a ton to do for kids! There are campsites in a circle around the playground, so you can sit at your site and watch the kids play," shares a family camper.
Swimming options: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Cannonsburg offer swimming areas for children. "The beach is clean and even had a snack shop where you could get a realest and rent a canoe or kayak. The office was nice. It had a lot of good items, which I really appreciate when I come in late and needed to grab something quick to make (hotdogs!)," explains a Wabasis Lake visitor.
Playground access: Selecting sites near playground facilities helps parents monitor children. "We came here for a fall camping weekend. Kids loved going on wagon ride to find the pumpkins and then decorating them. They really enjoyed the glow wagon ride. Root beer floats Saturday night were great! Loved that they had big blow up activities for kids to do," notes a Woodchip Campground visitor.
Site specifications: Steamboat Park Campground offers dedicated RV facilities with specific amenities. "I have had a very enjoyable stay. The river location is quite nice and the grounds are very well cared for. The site(and all sites, as far as I can see) are quite level. The bathrooms are not just clean and well maintained, but the shower rooms also have a dedicated sink and toilet," reports an RV camper.
Seasonal availability: Year-round camping options exist but are limited. "This one is awesome. Great spots in the trees and also back in spots right on the river. The only issue we had was the smell of sewer every once in a while. But the park owners were fixing it up and everything else was great," notes a Steamboat Park visitor about the year-round facilities.
Utility hookups: Hookup quality varies between dog friendly campgrounds near Cannonsburg. "Full hook up sites that are quite spacious and level. Rigorously cleaned restrooms and showers - the best I've seen. Card operated laundry. A salt water pool overlooking the river," explains a Steamboat Park camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cannonsburg, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cannonsburg, MI is Wabasis Lake County Park with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 132 dog-friendly camping locations near Cannonsburg, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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