Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Cross Village, MI
Wilderness State Park Camping allows dogs throughout its modern and rustic campsites, offering both shoreline and forested settings for pet owners. Pets must remain leashed when outside tents or RV units, with a 6-foot maximum leash length enforced on trails and camping areas. The park accommodates tents, RVs, and features pet-friendly cabins like Nebo Cabin that can house larger families. Straits State Park Campground and Petoskey State Park also welcome pets, with similar leash requirements and dedicated pet exercise areas. Most pet-friendly sites include standard amenities like fire pits, picnic tables, and access to drinking water. French Farm Lake Rd offers free dispersed camping options for those seeking a more primitive experience with their dogs, though owners must carry out all pet waste.
The shoreline campsites provide excellent opportunities for dogs to splash in Lake Michigan, though some beaches restrict pet access to protect endangered bird nesting habitats. Many campers with pets choose the tent-only sites that offer more privacy and separation from crowded RV areas. When hiking with dogs in Wilderness State Park, owners should watch for poison ivy which grows abundantly throughout the park's trail system. Mackinaw City provides veterinary services and pet supply stores approximately 10 miles from most campgrounds. During summer months, early morning or evening walks are recommended to avoid hot sand that can burn paw pads. The dark sky park within Wilderness State Park creates excellent stargazing opportunities for campers and their pets during evening walks, with some visitors reporting northern lights sightings while walking dogs along the shoreline.
