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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Detroit, MI

481 Reviews

Proud Lake Recreation Area and Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park provide distinct pet-friendly camping options within an hour of Detroit. Dogs must remain leashed throughout both properties, with designated pet exercise areas available. Proud Lake offers a woodsy camping experience with hiking trails where pets can join their owners, while Wayne County Fairgrounds provides open, grassy spaces ideal for dog walking. The bathhouse facilities at Proud Lake were recently renovated and are consistently well-maintained, making longer stays with pets more comfortable. While Proud Lake has some sites on an incline that may challenge RV setup, the campground feels secluded despite its proximity to urban areas.

Several miles of pet-friendly hiking trails connect directly to Proud Lake's campground, allowing convenient access for morning and evening dog walks. The Huron River provides water access for pets who enjoy swimming, though owners should check for seasonal water conditions. Proud Lake's camping areas feel surprisingly remote despite being near shopping centers where campers can purchase pet supplies if needed. Wayne County Fairgrounds' grassy tent areas require a longer walk to reach bathroom facilities, which may be inconvenient for nighttime trips with pets. Most campgrounds in the Detroit area enforce strict pet waste cleanup policies—campers report receiving written notices about promptly removing dog waste to maintain clean grounds.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Detroit, Michigan (49)

    1. Proud Lake Recreation Area

    17 Reviews
    Wolverine Lake, MI
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 685-2433

    "First, I'd like to say that I was born and raised in Northern Michigan. That's where I'm used to camping and hiking. I moved to the metro Detroit area a few years ago."

    "First time out with the camper and we wanted to stay close to home so we found a campground right outside the city. You couldn't tell how close we were because there were so many trees in the area."

    2. Haas Lake Park RV Campground

    17 Reviews
    New Hudson, MI
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 437-0900

    "Nice lake view across the road. This location has 4 lakes. There is plenty of nature. Lots of trees along a nature trail. Cranes and ducks in the water . The first night was super quiet!"

    "I highly recommend Hass Lake campgrounds. It is a very clean, quite, Beautiful campgrounds."

    3. Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    White Lake, MI
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 666-1020

    $22 / night

    "Nice little dog park by the beach too."

    "Only drawback is the distance from the lake. The lake is not within walking distance, you would need to drive."

    4. Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Belleville, MI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 697-7002

    "Friendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me."

    "Nice campgrounds easy to get around and my children loved it"

    5. Sterling State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Monroe, MI
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 289-2715

    $36 - $45 / night

    "My site had dog droppings and cigarette butts in the firepit. Neighbors had FOUR vehicles on site, two more than the rules. Witnessed endless speeding and people going the wrong way on the roads."

    "It is a little open for our like but there good activities you can do with the kids or pets."

    6. Camp Dearborn

    16 Reviews
    Milford, MI
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 684-6000

    $3 / night

    "They offer campsites full hookups pet friendly They offer electric only no pets they offer campsites no pets.

    They have a tent only section."

    "Booked a two week stay at Pontiac Lake Rec. area in Whitelak, MI. Huge sites not stacked on top of one another. They have electric hookups, but only 30 amp."

    7. McGinnis Lake Modern Campground — Holly Recreation Area

    33 Reviews
    Ortonville, MI
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 634-8811

    $27 - $30 / night

    "Lots and lots of hiking available , pets allowed which is awesome, disc golfing , lakes for great kayaking and there is a wonderful beach! Something for everyone!"

    "Holly Recreation area is located in northern Oakland County, just north of Detroit. It is a very nice place to get away from the city without having to drive hours."

    8. Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA

    9 Reviews
    Willis, MI
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 482-7722

    "Very close to our house just a nice little getaway. We enjoyed the Halloween weekends. We decorate big and enjoyed other decorations as well!"

    "Site was across the small road from the lake. Plenty of trees all around. Good for shade and natural comforts of the day."

    9. Algonac State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Algonac, MI
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 765-5605

    "I've stayed all over michigan, and this is one of the best. Your right close to the water, so you can watch the ships. I was very comfortable here, and I had my dog."

    "Great campground with access to the beautiful St. Clair River as it runs between Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair."

    10. Bishop Lake Campground

    28 Reviews
    Brighton, MI
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 229-6566

    $17 - $90 / night

    "Nice lakes for swimming and can take your pet as well!  Big playground and nice bathrooms"

    "Great family place with paved and dirt biking/hiking trails. Very nice beach with grass and sand. There are 2 areas of inflatables, one of them is for the little kids 48 in. and under."

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Detroit, MI

45 Photos of 49 Detroit Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Detroit, MI

481 Reviews of 49 Detroit Campgrounds

  • Gary G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2024

    Sterling State Park Campground

    Nothing seems enforced here

    Stayed 5 days. Had a FHU site, of which there's a lot here. That all worked fine. Almost no trees here. None of the usual painted lines on the pavement to indicate your site boundaries, which sucks. You have to guess, and hope your neighbor doesn't spread out.

    Nothing seems enforced here, and I mean nothing. Rarely saw anyone patrolling the park, never saw any staff checking sites before the next camper came in. My site had dog droppings and cigarette butts in the firepit. Neighbors had FOUR vehicles on site, two more than the rules. Witnessed endless speeding and people going the wrong way on the roads. Without exaggerating, 80% of the cars were going too fast, 75% going the wrong way. No one seems to care or enforces anything. I think the supervisor here should be fired or retrained. I camp in 4 to 8 MI state parks per summer, this is the only one where it felt like no one cares.

    They need some "wrong way" signs and "speed limit 10" signs. (15 is too high, cause 15 means 20 to people, 10 means 15... ). Then they need to care.

    At least the bathrooms were clean.

    You can get TV from Detroit or Toledo, and T-Mobile service was ok.

    Groceries and many dining options not far off.

    We're 50/50 on staying here ever again.

  • T
    Nov. 13, 2023

    Camp Agawam

    Great retreat for Canadians

    I come down to Detroit from Windsor every year to camp in Michigan with friends and this year we went to this very nice campsite in Orion Twp and I loved it. This was the first year we started our trip in Toronto, thanks to a solar company at https://www.solarpowertoronto.com/ who installed solar panels on our RV. We were able to camp from Toronto to Orion Twp and had a great time. Will be doing the same next year.

  • Kelly G.
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

    Private camping

    Very private sites. I was surprised at how well each site was hidden from the others. Restrooms can be a bit far from some sites. Nice little dog park by the beach too.

  • Doug M.
    Jun. 15, 2019

    Clear Water Campgrounds

    Love, love, love this campground.

    This is a quiet, friendly and family campground. The staff is very willing to help any way they can. The sites are level and spacious.

    A great place for the kids! With a beach, playground and paved roads is nice but the frosting in this cake is the petting zoo. Animals from bunnies, peacocks & cats to horses, goats and of course Milton the burro, get it? Milton Burro, LOL

    The store has stuff for the kids at very reasonable prices and the ice cream shop across the street is a nice walk after dinner. There's a light there for safe crossing, too.

    Try this place, you'll add this to your good memories.

    No credit or debit cards. Cash and checks only.

  • L
    Jul. 17, 2020

    Clearwater Campground

    Nice!

    A fun little campground with a nice bunch of petting zoo type animals! The beach is clean and the lake is warm! Very nice layout with walking trail around the lake. The only complaint was not nearly enough trash cans around (like, none easy to find) and the bathrooms were nasty for our 2 day visit. Price per night for full hook up was $40 :-)

  • Tara T.
    Sep. 7, 2021

    Camp Dearborn

    HUGH MUNICIPAL CAMPGROUND

    They 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

  • Mary O.
    Oct. 3, 2019

    Bishop Lake Campground

    Fun with family and pets!

    Nice lakes for swimming and can take your pet as well!  Big playground and nice bathrooms

  • Holly G.
    Oct. 9, 2021

    Proud Lake Recreation Area

    Nice escape close to home

    First, I'd like to say that I was born and raised in Northern Michigan. That's where I'm used to camping and hiking. I moved to the metro Detroit area a few years ago. I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical about camping in the metro area. Color me surprised! This place is pretty impressive!

    Pro:

    1- The bathrooms ARE nice. They have the standard stall restrooms AND they have family bathrooms that are a toilet, bench and shower area. They've clearly been remodeled lately. Every morning when I go, there's someone there cleaning.

    2- They have vending machines at the bathroom area.

    3- Campsites are spacious.

    4- The hiking/biking trails are wonderful. I just hiked 8 miles and had a wonderful time. Only downside is that "loop 2" was infested with ticks. We had to turn back. Every other step we were picking them off of the dogs. Loop 1 was totally fine and a blast to explore.

    5- If you forgot something, there are stores (Home Depot, Meijer, Walmart, REI) nearby.

    Con:

    1- I didn't come here for the beach but there's no beach-side camping. It looks like you have to walk down quite a few stairs to access the water. No biggie for me as I came here to hike, not swim. Great views of the lake though.

  • Jake V.
    May. 3, 2021

    Sterling State Park Campground

    Nice beach, fishing, and paved trails.

    The camping area is nice. It is a little open for our like but there good activities you can do with the kids or pets.

Guide to Detroit

Discovering pet-friendly camping options near Detroit, Michigan, allows you to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry friends. Here are some excellent campgrounds that welcome pets and offer a variety of amenities and activities.

Pet owners like the variety of amenities available

  • At Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park, you’ll find features like electric hookups, drinking water, and picnic tables, making it a convenient spot for families traveling with pets.
  • Camp Lord Willing RV Park & Campground offers a friendly atmosphere with spacious sites and essential amenities like showers and sanitary dumps, perfect for a comfortable stay with your dog.
  • Proud Lake Recreation Area provides a well-maintained environment with picnic tables and fire pits, allowing you to enjoy meals and evenings around the fire with your pet.

Dog owners appreciate the outdoor activities

  • Pontiac Lake Recreation Area features extensive trails for hiking and biking, ideal for active pet owners looking to explore nature with their dogs.
  • At Haas Lake Park RV Campground, you can enjoy fishing and swimming opportunities, making it a great spot for a fun day out with your pet.
  • Highland State Recreation Area offers a peaceful setting with hiking trails and a beautiful lake, perfect for leisurely walks with your furry companion.

Tips for camping with dogs near Detroit

  • Always check the specific pet policies at Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA to ensure your dog is welcome and to understand any restrictions.
  • Bring along essentials like water bowls and leashes when visiting Camp Agawam, where pets are allowed but should be kept under control.
  • Consider booking a site at KOA (Kampgrounds of America), which provides ample space for your dog to roam while ensuring you have access to necessary amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Detroit, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Detroit, MI is Proud Lake Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Detroit, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 49 dog-friendly camping locations near Detroit, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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