88 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Bishop Lake Campground accommodates pets with designated swimming areas where dogs can enjoy lake access, though not on the main sand beach. Several campgrounds near Dexter permit leashed pets including Pinckney Recreation Area's Bruin Lake and Blind Lake campgrounds, Waterloo Recreation Area, and Hell Creek Ranch. The sites at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area provide exceptional privacy between campsites, making them ideal for campers with pets who may be reactive to other dogs or people. Most campgrounds enforce a 6-foot leash rule, with Waterloo Recreation Area strictly monitoring compliance. Campgrounds typically offer full hookup sites with water and electric for RVs, while tent campers can find pet-friendly rustic sites at Green Lake and Murray Lake campgrounds. Bathrooms and shower facilities vary in quality and cleanliness across locations.
Dog-friendly hiking trails throughout the recreation areas provide excellent exercise opportunities for pets, with Proud Lake Recreation Area offering 8 miles of well-maintained trails. Campers should be aware that some trail sections, particularly "Loop 2" at Proud Lake, have reported tick infestations requiring frequent checks of pets. Several campgrounds feature dedicated dog parks, including Hell Creek Ranch and Holiday RV Campground which has a "giant dog park" according to visitors. Brighton Recreation Area provides grassy areas along the lake where dogs can swim, though they must remain leashed. Mosquitoes can be problematic at certain times of year, with Pontiac Lake specifically noted for high mosquito and tick populations. Campers planning extended stays should note that veterinary services are available in nearby communities, though specific emergency vet information should be researched before arrival.
"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."
from $17 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Nice place to camp right on the lake. It's a 7 mile hike in(can also be accessed via boat), part of the Potowatomi loop trail(~18 miles) located in Waterloo-Pinckney recreation area."
"Camp ground is located along the Potawatomi Trail in Pinckney Recreation area. Bikers head the opposite direction from hikers. The route I followed was about 8 miles in to Blind Lake."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"There is a new large playground structure and nice but short paved path for kids to bike or scooter around."
"On Crooked Lake, it has 25 sites, two of which are right on the water; #7 is full sun, larger, and 20 is sun/shade and tucked away in the back of the campground."
from $27 - $46 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system. Near Hell, Michigan and Chelsea, Michigan. Large pool in season. Priced reasonably."
"Wow.. what a nice little getaway in Hell, Michigan area! Camp host, “Lightening” is a friendly and helpful guy who NEVER stopped working (except to chat with campers here and there)."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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 $68 per night."
"This was our first camping experience in Michigan, so we weren’t exactly prepared. My rating takes this into consideration."
"This often overlooked campground is part of Brighton Recreation area in lower Michigan. Only 25 sites, with no electricity and vault toilets. Pump water available."
"Close by but up north feel."
"Picnic table pit ring outside toilets best site was 24 17$ dollars a night 3 parks Brighton recreational is for Rv and electric sites indoor plumbing hot showers Murry is only for weekend visits Appleton"
"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."
"We purchased our new rPod 193 late in the fall and have been dying to give it a test camp and Michigan Winter Weather gave us a great opportunity the week after Christmas (2021)."
"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."
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.
GuideVery 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.
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.
ScoutThis 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.
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
RangerA 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 :-)
TravelerNice lakes for swimming and can take your pet as well! Big playground and nice bathrooms
Campgrounds near Dexter, Michigan offer diverse camping options within Michigan's Waterloo-Pinckney Trail system. The area sits within a glacial moraine system with numerous small lakes and rolling terrain between 850-1,000 feet elevation. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with higher humidity levels from June through August creating conditions that support diverse wildlife and vegetation throughout the recreation areas.
Boat rental options: Several campgrounds provide easy lake access for paddling. At Brighton Recreation Area, visitors can "rent kayaks, paddle boards, row boats or paddle boats" from the main beach area during summer months. Rental prices range from $8-20 per hour depending on boat type.
Mountain biking trails: The Pinckney Recreation Area offers exceptional trail riding directly accessible from campsites. As one visitor notes, "We loved the trails for Mountain Bikes that are close to the Campsite! They are super fun!!" Trails range from beginner loops to more challenging terrain with significant elevation changes.
Water recreation: Jump Island at Bishop Lake provides unique water activities. "It's connected but costs money. $15 for a 45 minute jump session. Follow on Facebook for coupons. You can also just swim at the lake- nice area with shade trees beach and nice lake water," explains one camper who visited with children.
Fishing opportunities: Murray Lake Campground offers excellent fishing in a quieter setting. One camper mentioned, "Had a fun time fishing and camping" at this rustic site. The smaller lake size means less boat traffic, creating ideal conditions for shore fishing and small watercraft.
Private rustic sites: Campers appreciate the secluded nature of some campgrounds despite their proximity to urban areas. At Appleton Lake Campground, "sites were very secluded from each other. Each site has a fire ring and ample space to park your vehicle and set up a tent or small trailer."
Lake access: Blind Lake Rustic Campground receives praise for its waterfront location. "The lake was amazing to swim at night..must to it," shares one enthusiastic visitor. Multiple sites offer direct lake views, with Site B3 frequently mentioned as having the best location.
Trail connectivity: The integration of campsites with larger trail systems creates seamless outdoor experiences. At Hell Creek Ranch & Campground, "direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system" provide immediate trail access without driving. This trail system connects multiple recreation areas across more than 35 miles.
Clean facilities: Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern campground maintains well-kept amenities. A visitor noted, "The property is very well maintained with a nice park and clean bathrooms." Another mentioned, "It has a very nice play area for the children and clean bathrooms."
Mosquito and tick presence: Several campgrounds report significant insect activity, particularly in warmer months. At Brighton Recreation Area's Murray Lake sites, "the biggest problem was mosquito activity. The camping area sits on an inaccessible lake with a marsh area... everyone had screen houses set up." Bringing proper protection is essential.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds now require advance bookings. At Green Lake Rustic Campground, "while you technically don't need a reservation, we made our reservations through the DNR website about a month in advance. The campsite was listed as 'full' when we arrived, so I was glad we took the extra step."
Site privacy varies significantly: Campers report substantial differences in privacy between different campgrounds. One visitor noted that at Bishop Lake, "the campground is nice with good access to bikes, trails, water, beach. Unfortunately the sites are on top of each other and very loud."
Trail sharing etiquette: Hikers and bikers frequently share trails, requiring awareness. A Blind Lake camper advised, "Trail was in great condition and is well marked with numbered posts. Bikers head the opposite direction from hikers."
Look for playground facilities: Bruin Lake Campground offers family-friendly features including "a swimming area, play ground, activities during the summer." This makes it popular for families with children who need entertainment beyond hiking and swimming.
Consider water activities: Bishop Lake Campground's Jump Island provides structured water play for children. One parent reported, "Such a cool place to enjoy with the kids, we had a blast at Jump Island!" The inflatable water park adds an alternative to traditional beach activities.
Choose noise-appropriate sites: Family noise tolerance varies between campgrounds. At Brighton, many report "lots of kids on bikes" and weekend activity, while rustic sites at Blind Lake or Green Lake tend to be quieter. Sites near bathrooms experience more foot traffic.
Book ahead for holiday weekends: Dog-friendly campgrounds with family amenities fill quickly during summer holidays. Waterloo Recreation Area's sites are often booked months in advance for peak summer weekends, with one camper noting, "half the sites are empty and people don't cancel the reservation; so they can't legally rent them out."
Size restrictions matter: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. At Haas Lake Park RV Campground, visitors appreciate that "sites where huge and the campground was so clean and beautiful!" Their pull-through sites offer "a very spacious with a long driveway."
Hookup limitations: Many state park campgrounds offer limited utilities. At Waterloo Sugarloaf, "the only downfall is no water hookups on site," requiring campers to fill tanks before parking. Most state park campgrounds provide electric but lack full hookups.
Leveling challenges: Some rustic sites require significant leveling. One camper at Murray Lake noted "our site wasn't level, so we were rolling around a bit." Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended for most area campgrounds.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Murray Lake, "if it's rainy or muddy, you might want to think twice about entering the rustic camping area. We have a 4Runner, so it was no problem but a few little cars did slide around and have trouble on the hill by our site."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Dexter, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Dexter, MI is Bishop Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Dexter, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 88 dog-friendly camping locations near Dexter, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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