Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Empire, MI

Empire Township Campground's accessible sites welcome pets in both tent and RV camping areas. All sites offer basic amenities including fire rings, drinking water, and electricity at select locations, with pets allowed throughout the facility. D.H. Day Campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore maintains similar pet-friendly policies across its wooded sites with direct beach access. Platte River Campground permits pets while offering additional amenities like sanitary dump stations and water hookups. Sites remain clean with proper waste management facilities available. The campground layout provides spacious, secluded spots with private trails to restroom facilities, particularly at sites like number 20. Most pet-friendly campgrounds in the area maintain vault toilets that are regularly cleaned and stocked. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near Empire, Michigan.

The proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore creates numerous opportunities for outdoor activities with pets. Campgrounds connect to the Heritage Trail, a 20-mile paved path suitable for hiking with dogs on leashes. Most sites sit within 15 minutes of the main dune attractions and 30 minutes from Traverse City, allowing for day trips while keeping pets comfortable at basecamp. Wildlife awareness remains essential as the area includes active black bear zones, requiring proper food storage to protect both campers and pets. Poison ivy grows throughout many camping areas, necessitating caution when walking pets around campsite perimeters. The campgrounds serve as excellent bases for exploring nearby attractions while maintaining quiet atmospheres even during peak occupancy periods. Weather varies significantly between seasons, with late October camping requiring proper preparation for cold overnight temperatures.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Empire, Michigan (111)

    1. Platte River Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    61 Reviews
    Beulah, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 326-4700

    $22 - $50 / night

    "NOTE: The GPS location in this app is incorrect, the actual location is 5685 Lake Michigan Rd, Honor MI. This is a very nice wooded campground in within the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore Park."

    "Hiking to Lake Michigan, bike trails, Sleeping Bear Dunes just a short drive away. For those with dogs, Esch Beach, at the end of Esch Road, is about 10 minutes by car and dog friendly."

    2. D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    53 Reviews
    Glen Arbor, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 326-4700

    $20 / night

    "This campground was in a great location, lots of signage helps you find it and navigate the roads without use of GPS. Seriously, you don’t need one. At least from Empire, anyway."

    "Pretty close to your neighbors, but our site still had some good tree cover. Easy walk to Lake Michigan through the campground. Vaulted toilets, community water and trash."

    3. Green Lake Rustic South — Interlochen State Park

    34 Reviews
    Interlochen, MI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 276-9511

    $20 / night

    "Every year I camp on the Green Lake side of Interlochen State Park, and this year was the first year I allowed a guest - my fiance."

    "Not super close to Michigan cities, but can drive back and forth to Traverse City."

    4. Betsie River Campsite

    18 Reviews
    Elberta, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 352-9535

    $33 - $85 / night

    "Super close to Lake Michigan and the river. We had fun exploring the area. Bathrooms were clean and had hot water."

    "Location is close to so many great towns and attractions: Glen Arbor/Sleeping Bear Dunes, many Lake Michigan beaches, kayaking/canoeing/tubing river trips, great fishing if that's your thing."

    5. Empire Township Campground

    6 Reviews
    Empire, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 326-5285

    "Located just a short drive away from many attractions."

    "The campground is close to Sleeping Bear Dunes (15 mins) and Traverse City (30 mins). We enjoyed traveling to the city for Cherry Festival and returning to a quiet campground."

    6. Traverse City State Park Campground

    51 Reviews
    Traverse City, MI
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 922-5270

    "Pets are allowed in the campground. The sites are a little tight, but if you are looking to hang out in Traverse City, this is a convenient location. Bathhouse was always well maintained."

    "300+ sites, pet friendly, sites for all shapes and sizes. Open year round, with heated cabins. It's a great location, just across from Traverse Bay with just across the road."

    7. Leelanau Pines Campground

    10 Reviews
    Cedar, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 228-5742

    $103 - $130 / night

    "The campground was very shady and situated right on the lake. We stayed in Site #50 and could carry our kayaks across a small grassy field to put in at the edge of the lake."

    "Plenty of beautiful views of the lake! You’re tucked away from the main road but also close enough to enjoy nearby Sutton’s Bay ( which is worth a visit)"

    8. Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    9 Reviews
    Interlochen, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 922-5280

    "We stayed at this campground while doing the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail by horseback, therefore we were in the "horse" portion of the campground."

    "Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp has the basic rustic camping necessities."

    9. Platte River State Forest

    5 Reviews
    Honor, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 276-9511

    $20 / night

    10. Turtle Lake Campground

    8 Reviews
    Honor, MI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 275-7353

    "The shower stalls were individual and clean, the area was filled with campers and RV’s and everyone was SO friendly and the place was full of dog lovers."

    "Close to traverse city and sleeping bear dunes!"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 111 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Empire, MI

763 Reviews of 111 Empire Campgrounds


  • Amanda L.
    Aug. 9, 2018

    D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Perfect Day Away

    This campground, first and foremost, requires a National Park Pass, which is $20/week or $40/year, for 1 year from purchase date. Tent camping was $20/night. This campground was in a great location, lots of signage helps you find it and navigate the roads without use of GPS. Seriously, you don’t need one. At least from Empire, anyway. One thing to be cautious of is the poison ivy. It is everywhere. Two other notes on the side of caution, when my mom and I were hiking in the area we did see two ticks, and secondly, the campground is an active black bear area, so keep food and scents in your car. You will be located near Glen Arbor, Glen Haven, and Empire, and quite close to the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive as well as the Sleeping Bear Dunes. The campground backs right up to the Heritage Trail, which is 20 paved miles to hike, bike, walk, ski, or whatever. Th campground, while quite packed, was still so so quiet at night, which was really nice. The tent pad is nice and level which really matters when it rains, like it did while we stayed. Firewood is available out of a mobile vending machine, and takes $5 bills. WiFi is available at the ranger station, I believe.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2017

    Traverse City State Park Campground

    Great Proximity to Downtown, Beach, and Breweries.

    The location of this campground is great and it's best feature in my opinion! This park is just two miles to downtown Traverse City (one of Michigan’s most popular resort towns), a quarter mile from a pretty beach and the beautiful blue waters of Lake Michigan, and it sits along the TART Trail which is a 10.5-mile bicycle trail running through the city.

    While the park is small at just 47 acres, it holds pretty many campsites – approximately 350 (and two cabins). Campsites are set among tall pine trees so there is a bit of shade but that also means that they are sandy with little grass. Roads are paved and narrow if you are trying to maneuver with a large (40+ RV) and you may have difficulty backing into your site with the numerous trees lining the road. All sites are back-in with electric. Sites and patios are sandy with varying degrees of levelness. There is a dump station and water spigots are scattered throughout the campground. Picnic tables and fire pits are at each site. Sites are $31/night ($49/night for the cabins) and reserveable online.

    This park is right on US-31/M-72 which means there is easy access in and out but it can be noisy if your campsite is close to the road. Expect the campground to be very busy on weekends and in the summer and tightly packed.

    Amenities include: picnic area, beach, fishing, hiking/bicycling trail, three bathhouses, playground area, camp store, pet walk (no off-leash dog park).

    Outside of the park there is a lot to do in Traverse City. Early July is the ever-popular Cherry Festival which lasts for a week. But you better book your campsite early if you want to enjoy all the festivities (which happen to be close to the park). The summer farmers market is great and held every Wednesday and Saturday. Early in the season, asparagus is plentiful and locally-grown asparagus is the best you will ever have being super sweet, tender, and inexpensive. For beer drinkers, consider paddling the beer trail that takes you from Boardman Lake to Lake Michigan and past numerous breweries where you pull over for a pint. If it's ice cream you want, you have come to the right place. There are multiple creameries with Moomer's being our favorite and for some reason eating it right at the farm stand was the best.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2017

    Wooden Shoe Campground

    Great place to relax and enjoy the water.

    Wooden Shoe Campground in Ellsworth, Michigan is a small campground set on a hill above Ellsworth Lake. This park is great if you want to sometime explore Michigan’s waterways. When we visited the park, it was about 25% full which made it very quiet and relaxing. There are some great sites that overlook the lake that are inviting for an evening fire and enjoying a pleasant view.

    The park has 45 RV sites with water, 30 amp electric, cable TV, and internet. There are seven designated tent sites in a heavily wooded area with some glimpses of the lake. Some sites have a nice amount of shade while those towards the front of the park are more open and have a better water view. Picnic tables and fire pits are at each site. The main road throughout the park is paved, in good condition, and easily navigable with even large RV. There is a dump station at the entrance of the park that is easy to get in and out of. A camp host is on site. The price per night to stay here is $25 and they offer a super inexpensive price of $125/week. Reservations can be made by emailing a reservation request or calling the city. 

    The town of Ellsworth is quite small with a couple of shops and restaurant or two. The quaint coastal town of Charlevoix is 10 minutes away where you will find plenty of shopping, restaurants, a pretty harbor, weekly live music (in the summer), a farmers market and really great library with a large room that has a great selection of books for sale for a few bucks. The towns of Boyne City and Boyne Falls are about 20 miles away and also worth visiting if you have the time. For dog owners, Boyne city has an off-leash dog park and Boyne Falls has a large ski resort that is perfect for walking dogs in the summer.  The larger town of Petoskey is about a 45 minute drive but well worth a visit. 

    If you want to “get away” and enjoy water activities this is a good place to come. There is a canoe/kayak boat launch just down the hill from the park that puts you in a narrow stretch of water that connects Lakes Ellsworth and Saint Clair. A short (approximately 1 mile) paddle into Lake Saint Claire lands you in a beautiful nature preserve administered by the Little Traverse Conservancy.  Be sure to visit Friske’s Orchard which has a fruit stand, bakery with pizza and sandwiches, general store and petting zoo and is only six miles away on Rt. 31.

    The good things about this park are the price, access to pretty water for kayaking/canoeing/fishing and the view from some of the sites. You are not too far from some of northern Michigan’s most popular towns yet only paying $25 night. The small size of this park gives it a quieter feel than some of the nearby state parks that have hundreds of sites. When we were there about half the campers appeared to be seasonal who come to enjoy the boating and fishing. Many of these people were not there during the week which made the park super quiet. 

    A couple dings for this park are that many of the sites are not level and even pitching a tent can be difficult. The bathroom/shower facilities are old and run down. The main bathhouse is located in the front of the park with port-a-potty’s scattered about. Some of the sites are close together and give a crowded feeling. 

    Overall, I would say this is an average park which is why it gets three stars.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vBh0Dej5Ro

  • R
    Jul. 24, 2022

    D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    D H Day Campground

    Enjoyed the D H Day Campground. Really liked the elevated boxes for tent placement and the site was clean. Pretty close to your neighbors, but our site still had some good tree cover. Easy walk to Lake Michigan through the campground. Vaulted toilets, community water and trash. Make sure you have bug spray. Great proximity to Glen Arbor and Empire. Short drive to the dunes for hiking and cannot over recommend Empire Beach to watch a sunset.

  • Jill B.
    Apr. 21, 2019

    Traverse Bay RV Resort

    Very high-end class A Resort

    We have spent six weeks at this park for the last 6 years. We attend a horse show circuit near by. It is the creme de la creme of RV parks. The sites are individually owned (and leased out) and many of the owners have made their lots very nice. The park is limited to Class A, Fifth Wheels and Class C only. This park is dominated by big, very nice class A's.

    We have a 5th wheel and have appreciated the amenities very much. Great wifi, curbside garbage pickup, trails, dog park, and many others. You are limited to 2 dogs, and they are very strict about leashes and picking up poop. But, that keeps the place looking nice.

    We enjoy it very much and it is so close to the horse show, it cannot be beat. Because they are such a popular place to stay during the show (July - mid August), they sites book up a year in advance.

  • N
    Jun. 23, 2022

    D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    D.H. Day Campground

    Overall the campground has a very pleasant and rustic charm. The foliage helps create privacy but the campsites are close in proximity overall. The one warning that should be more clearly indicated is that there is poison ivy surrounding every single site so please be aware if you have pets and small children. The fact that there was so much poison ivy is the only reason I gave it four stars. Lake Michigan is a short walk away and you are able to walk to sleeping bear dunes along the beach. For those who would like convenience Glen Arbor is only five minutes down the main road and has a ton of restaurants, parks and a nice grocery store.

  • Eric H.
    May. 31, 2019

    Platte River Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Platte River Campground

    NOTE: The GPS location in this app is incorrect, the actual location is 5685 Lake Michigan Rd, Honor MI.

    This is a very nice wooded campground in within the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore Park. The sites are wooded and pretty private and provide tree coverage. Bathrooms are nice, but you must pay to use the showers. Campsite isn’t directly on Lake Michigan, but there is a hiking path to the lake.

    The real draw of this campsite (which fills up extremely fast, so reserve early) is the Sleeping Bear sand dunes and surrounding areas. When you are consider doing any of the following: Tubing the Platte River Hiking The Empire Bluffs Trail Visiting the Dune Climb Driving the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Swimming at any of the beaches in the Empire area

  • Kristina M.
    Jul. 14, 2021

    Log Lake Campground

    Would never visit again

    First off we couldn’t park our trailer until a boat trailer was moved from our site. Then there was glass, rusty nails, and trash all over the site so we had to do a quick clean up of site before unpacking. It only got worse as night time came as the campers next to us drank and partied all night with half the campground, every night for our entire four day stay. They even smashed into our vehicle as they wrestled and sprayed silly string on each other at 1 a.m. When we ran to town for a few items we came back to their kids playing near our camper. They seemed to personally know the care takers as they were partying with them, so nothing was done about any of it. The following day we again went to town and these people allowed their guest to park in front of our camper, next to the hitch. The beach area was un-swimmable and full of trash, cigarette butts, duck poop as well as dog poop because it was used as a dog park. There were also old clothes and shoes left all over the beach area. The bathrooms were dirty and left with no soap. The woman’s bathroom looked recently painted but the men’s bathroom was completely disgusting. The showers had old food in them and you had to pay for tokens to use them. The trails were ok, the frisbee golf area also looked good. But that’s about the only good thing about this park. We would never pay money to stay here again.

  • Kaleigh J.
    May. 9, 2019

    D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    DH Day and Sleeping Bear Dunes

    One of my favorite parts of MI. 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The campground is 4 miles from Glen Arbor and barely a mile walk to Glen Haven. The Heritage trail runs right through the campground. The sites are rustic and wooden and farther apart than normal sites. The campground is between Glen Lake and you can walk to the shore of Lake Michigan. Nearby the dune climb, Empire bluffs and North Bar Lake as well.


Guide to Empire

Lake Michigan shorelines and inland forests define the terrain around Empire, Michigan. The area sits at approximately 640 feet above sea level with summer temperatures typically ranging 65-80°F and winters dropping to 15-30°F. The region contains diverse camping ecosystems from beachfront to dense woodland sites with most campgrounds sitting within 15-30 minutes of popular attractions.

What to do

Beach exploration: Just minutes from D.H. Day Campground, campers can access Lake Michigan via boardwalks. "Going into Glen Arbor is fun and checking out all the different parts of Sleeping Bear is a treat," notes Taylor D., who has camped there for over a decade.

River activities: Set up at Platte River Campground for water-based adventures. "Kayaked the North branch, which was winding and fast moving. Go when they release the salmon from the hatchery - you feel all the salmon brush against your kayak as they swim upstream!" recommends Joyce B.

Mountain biking: Access extensive trail systems from Leelanau Pines Campground. "The bike paths from Sutton's Bay to Traverse City and from Pyramid Point to Empire were fantastic!" notes Cindy B., who explored the region extensively during her stay.

Night kayaking: Experience the Platte River after dark for a unique perspective. "We camp on full moon nights and hit the river for night kayaking. We have our favorite site too!" shares Nikki M., who visits multiple times annually from nearby Traverse City.

What campers like

Spacious sites: Empire Township Campground offers larger-than-average camping areas. "Site 20 was large, and super spacious. There was our own private trail to the vaulted toilets which were always clean, stocked with T.P. And had a clean trash bag in place," describes Justyna E.

Lake access: Water-based camping opportunities abound throughout the region. At Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp, "most of the sites have their own path right down to the water," explains Kate K., adding it's "great for early morning paddles and peaceful relaxation."

Affordability: State forest campgrounds typically cost $15-25 per night with self-registration systems. "This is a great location based around Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes areas," notes Phil M. about staying near Empire, finding value in the central access to multiple attractions.

Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer natural separation. Platte River Campground features "sites in the three loops nicely placed so that you have foliage and space between sites," according to Anne G., who appreciates the balance of solitude and community.

What you should know

Seasonal extremes: Weather varies dramatically by season. "Went there in late October of 2022 and man was it a cold night to stay in a tent. We got there late, put tents up in the dark, ate dinner late from a local watering hole," shares Doug P. about D.H. Day Campground.

Wildlife precautions: Bears are present in multiple campgrounds. One camper at Platte River Campground noted, "Was told a black bear visits the campgrounds at least once a week, but is not much a nuisance as long as campers store their food in the car."

Road noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic sound. Traverse City State Park campers note highway proximity creates "noise increased by the very busy highway 31 in front and the airport and railroad behind."

Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill months in advance. "Reservations are extremely hard to get for this park. If you want a weekend campsite, you must book six months in advance!" advises a Platte River Campground visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Turtle Lake Campground offers dedicated play spaces. "What I liked best about this park was that my children were not caked in dirt. While I understand that comes with the territory of camping, this campground provides a bit more of a grassy setting and offers a nice playground," notes Ann D.

Educational programs: Several campgrounds provide ranger-led activities. "The amphitheater with kid focused programs was a great bonus," mentions Jeffrey R. about D.H. Day Campground.

Hiking difficulty: Trail systems vary dramatically in accessibility. "The trail from Loop 1 is 1.2 miles to Lake Michigan. If you like to walk, be sure to walk out there. The end is complete sand so be prepared to work hard!" advises a Platte River visitor.

Insect preparation: Bug populations peak in early summer. "Even after applying a ton of bug spray we felt like we were getting eaten alive on the trail," reports Katie D. about paths near Platte River Campground.

Tips for RVers

Site selection: Carefully research pull-through options at Platte River Campground. "Some pull through sites are VERY small so be careful when you book your reservation," warns a reviewer who found size limitations challenging.

Leveling challenges: Terrain often requires adjustments. At Leelanau Pines Campground, staff assistance makes a difference: "when they escorted us to the site & helped us back in they had levels they brought & put under one side of the travel trailer to level us."

Power limitations: Electric hookups vary by campground section. At Turtle Lake Campground, campers note full hookup options but recommend checking amperage requirements when booking since some sections offer different electrical capacities.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Empire, MI is Platte River Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with a 4.8-star rating from 61 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 111 dog-friendly camping locations near Empire, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.