Waterloo Portage Lake Modern's designated pet areas provide spacious accommodations for campers with dogs throughout its year-round operation. Located in Grass Lake, the campground maintains strict 6-foot leash requirements while offering electric hookups at most sites. Holiday RV Campground features a giant dog park with adjacent ponds where pets can exercise, with full hookup sites available from May through October. Both campgrounds provide clean facilities with showers, toilets, and trash disposal. Greenwood Acres Family Campground accommodates pets across its 1,160 sites, though some reviewers note the extensive rules can make family camping with pets challenging. Most sites throughout the recreation area are paved, making setup and tear-down cleaner for campers traveling with animals.
Hiking trails connected directly to Apple Creek Campground give dogs ample exercise opportunities while remaining on-leash. Portage Lake offers water access where many campers enjoy paddling with their pets along the shoreline, though swimming access for dogs varies by designated area. Wildlife sightings including deer, cranes, swans, and even bald eagles enhance the natural experience at these campgrounds, but owners should remain vigilant about coyote presence when walking dogs, especially at dawn or dusk. Seasonal considerations affect pet comfort significantly - winter camping at Portage Lake provides a peaceful retreat with minimal crowds but requires appropriate gear for pets in cold weather. The vicious dog incidents reported by some campers highlight the importance of following leash rules and maintaining control of pets throughout all camping areas.
"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."
"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.""A few bathrooms are located around the campground. The spaces are generous and the majority have electricity only. The lake has a little beach with sands. Nice place."
"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."
$17 / night
"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."
$27 - $46 / night
"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."
"Most sites around the outside are decently wooded. There’s a nice little mile nature trail through one of those loops. There’s a nice dog run that we took advantage of."
"It has access to Wamplers Lake and there are several other lakes near by. The area is quiet and clean."
"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."
"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."
"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)."
"Enjoyed a nice paddle on the lake the morning before I left!"
$35 - $75 / night
"The campground offered a haunted trail, trick or treating and crafts for the kids."
"Pool, lake, arcade, golf, ice cream parlor. Bathrooms are clean."
"Quiet, very chill RV park, small beach on a pond for fishing playground for kids and plenty of room for our small dog."
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.
GuideWe have been here a few times. Really enjoy the secluded sites and the lake. It’s a small campground but it’s clean and quiet. Most sites don’t have water hookups but they do have electric. There isn’t much to do outside of the campground but there is a nice lake with canoe and kayak rentals. Very pet friendly and even has a dog beach.
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
TravelerNice lakes for swimming and can take your pet as well! Big playground and nice bathrooms
ScoutPet friendly. Great camp store. Clean campground. Nice beach. Beautiful!!
Waterloo Recreation Area offers year-round camping options across 20,000 acres near Grass Lake, Michigan. Paved campsites predominate at Portage Lake Campground, while rustic options exist at Green Lake for more primitive experiences. The area contains over 35 miles of hiking trails connecting multiple campgrounds, with the Potawatomi Trail being particularly popular for hikers and mountain bikers.
Hiking trail connections: At Green Lake Rustic Campground, campers access both east and west sides of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail directly from the campground access road. "We experienced some steep inclines after Cassidy Road," notes Rebekah J., who appreciated the trail's natural terrain. The trail system allows backpackers to connect multiple camping areas over a 35-mile route.
Winter camping experiences: The recreation area remains open year-round with Portage Lake Campground offering paved sites that work well in snowy conditions. "We purchased our new rPod late in the fall and Michigan Winter Weather gave us a great opportunity the week after Christmas. The best part was the fact it was paved! No mud, muck, or dirt," shares Rodger M., who enjoyed wildlife viewing during winter. The campground provides electric service year-round.
Mountain biking trails: Dedicated mountain bike trails attract riders throughout the recreation area. "This is a wonderful campsite to check out in the off season, it does fill up quickly when camping season kicks off," notes John P. about Green Lake. The nearby DTE mountain bike trail system connects to several campgrounds and offers various difficulty levels for riders.
Lake access options: Blind Lake Rustic Campground provides a unique backcountry camping experience with lakefront sites. "This is a rustic campground right on beautiful blind lake. It is only accessible by foot/bike/or boat. The paddle in works out to be about 2.5 miles from the Halfmoon boat launch," explains Kate K. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables, with the camp offering vault toilets and a water pump.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds within the recreation area offer excellent wildlife watching. "Cranes, Swans, Geese, and even a Bald Eagle soared by. I also noticed some coyote tracks in the snow," reports Rodger M. after winter camping at Portage Lake. The lakes attract various waterfowl, while forested areas provide habitat for deer and other mammals.
Camping options for different styles: Bruin Lake Campground features diverse camping styles in one location. "There are multiple camping opportunities with a variety of camping styles. Yurt rental, to hike-in rustic sites, there's good camping for anyone," notes Greg F. The campground maintains electric hookups at most sites along with modern restrooms and showers.
Reserve sites early: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. "When I showed up I found site 13 open for only one night. In the morning I was told by the DNR that most weekends are booked solid, but half the sites are empty and people don't cancel the reservation," explains Rob at Green Lake, highlighting why advance planning is important despite the recreation area's size.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads. "The freeway is on the other side of the lake, but it didn't bother us. At night it was like white noise," mentions Rebekah J. about Green Lake. Weekends also bring increased activity levels at the more developed campgrounds, with quiet hours generally starting around 11:00 PM.
Bathroom facility variations: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Hayes State Park Campground, "showers were private with hot water," according to Miranda J., while rustic campgrounds like Green Lake offer vault toilets only. Modern campgrounds include flush toilets and hot showers, while rustic sites typically provide vault toilets and hand pump water access.
Playground access: Holiday RV Campground features multiple play areas for children. "Playgrounds everywhere for the kids. Giant dog park and ponds," notes Sean N., making this an excellent choice for families with both children and pets. Most developed campgrounds in the area include at least basic playground equipment.
Swimming opportunities: Beaches vary significantly between locations. "The beach walkway is handicap accessible. The fishing pier is new, has two benches and tables for your stuff," reports Shelly about Portage Lake. Hayes State Park offers "a nice little mile nature trail through one of the loops" according to Alex H., providing both swimming and hiking options for families.
Site selection for families: Choose sites with shade during summer months. "Most sites around the outside are decently wooded," notes Alex H. about Hayes State Park. Miranda J. adds, "I suggest sites 93-96 for more private/shaded sites" at the same park, highlighting how strategic site selection enhances family camping experiences in the summer heat.
Site surface considerations: Paved sites make setup and breakdown easier in all weather conditions. "When we stay in the north campground because most of the sites are black topped," shares Debra B. about Portage Lake. Paved sites prevent tracking mud into RVs and provide more stable parking during wet conditions, which occur frequently in spring and fall.
RV site spacing: Many campgrounds have closely spaced sites. "The sites are very close together and not very private. It is another one of those 'parking lot campgrounds' where you can see all of your neighbors at all times," notes Janine P. about Portage Lake. For more privacy, select sites along outer loops or request sites with natural vegetation as barriers.
Site selection for larger rigs: "If your longer than 40ft be aware most sites will not work for you here," warns Mano P. about Hayes State Park, adding that they "do have some but the wood line, privacy and nature is great." Most developed campgrounds in the area can accommodate mid-sized RVs, but calling ahead for specific site dimensions is recommended for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Grass Lake, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Grass Lake, MI is Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Grass Lake, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 102 dog-friendly camping locations near Grass Lake, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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