Dog-Friendly Camping near Hale, MI

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Rollways Campground offers spacious, shaded sites that accommodate pets with clean facilities near the Au Sable River. Located in Hale, Michigan, this pet-friendly campground features well-maintained vault toilets and water stations throughout the grounds. Pets must be leashed at all times while exploring the campground's walking trails and river access points. The sites provide ample room for both tents and RVs, with picnic tables and fire rings at each location. Northern Bear Paw RV Park also welcomes pets with full hookup sites, cabin accommodations, and access to the Au Gres River trail system. Most campsites maintain good privacy with pine trees left intact throughout the property, creating natural boundaries between neighboring sites. The grounds remain immaculate with peaceful settings for pets and their owners.

    Rifle River Recreation Area's pet-friendly campgrounds include Devoe Lake Rustic Campground, where spacious wooded sites provide natural privacy for campers with dogs. The recreation area features multiple lakes and hiking trails perfect for exercising pets, with a small beach area at Devoe Lake where leashed dogs can cool off. Vault toilets are maintained throughout the camping areas, and firewood is available for purchase at the park entrance. Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center offers another pet-friendly option with paved campsites surrounded by forest, providing access to the nearby AuSable sand dunes and river trails. The area's extensive trail system provides excellent opportunities for dog walking, though pets must remain leashed to protect local wildlife. When camping with pets in this region, owners should secure food and trash at night as raccoons are active after dark.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Hale (124)

      1. Devoe Lake Rustic Campround — Rifle River Recreation Area

      4.6(12)11mi from Hale58 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "This here is one of my favorite campgrounds in Michigan. The facilities are clean and kept up. All access to trails, lakes and the river are close and easy to get to."

      "Rifle River Recreation Area is located directly east of Houghton Lake within the AuSable State Forest, near the city of Lupton. The RRRA offers several camping areas within its borders."

      from $20 / night

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      2. Tawas Point State Park Campground

      4.0(25)19mi from Hale194 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Located close to town. Lots of areas to walk as well. Not pet friendly though, they are allowed at the sites, but not on the beach."

      "The pet friendly beach is fantastic for dogs as the water is very shallow and let's them be active."

      from $45 - $120 / night

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      3. Rollways Campground

      4.4(5)6mi from Hale19 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This is one of my favorite campgrounds in Michigan. The sites are big, most are well shaded."

      "We brought our own kayaks and spent the day at on loud lake which was about a 15 min drive away. There were plenty of vault toilets which were very clean and water stations."

      from $15 / night

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      4. Huron-Manistee National Forest

      5.0(9)14mi from Hale

      "The dunes along the river seem out of place, and wonderfully so. you could spend so much tIme here, climbing around, swimming, kayaking, and enjoying the views."

      "It was amazing, my husband, myself and our two dogs had a wonderful time. We hiked al through the forest, tried lots of cool gear and discovered a new love for camping and nature."

      from $10 - $14 / night

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      5. Alcona Park

      4.4(9)14mi from HaleRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "I had cabin #3, very beautiful on the lake. Wish they had a grate to cook some things, however I failed to bring my own. It made do with what I had."

      "This is a great campground and very close to canoe rentals. They pick up trash right at your site! Also, buy the wood from the people driving around."

      from $16 - $30 / night

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      6. Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center

      4.8(5)10mi from HaleRVs, Tents

      "Hike to the nearby monument and attend one of their educational programs, visit the museum, take the steps down to the floating shanty, or visit the small store."

      "This is a nice campground that butts up with the Lumberman’s Memorial park with a trail leading to the AuSable sand dune. Campsites are paved with fire pits and picnic tables."

      from $15 - $30 / night

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      7. Northern Bear Paw RV Park

      5.0(4)8mi from HaleRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "With a soothing creek whispering in the background of our campsite, we set our camper up for a two week adventure in this northwestern part of Michigan."

      "It’s sits on the Au Gres River trail to the river with seating, picnic table and fire pit. The grounds are immaculate. Very peaceful setting."

      from $40 - $50 / night

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      8. Grousehaven Campground — Rifle River Recreation Area

      4.2(5)11mi from Hale76 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Right on Grousehaven lake with a small beach and playground and a large open grassy area for kids and dogs to to run."

      "But the beach was nice as were the trails. Once in the camp itself, we loved how much better it was than Tawas. It's more spread out and I didn't feel like people were staring at me."

      from $35 - $40 / night

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      9. Spruce Rustic Campground — Rifle River Recreation Area

      4.7(3)11mi from Hale16 sitesTents, Glamping

      "I wish I would have picked a different spot as I was right next to the bathroom but it was fine. Plenty of fire wood around the collect with access to trials and the river."

      from $20 / night

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      10. Old Orchard Park Campground

      4.0(8)17mi from HaleRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Very family and pet friendly. It has a playground and a small beach. There are many options to stay here! Highly recommend"

      "Sites are reasonably priced around$25-30/night. The park is very dog-friendly, which we appreciated. 

      Nice large, woodsy, level lots. Many are waterfront. "

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Hale, MI

    469 Reviews of 124 Hale Campgrounds


    • Jessika A.
      Aug. 11, 2017

      Devoe Lake Rustic Campround — Rifle River Recreation Area

      Backyard Beauty

      This here is one of my favorite campgrounds in Michigan. The facilities are clean and kept up. All access to trails, lakes and the river are close and easy to get to. Great location to bring family and pets.

    • Emily G.
      May. 23, 2024

      Jewell Lake NF Campground

      Jewell Lake

      I think jewel lake is pretty good because they have good campsites. I like the dog, they have an island, you can go on can't sleep on there, but you can go on it. They have a beach, they have a bridge, so you can fish on good water to go swimming, you can drive a boat, you can go on a kayaking on a jet ski, any type of water boats the camp site it's pet friendly perfect for campers or pull behinds tense, they're ok, for motorhome\ RV's but it's pretty good.

    • Sasha K.
      Jun. 11, 2021

      Harrisville State Park Campground

      A great pet-friendly getaway

      We rented their pet-friendly cabin.  It consists of a single room, two bunk beds, a table mounted to the wall, two chairs, a mini fridge, a microwave, coffee pot, a wall heater and a wall-mounted fan.  Nothing fancy, but serviceable.  There's a site with a picnic table, grill, and fire pit, connected to the cabin, as well as a decent sized front porch.  Also nearby the dumping station, but this isn't as bad as it could be, at least during our midweek stays ((We've done two weekday stays.)  There's a patch of grass across the drive, where puppy potty bags are dispensed, for easy bathroom breaks with the dogs, and it is also close to the campground host site and firewood vending machine.  The firewood is really decent quality, and the machine accepts cards, which is nice, compared to other parks.  The bathrooms/showers are a short walk away, and are really a lot nicer than most state park facilities.  Several accessible/family restrooms are available, offering shower seats, benches, a dual height showerhead, sink, and toilet with grab bars, all in one lockable room.  Several campsites are one the waterfront.  As other's have mentioned, the beach is seeing some significant changes, due to historically high lake levels, which has forced several campsites to close, and the designated dog beach to be inaccessible.  They have alleviated this by shifting the pet-friendly beach area to the site of the closed campsites.  It is still an amazingly beautiful place to just sit in awe of the beauty of Lake Huron.  There is a two mile nature trail that winds through the outer part of the park, and it supplied a great hike with our dogs.  The park itself is within a reasonable walk to the local grocery store, utilizing a paved path that leads from the campground to the town.  We just love it there.  The only thing holding back from a five star is the beach area's struggles.  But that doesn't even feel fair, because there's little that humans can do at this point, to change that.

    • Hallee L.
      Aug. 26, 2023

      Tawas Point State Park Campground

      Nice but busy

      It is very nice and extremely clean. However it is kind of cramped. Sites feel close and everyone was very nosey. Pet beach is nice. Water is beautiful. Convenient location. People didn't listen to rules such as quiet hour and let their badly behaved dogs run loose. Bath house is extremely nice! All in all, I would camp here on an off day/season.

    • Maggie M.
      Aug. 4, 2018

      Huron-Manistee National Forest

      We weren’t planning to camp but...

      but we were blown away! The dunes along the river seem out of place, and wonderfully so. you could spend so much tIme here, climbing around, swimming, kayaking, and enjoying the views. We keep our Jeep ready for camping at any moment and places like this are why we do it. We just had to stay, and I am so excited to go back in the fall. I know this says no pets but we were able to bring our dog and saw many other dogs enjoying the park as well!

    • Megan A.
      Aug. 1, 2018

      Tawas Point State Park Campground

      Beautiful State Park

      The park is very clean. Some sites are small, some are larger. Have visited many times. Fun interpretive programs for adults and kids. Beautiful beach to spend the day on. Located close to town. Lots of areas to walk as well. Not pet friendly though, they are allowed at the sites, but not on the beach.

    • Edward C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 17, 2025

      Tawas Point State Park Campground

      Terrific location

      This is a beautiful and picturesque park. The bathrooms are clean and well maintained.

      Sites are large in general with plenty of room for activities.

      The pet friendly beach is fantastic for dogs as the water is very shallow and let's them be active.

      The access roads on the loop are narrow, so you may need to take some care of if you have a large vehicle.

      There's also a kids playground and volleyball court.

    • Scott G.
      May. 29, 2023

      Sleeper State Park Campground

      A nice state park

      A nice campground with two loops. Can be tricky getting a large RV in especially during bigger holidays but the sites are large and you can park you camper a few different ways. Decent trails. Beach access across the road. There is a pet friendly section of the beach. Lots of pets here. The bathrooms in the east loop are older and not that great but the other loop has a nice modern bathroom. Sites are mostly flat more so on the eastern loop. We had a nice visit.


    Guide to Hale

    The Rifle River Recreation Area near Hale, Michigan encompasses over 4,000 acres of woodland with elevation changes of 100-200 feet throughout the property. The area sits at approximately 840 feet above sea level and features multiple inland lakes connected by the Rifle River. Most campgrounds remain open from mid-April through October with typical summer high temperatures reaching 75-80°F and nighttime lows around 55-60°F.

    What to do

    Paddle the AuSable River: At Rollways Campground, the AuSable River provides excellent kayaking opportunities with calm waters suitable for beginners. "We come here every summer for our annual Au Sable kayak trip! What's really awesome about this place is if you pay a little extra, they will provide dropoff and pickup of both your party and all your kayaks to the appropriate points so you don't have to deal with transporting everything yourself," notes Kelsey P.

    Visit historic sites: The Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center offers educational opportunities about logging history. "This is a nice campground that butts up with the Lumberman's Memorial park with a trail leading to the AuSable sand dune. Campsites are paved with fire pits and picnic tables," says Mecha M. The visitor center includes trails and exhibits accessible within a short walk of the campsites.

    Bird watching: Spring migration brings numerous warblers to Tawas Point State Park. According to RA S., "This campground is as about crowded as Yosemite floor campgrounds... birding trails are great. Bring a repellent for biting flies." The park serves as an important stopover for migratory birds moving north in spring.

    What campers like

    Spacious, private sites: Devoe Lake Rustic Campground offers wooded sites with natural separation. Daniel C. reports, "Devoe campground was very private sites are open and surrounded my trees." Most sites include standard fire rings and picnic tables with ample space for multiple tents.

    Multiple water activities: Grousehaven Campground provides access to no-wake lakes perfect for paddling. "The lake is absolutely gorgeous and is paddle only, no motors of any kind. The water was warmish and crystal clear, my 2.5 y/o daughter loved playing at the beach and the shallow swimming area," mentions Dennis B. The recreation area contains five separate lakes for different water activities.

    Trail systems: Rifle River Recreation Area features extensive hiking options. David F. notes, "I spent four days here summer of 17. Well maintained sites. Lots of hiking opportunities. Both modern and rustic camping available." Trail difficulty ranges from flat, easy walking paths to more challenging routes with significant elevation changes.

    What you should know

    Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in this area have poor or no cellular coverage. One camper at Old Orchard Park Campground reported, "The scenery is pretty but it doesn't work for me if I can't car camp and if there's no cell service to work." Consider downloading offline maps before arrival.

    Weather considerations: Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F with occasional thunderstorms. Spring and fall bring more variable conditions with temperatures between 40-70°F. Pack appropriate rain gear as weather patterns can change quickly.

    Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. According to Erin S., "Sites require a reservation either at the office or Online. Not somewhere you can just pay for on spot because it's in the rifle river recreation area." Make reservations 3-6 months in advance for summer visits.

    Tips for camping with families

    Lake activities for children: Alcona Park offers family-friendly swimming areas with gradual entry points. "Lovely views of the lake! Busy, but clean, friendly and quiet. Hiking trails and a playground for the kids," Becky K. mentions. The swimming areas typically have shallow sections roped off specifically for younger children.

    Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain play equipment within walking distance of campsites. At Tawas Point State Park, Edward C. notes, "This is a beautiful and picturesque park. Sites are large in general with plenty of room for activities... There's also a kids playground and volleyball court." These areas provide entertainment options during downtime between outdoor adventures.

    Wildlife viewing opportunities: The lakes and forests surrounding Hale support diverse wildlife. Dave V. shares his experience at Rifle River Recreation Area: "We were fortunate enough to see mink, beaver, muskrat, loons, eagle, osprey and three swan...so it was a treasure trove for us." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.

    Tips for RVers

    Hookup availability: Northern Bear Paw RV Park provides full-service sites for larger rigs. Colin L. states, "The campsites are nicely laid out with comfortable amenities. With a soothing creek whispering in the background of our campsite, we set our camper up for a two week adventure in this northwestern part of Michigan." The park accommodates rigs up to 40 feet with 30 and 50-amp electrical service.

    Site leveling considerations: Some rustic sites require additional leveling equipment. At Spruce Rustic Campground, Jason N. mentions, "Small, rustic, remote, clean and quiet. Large and level campsites that are well spaced... I got my 20' trailer back there no problem." Bring leveling blocks as some sites may have slight grades.

    Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide on-site dump stations. Check availability before arrival and plan accordingly for longer stays. Many campgrounds with electric hookups still require trips to centralized dump stations located at entrance areas or nearby facilities.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hale, MI is Devoe Lake Rustic Campround — Rifle River Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 12 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 124 dog-friendly camping locations near Hale, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.