Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground accommodates a variety of pet-friendly camping options including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping. Dogs must remain leashed at all times within the campground, with standard Michigan state park pet rules in effect. Nearby Just-In-Time Campground provides similar pet accommodations with designated pet areas and clean facilities for pet waste disposal. These campgrounds maintain clean facilities with regular bathroom maintenance, important for campers traveling with pets. Most sites include fire rings and picnic tables where pets can remain with their owners during meals and evening relaxation. Seasonal availability varies, with Sleepy Hollow open year-round and Just-In-Time operating from May to mid-October. The grounds are generally spacious enough to accommodate pets without crowding neighboring campsites.
Lake Ovid at Sleepy Hollow offers water access where some pet owners exercise their dogs, though pets should be kept away from designated swimming beaches. Multiple hiking trails throughout the area permit leashed dogs, providing exercise opportunities during longer camping stays. Campground R Us features a clean beach area that some pet owners find suitable for dogs when less crowded. Proper waste disposal is strictly enforced at all pet-friendly locations, with disposal stations available throughout most campgrounds. Summer months bring increased bug activity, requiring preventative measures for both humans and pets. Local veterinary services can be found in Laingsburg and Ovid for emergency situations. Winter camping with pets at year-round facilities requires additional preparation for cold weather conditions, including appropriate bedding and shelter considerations.
$25 - $101 / night
"Quietly tucked into Clinton co Michigan. Sleepy is easily accessible. Its close to Lansing. There are shopping centers nearby. Country party store is closer!! Very large lake....Ovid is her name!"
"Because we didn't get any shade from the nearby trees we had to run the ac which is unusual for us in Michigan. We were in the midst of a heat-wave though and it was much appreciated."
"Beautiful view of the lake and functional facilities make this a pleasant stay for a small family."
"I think the lake is fully private so no license required to fish. and it's stocked. They have some nice little cabins and pontoon boats you can rent."
"We were visiting family nearby and this was a convenient location. We found there to be a lot for kids to do."
"If you drive a larger rig and have any concern about backing in, the owner is always willing to back your trailer in with the tractor. We have a 40’ fifth wheel and they have helped us every time."
"This is a smaller camping space and wished we could have switched to a bigger one, but everything was booked even tho no one was in the empty lots around us."
"It was great for fishing, and our dogs had a great time too. There isn’t a pool or designated swimming area, but having a spot on the river is great."
"September 9th 2017 I hosted a Kayak/Canoe trip and we used this location for our landing and camping. It was a great little location that even had some river side cabins you could rent."
TravelerWas a decent place to camp- lots are very close though! Luckily in the fall it wasn’t very busy. Nice little lake on property. Fire pits in odd spot near the road. No pets allowed-not even a cat that stays inside in your camper! Also- there is a $7 a day fee for out of the county. Even when you arrive late at night.
TravelerGreat opportunities for winter sports. Pools, lakes, mini golf. Designed for young families. Pet friendly but has restrictions on the type of dog.
RangerSmall but sweet campground. If given the choice get a site in the pine loops. It's more of a walk from the lake but the other loops have no shade and seem more crowded together. We had site #24 and it was fairly ideal and very roomy. There is the Pier- Marquette Rail trail about 1.5 miles from the campground, great for biking, running etc. Electric hook up was fine. Bathrooms are cleaned 3 x a day. Showers were warm and clean. This is Amish country and the campground has horse hitching posts near the fishing lakes. We saw a horse and buggy hitched up there. But I imagine anyone could ride their horse there then hitch up while they fish or wade in the water. Beach is across the road from the park and no pets/dogs allowed in that side of the park. Other campers there were courteous and respectful of quite hours. I would stay there again if I had another event bring me to this area.
RangerOur site was averaged out to $82.71 a night with the weekly rate discount.
We were in Site# 306 (a deluxe plus RV site - be aware that some of these are back-ins and not clearly labeled on the site map - we had to change sites to a pull-thru). We had Full hook- up with a gravel pull-through.
We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep.
The site was easy to level.
Our site was not shaded with zero trees. We weren’t able to sit outside because of the direct sun until after 8:30pm.
This was a smaller lot with our neighbors fairly close.
The deluxe plus lot comes without a concrete patio but with a picnic table and fire ring. They do sell firewood and will deliver to your site.
There is free WiFi. They do not offer Cable TV but there are quite a few channel options.
There is not a community outdoor kitchen or community fire pit.
They do not provide garbage service at your site so you must walk to garbage dumpster.
You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. They also allow you to rent pedal bikes. They do not provide golf cart rentals.
They do have a heated indoor and heated outdoor Swimming pool and one hot tub.
There is a Playground. They also offer Gaga ball, basketball sport court, and volleyball courts. There is a Game room for kids. They have a Putt putt course and Jumping pad.
They have a great general store.
There is a separate Activity Center for kids.
There are tons of scheduled activities for kids like wagon rides, arts & crafts, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, etc. Activities are scheduled all day from 9am to 8pm.
There is a snack bar on site from 4pm-9:30pm where you can get hot dogs, brats, pretzels, nachos, ice cream, etc.
The streets are mostly paved and good for riding bikes.
This is an RV park with cabins to rent also. Tent camping is also allowed.
They have two shower houses. The shower house has the typical stalls. There is a great area to hang clothes and store your toiletries in the shower stall. These are kept very clean.
There is a laundry facility. It is a cash only facility, but they have a change machine in the arcade room. There are approximately 4washers and 4 dryers. It is approximately $2.75 to wash and $0.75 to dry a load.
They do not have a fenced in dog park. There are areas to walk dogs though.
Flies were an issue and bug spray was needed.
There were no trails to hike off of the campground.
Some fun things to do outside of the campground are Frankenmuth FunShips (chocolate & wine tasting), the Golden Ticket Trolley, the Bavarian Belle (popcorn & sodas) River Place Shops, wineries, and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland store. This RV park is less than a mile to downtown/River Place Shops where there is tons of shopping.
LegendThey were very organized at this campground. Every weekend they have a theme. We stayed when they had the country western weekend. They had all kinds of stuff going on for kids. Pony rides, wagon rides, petting zoo, games and activities. They also had a country music concert in the park one evening. The pool was very nice, but we found at times it was extremely busy. It would of been nice if they had a swimming area on the lake but they didn’t. This is a Christian campground so they are very strict on alcohol consumption. On your site only, but not allowed anywhere else in the park. Overall we had an enjoyable stay.
TravelerQuietly tucked into Clinton co Michigan. Sleepy is easily accessible. Its close to Lansing. There are shopping centers nearby. Country party store is closer!! Very large lake....Ovid is her name! Offers many species of fish for catching!! There are fishing docks, ONE IS NOT VERY ACCESSIBLE TO NON AMBULATORY PERSONS !!! THIS ONE'S IN THE CAMP AREA! The path is nicely groomed. The bea h is a long way from the parking lot a d there is no beach access from camp. The park is usually a clean family place...but for really young children or elderly persons it may. Ot be your first choice. I live nearby and have camped there zillions of times. I love it and shower bouses in camp are clean! Friendly staff a d they ate SERIOUS about quiet time! Bug spray required !!
GuideNice little county campground, under the canopy of trimmed pine trees. Lots were large, no issues with backing in our 36’ TT with 2 slides (make sure to clean your slides from the pine needles before you go). Fire pits were small And installed in ground, electrical was up to 30amp, and sites were all dirt for most part. They do have sites in front of the park (outside the loops) that is grass but in full sun. It is pet friendly. They have a few spots for fishing, but if you would Luke to swim, you will have to go across the street to the day use (still included with your stay) beach. Only real issues we had (just me) was starting around 9:30-10, the rangers would drive around the loops every 10-15 minutes until midnight (probably longer, but that’s when we turned in) and their lights from the pickup would blind us. In the back end of the park there was 4-5 loops and the loops are the size of a roundabout. So every time the truck would go into any of the loops it would constantly shine in your eyes when you are trying to enjoy the fire.
GuideThis was our last stop on a trip where we camped in 6 different Michigan State Parks. This may be an older camp or the DNR was trying to save money when it was built. Most electrical posts are designed to accommodate at least 2 adjoining lots, and as many as 4. This in itself is not a concern until you realize the posts are way too far away to reach without an extension. We tried several lots and couldn’t reach any of the outlets. We finally met a couple who saId they had extensions at the office. So, we finally got set up with an extension cord from the camp office and decided to walk to the beach. Our site was adjacent to the path leading to the beach so we figured we could use a little walk. The path led to another path that led to a parking lot for the beach. After crossing the parking lot we still had to cross a large yard/park that finally opened onto the beach on this small lake. It was all very scenic, but we weren’t expecting a major hike to get to the beach. Showers are nice. They also have a neat ice cream vending machine that I had to check out for scientific purposes only. For a Michigan state park we were quite disappointed.
GuideWe spent 4 days in the sparsely-populated campground. Very quiet. Great for walking the dogs around Sand Lake and other park trails. Cool weather,vas expected. Clea restrooms, older showers with sulphurous hot water. Resident Sandhill crane family was an added bonus. It is our go-to local campground
Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground and nearby camping areas cater to pet owners with designated sites for tents, RVs, and cabins around the Laingsburg area. Located in central Michigan's Clinton and Shiawassee counties, the region features a mix of farmland and woodland terrain with relatively flat topography. Winter temperatures can drop to single digits while summer highs reach the mid-80s, creating different seasonal considerations for campers with pets.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Ovid at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground offers good fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill. According to Michael P., "Fishing is good here for some largemouth bass, and huge blueguills."
Water activities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Hamilton provide beach and water access. At Campgrounds R Us, the water activities are accessible and pet-friendly. Paula W. notes, "The water was inviting and there were plenty of beach chairs and you could rent a paddle boat for the afternoon at the office."
Trail exploration: Multiple hiking paths accommodate leashed dogs. Jacob B. mentions Sleepy Hollow has the "best hiking trails within 1 hour drive of the state capital" and offers "fishing, boating, disc golf, horse and bike trails."
Winter recreation: For cold-weather camping with pets, prepare for temperatures that can drop significantly. The year-round facilities require proper insulation for pet shelters.
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance of bathroom facilities makes longer stays with pets more comfortable. Ricky C. from Sleepy Hollow State Park reports, "Bathrooms are clean, paved roads and grass sites."
Spacious campsites: Many locations offer room for pets to relax without crowding neighbors. Nathan V. explains Sleepy Hollow sites "are decent sized, can fit probably 3 four person tents per site, which includes a concrete firepit and picnic table."
Lake and beach access: Pet owners appreciate dedicated water areas separate from human swimming zones. Alexandra M. at Maple River Campground enjoyed her riverside spot, saying, "We were able to park the camper with the door facing the river. It was great for fishing, and our dogs had a great time too."
Private campsites: Amy D. describes her Sleepy Hollow experience: "Our site backed up to trees and I can't recall seeing our neighbors to the left or right," providing privacy for pet activities.
Extension cord requirements: At some parks, electrical hookups may require planning. Nick W. notes at Sleepy Hollow: "Most electrical posts are designed to accommodate at least 2 adjoining lots, and as many as 4. This in itself is not a concern until you realize the posts are way too far away to reach without an extension."
Distance to amenities: Beach and facility access may require transportation. Stephanie C. advises about Sleepy Hollow: "There is a beach and playground, but it is quite the walk from the campground. Plan to drive or bike ride if you have trouble walking long distances."
Seasonal challenges: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Hamilton experience distinct weather patterns. Seasonal operations vary, with Maple River open year-round but many others closing mid-October.
Water quality concerns: Water sources may require filtration, especially for pet consumption. Paula W. from Campgrounds R Us warns: "We drew water from the spigot and it was very discolored and one jug we put it in had red flakes in it. Make sure you use your water filter."
Activity planning: Several pet-friendly campgrounds cater to families with children. Martin W. says Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park is a "Great campground, but more for families with younger children. Great staff, great events, always a fantastic time!"
Site selection for privacy: Some locations offer more secluded options for families with pets. Roxane K. notes about Jellystone: "There's not very many trees between camping spaces so don't expect much privacy."
Seasonal events: Special themed weekends create memorable experiences. Stephanie C. mentions, "Every year they put together an awesome Halloween trick or treat weekend, but be sure to book the day of six months before because otherwise you will not get a site."
Playground access: Most pet-friendly sites include play areas for children. Katie J. from River Ridge Campground highlights "a great playground for kids, volleyball court, basketball court and camp store!"
Site leveling: Most campgrounds have relatively flat terrain but may require minor adjustments. Bob W. from Leisure Lake Family Campground notes, "Good sized lots & most are very level or need minimal leveling."
Road width considerations: Narrow campground roads can challenge larger rigs. Paula W. observes about Campgrounds R Us: "We were surprised at how small the roadway was. It was very narrow and a bit difficult to maneuver."
Tractor assistance: Some locations offer backup help for larger RVs. Mary F. explains, "If you drive a larger rig and have any concern about backing in, the owner is always willing to back your trailer in with the tractor. We have a 40' fifth wheel and they have helped us every time."
Extra fees awareness: Watch for additional charges. Alexandra M. mentions at Maple River Campground: "You do have to pay $5 for shower use and $5 to use the dump station."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hamilton, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hamilton, MI is Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Hamilton, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 75 dog-friendly camping locations near Hamilton, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
