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Dog-Friendly Camping near Higgins Lake, MI

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    North Higgins Lake State Park Campground permits pets throughout the year at its wooded campsites where many sites back up to forest areas. South Higgins Lake State Park Campground and Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA also accommodate pets with designated pet-friendly areas. Leashed dogs are required at all locations with owners responsible for proper waste disposal. Sites are generally spacious enough for pet containment, though the park can get busy during summer months with many families and children on bikes. Campground roads provide good walking areas for dogs, and many trails through the dense woods offer additional exercise opportunities. Bathrooms remain clean despite the pet traffic. Sites vary from basic tent camping to full hookup RV spots, with some primitive camping areas available for those seeking more seclusion with their dogs.

    The nearby trails and sandy beaches provide excellent recreation options for visitors with pets, though dogs are not permitted on the public swimming beaches at Higgins Lake. Many campers note the crystal clear water and soft sandy bottom at the lake is ideal for dogs that enjoy swimming at designated pet access points. During peak summer months, the campgrounds can become quite active, so visitors seeking quieter experiences for nervous dogs should consider weekday stays or spring/fall visits. Several local veterinary services operate in Roscommon, about 10-15 minutes from most campgrounds. Wildlife is abundant in the area, so keeping pets secured is essential, particularly at dawn and dusk when animals are most active. Road noise can be an issue for sites positioned near the main roads, something to consider when selecting a site for pets sensitive to traffic sounds.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Higgins Lake (190)

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      1. North Higgins Lake State Park Campground

      4.2(16)2mi from Higgins LakeRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Ive been wanting to paddle Higgins lake for a long time but never did because I know I am not a huge fan of state parks.... especially the large, crowded ones like this. You know what though?"

      "It is in a nice location with lakeside swimming and picnic tables while having the camping site close by. Campers are respectful and it is nice and quiet at night. Terrific park!"

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      2. South Higgins Lake State Park Campground

      4.4(13)7mi from Higgins LakeRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Higgins lake is beautiful. The water is less than waist deep for about 100 yards out and then drops off to about 90' deep. The water color is amazing when the sun is out."

      "In addition to the boat launch there is also a camp store down the road with tons of snacks, camping gear/utensils, and Higgins lake souvenirs. I will definitely return again!"

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      3. Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA

      4.2(5)5mi from Higgins LakeRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "It is a smaller KOA surrounded by dense woods. Some trails and very close to Higginss Lake state parjs."

      "Some family activities and trails. Surrounded by nice mature trees. Site 61 did take some time to get all leveled out almost didn't have enough blocks. But very nice once set up."

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      4. Hartwick Pines State Park Campground

      4.5(18)18mi from Higgins LakeRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "A few trails walking distance from the campground. The old growth trail is beautiful and really well maintained. The trees are crazy TALL."

      "Some full hookups, unusual for Michigan state parks that I’ve seen."

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      5. Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground

      4.2(6)9mi from Higgins LakeRVs, Tents

      "Just a short drive to Houghton or Higgins lake."

      "I love the campsite and the access to the dam! Great time with the dogs! Can’t wait for the construction to be completed in the fall..."

      from $20 / night

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      6. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park & Resort at Grayling

      4.4(7)11mi from Higgins LakeRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Pet friendly."

      "Great campground filled with wonderful staff, a cute camp store, hiking and biking trails, wild berries, mini golf, a pool, and plenty of activities!"

      from $37 - $68 / night

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      7. Houghton Lake State Forest Campground

      3.5(4)6mi from Higgins LakeRVs, Tents
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      8. Great Circle Campground

      1.8(4)5mi from Higgins LakeRVs, Tents

      "Firefly evening strolls on sandy trails through the woods. Dog friendly. Seasonal family gathering spot. Helpful camp hosts give a friendly wave several times daily."

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      9. Upper Manistee River

      4.5(11)19mi from Higgins LakeRVs, Tents

      "the sites are sandy and surrounded by tall pines and ferns. some biting flies, especially near river (late june). multiple vault toilets and one water pump. sites are spacious enough for small campers"

      "We love Michigan outdoors! We chose paddling and camping the Big Manistee River. As is the expectation when we camp…there will be rain…and this outing was no different."

      from $15 - $20 / night

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      10. Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground

      3.4(5)12mi from Higgins LakeRVs, Tents

      "Being right on the lake was wonderful."

      "The campground is conveniently located but this means it’s a very busy place."

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    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Higgins Lake, MI

    82 Photos of 190 Higgins Lake Campgrounds

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Higgins Lake, MI

    706 Reviews of 190 Higgins Lake Campgrounds

    • Kristina P.
      Jul. 18, 2018

      South Higgins Lake State Park Campground

      beautiful lake, crowded dirty camp

      we love Higgins lake, it’s clear, shallow and great for a family with small children. the campground was crowded, loud, and so dirty.

    • K
      Jul. 1, 2019

      Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground

      Campground

      Quiet rustic campground. Most sites have waterfront with pretty views. The campsites are very large and clean. The Dam was under construction so not sure what it is typically like but the water wasn’t very nice for swimming where we were on site 6. Just a short drive to Houghton or Higgins lake.

    • Tracey L.
      Jul. 27, 2020

      Countryside Campground & Cabins

      Kid and Pet Friendly with technology hip owners.

      W.O.W. This is the CLEANEST campground I have ever been to. Seriously not 1 cigarette but or candy wrapper on my site when I arrived. Picnic tables are freshly washed. Sites around#40 are spacious and shaded all day which was awesome. No mats allowed but it was great as the grass is green and lush. Store has apparel, camping tools, and ice cream. Kids ran there every day and it is affordable and friendly. Pool is super clean as well as the bathrooms. Loved the online check in process so there was no delays and we just pulled right into our site. If you have pets there is a fenced in dog park with pick up bags and mowed trails for daily walking or biking. We will be back!!!  WIFI too!

    • Stu E.
      Oct. 7, 2020

      South Higgins Lake State Park Campground

      Large State Park on a beautiful inland lake.

      This is one of our families favorite places to camp. Higgins lake is beautiful. The water is less than waist deep for about 100 yards out and then drops off to about 90' deep. The water color is amazing when the sun is out. There is a massive boat launch in a protected lagoon. The campground has about 400 sites. There are a few sites with full hook-ups. some of the sites are difficult to get into once you get up into the trees away from the water front.  Getting a site here during the summer can be very difficult. You will want one of the sites closer to the lake.  If you want one of these sites, you will need to be ready to book the site 6 months in advance. There is also a camp store that sells ice cream and homemade pizza.

    • Kate K.
      Jul. 20, 2020

      North Higgins Lake State Park Campground

      Busy and Bustling

      Ive been wanting to paddle Higgins lake for a long time but never did because I know I am not a huge fan of state parks.... especially the large, crowded ones like this. You know what though? This place wasn’t all that bad! It was busy, there was a TON of sites, and not much space between neighbors... but, the sites were heavily wooded, the boat launch/lake was beautiful, and our neighbors were very friendly. So honestly, it could have been much worse. I could see how this place would be ideal for large families and small children. Lots to do and plenty of other kids to play with. Also a great spot for people who use trailers, campers, and pop ups, rather than traditional tents.

    • 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.

    • Christina M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 23, 2019

      South Higgins Lake State Park Campground

      Great campground on a great lake!

      Stayed here before the 4th of July for the weekend and was really impressed with the facilities and size of spaces at the campground. For being such a busy campground (since there is a boat launch) the sites are still quite large! We were able to fit 2 large tents, a small tent, 2 cars, 1 boat trailer and a sun shade for our gear with plenty of room to spare.

      The restrooms (which I am told were recently renovated) were very clean.

      The beaches were well maintained and plenty of space to moor boats overnight.

      In addition to the boat launch there is also a camp store down the road with tons of snacks, camping gear/utensils, and Higgins lake souvenirs.

      I will definitely return again! Be sure to catch a sunset from the campground beaches, you won’t regret it!

      If you aren't familiar with this lake it is extremely clear (see video) and very large, there are 2 sandbar areas which are very popular providing 3-4 feet water to hangout in.

    • S
      Sep. 5, 2021

      Gaylord KOA

      Horrible

      The owners were constantly driving around and correcting people. Rules are okay but they were over the top. They would even stop and just stare at our site while we sat outside.. it was very odd. Also not kept up at all. The playground was old and my 30 lb dog slipped out from under the “dog park” fence because it was so high off the ground where they were allowed to be unleashed, luckily we got her and she’s ok.

    • 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.

    Guide to Higgins Lake

    Campers at Higgins Lake enjoy a mix of sandy shorelines and wooded sites with access to one of Michigan's clearest lakes. The water reaches depths of 135 feet with exceptional clarity that allows visibility to depths of 20-30 feet. Many campgrounds near Higgins Lake remain open from April through October, with peak visitor periods from late June through August when daytime temperatures average 75-85°F.

    What to do

    Water activities on Higgins Lake: Campers at North Higgins Lake State Park Campground appreciate the clear water conditions. One visitor noted, "The beach was nice, water is crystal clear," while others mention the lake's soft sandy bottom makes it ideal for swimming and wading activities.

    Hiking through pine forests: The wooded areas around Hartwick Pines State Park Campground offer scenic trails through old growth forest. A camper shared, "Hartwick Pines features old growth forest on the hiking trails, multiple ranger programs each week... plus side trails that are less traveled so you rarely see anyone else!" The area includes educational opportunities to learn about Michigan's logging history.

    Fishing opportunities: The Manistee River provides fishing options for anglers at Upper Manistee River campground. A visitor mentioned, "My dad and I stayed for a weekend to fish the Manistee River. The pit toilets were some of the cleanest I have ever experienced." The river's clear waters support various fish species including trout.

    What campers like

    Spacious campsites: South Higgins Lake State Park Campground offers larger sites than many similar facilities. A camper reported, "For being such a busy campground (since there is a boat launch) the sites are still quite large! We were able to fit 2 large tents, a small tent, 2 cars, 1 boat trailer and a sun shade for our gear with plenty of room to spare."

    Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and showers. One visitor to North Higgins Lake State Park noted, "The park and bathrooms were always clean, showers were clean and had good water pressure." This attention to cleanliness extends to the beaches and common areas.

    Family-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park & Resort at Grayling provides structured entertainment for families. A camper described the experience: "Super clean. Lots of activities. Themed weekends. Kids have a blast. Pet friendly." The campground includes amenities like a pool, outdoor movies, and mini golf to keep children engaged.

    What you should know

    Varying noise levels: Some campgrounds experience road noise or military training sounds. A camper at North Higgins Lake State Park noted, "Our site location was noisy at times since so close to a main road." Those seeking quiet should research site locations carefully or consider weekday visits.

    Seasonal crowds: Lake-adjacent campgrounds become crowded during peak summer months, especially weekends. One visitor to South Higgins Lake State Park observed, "Water is very beautiful! Gets very very crowded though." Most campgrounds reach capacity on summer weekends and holidays.

    Water quality concerns: Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground has had water advisories. A camper mentioned, "There is a health advisory about swallowing any of the foam in the water because of PFAS contamination." Always check current conditions before planning water activities.

    Tips for camping with families

    Secure reservations early: Popular family-friendly sites fill quickly. For South Higgins Lake State Park, a visitor advised, "If you want one of these sites, you will need to be ready to book the site 6 months in advance." Booking windows typically open at 8 AM EST on the first day of availability.

    Consider themed weekends: Holiday programming adds structure for family trips. A camper at Jellystone Park mentioned, "I love going to the Halloween themed weekends with trick-or-treating at the campground. People decorate their sites, dress up, and hand out candy." These special events usually require earlier reservations.

    Select sites away from boat launches: For families with small children, quieter areas improve the experience. At South Higgins Lake State Park, a camper recommended, "On holiday weekends we camp further away from the boat launch, as it gets extremely busy!" Boat traffic increases noise and activity levels near launch areas.

    Tips from RVers

    Full hookup options: Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA provides complete services in a wooded setting. A visitor noted it is "a smaller KOA surrounded by dense woods" with sites accommodating larger rigs. The campground maintains good access roads for maneuvering larger vehicles.

    Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for RV leveling. A camper at Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA shared, "Site 61 did take some time to get all leveled out almost didn't have enough blocks." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended, especially for sites in older campgrounds.

    Water and electrical placement: Hookup locations vary between sites. A camper at Hartwick Pines mentioned that sites have "full hookup sites and others with just electric." Some campgrounds have hookups positioned in non-standard locations, requiring additional hose or cord length.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Higgins Lake, MI is North Higgins Lake State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 16 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 190 dog-friendly camping locations near Higgins Lake, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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