Christina A.
Scout
ScoutSunset Bay RV Resort and Campground
Amazing view of the sunset!! Rock hunting is cool! Owners are decent.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Isle Royale National Park, MI
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Sunset Bay RV Resort and Campground accommodates pets throughout its beachfront property on Lake Superior's shoreline near Isle Royale National Park. Campers with dogs have access to tent sites directly on the beach, RV sites with full hookups including 50-amp service, and pet-friendly cabin and glamping options. The campground features well-maintained facilities including modern restrooms, showers, and a dump station for RV travelers. Grand Portage Lodge & Casino also permits pets at its campground, offering electric hookups and picnic tables at each site. Both locations allow fires with fire rings provided, though Grand Portage's sites lack privacy with minimal shade trees and vegetation between camping spots.
Gravel and sand roads throughout Sunset Bay lead to waterfront campsites where dogs can enjoy Lake Superior's shoreline during sunset walks. The campground's remote location requires travel down a long dirt road, providing a quiet environment away from highway noise that many pets find less stressful. Both campgrounds serve as convenient bases for accessing Isle Royale National Park, though pets are not permitted on the national park itself. Grand Portage's location three miles from the ferry terminal makes it particularly convenient for travelers needing pre-ferry accommodations. The Lake Superior shore offers excellent rock hunting opportunities for visitors with pets, while multiple small waterfalls in the surrounding area provide additional outdoor exploration options where leashed dogs are welcome.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Isle Royale National Park (2)
1. Sunset Bay RV Resort and Campground
"However, when we drove past the roadside sign, my husband said he wanted to check it out. And we're so glad we did!"
"We really liked this campground mostly for its location and beautiful beach on Lake Superior."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $50 / night
2. Grand Portgage Lodge & Casino
"Not very private no trees or shade but I guess it’s not really needed when you’re on Lake Superior. It’s mid June and the high is 60. You get to enjoy all the amenities of the lodge and casino."
"We have a great view of the harbor and the lake. The sites are really spaced out. The grounds are not manicured (the grass under our picnic table is knee high)."
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Isle Royale National Park
78 Reviews of 2 Isle Royale National Park Campgrounds
aidan L.
GuideWashington Creek Campground — Isle Royale National Park
Incredible spot
Easily one of the best camping spots I have ever been to. We stayed in the shelters for 2 and half days and saw moose almost everyday. Beware of mosquitoes and the occasional greedy squirrel. This is a must camp spot in the park and a fantastic spot to be one with nature. Highly recommend to everyone absolutely no downsides.
Matt M.
TravelerBelle Isle Campground — Isle Royale National Park
Remote Shelters with a great beach
Site consists of 6 shelters and 1 camp site. Two of the shelters and the campsite are on the water. Very popular place for anglers who use their boat to catch trout and salmon in open water. Every site had a BBQ grill for small fires. Large communal firepit near the bear box.
Weather shifted in extreme ways when the wind blew from the north with fog coming in every few hours. Seems to never get fully dry!
Amy G.
LegendLake Richie Campground — Isle Royale National Park
Georgous and very private - literally on the trail and easy to find
While this is literally on the trail, it's not highly frequented, so it's still very, very quiet. The trail runs just past the front of it with all the sites up a slight hill off of that same trail. No hunting your way down side trails once you are already exhausted to find this one.
We didn't see anyone else while we were here overnight. Finding a site was super easy and they all have a great view of the lake too. Space for a tent and trees to hammock if allowed. Outhouses too (I think there were two?) set between sites so you can find them easily. There is also a group camp (separate permit required to use it) at one end that had it's own outhouse.
We hear wolves the night we were there - so cool. An entire pack. Did not see them (and people rarely do) but hearing the was a highlight of the trip.
NOTE: This is not Lake Ritchie canoe camp - that is a different camp only accessible by canoe.
- Amy G.Legend
Hay Bay Campground — Isle Royale National Park
Very very remote - accessible only by water unless you love to bushwhack
NOTE: My 4 star is based on "back country" sites. Not on a normal campground where you find showers, etc.
Hay Bay is incredibly pretty. Albeit, incredibly difficult to get to by foot. If you have a boat and a destination to get there, no issues. But if you are on foot, it's back country for a few miles by a combo of bushwhacking and beach walking to get there.
There is a long dock which is lovely for drying clothing in the sun (don't let it blow away), laying on to catch some rays and a nap, sitting on to enjoy the view, etc. A sliver of sand beach is great for going barefoot to massage your piggies. Watch out for leeches if you are dipping to rinse off. A picnic table (when I was there) was near the dock for eating and setting up solar panels.
OUTHOUSE: Take the patch away from the beach/dock area about 50 yards to a wooden outhouse. Please use this and not the woods to do your business. Take your own paper - they do not provide it for you.
TENTING: There is actually a tenting "area" back in the woods. And that's is where tenting is intended to be. You are not supposed to set up near the shore. If you go toward the outhouse there is another path to the right (can't remember if it's before or after the outhouse) and it leads about another 50 yards back to an open area in the trees where you could set up multiple tents on a flat pad. From that pad area, there is actually one more path straight down to the beach area.
BEAR BAGS: It's not easy to find a good bear bag tree (if they don't have a bear box installed) but we found one at the path noted above, right on the beach, and. hung them there.
This is a gorgeous spot if you can get to it. A diamond in the rough. Literally.
Jordan A.ScoutGrand Portgage Lodge & Casino
Definitely not great
Most staff don’t know what’s happening around the place. Room did not have air conditioning thankfully it was cooler outside.
Tori K.LegendHatchet Lake Campground — Isle Royale National Park
Quite steep
The hike in was quite steep. No shelters here, no fires here (personal camp stove is fine). Campground is very primitive, but nice to be on the lake. There is a latrine here but do not expect there to be toilet paper stocked and no hand sanitizer. Overall a nice place to stay!
- Tori K.Legend
West Chickenbone Campground — Isle Royale National Park
Lake sites
Primitive site. Most sites have room for a couple of backpacking tents if you are hiking in a small group. No fire rings or picnic table. There are some lakefront sites here. I believe there was an outhouse in the campground. I believe this is one of the lakes that periodically has algal blooms. When you get to the island off the boat, the ranger goes through everybody’s route and itinerary with them and will let you know what water sources may be dried up and what water sources are going through an algal bloom so you can plan your water sourcing appropriately.
- Tori K.Legend
Island Mine Campground — Isle Royale National Park
Spacious
This was our first campground from Windigo port. We saw a mom and a calf moose in our first 5 minutes of hiking after checking in with the rangers. Overall the campground and sites were pretty spacious, we could've fit more tents if needed. There was an outhouse and each site had a fire ring I believe. The water source is a small creek nearby that does get low or dry up seasonally, so plan accordingly.
Guide to Isle Royale National Park
Camping options near Isle Royale National Park include lakefront sites situated at elevations between 600-650 feet above sea level along Lake Superior's northern shoreline. The region experiences cool summer temperatures averaging 65-75°F during peak camping season (June-August), with frequent fog conditions affecting visibility across the lake. Winter access becomes extremely limited as temperatures drop below freezing from November through April.
What to do
Rock hunting along shorelines: Sunset Bay RV Resort and Campground provides direct beach access for collecting Lake Superior agates and other unique specimens. "We discovered this campground 6 years ago when my nephew wanted to camp as far north in Michigan as we could. Since then we've spent 2 weeks each August tent camping on the shores of Lake Superior," shares camper RJ W.
Visit local waterfalls: Several small cascades dot the region surrounding camping areas. "Nice campground near lots of small waterfalls," notes Keenan about Sunset Bay RV Resort and Campground.
Use casino amenities: Campers staying at Grand Portgage Lodge & Casino gain access to additional recreational facilities. "We didn't know in advance, but paying for the campground allows you free use of the pool inside the casino!" reports Amy G.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Sites offering unobstructed lake vistas rank highest among visitor preferences. "We have what I consider the best site in the park (#12). We have a great view of the harbor and the lake. The sites are really spaced out," writes Susan A. about her experience at Grand Portgage Lodge & Casino.
Clean facilities: Modern bathrooms and shower facilities receive consistent positive feedback. "Great campground with lots of space. One of the longest running campgrounds on Lake Superior. Family owned, very clean and the bathrooms are very nice," mentions Samantha B. about Sunset Bay RV Resort.
Honor system amenities: Some campgrounds maintain a trust-based approach to certain services. "There was also dump station and fresh water easily available, not to mention the laundry house! Two washers, two dryers, and a sink for scrubbing plus all of the laundry soap and dryer sheets you needed. It was just payment on the honor system to use them," explains Amy G.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service becomes unreliable throughout the region. "There is a large gas station next to the marina where you can make phone calls at a pay phone (There is no cell service) and get some last minute treats before you head out on the boat," advises Matt S. about staying at Grand Portgage Lodge & Casino.
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations can be significant, even during summer months. "Not very private no trees or shade but I guess it's not really needed when you're on Lake Superior. It's mid June and the high is 60," shares Rico R.
Road conditions: Access to some pet-friendly campsites involves unpaved travel. "This place is way off the beaten path. Long dirt road to get back here. There are tent sites all along the beach front to watch the sunset and pick rocks. Most sites are fairly level," notes Stephen L.
Tips for camping with families
Schedule ferry planning: When bringing families to access Isle Royale, timing becomes critical. "Grand Portage Lodge and Casino is not what I imagine as a place to pitch a tent, but right next to the marina is an RV park and a bunch of spots for tents. I'm not a gambler so this is not normally a destination for me, but it is the best place to camp to make it to the Ferry by 6:30 a.m. the next morning," recommends Matt S.
Site selection for comfort: Families should consider campsite location relative to amenities. "The sites and bathrooms are just average. The hookups all work well, but the fire pits and tables are fairly old and the maintenance of the park is just ok," cautions Duncan G.
Local activities for kids: Children particularly enjoy shoreline exploration options. "Went here over memorial weekend and I've gotta say it was just wonderful. This is a more modern camp site with a full bathroom and shower for those of us who dont want to make our own Blair witch movie but that doesn't take away from the beautiful lake view and the wonderful surrounding wild life," shares Alexandrea S.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Larger vehicles face certain limitations at waterfront locations. "We really liked this campground mostly for its location and beautiful beach on Lake Superior. It has a long driveway that is gravel and all of the campground loops are also gravel or sand so it can be a little dusty. The lake shore sites have beautiful, full views of the lake but just know that many sites will be a tight fit for larger rigs," advises Jeremy B. about Sunset Bay RV Resort and Campground.
Leveling considerations: RV campers should prepare for site variations. "Most sites are fairly level. I feel like we got one of the only ones that wasn't but I'm not real picky," mentions Stephen L.
Premium site selection: RVers seeking improved views should request specific location types. "There are standard and premium sites. The premium sites have a better view of the marina and the lake," explains Duncan G.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Isle Royale National Park?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Isle Royale National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Isle Royale National Park is Sunset Bay RV Resort and Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 11 reviews.
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