Just-In-Time Campground in Ithaca permits pets at all tent, RV, and cabin sites with standard leash requirements. Several campgrounds within 30 minutes of Ithaca maintain pet-friendly policies, including Leisure Lake Family Campground in Sumner and Sleepy Hollow State Park in Laingsburg. Most sites require pets to remain on leash at all times, with designated areas for walking dogs. Campground amenities typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water. Saginaw Chippewa Campground in Mount Pleasant offers a family-friendly environment with clean facilities and highway proximity. Visitors note that campground staff are generally strict about quiet hours, which helps maintain a peaceful environment for all campers, including those with pets.
The region offers several water recreation opportunities where dogs can cool off during summer months. Lake of Dreams Campground provides boat-in access and walking trails suitable for dog exercise, while River Ridge Campground in Breckenridge features hiking paths and walking areas. Campers should be prepared for seasonal considerations, as most campgrounds in the area operate from May through October, with Just-In-Time Campground open May 1 to October 15 and Leisure Lake Family Campground operating May 1 to October 1. Mosquitoes can be intense during summer months, particularly in wooded areas, so appropriate bug spray is essential for both humans and pets. Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park in Mount Pleasant remains open slightly longer, from April 1 through October 31, providing additional options for fall camping with pets.
$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."
"It’s super close to the casino, you get discounts at the water park! 4th of July fireworks the best and so close! Super clean restrooms and Laundry. Not shady, all sun for now."
"The reason we chose this was to be close to the casino and the sites were full hook-up."
"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."
"10 minutes away from anything you will need. Right off the highway. Clean and accessible!"
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.
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.
ScoutPretty nice sites. Pool and game room as well as a store. There are trails that lead to the river and also to an area where bald eagles have a nest. Pets are allowed . Nice little playground for the kiddos.
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.
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.
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 !!
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.
LegendThis is a rustic state forest campground with only 8 non-reservable sites. The sites have decent distance between them and vary from tucked into the trees (away from the lake) or more open (near the lake). Several sites have views of the lake, and a couple have direct access to it down small paths. The sites are large enough for most rigs, even though the DNR recommends smaller trailers.
Big Mud Lake is a decent size and is nice and calm for kayaking, etc. There is a boat ramp near the campground, although Site #6 has a small path down to the lake with a shallow spot to use for putting a kayak or canoe in and out of the water.
There is a 2.5-mile-long connector from this campground to the Green Pine Lake Pathway -- it's a total of about 9 miles of trails that connects you to three different lakes.
Mosquitoes came out a bit at night, but weren't bad overall and didn't bother us during the day in the campground. (Can't speak to what might happen on the trail.)
Cellular service for Verizon is awesome, service for Google Fi was decent.
If you can snag a spot here, you're in for a nice peaceful time but can still stay connected if you need to get some work done in between your forays into the woods or out onto the lake.
The Ithaca area offers a range of camping opportunities across central Michigan's flat terrain and agricultural landscape. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 700-850 feet above sea level, with the Pine River providing water recreation options during summer months. Winter temperatures can drop below 10°F, while summer averages 75-85°F with moderate humidity.
Fishing opportunities: Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground provides decent fishing for largemouth bass and bluegills. "Fishing is good here for some largemouth bass, and huge blueguils," notes Michael P. The park has multiple water access points for anglers.
Water recreation: Lake of Dreams Campground features inflatable water toys that attract families with children. "The high lights are the large blow up toys in the lake! The kids love them! Be sure you bring extra money, there is a charge and it's not cheap!" shares Karen P.
Hiking trails: Sleepy Hollow offers some of the best hiking near Lansing. "Best hiking trails within 1 hour drive of the state capital," states Jacob B., adding "fun backpacking trails... fishing, boating, disc golf, horse and bike trails, geocaching available."
Beach access: Several campgrounds offer swimming beaches with varying amenities. One camper at River Ridge Campground noted, "There are Sites right on the river, kayak rentals, pool and hot tub, and a separate swimming hole with sandy beach and inflatable toys!"
Private sites: Many campers appreciate secluded spots at area campgrounds. At Sleepy Hollow, Amy D. mentions, "Our site backed up to trees and I can't recall seeing our neighbors to the left or right." This privacy enhances the camping experience for those seeking quieter stays.
Clean facilities: Saginaw Chippewa Campground gets positive reviews for maintenance. Phoenix U. reports it's "Clean and accessible!" and "10 minutes away from anything you will need. Right off the highway."
Riverfront camping: Maple River Campground offers sites directly on the water. Karen shares, "had a beautiful riverfront spot where we were able to put our camper parallel to the water instead of backed in! it was beautiful."
Level sites: RVers appreciate the even terrain at many local campgrounds. At Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park, Michael G. noted "paved sites and a nice lake," though he mentioned there's "not much space, trees or privacy."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area close for winter. Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park operates "April 1 to October 31," offering a slightly extended season compared to others.
Pet policies: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Ithaca maintain standard leash requirements. David F. from Just-In-Time Campground notes it's "great for the family," with activities including "fireworks or movies on their big screen" and a private beach.
Site accessibility issues: Some campers report electrical hookup challenges. At Sleepy Hollow State Park, Nick W. observed, "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."
Cash payment options: Some campgrounds require specific payment methods. William D. advises about Saginaw Chippewa Campground: "Make sure to have cash or a check as the office is only staffed part time. You can do a self check in and leave in the drop box. No reservations here all site are fcfs."
Water activities: Leisure Lake Family Campground offers numerous kid-focused amenities. Bob W. reports, "Good sized lots & most are very level or need minimal leveling. Lots of activities for the kids."
Playgrounds and recreation: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Ithaca feature dedicated play areas. Katie J. shares that River Ridge has "a great playground for kids, volleyball court, basketball court and camp store!"
Halloween events: Sleepy Hollow State Park hosts special seasonal activities. 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."
Beach distance: At some campgrounds, water access requires a walk. Ricky C. notes about Sleepy Hollow, "Nice beach but you have to walk a short distance to get there," which families should consider when planning their stay with children.
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer electric and water, with some providing full hookups. At Maple River Campground, Alexandra M. cautions, "You do have to pay $5 for shower use and $5 to use the dump station."
Casino proximity: For those interested in gaming, Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park provides shuttle service. Renee C. shares, "It's super close to the casino, you get discounts at the water park!" making it convenient for RVers seeking entertainment.
Site sizing: Larger rigs should check site dimensions before booking. At Leisure Lake Family Campground, Clint noted it's a "Nice family campground on a man-made lake" but cautioned about "not much space, trees or privacy."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ithaca, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ithaca, 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 Ithaca, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 75 dog-friendly camping locations near Ithaca, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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