224 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Maple Grove Campground accommodates pets in Lake City with clean, level sites that received significant improvements in recent years. The campground provides well-maintained fire rings and graded roads alongside basic amenities for campers with dogs. Ted and Jen, the current operators, have upgraded the facilities beyond what previous management offered. Pets are welcome at nearby Goose Lake State Forest Campground which maintains rustic campsites with access to natural surroundings where dogs can explore the shoreline. Crooked Lake Park Campground also permits pets with relatively private sites situated near the water. Most pet-friendly campgrounds in the area provide pit toilets, drinking water, and established fire rings.
Dogs enjoy access to several bodies of water around Lake City's camping areas, though Crooked Lake has been noted as quite weedy for swimming. The lakeside sites at Long Lake State Forest Campground provide water access for pets while maintaining a quiet atmosphere despite being near an ORV trailhead. Many of the state forest campgrounds offer pet-friendly hiking trails connecting directly to campsites. When camping with pets in the Lake City area, visitors should be prepared for rustic conditions at state forest sites, which typically provide vault toilets and hand pumps for water without electrical hookups or shower facilities. Sites are generally first-come, first-served, especially during peak camping season from April through October when pet-friendly campgrounds fill quickly.
"Long Lake campground on same access rd. Secluded yet 2 mi from Lake City. Very nice"
"By definition, Michigan will come up! By location, Goose Creek SFC."
"Great little campground just on the outskirts of Cadillac. Great rates especially for full hookups."
"Pool and petting zoo for the kids. Small store with ice, few necessities and ice cream. Pond in the back on the small river for fishing. Quite a few seasonal campers."
from $38 - $999 / night
Check Availability"The sites themselves are small, ours had massive roots that made walking and setting up outside a challenge. We saw a couple of people actually moving their campers to different sites."
"Very kind operators when we were in a pickle with an RV we rented and was very flexible with our situation. Clean areas and convenient to Manton area."
"the road grated, this year there in the process of getting better internet out there which will be great for the whole camp ground and they leveled the camp sites out the best they could , the city of lake"
"Nice little lake with a boat launch."
"Another Great Michigan State Park. This State Park is located in Cadillac MI. I love it It is located between 2 lakes, Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell. "
"Love taking the boat and enjoying both lakes with the kiddos. Careful of Lake Cadillac and the rocks in the water."
from $45 - $120 / night
Check Availability"This campground is the perfect spot if you want to still have a camping experience and get away from RV parks. The terrain there makes for a beautiful view."
"This campground is a small gem close to Cadillac, MI. The owners are friendly and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Showers were hot and bathrooms were clean."
"it was cold and rainy so we passed on hiking. we decided instead to drive around and explore the traverse city area and some of the dog friendly parts of sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore. had a great"
"I love going around September so quiet a few people there loads of trails to walk on and people are very respectful I keep going every year"
"Long Lake Wexford was a great little spot. The first come - first serve sites are large an spacious. Some are tree covered and more forested while others are open, grassy and lakeside."
"The campground had a boat launch and provides easy close access to ORV trails."
ScoutNice little spot. There are lots of places to camp around each of the lakes. There is a bathroom near the first lake. Have to park in the parking lot and walk down. The first spot is about 0.5 mile down the path. Very secluded
ScoutGreat campsite. Nice spot with solid fire ring. There was also connection so we could watch football
TravelerWe came later Friday in October and every spot was occupied. It is very beautiful though. There is some places it says no camping. If you can't camp there it would be a nice place to find a secluded spot and hammock all day. Camp sites are not close to each other at all.
TravelerFirst come first serve lots. Big spaces. Loops 1-3 were open in October. Nice trails all around, lake was very pretty. Can't complain for $20 a night. Outhouses were stinky but that's expected. You pay by putting cash in an envelope near the entrance and putting a tag on the site of dates you'll be there.
GuideYa got sunny and more private sites. Little lake and trails. Quick exit onto pavement between Traverse City and the dunes.
ScoutBeautiful campground. Quiet and peaceful. Large sites provide privacy. Beautiful sunsets .
TravelerThe 2 good things about this campground was the full hook up & the large site size. However, my site & a few surrounding sites smelled like sewage from the moment I stepped out of my truck. I couldn't sit outside to enjoy the "fresh" air or open my windows. The picnic table was backed against utility boxes, & the fire pit was within a few feet of the camper behind me. Supposedly there are 3 dog beaches. I found 1 that was a tiny spot with a little bit of sand. I walked over a mile to the park's edge following signs for another dog beach. It didn't exist. Dog beaches are not marked on the map.
GuideNice on the river easy access. Shady sites not on top each other. Barred owl not even dark
GuideOld Grade Campground awesome. Barred Owl and a pack of coyotes yipping in the middle of the nite very close. Nice site too on the water
Lake City sits in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula where state forest campgrounds surround several interconnected lakes at around 1,200 feet elevation. The camping season typically runs April through October with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during daytime hours. Winter camping options exist but facilities become limited with many water systems winterized by November.
Hiking trails: The North Country Trail connects directly to Old US-131 State Forest Campground and offers excellent day hiking options. "The NCT follows the river right into the campground so you can backpack in or car camp," notes Tee Jay M. The Fife Lake Loop trailhead is located within the campground, creating convenient access for overnight hikers.
Water activities: Visitors can enjoy kayaking and fishing on multiple lakes. "We put in upriver a ways where there was parking and got out right at the campground. It was close enough that we could follow the trail along the river back to our car since we only had one," explains a camper about Old US-131's river access. Long Lake provides fishing opportunities despite its vegetation.
Winter recreation: Several campgrounds remain open year-round for winter camping enthusiasts. "We car camped in February to hike the NCT. Clean toilets, gorgeous wooded setting, nice flat spot," shares Michael M. about Old US-131 State Forest Campground. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails become accessible directly from many camping areas.
Swimming areas: Lake Billings RV Park & Campground offers dedicated swimming zones that families appreciate. "They have a very nice swimming/play area for small children," notes Dakota R. The sandy areas at several lakes provide safe wading access for children and pets.
Pet-friendly hiking: Multiple state forest campgrounds connect to pet-friendly trail systems where dogs can explore safely on-leash. William Mitchell State Park offers access to both Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell. "Great park right in town. Love taking the boat and enjoying both lakes with the kiddos," shares Edmund P.
Fishing access: Many campsites provide direct water access for fishing. "Caught a few fish though," reports D G. about Long Lake State Forest Campground, adding that while the lake is "very weedy," it remains productive for anglers. Species commonly caught include perch, walleye, and bass.
Seasonal considerations: Most rustic campgrounds operate from April through October with limited winter facilities. "We stayed here for a week. The campground itself is lovely," notes Amie R. about Lake Billings, though she adds, "Nothing to do in and around Manton," suggesting visitors should plan activities accordingly.
Site reservations: While established RV parks take reservations, state forest campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis. This can create challenges during summer weekends and holidays when dog friendly campgrounds near Lake City fill quickly. Plan weekday arrivals when possible or arrive early on Thursdays.
Campsite characteristics: Cadillac Woods Campground features wooded sites that can be challenging for larger rigs. "Lots of trees here, so you have to manage your trailer pretty well here," explains Bret J. The terrain at many campgrounds creates natural divisions between sites but requires careful navigation.
Activity options: The Campground in nearby Manton provides organized recreation. "It has a pond, a playground with a volleyball court, and a pavilion," notes Maddy. This pet-friendly campground offers level sites conducive to family camping setups.
Budget planning: State forest campgrounds typically charge $15-20 per night with no electricity, making them affordable options for families with pets. RV parks with hookups range from $30-45 depending on services and seasonality.
Bathroom facilities: Campground bathroom quality varies significantly across the Lake City area. "Bathrooms were clean. They have a very nice swimming/play area for small children. Great WiFi connection," reports Dakota R. about Lake Billings. Many pet-friendly state forest campgrounds only provide vault toilets with hand pumps for water.
Site accessibility: Several campgrounds have challenging access roads. "Do not recommend coming in with a long trailer as it was tight driving through. We had our pick-up and 22-foot trailer," warns Amy D. about Old US-131 State Forest Campground.
Hookup availability: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Lake City offering full hookups require advance reservations. "Great rates especially for full hookups," notes Macy M. about Camp Cadillac. Many RVers appreciate the clean facilities and reasonable pricing compared to other Michigan destinations.
Site leveling: Terrain at Lake City area campgrounds often requires leveling equipment. "The sites themselves are small, ours had massive roots that made walking and setting up outside a challenge. We saw a couple of people actually moving their campers to different sites," shares Amie R. about Lake Billings RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lake City, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lake City, MI is Goose Lake State Forest Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lake City, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 224 dog-friendly camping locations near Lake City, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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