Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Lake, MI

Mud Lake State Forest Campground provides a rustic pet-friendly camping experience with eight spacious sites near Lake, Michigan. Dogs are welcome at all sites, with several overlooking the lake. The campground features basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, and a hand pump for water. Sites are divided by small stands of trees, offering privacy while accommodating tents and smaller RVs. Countryside Campground & Cabins, Weidman KOA, and Old Log Resort also welcome pets with more developed facilities including electrical hookups, showers, and access to recreation areas. Pet owners should note that while dogs are permitted throughout these campgrounds, they must remain on leash at all times. The small size of Mud Lake creates a quiet environment, though campers have reported finding ticks on their dogs during spring and early summer visits.

Hiking trails connect directly to several pet-friendly campgrounds in the area, with the Green Pine Lake Pathway offering a 9-mile network accessible from Mud Lake State Forest Campground. Dogs can enjoy shoreline access at select campsites, particularly at site #6 at Mud Lake where a path leads directly to the water for easy kayak launching and pet swimming. Water activities are popular at these campgrounds, with lakes suitable for dogs who enjoy swimming. Herrick Recreation Area provides pet-friendly cabin options along with spacious camping sites set in pine stands. During peak summer weekends, arriving early is recommended as the first-come, first-served campgrounds like Mud Lake fill quickly with pet owners seeking the lakeside sites. The peaceful setting and lake access make these destinations particularly suitable for camping with water-loving dogs.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Lake, Michigan (155)

    1. Mud Lake State Forest Campground

    8 Reviews
    Lake, MI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-9727

    $20 / night

    "The sites have decent distance between them and vary from tucked into the trees (away from the lake) or more open (near the lake)."

    "It is located off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere, down a couple of well-marked dirt roads about 20 miles from the highway. There are only 8 sites, but each site is spacious."

    2. Countryside Campground & Cabins

    6 Reviews
    Farwell, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 539-5468

    $49 - $150 / night

    "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."

    "Pretty nice RV park in the middle of Michigan."

    3. Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Lake, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 382-7158

    "Clean bathrooms, easy access to lake, nice beach Make sure to bring extra hose and extension cord as the water and electric can be a ways away from some sites."

    "Kids biked around all day and everyone drives slow! 🙌🏽 lots of shade, clean bathrooms, friendly staff! A great little campground"

    4. Crittenden Park

    2 Reviews
    Evart, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 349-4654

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Dog friendly. Super pleasant staff. We’ve camped 2x here in our 5th wheel and will be back! Oh and Big Lake is great for fishing, boating, and kayaking!"

    5. Herrick Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Clare, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 386-2010

    $15 - $25 / night

    "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."

    "They do have sites in front of the park (outside the loops) that is grass but in full sun. It is pet friendly."

    7. Old Log Resort and Campground

    2 Reviews
    Lake, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 743-2775

    "Site was tucked away in the back. Canoe/kayak/tubing access. Owners very personable, fantastic, super sweet and accommodating. Highly recommend. Would definitely visit again next time in the area!"

    "I give 5 stars because they cant do anything a bout the location, obviously, so I rated on our experience.  We had an excellent time, and will come back again."

    8. Wilson State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Farwell, MI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 539-3021

    $25 / night

    "Unfortunately, it's bordered on 2 sides by 2 major roads, Old 27 and Townline Lake Rd, and Harrison is loaded with people who think "no exhaust" equals "cool car", and are happy to show you just how big"

    "The campsites next to the road can be a little loud with road noise. The fairgrounds are across the street as well, so if there is an event going on, wear your ear plugs!"

    9. Weidman KOA

    2 Reviews
    Remus, MI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 506-8005

    "Nice peaceful drive there... pulled in to find they have recently just been acquired by KOA I believe as there was signage down with few KOA signs up."

    "Rather than clearing all the trees the sites were developed around many mature trees which makes for a much more attractive setting.  The bathrooms/showers were immaculate. "

    10. Pettit Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Clare, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 386-7541

    "Near downtown Clare, nice park with pavilions, no reservations needed. Sites are within the city’s park so there’s local traffic."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Lake, MI

415 Reviews of 155 Lake Campgrounds


  • 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!

  • Bobbi Jo K.
    Oct. 6, 2020

    School Section Lake Veteran's Park Campground

    Nice campground

    Was 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.

  • Macy M.
    Jul. 5, 2020

    Rvino - Camp Cadillac, LLC

    Great private campground

    Great little campground just on the outskirts of Cadillac. Great rates especially for full hookups. This was our first time at this park, we originally had a site next to the pool, but quickly realized our TT would not fit due to the trees. The front desk quickly changed our site and we were good to go. All sites were well maintained, they had a petting zoo (goats) and a store with a little game room in it. I would definitely come back.

  • Jennifer H.
    Aug. 2, 2020

    Herrick Recreation Area

    Peaceful, fishing and kayaking

    Small 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.

  • S
    Jun. 14, 2020

    Rvino - Camp Cadillac, LLC

    Not fancy, but nice

    Really nice little campground. Not fancy, but clean and well kept. 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. Anywhere from rustic to full hook up. Pet friendly. All gravel/dirt/grass sites. Most have trees. Fire pits quite small. Bathrooms very nice and updated.

  • Wilma S.
    Jul. 25, 2021

    Mecosta Pines Campground

    Nice campground

    Pretty 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.

  • Clint
    Aug. 15, 2021

    Snow Lake Kampground

    Very organized but busy campground

    They 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.

  • Ari A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2020

    Mud Lake State Forest Campground

    Great peaceful spot on a quiet lake

    This 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.

  • Macy M.
    Sep. 15, 2020

    Herrick Recreation Area

    Quiet, wooded sites

    Nice 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.


Guide to Lake

Discovering pet-friendly camping options near Lake, Michigan, allows you to enjoy the great outdoors alongside your furry companions. Here are some excellent choices for a memorable camping experience with your pets.

Pet owners like spacious sites and amenities

  • At Sherman City Acres, guests appreciate the ample space and the availability of electric hookups, making it a comfortable stay for both pets and their owners.
  • Countryside Campground & Cabins offers a well-maintained environment with clean facilities, perfect for families traveling with pets.
  • Hidden Hill Family Campground is known for its welcoming atmosphere and spacious sites, ensuring a relaxing experience for pets and their owners.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include fun activities

Tips for camping with dogs near Lake

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lake, MI is Mud Lake State Forest Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 8 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 155 dog-friendly camping locations near Lake, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.