Sterling State Park Campground allows pets at all sites with water, electric, and sewer hookups across its spacious grounds. Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park, Camp Dearborn, and Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA also welcome dogs throughout their facilities with designated pet areas for exercise. Most campgrounds require pets to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside RVs or tents. Tent campers, RV owners, and cabin guests can bring their dogs to these pet-friendly locations, though pet waste pickup is strictly enforced—several reviews mention campers being asked to leave for not cleaning up after their pets. The campgrounds provide waste stations and designated dog areas, but pets must never be left unattended at campsites.
Hiking trails surrounding Proud Lake Recreation Area and Holly Recreation Area offer excellent pet exercise options with miles of paths through wooded terrain. Many campers note the trail around Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA's lake is particularly well-maintained with ample dog waste stations positioned along the route. Seasonal camping is available at most locations from April through October, though Pontiac Lake and Holly State Recreation Areas remain open year-round for winter camping with pets. Most campgrounds have fire rings and picnic tables at each site, allowing campers and their dogs to enjoy outdoor meals together. During summer months, mayflies can be problematic at waterfront locations like Sterling State Park, so protective gear for pets may be necessary when camping near Lake Erie.
$36 - $45 / night
"It is a little open for our like but there good activities you can do with the kids or pets."
"You are right across from some good walking trails and walking distance to the beach. Lots of electric scooters, dogs, and bikes around."
"Friendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me."
"Nice campgrounds easy to get around and my children loved it"
"Nice lake view across the road. This location has 4 lakes. There is plenty of nature. Lots of trees along a nature trail. Cranes and ducks in the water . The first night was super quiet!"
"I highly recommend Hass Lake campgrounds. It is a very clean, quite, Beautiful campgrounds."
"First time out with the camper and we wanted to stay close to home so we found a campground right outside the city. You couldn't tell how close we were because there were so many trees in the area."
"First, I'd like to say that I was born and raised in Northern Michigan. That's where I'm used to camping and hiking. I moved to the metro Detroit area a few years ago."
"Very close to our house just a nice little getaway. We enjoyed the Halloween weekends. We decorate big and enjoyed other decorations as well!"
"Site was across the small road from the lake. Plenty of trees all around. Good for shade and natural comforts of the day."
$41 - $56 / night
"We spent two nights here on our trip to Michigan. We were quite pleased with the campsites and how large they are."
"What we did not know was that 137 lacked shrubs on the yard side thus, we had a clear view of the camp host site next to us. Also, the loop's power station was on our site."
$22 / night
"Nice little dog park by the beach too."
"Only drawback is the distance from the lake. The lake is not within walking distance, you would need to drive."
"Basketball court, sand volleyball, playground, dog run, batting cages and go karts within walking distance. Very friendly staff and knowledgeable of the area."
"There are paths to ride your bike or just walk. The issue that I do have is the rules seem to try to scare."
$3 / night
"They offer campsites full hookups pet friendly They offer electric only no pets they offer campsites no pets.
They have a tent only section."
"Booked a two week stay at Pontiac Lake Rec. area in Whitelak, MI. Huge sites not stacked on top of one another. They have electric hookups, but only 30 amp."
"Lots are gravel
- Shower House is at the front and not in a centralized location
- Staff is awesome!
- Great location for several places to visit in Michigan"
GuideA mostly seasonal campground that can be had to find. Super amenities with huge pool and large field with dog park, baseball field, bags, basketball and sand volleyball. Many trails to walk.
ScoutWe really enjoyed our stay. The hosts were very welcoming and helpful. Delivered our firewood right to our site. Lots of shade trees, beautiful well groomed trails for walking. Even a dog park, which our Golden Retriever really enjoyed.
GuideVery private sites. I was surprised at how well each site was hidden from the others. Restrooms can be a bit far from some sites. Nice little dog park by the beach too.
ScoutI come down to Detroit from Windsor every year to camp in Michigan with friends and this year we went to this very nice campsite in Orion Twp and I loved it. This was the first year we started our trip in Toronto, thanks to a solar company at https://www.solarpowertoronto.com/ who installed solar panels on our RV. We were able to camp from Toronto to Orion Twp and had a great time. Will be doing the same next year.
ScoutThis is a quiet, friendly and family campground. The staff is very willing to help any way they can. The sites are level and spacious.
A great place for the kids! With a beach, playground and paved roads is nice but the frosting in this cake is the petting zoo. Animals from bunnies, peacocks & cats to horses, goats and of course Milton the burro, get it? Milton Burro, LOL
The store has stuff for the kids at very reasonable prices and the ice cream shop across the street is a nice walk after dinner. There's a light there for safe crossing, too.
Try this place, you'll add this to your good memories.
No credit or debit cards. Cash and checks only.
RangerA fun little campground with a nice bunch of petting zoo type animals! The beach is clean and the lake is warm! Very nice layout with walking trail around the lake. The only complaint was not nearly enough trash cans around (like, none easy to find) and the bathrooms were nasty for our 2 day visit. Price per night for full hook up was $40 :-)
RangerThey offer campsites full hookups pet friendly
They offer electric only no pets they offer campsites no pets.
They have a tent only section.
They have a beach, tennis courts, children's playground,rustic cabins, they have a recreation field Kids Activities arts and crafts!!! They have 16 resort cabins, this place is HUGH
Bathrooms were dated and we arrived Monday after Labor Day so I can't judge them. They had a FULL HOUSE on Labor Day per the front gate. I was very impressed there was no garbage at campsites and picked up very well.
GREAT biking trails you can catch on premise and bike over to Kensington and to the charming town of Milford
TravelerNice lakes for swimming and can take your pet as well! Big playground and nice bathrooms
ScoutThe camping area is nice. It is a little open for our like but there good activities you can do with the kids or pets.
Michigan's River Rouge area offers access to state recreation areas and RV parks with developed sites and outdoor recreation options. Camping options range from electric-only sites at Bishop Lake Campground to full hookups at Sterling State Park along Lake Erie's shores. Most campgrounds near River Rouge remain open from April through October, though Pontiac Lake Recreation Area and Holly Recreation Area offer year-round access for winter camping adventures.
Kayaking on multiple lakes: Haas Lake Park RV Campground features four different lakes for paddling. "This location has 4 lakes. There is plenty of nature. Lots of trees along a nature trail. Cranes and ducks in the water," notes Karen C. The campground provides lakefront sites with easy water access.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area offers what one visitor calls "world class mountain bike trails." Christie V. mentions "Very nice sites. Wooded and up north feel. Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails." The recreation area also includes equestrian trails and a remote control airplane field.
Fishing opportunities: Sterling State Park provides access to Lake Erie for fishing enthusiasts. Frances V. reports, "The bass and walleye fishing can't be beat. No boat, no problem. The park has several fishing piers as well as a kayak launch into a small inlet which is navigable all the way to the beach, approximately two miles."
Mini-golf and go-karts: Harbortown RV Resort includes family activities adjacent to camping. "Next door to putt putt go karts batting cages and arcade - this was pricey but fun," writes Kourtney D. The resort also provides basketball courts, sand volleyball, and a playground.
Clean, modern bathhouses: Holly State Recreation Area receives consistent praise for its facilities. "Bathrooms are clean and it has hot showers and a place to do your dishes as well," notes Stephanie H. Another camper mentions, "The bathrooms were clean. There were several playgrounds, bench swings, play fields and even a basketball court."
Community garden access: Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park offers a unique amenity for campers. Nancy W. shares, "My favorite aspect of this campground is that they had a community garden that you were welcome to pick from. We got tomatoes, Swiss chard, peppers, broccoli, and more."
Secluded wooded sites: Proud Lake Recreation Area provides a natural camping experience despite being close to urban areas. D K. explains, "While the campground feels like you are remote, if you need supplies, there is a small shopping center about a mile away. I loved being able to look out my window to the waterfront."
Spacious pull-through sites: Harbortown RV Resort features concrete pads and generous sites. Bill B. reports, "All concrete roads and pads. Basketball court, sand volleyball, playground, dog run, batting cages and go karts within walking distance."
Seasonal mayfly hatches: Sterling State Park experiences significant mayfly activity in early summer. Kourtney D. warns, "First two nights were perfect but then the may flies hatched (in mid june) and covered everything." Edward C. advises, "Some time in June you can expect May Flies aka Fish Flies. Plan accordingly."
Highway noise concerns: Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA sits near major transportation routes. Mea H. notes the campground has "a trail that goes around the lake. The KOA has well stocked doggy poop bags and trashcans along the trail" but some sites experience traffic noise.
Flooding during rainy periods: Several campgrounds report drainage issues after heavy rain. Kara W. recounts arriving at Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA to find "a completely flooded park." Sites near lakes may experience standing water during wet periods.
Strict pet cleanup enforcement: Wayne County Fairgrounds reminds guests about pet responsibilities. Nancy W. observes, "One of the sad things about this campground is that campers have to be reminded to clean up after their dogs. Apparently, it is such an issue that we got a letter stating that if you don't pick up your dogs poop you would be asked to leave."
Splash zone access: Holly Recreation Area includes water features specifically for children. Kate K. explains the park "features a campground, 3 lakes, tons of trails, and even a splash zone for kids. The campground has it all, electric, cabins, playgrounds, basketball courts, etc."
Halloween weekend activities: Camp Dearborn offers special seasonal programming. Mary W. describes "Lights is fun activities for the kids for halloween," while another visitor notes they've "been going to Camp Dearborn for five years now" enjoying family traditions.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Haas Lake Park provides chances to observe local animals. Christian C. calls it "quiet, clean" with "friendly staff," while Karen C. reports seeing "Cranes and ducks in the water. The first night was super quiet!"
Beach and swimming access: Bishop Lake Campground includes lake access with amenities. Beth G. explains, "You can also just swim at the lake- nice area with shade trees beach and nice lake water. We brought a cooler and ordered ice cream from concessions."
Extension cord requirements: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area requires preparation for electrical access. Mary H. advises, "If you are hoping to hook up to electrical, bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad."
Full hookup availability: Sterling State Park offers complete utilities at some sites. Matthew F. notes, "My family and I love this park. Quiet with large level sites. Everything from back ins with only electrical to pull throughs with full hook-ups."
Off-season closures: Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park has a limited season. Mike M. reports, "I arrived for a 2 week stay in the area on 11/12. I discovered this campground was closed for the season" from November through March.
Dog-friendly trail systems: Several dog friendly campgrounds near River Rouge feature accessible walking paths. At Bishop Lake Campground, campsites have views of the lake with access to hiking trails, while Holly Recreation Area offers what Stephanie H. calls "beautiful" trails where campers "love the trails and the wildlife."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near River Rouge, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near River Rouge, MI is Sterling State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near River Rouge, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 51 dog-friendly camping locations near River Rouge, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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