justin H.
Scout
ScoutRivermouth Pines Campground — Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Rustic side of the campgrounds, late October and stunning views and weather.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Naubinway, MI
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Hog Island Point State Forest Campground accepts pets at all 46 rustic sites with direct Lake Michigan access. Seven lakefront sites provide immediate water access for dogs to enjoy, while other sites are tucked among trees with more privacy but some road noise. Black River State Forest Campground offers similar pet-friendly accommodations in a quieter setting about 3 miles north of Highway 2, with spacious, shaded sites suitable for tents and small RVs. Both campgrounds feature clean vault toilets, hand-pumped drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings, but require campers to pack out all trash. These primitive campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations, making morning arrivals advisable to secure waterfront sites. Many campers note that sites 10-16 at Hog Island offer the best combination of shade, privacy, and Lake Michigan views. The Dyrt provides user ratings for locations near Naubinway, Michigan.
Dogs enjoy excellent beach access at these pet-friendly campgrounds, with miles of Lake Michigan shoreline to explore. The small beach at Hog Island and secluded shore at Big Knob provide perfect spots for pets to swim, though owners should watch for rocky areas. A six-mile well-maintained dirt road leads to Big Knob's 23 sites, offering exceptional isolation and quiet camping. The campgrounds typically remain uncrowded outside holiday weekends, with Big Knob often hosting only a few campers even during summer. Hiking trails near both campgrounds provide additional exercise opportunities for dogs, though bug spray is essential for both humans and pets in this region. Cell service varies from spotty to moderate at both locations, with Verizon offering about 1-2 bars of LTE service - enough for emergency contact but not reliable data usage. When traveling with pets in this area, the nearest veterinary services are located in St. Ignace, approximately 35-45 minutes away.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Naubinway (105)
1. Hog Island Point State Forest Campground
"Pet friendly."
"Our site was just steps from Lake Michigan. Others were tucked in the woods. The out house was clean and we’ll stocked. There was a pump for water but no electricity."
from $15 / night
Check Availability2. Big Knob State Forest Campground
"Rustic campground along the shores of Lake Michigan. 23 sites. Hand pump for water available. Beautiful spot on Lake Michigan with no signs of life for miles down the beach. Pets are welcome."
"Some of these sites are on Lake Michigan and it's beautiful with a few trails. Self serve, first come first served. I got a site at 7 pm on a beautiful Saturday night in September. Very lucky!"
3. Black River State Forest Campground
"Pretty cramped and not next to anything. It was okay."
"It was bit of a drive about 3 miles north of highway 2 but it's worth it if you are looking for peace and quiet. Primative and private, there are no dumpsters or trash receptacles here."
4. Wilderness State Park Camping
"the potable water spigot near our campsite (just a short walk away) was still on!"
"Beaches are not dog-friendly (as is the case throughout Michigan, although dog beaches are starting to make headway). There is a dark sky park nearby - don't bother."
from $20 - $160 / night
Check Availability5. Newberry Campground
"The staff was very friendly and they actually had campsites that were more private then almost all the Michigan state parks we have stayed at."
"Easy drive to the falls, nice clean grounds, and right next to ATV trails"
7. Brevoort Lake Campground
"Very nice lakeside campsites. Little on the pricey side for me. Edging a little bit towards the style of the Michigan state parks, which isn't my scene."
"You are able to rent water equipment, play mini golf and swim around the lake. You are able to buy bagged ice ($2.50) and firewood about 6-7 pieces ($5.00) on site."
from $26 - $48 / night
Check Availability8. Epoufette Bay Campground
"Our first stop was Peppermint Shores Campground on the south shore of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. After roughly seven hours on the road, we arrived after sunset."
"Lake Michigan kayak access but too overgrown for a boat."
9. Straits State Park Campground
"We reserved site 83A for our family of 5. we were in close proximity to the newly constructed bathhouse complete with dish washing stations. it was a full campground on the Friday night that we were there"
"The Straits State Park in Michigan's Upper Penninsula sits on the North end of the Mackinaw Bridge in St. Ignace."
from $36 - $80 / night
Check Availability10. Lower Falls Campground — Tahquamenon Falls State Park
"Showers and a modern toilet are available in the modern portion of the campground which is a short walk through a playground and separating trees."
"Portage is the most popular campground, due most likely to the closeness to the lower falls. We arrived on a Sunday in September and it was almost, if not entirely, full."
from $41 - $46 / night
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Drive Time
- 2 hrs 43 min from Traverse City, MI
- 3 hrs 9 min from Midland, MI
- 3 hrs 11 min from Bay City, MI
- 3 hrs 17 min from Green Bay, WI
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Naubinway, MI
85 Photos of 105 Naubinway Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Hog Island Point State Forest Campground
Little Brevort Lake State Forest Campground
Kritter's Northcountry Campground
Brevoort Lake CampgroundC
Lake Michigan At St. Ignace
Northland Outfitters
Castle Rock Ponds
Wilderness State Park CampingS
USFS 3536 Dispersed Site
Carp River Campground
Castle Rock Lakefront Mackinac Trail CampgroundJ
Castle Rock Lakeview Campground
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Naubinway, MI
938 Reviews of 105 Naubinway Campgrounds
- BBruce C.
TravelerWide Waters Dispersed Camping
A little bumpy on thr dirt road but manageable
- UUrsula
RangerWilderness State Park Camping
Beautiful nature surrounding you
The campground is laid out well although to tightly spaced for my taste.
Elizabeth M.
GuideWoodland Park Campground
Great Campground on Lake Superior
Note! You should reserve in advance to ensure a spot. There are NO first come first serve sites. From reading other comments, this may not have always been the case.
Super location, clean, helpful staff, walking distance to town, right on the beach!!
Daniel M.TravelerCastle Rock Ponds
Awesome location - Castle Rock Ponds
Beautiful location for dispersed camping right on the Castle Rock Ponds. Surrounded by lush trees and clean stocked ponds. Once you get onto the main road going in and out of the area it’s pretty straightforward - there are multiple sites where you can pull over and there’s a sort of peninsula that juts out where most people set up camp. Generally on the peninsula there’s about 4-5 spots unless you squeeze in but more can be accessed around the ponds. Expect people to be there if it’s the weekend.
Chris S.TravelerMackinac Trail Spur Site
Perfectly quiet
We stayed here the end of Sept. Easy to find quit.
- rrichard D.Guide
Brimley State Park Campground
Great view of ship traffic
Beautiful setting, although sites are a bit close together. We camped in site 55, which is open to the beach and sand. It provided good views and you can hear the waves. The path for other campers (not having direct beach access) borders this site, so if the park is busier there will be more people wandering near your campsite. Sites include a fire pit (no grate) and picnic table.
We tend to prefer spaced out sites with more privacy. But as it wasn’t a busy time, we didn’t have too much of a problem.
Bathroom and shower facilities seemed new and were clean. There was plenty of hot water in the showers.
- CCathryn S.Scout
Big Knob State Forest Campground
Perfect for a first timer
Some of these sites are on Lake Michigan and it's beautiful with a few trails. Self serve, first come first served. I got a site at 7 pm on a beautiful Saturday night in September. Very lucky!
Meghan B.
LegendPretty Lake State Forest Campground
Pretty Lake State Forest Campground
There are a handful of drive-up sites in each of the campground’s three loops, with about two sites per loop offering the sought-after lakefront views. Even if you don’t manage to snag one of those sites, the remaining sites are tucked beneath nice, tall trees, and there’s a Day Use Area near the campground entrance that everyone can enjoy.
The backcountry sites are also relatively easy to reach by foot or paddle. The portages are quite short, and most of the trails are two-track. Interestingly, the backcountry sites seem to be right along the trail and very close together, so they actually feel less private than the drive-up sites.
The vault toilets in each loop, as well as those in the backcountry area, were clean and well-maintained. We also saw a DNR truck making the rounds during our stay.
One thing I LOVE about this area is that it’s a designated Quiet Area--no ORVs and no motorized watercraft. It makes for a much more peaceful camping experience!
Cell service was spotty without a booster. Sites are FCFS, and the current rate is $20/night.
Guide to Naubinway
Hog Island Point State Forest Campground welcomes pets at all 46 rustic sites, featuring direct Lake Michigan access and clean vault toilets. Most sites have a screen of trees providing privacy, with approximately half offering waterfront positioning. Black River State Forest Campground, located 3 miles north of Highway 2, provides similar pet-friendly accommodations with primitive sites suitable for dogs and their owners. Both campgrounds maintain self-check-in systems with no reservations required. Big Knob State Forest Campground and Wilderness State Park also accommodate pets across their tent, RV, and cabin options. At Wilderness, dogs can accompany campers in select cabins, while the primitive sites at the other locations have fire rings and picnic tables. Overnight fees typically run $20 per night plus recreation passes where applicable. The vault toilets at Hog Island are consistently noted as exceptionally clean, making this rustic experience more comfortable for campers with pets. The Dyrt provides user ratings for locations near Naubinway, Michigan.
Several beach access points along Lake Michigan provide ideal spots for dogs to swim, particularly at Hog Island where campers can enjoy waterfront sites with paths leading directly to the shore. The campgrounds require pets remain on leash, helping minimize wildlife encounters in these natural settings. Hiking trails surrounding Big Knob offer opportunities for dog walking, though campers should pack bug spray as the area can be quite buggy during summer months. Weather considerations include checking Lake Michigan water levels, as beach access areas vary between rocky and sandy shorelines depending on location and seasonal conditions. Fall camping brings fewer insects and comfortable temperatures for pets. Most sites accommodate everything from tents to small trailers and truck campers, though larger RVs may find positioning challenging on the narrower forest roads. The beaches remain largely undeveloped with no signs of life for miles, creating peaceful walking environments for dogs and their owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Naubinway, MI?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Naubinway, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Naubinway, MI is Hog Island Point State Forest Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Naubinway, MI?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Naubinway, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 105 dog-friendly camping locations near Naubinway, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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