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.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Naubinway (101)

      1. Hog Island Point State Forest Campground

      4.6(18)7mi from NaubinwayRVs, Tents

      "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

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      2. Big Knob State Forest Campground

      4.5(11)8mi from NaubinwayRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "Sites are a little small, and are moderately close to other sites. heavily wooded makes it feel cozy. Some sites have "private" trails to the beach, approximately 50-75yrds away."

      3. Black River State Forest Campground

      4.0(2)4mi from NaubinwayRVs, Tents

      "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

      4.5(77)34mi from NaubinwayRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      5. Newberry Campground

      4.3(6)15mi from NaubinwayRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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"

      6. Garnet Lake State Forest Campground

      4.0(2)8mi from NaubinwayTents

      "Decent fishing on the lake."

      7. Brevoort Lake Campground

      4.4(18)24mi from Naubinway72 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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

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      8. Straits State Park Campground

      4.4(75)39mi from NaubinwayRVs, Tents

      "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 $22 - $42 / night

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      9. Epoufette Bay Campground

      3.3(3)13mi from NaubinwayRVs, Tents

      "Lake Michigan kayak access but too overgrown for a boat."

      10. Lower Falls Campground — Tahquamenon Falls State Park

      4.5(62)38mi from NaubinwayRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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 $28 - $32 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Naubinway, MI

    865 Reviews of 101 Naubinway Campgrounds


    • Jennifer  B.
      Jun. 14, 2021

      Kinross RV Park East

      Full hook ups in the weeds

      Very cheap - 30 amps, water and sewer hookup on unlevel overgrown sites. Not exaggerating that weeds are a foot high covering all the sites and grounds like a pasture - unless you bring your own weedeater or mower. The ancient class c camper next to us doesn't appear to be movable and has no sewer hooked up. 2 cars park on either side of it, although that means one car comes and goes constantly and is parking on our site right outside our door. Across the highway is a large prison, just down the road from an airport. This is a very old, sad, and poor small town with no amenities, so plan on driving 30 minutes to Sault Sainte Marie for groceries, restaurants, and anything else you could possibly want to do. The rv park also has the township's memorial dog park. Guess what? Not mowed, and full of dog waste. We watched a man bring 5 dogs every weekday around 5pm, put them in the gated dog park and sit looking at his phone for 30 minutes. Then he calls them after they have all pooped, loads them into his SUV, and drives off. Just wanting you to get the whole honest picture - you cannot beat the $20 per night full 30 amp hook ups, and the power and water are good quality. There are good reasons why here in 2021 there are probably 35 unoccupied sites. Stopping for a night? Sure. Staying for a month - only if you know what you are getting into.

    • A
      Jun. 19, 2023

      Woodland Park Campground

      Perfect place on lake superior

      This was our first campground experience with our RV. Not being sure what to expect but we really enjoyed our stay. We had a back in site, very close to the bathhouse which was nice and clean. Cleaned daily &closed for cleaning between 9-10am. Our site was right across from Lake Superior with beautiful sunset and sunrise views. There was a dog park for dogs to enjoy. Location is in the town of Grand Marais so you are a 10 minute walk into town for stores & dining. Very quiet campground, perfect for relaxing. Long staircase leading down to the beach. We will definitely be back.

    • Krystiana H.
      May. 4, 2025

      St. Ignace-Mackinac Island KOA

      Awesome site

      Friendly staff very accommodating. Pet friendly has small dog enclosure at front as well as mini golf and playgrounds. Lots of trees and wooded areas to feel more remote without the driving. Very peaceful.

    • T
      Oct. 19, 2018

      Big Knob State Forest Campground

      Beautiful rustic campground on secluded Lake Michigan beach

      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. Fire pits are available. Seven sights are along the lake. Six mile drive down a dirt road to access the campground. The road is usually in good condition. It is well worth it. An extremely peaceful and beautiful place.

    • Evan P.
      May. 30, 2025

      Indian Lake State Park South Campground — Indian Lake State Park

      Great lakeside camping

      This is a great lakeside campsite just outside of Manistique. There is a main bathroom area with showers. Good shallow water to swim (and watch the beautiful sunset) but a little difficult to fish. Staff is friendly. They even do weekly events such as "Traveling Trivia" for kids. Pet friendly too!

    • Jef E.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 22, 2021

      French Farm Lake Rd

      Not too shabby

      Edit: as of right now this listing is all jacked up. Coordinates are incorrect, "French Farm Lake Road" on Google Maps or 45.7621519, -84.7673995 will get you there. There is no water, trash services, or showers. Just 6 primitive sites with fire pits

      We first came to French Farm Lake Rd to do a hike while staying with a local Boondockers Welcome host. We were excited to find our first real free camping in Michigan, and so close to Mackinaw City.

      We showed up late Wednesday morning and just perfectly timed it when a couple had been packing up their camp, as there are only 6 or so sites and all were full. The sites back by the boat launch seem better for large groups.

      We took site #1, which is one of the better sites IMO. Don't forget to grab a registration sheet on your way in (found near the camping sign before site #1). I had very little issue backing in our 24 ft class c with a utility trailer (37 ft total), though I had to maneuver the trailer into an opening off to the right of our driveway, as to find a more level spot. Only had to use one block under each front tire to level, with plenty of room to pull forward to unload my motorcycle. Plenty of wood around for a fire, though people had firewood for sale on the roadside when driving into the area.

      Beware of sandy roads and make sure to scout before pulling in with your big rig. There is one opportunity to turn around via a parking lot of the right hand side when first entering French Lake Rd. The next spot would be what I think are sites 3 & 4, which is a big wide open lot also on the right, and also very sandy. The last would be the boat launch area at the end of the road, though that could prove impossible if there are a bunch of vehicles parked back there. So scout on foot first.

      There are a few sites that would accommodate big rigs, the only way to know is to come check. It's kinda frustrating to be in states without dispersed camping, because there are a few spots that I would deem worthy, but alas you must stick to the designated sites. There are plenty of spots for a quick night's sleep in a van or smaller RV, just beware of the ranger. I've only seen them out here in the afternoon so far though.

      My review is mostly based off of what we've been able to find in the area, this campground would not score as high if it were in WA or somewhere with endless options.

      And as per usual in the Midwest, bring plenty of mosquito and fly products. They weren't horrible at our campsite, but evening walks are definitely not happening again.

      The lake isn't anything special by my books so we skipped paddling here, though there appeared to be people fishing if that's your gig. Tons of trails suitable for hiking or biking, again, nothing too exciting on that front.

      Come check it out!

    • E
      Oct. 6, 2023

      French Farm Lake Rd

      Perfect Campsite!

      The dispersed camping off of French Farm Lake Road was fairly easy to find and it was the perfect setting for dispersed camping (especially with pets!)

    • J
      Jul. 13, 2024

      Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA

      Great park near Mackinac Island ferries

      Our site was $99.89 night.

      We were in Site# 98. 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 limited trees (many were shaded though). This was a smaller lot with our neighbors fairly close.

      This lot (a premium lot) comes with a concrete patio with a round table with four chairs, two Adirondack chairs and a fire pit and a charcoal box grill.

      It is an easy access to the campground from highway -(approximately 1 mile from highway).

      There is free WiFi. They offer Cable TV and there are many channels.

      There is not a community outdoor kitchen or community fire pit.
      They sell wood for $7 a bundle.

      They pickup your garbage at your site daily.

      You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. They also allow you to rent regular bicycles and e-bikes. They do not provide golf cart rentals. There is really not a need to have a Golf cart because it is a smaller campground.

      They do have a Swimming pool. There is a Playground. They also offer Gaga ball,horseshoe, and corn hole. There is a Reading lending library and board games to borrow.

      They have a great general store. There is an electric car charging station. They sell propane.

      There is not a snack bar/restaurant on site.

      The streets are gravel so not great for riding bikes.

      There are great places to ride bikes outside of campground. From the campground, there is a nature trail that you can take your bike that leads you to the. North Western State Trail.

      They have cabins for rent and tent areas.

      They have one shower house. The shower house has individual showers. Toilets with sinks are in a shared bathroom. These are kept very clean.

      There is a laundry facility. It is a cash only facility. There are approximately 5 washers and 5 dryers. It is approximately $2.50 to wash and $1.50 to dry a load.

      They have a fenced in dog park.

      Bugs (mosquitoes/flies)did not seem to be an issue.

      There were trails to hike off of the campground.

      Some fun things to do outside of the campground are go to the beach (1 mile away); visit Mackinac Island (both major ferries will transport you for free - this KOA provides you information for Shepler’s Ferry). Both ferries offer packages that include horse drawn carriage rides, Fort Mackinac admission, Island Hotel Admission, Butterfly House admission, Mystery Town admission, and Parking options). There is a Jack Pine Lumberjack show.

    • S
      Oct. 29, 2024

      Wilderness State Park Camping

      Beautiful views, but goes down to a skeleton crew in the off season!

      We booked site 118 for the third week in October and really enjoyed our stay! A few things to note: 

      - The showers and camp office were both closed when we arrived (10/23/24). I asked a park ranger and he said they typically close around the first week in October. If this is the case when you arrive too, you check in at the camp office using the phone in the yellow box which will direct you to a park employee. You will need your reservation number and license plate number ready. 

      - Don't forget to purchase your Michigan parks vehicle pass, which is separate from your camp reservation. 

      - Surprisingly, the potable water spigot near our campsite (just a short walk away) was still on! I know there was another review on here that said it was off already by mid-October, but it was on for us! 

      - You are a stones throw away from your parking spot, although some spots do align directly with their site most are not actually on their site, but still very close.

      - Pets are not allowed on the beach during piping plover nesting season (April I believe.) 

      The beach front sites like ours are really really neat. You have a pretty good view of the water and your own private path right down to the beach. Keep in mind, you are likely to experience high winds. There were a couple days where our tent was getting buffeted around and starting a fire was challenging. 

      I know a lot of the reviews say it's a pretty loud, busy campground, which I'm sure is the case in the warmer months. When we were here it was a virtual ghost town. All the RV spots next to us were completely closed for the season and we had no neighbors at all until Friday night. When neighbors did arrive they were quiet--but that's always luck of the draw! 

      Site 118 is within view of the vault toilet, which supports around 6 sites so if it had been busier there would have been quite a few people coming and going in front of our site. I think if we went again while the showers and camp office were open we would maybe go for a different site slightly farther from the bathroom and with a bit more tree cover (122 looked quite nice if I remember correctly.) 

      We had no issues at all with wildlife. 

      There is a little store called Cecil's Trading Post 5 min drive away from the campground where they have an honor system for firewood--cash only, of course. The store itself was closed while we were there, but we bought firewood from them. It looked like you could maybe also get ice on the honor system. 

      Mackinaw city is quick to get to and there were plenty of restaurants and attractions still open when we were there even though it was right on the cusp of the off season. If you want to drive over the bridge into the UP, it's a 4 buck toll each way for cars FYI. 

      We stopped at a local brewery very close to the campground called Biere de Mac, which I highly recommend--great beer, good food, big open grassy outdoor area that allows dogs, and super friendly. 

      Happy camping!


    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

    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 18 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 101 dog-friendly camping locations near Naubinway, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.