Lydia T.
Legend
LegendTorch Grove Campground
Campground located in Rapid City
Private owned campground in Rapid City
Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Rapid City, MI
Torch Grove Campground allows pets at its clean, private location near ORV trails in Rapid City. Most sites offer full hookups, while rustic options are available for tent campers seeking a more primitive experience. Whitewater Township Park Campground also welcomes pets, featuring spacious sites surrounded by pine trees with electric hookups and water access at Elk Lake. Chain-O-Lakes Campground provides pet-friendly accommodations with full hookup sites and cabin options, maintaining very clean facilities with daily bathroom maintenance. The campgrounds enforce standard pet policies including leash requirements and proper waste disposal. Some sites have concrete pads and patios that provide stable surfaces for pet owners setting up camp. The grounds are kept tidy and well-maintained for comfortable camping with pets.
Nearby hiking trails offer excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with the North Country Trail running directly through Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground. Most campgrounds in the area provide easy access to water, allowing pets to cool off during summer months. The Rapid City region experiences seasonal temperature variations that pet owners should consider when planning trips - summer temperatures typically requiring extra water and shade for pets, while spring and fall camping offers more comfortable conditions for furry companions. Local establishments in Elk Rapids and Bellaire welcome well-behaved dogs at outdoor seating areas, with Short's Brewing Company being an easy walk from several campgrounds. Bathrooms at Whitewater Township Park are cleaned frequently, though during peak season they may require more maintenance than the once-daily cleaning schedule provides.
Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Rapid City, Michigan (173)
1. Traverse City State Park Campground
51 ReviewsTraverse City, MI14 milesWebsite+1 (231) 922-5270"Pets are allowed in the campground. The sites are a little tight, but if you are looking to hang out in Traverse City, this is a convenient location. Bathhouse was always well maintained."
"300+ sites, pet friendly, sites for all shapes and sizes. Open year round, with heated cabins. It's a great location, just across from Traverse Bay with just across the road."
2. Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort
22 ReviewsTraverse City, MI13 milesWebsite+1 (231) 947-2770$60 - $260 / night
"This is also a pet friendly campground, so there are many dogs. Probably one of my favorite parts was dodgeball... and the multiple bike trails that connect to the VASA trail system."
"We stayed here in our little offroad teardrop camper which looked like David & Goliath when contrasted against the massive 5th wheels surrounding us."
3. Whitewater Township Park Campground
12 ReviewsWilliamsburg, MI5 milesWebsite+1 (231) 413-1160$45 - $60 / night
"This park is situated up on a hill on beautiful Elk Lake. Elk Lake can easily access Torch River and into Torch Lake. It has a fantastic boat launch which we have used."
"The park itself is positioned on a hillside next to a lake. We had a site at the top of the hill which I recommend."
4. Sand Lakes Quiet Area Backcountry Campsites
10 ReviewsWilliamsburg, MI9 milesWebsite"Absolutely serene and secluded in the gorgeous northern Michigan wilderness. This is a park and walk camping spot. Also permits are apparently required as this is a state park."
"great spots near lakeside hiking nearby
quiet, hardly saw anyone"
5. Chain-O-Lakes Campground
4 ReviewsBellaire, MI8 milesWebsite+1 (231) 533-8432$29 - $44 / night
"Chain O'Lakes Park has it all: trails to hike, horses to ride, boats to row, and fish to catch! After an adventure- packed day, you can return to your nearby campsite for some rest and relaxation."
"Rooms: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Location: 5/5 Nearby activities Super close to torch lake and lots of great small towns."
6. Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground
4 ReviewsSouth Boardman, MI9 milesWebsite+1 (989) 348-6371"One is reservable and drive-in with access to the lake. We decided to backpack about 3 miles in and camp in the rustic hike in sites."
"Beautiful and quiet stay at the intersection of the NCT and Shore to shore trail. Miles of hiking trails, easy access to the lake for fishing and kayaking. Be aware the tick population has exploded."
7. Kalkaska RV Park & Campground
5 ReviewsKalkaska, MI11 milesWebsite+1 (231) 258-9863"1/2 hr outside Traverse City. Nice away from the busy areas.
The campground needs some attention which will be addressed by the new owners. Very dusty, loose sand uneven entrance.""Nice beautiful campground situated in a nice woods setting. Sprayed for bugs so the bugs were not much of a nuisance. The camp sites are a nice firm gravel and pretty level."
8. Barnes County Park Campground
16 ReviewsEastport, MI19 milesWebsite+1 (231) 599-2712"Some of them are so close to Lake Michigan, you can just walk on a path through some trees right up to the water! There are restrooms here, and a general store nearby."
"Beautiful park on the shore of Lake Michigan. Great for kids, as a sand bar goes out quite a **distance. **"
9. Honcho Rest Campground
3 ReviewsKewadin, MI7 milesWebsite+1 (231) 264-8548"It is situated on a small lake that is great for fishing, boating, or kayaking. There are also little cabins you can rent that are very cute."
"Slow, Grandparents at Play” are what the signs around the campground boast, which tells you a bit about their target audience at this lovely little RV only lakeside campground in the heart of Elk Rapids"
10. Starlight Campground and RV Park
4 ReviewsMancelona, MI13 milesWebsite+1 (231) 535-0461$35 - $50 / night
"Swing set, walking trail, ORV trail, pool, volleyball, pickle ball court and other games! This campground is extremely clean and has beautiful bathrooms/showers."
"They made us feel like family the minute we walked through the door. We would defiantly visit again!"
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Rapid City, MI
119 Photos of 173 Rapid City Campgrounds
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Rapid City, MI
1024 Reviews of 173 Rapid City Campgrounds
Nancy W.LegendTraverse City State Park Campground
Great Proximity to Downtown, Beach, and Breweries.
The location of this campground is great and it's best feature in my opinion! This park is just two miles to downtown Traverse City (one of Michigan’s most popular resort towns), a quarter mile from a pretty beach and the beautiful blue waters of Lake Michigan, and it sits along the TART Trail which is a 10.5-mile bicycle trail running through the city.
While the park is small at just 47 acres, it holds pretty many campsites – approximately 350 (and two cabins). Campsites are set among tall pine trees so there is a bit of shade but that also means that they are sandy with little grass. Roads are paved and narrow if you are trying to maneuver with a large (40+ RV) and you may have difficulty backing into your site with the numerous trees lining the road. All sites are back-in with electric. Sites and patios are sandy with varying degrees of levelness. There is a dump station and water spigots are scattered throughout the campground. Picnic tables and fire pits are at each site. Sites are $31/night ($49/night for the cabins) and reserveable online.
This park is right on US-31/M-72 which means there is easy access in and out but it can be noisy if your campsite is close to the road. Expect the campground to be very busy on weekends and in the summer and tightly packed.
Amenities include: picnic area, beach, fishing, hiking/bicycling trail, three bathhouses, playground area, camp store, pet walk (no off-leash dog park).
Outside of the park there is a lot to do in Traverse City. Early July is the ever-popular Cherry Festival which lasts for a week. But you better book your campsite early if you want to enjoy all the festivities (which happen to be close to the park). The summer farmers market is great and held every Wednesday and Saturday. Early in the season, asparagus is plentiful and locally-grown asparagus is the best you will ever have being super sweet, tender, and inexpensive. For beer drinkers, consider paddling the beer trail that takes you from Boardman Lake to Lake Michigan and past numerous breweries where you pull over for a pint. If it's ice cream you want, you have come to the right place. There are multiple creameries with Moomer's being our favorite and for some reason eating it right at the farm stand was the best.
- SShelby S.
TravelerGaylord KOA
Horrible
The owners were constantly driving around and correcting people. Rules are okay but they were over the top. They would even stop and just stare at our site while we sat outside.. it was very odd. Also not kept up at all. The playground was old and my 30 lb dog slipped out from under the “dog park” fence because it was so high off the ground where they were allowed to be unleashed, luckily we got her and she’s ok.
- AAmanda O.
ScoutPetoskey State Park Campground
Great camping with awesome beach
We spent a 4th of July weekend up in Petosky with our family. It was a perfect mixture of rustic modern camping. The facilities are nice and clean and the campground is well kept. Even on a busy holiday weekend it was so enjoyable. The beach was convenient to walk to and we enjoyed the 3 amazing fire work shows you can see on the 4th of July from the beach. The only downside is that no dogs are allowed on the beach which is kind of a bummer. There is a great dog park however in Petosky nearby.
- Nancy W.Legend
Wooden Shoe Campground
Great place to relax and enjoy the water.
Wooden Shoe Campground in Ellsworth, Michigan is a small campground set on a hill above Ellsworth Lake. This park is great if you want to sometime explore Michigan’s waterways. When we visited the park, it was about 25% full which made it very quiet and relaxing. There are some great sites that overlook the lake that are inviting for an evening fire and enjoying a pleasant view.
The park has 45 RV sites with water, 30 amp electric, cable TV, and internet. There are seven designated tent sites in a heavily wooded area with some glimpses of the lake. Some sites have a nice amount of shade while those towards the front of the park are more open and have a better water view. Picnic tables and fire pits are at each site. The main road throughout the park is paved, in good condition, and easily navigable with even large RV. There is a dump station at the entrance of the park that is easy to get in and out of. A camp host is on site. The price per night to stay here is $25 and they offer a super inexpensive price of $125/week. Reservations can be made by emailing a reservation request or calling the city.
The town of Ellsworth is quite small with a couple of shops and restaurant or two. The quaint coastal town of Charlevoix is 10 minutes away where you will find plenty of shopping, restaurants, a pretty harbor, weekly live music (in the summer), a farmers market and really great library with a large room that has a great selection of books for sale for a few bucks. The towns of Boyne City and Boyne Falls are about 20 miles away and also worth visiting if you have the time. For dog owners, Boyne city has an off-leash dog park and Boyne Falls has a large ski resort that is perfect for walking dogs in the summer. The larger town of Petoskey is about a 45 minute drive but well worth a visit.
If you want to “get away” and enjoy water activities this is a good place to come. There is a canoe/kayak boat launch just down the hill from the park that puts you in a narrow stretch of water that connects Lakes Ellsworth and Saint Clair. A short (approximately 1 mile) paddle into Lake Saint Claire lands you in a beautiful nature preserve administered by the Little Traverse Conservancy. Be sure to visit Friske’s Orchard which has a fruit stand, bakery with pizza and sandwiches, general store and petting zoo and is only six miles away on Rt. 31.
The good things about this park are the price, access to pretty water for kayaking/canoeing/fishing and the view from some of the sites. You are not too far from some of northern Michigan’s most popular towns yet only paying $25 night. The small size of this park gives it a quieter feel than some of the nearby state parks that have hundreds of sites. When we were there about half the campers appeared to be seasonal who come to enjoy the boating and fishing. Many of these people were not there during the week which made the park super quiet.
A couple dings for this park are that many of the sites are not level and even pitching a tent can be difficult. The bathroom/shower facilities are old and run down. The main bathhouse is located in the front of the park with port-a-potty’s scattered about. Some of the sites are close together and give a crowded feeling.
Overall, I would say this is an average park which is why it gets three stars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vBh0Dej5Ro
- Jill B.
GuideTraverse Bay RV Resort
Very high-end class A Resort
We have spent six weeks at this park for the last 6 years. We attend a horse show circuit near by. It is the creme de la creme of RV parks. The sites are individually owned (and leased out) and many of the owners have made their lots very nice. The park is limited to Class A, Fifth Wheels and Class C only. This park is dominated by big, very nice class A's.
We have a 5th wheel and have appreciated the amenities very much. Great wifi, curbside garbage pickup, trails, dog park, and many others. You are limited to 2 dogs, and they are very strict about leashes and picking up poop. But, that keeps the place looking nice.
We enjoy it very much and it is so close to the horse show, it cannot be beat. Because they are such a popular place to stay during the show (July - mid August), they sites book up a year in advance.
- NNicholas R.Guide
D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
D.H. Day Campground
Overall the campground has a very pleasant and rustic charm. The foliage helps create privacy but the campsites are close in proximity overall. The one warning that should be more clearly indicated is that there is poison ivy surrounding every single site so please be aware if you have pets and small children. The fact that there was so much poison ivy is the only reason I gave it four stars. Lake Michigan is a short walk away and you are able to walk to sleeping bear dunes along the beach. For those who would like convenience Glen Arbor is only five minutes down the main road and has a ton of restaurants, parks and a nice grocery store.
- Macy M.Guide
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.
- Kristina M.Scout
Log Lake Campground
Would never visit again
First off we couldn’t park our trailer until a boat trailer was moved from our site. Then there was glass, rusty nails, and trash all over the site so we had to do a quick clean up of site before unpacking. It only got worse as night time came as the campers next to us drank and partied all night with half the campground, every night for our entire four day stay. They even smashed into our vehicle as they wrestled and sprayed silly string on each other at 1 a.m. When we ran to town for a few items we came back to their kids playing near our camper. They seemed to personally know the care takers as they were partying with them, so nothing was done about any of it. The following day we again went to town and these people allowed their guest to park in front of our camper, next to the hitch. The beach area was un-swimmable and full of trash, cigarette butts, duck poop as well as dog poop because it was used as a dog park. There were also old clothes and shoes left all over the beach area. The bathrooms were dirty and left with no soap. The woman’s bathroom looked recently painted but the men’s bathroom was completely disgusting. The showers had old food in them and you had to pay for tokens to use them. The trails were ok, the frisbee golf area also looked good. But that’s about the only good thing about this park. We would never pay money to stay here again.
Guide to Rapid City
Rapid City is situated in Michigan's northwestern Lower Peninsula, surrounded by inland lakes and forested areas with predominantly sandy soil. Most campgrounds in the region sit between 850-900 feet above sea level, creating moderate temperature fluctuations between day and night. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day to 55-65°F at night, with rainfall averaging 3-4 inches per month.
What to do
Water activities on Bass Lake: Honcho Rest Campground provides direct access to Bass Lake for fishing and kayaking. "The campground sits on the shores of Bass Lake which is great for a quick paddle around, fishing, etc., but if you are seeking larger bodies of water, the Elk Rapids Marina on Grand Traverse Bay and Elk Lake are just a couple miles away," notes Shari G.
Hiking trails and backpacking: Sand Lakes Quiet Area Backcountry Campsites offers multiple interconnected trails through wooded terrain. "We explored a bit walking around on the foot traffic trails, which is beautifully wooded and shaded," reports Alyssa A. Another camper mentions, "Amazing fishing and spacious campsites fire away from everybody. Fires were allowed ample firewood available for processing multiple lakes great hiking."
Frisbee golf near town: Log Lake Campground includes a frisbee golf course on the outskirts of their baseball diamond. The recreation area features "frisbee golf on the outskirts of the baseball diamond along with a bunch of hiking trails," according to Macy M. The course is accessible even for campers staying elsewhere in the Rapid City area.
What campers like
Privacy and space between sites: Whitewater Township Park Campground receives consistent praise for its site layout. "The sites are nice and large, however, I thought we would have better access to Elk Lake," explains Sarah P. Another camper elaborates: "If you are looking for a no-frills secluded campground with spaced out campsites and beautiful views this is the place for you."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Chain-O-Lakes Campground maintains high standards for cleanliness. "Our time at this campground has been exceptional. The grounds are kept very clean and tidy, the camp store had what we needed, and the atmosphere is very quiet and calming," reports Erica L. Another camper notes, "Great campground, amazing camp store, and friendly staff. Most camp stores over price and this camp's store prices are very fair."
Year-round accessibility: Some campgrounds in the area remain open throughout winter months. Traverse City State Park Campground operates year-round, providing camping options during all seasons. "It's in the heart of TC right by the bay beach and bike trail. Great camp ground if you want to be convenient on TC," says Jami M.
What you should know
Varied bathroom maintenance: Facilities can differ significantly between campgrounds. At Log Lake, campers reported "bathrooms were dirty and left with no soap. The woman's bathroom looked recently painted but the men's bathroom was completely disgusting."
Site preparation needed at some locations: Some campgrounds require inspection before setting up. One camper reported finding "rusty nails (6 in total along with some unknown rusted metal shards)" using a magnet near their parking area. Always check your site thoroughly upon arrival.
Reservation timing: Peak season requires advance planning. For Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground, a hiker reported, "There are 2 campgrounds. One is reservable and drive-in with access to the lake. We decided to backpack about 3 miles in and camp in the rustic hike in sites." Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends.
Wildlife concerns: Ticks are prevalent in warmer months. "Be aware the tick population has exploded," warns Erin F. about Guernsey Lake. Bring appropriate repellent and conduct regular tick checks, especially when hiking.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offers numerous structured activities for children. "It is a huge campground, with lots of activities for kids, but we have none. It was not high season, so it was not crowded and it was quiet," reports Art W. Another visitor adds, "We really enjoyed this campground! There was a lot for the kids to do and we never really left the campground the 2 weekend we camped here."
Beach quality considerations: Some beaches have maintenance issues that affect swimming quality. A Log Lake visitor noted their beach area was "un-swimmable and full of trash, cigarette butts, duck poop as well as dog poop because it was used as a dog park." Research recent beach conditions before promising swimming to children.
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature play areas with varying quality. "Playground is outdated but still functional, beach was somewhat clean," notes one camper about Log Lake. Timber Ridge offers more extensive play facilities, including "a jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. "It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling. The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions," reports Hope C. about Kalkaska RV Park.
Hookup positioning: Some sites have unusual utility setups. "Our site required us to pull through in such a way that the hookups were on the opposite side of our coach," explains one RVer. Bring extension cords and hoses if traveling to unfamiliar campgrounds.
Dump station locations: Not all parks have onsite dump stations. "Upon arriving, I did not realize the dump station was outside the campground as we came from the opposite direction," reports one camper. Check campground maps for dump station positions before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Rapid City, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Rapid City, MI is Traverse City State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 51 reviews.
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What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Rapid City, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 173 dog-friendly camping locations near Rapid City, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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