Kim E.
Traveler
TravelerL'Anse Township Park & Campground
Peaceful getaway for us and the dogs.
We come up every year for the meteor shower, and every stay is a great one. New shower rooms, and huge dog park are awesome!
Dog-Friendly Camping near Republic, MI
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Multiple pet-friendly campgrounds within 30 minutes of Republic, Michigan welcome campers and their dogs year-round. Van Riper State Park Campground, situated on Lake Michigamme, features spacious sites with fire rings where pets can stay with their owners. The park offers both modern sites with electric hookups and rustic options, with clean bathroom facilities throughout. Moose Rapids Campground provides a quieter alternative along the Michigamme River with more secluded sites. Both campgrounds maintain strict leash requirements for all pets and provide waste disposal stations. The porta potties at Moose Rapids are consistently well-maintained, making it convenient for extended stays with pets.
Hiking trails accessible from Van Riper State Park provide excellent pet exercise opportunities, including a 5-mile network on the north side of the park with scenic overlooks of Lake Michigamme. Dogs must remain leashed on all trails due to local wildlife. Squaw Lake State Forest Campground offers another pet-friendly option with large, well-spaced campsites across two separate loops. The dark mud at the lake bottom can be difficult to clean from dogs after swimming. Winter camping options remain available at some locations including Craig Lake State Park, which permits pets year-round in their cabins and tent sites. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours to minimize disturbances from barking dogs.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Republic (64)
1. Van Riper State Park Campground
"Dogs are not allowed on the beach but also cannot be left unattended in your site. The rules are heavily enforced in this park."
"We took a week long trip and toured Michigan. We spent 2 nights at Van Riper, the other campers were nice, the playset was large, and the beach was nice."
from $20 - $34 / night
Check Availability2. Michigamme Shores Campground
"My family and I took a 3 week vacation to visit Michigan. We stayed at a few different campgrounds, and did lots of hiking."
"Beautiful lake, great swimming area, secure, full hook ups. Very helpful we came in late night- they left reservation info in the mail box for us."
3. Silver Lake Resort
"I have been to the Silver Lake State Park campground several times. I absolutely love it and go back as often as possible."
"Even if you don’t have an off-road vehicle yourself you can rent one and drive on the sand dunes. Would definitely drive cautiously because the dunes are constantly patrolled."
4. Moose Rapids Campground
"Best campground I’ve been too near the Marquette area! The porta potty’s were super clean!"
5. Country Village RV Park
"It is located off US-41 which is a major Upper Peninsula thoroughfare but set back about ½ miles so you don’t get road noise but it is still convenient. "
"This is our 2nd time staying & both were because of its convenience to ‘civilization’ not to get away from it."
from $35 - $51 / night
Check Availability6. Squaw Lake State Forest Campground
"I stayed in site 15 [I think) and could see the lake from my site. It was a very nice typical state forest campground."
7. Beaufort Lake State Forest Campground
"What you would expect of a Michigan SF campground: vault toilets, no hookups, hand pump, no reservations, $20/night. The outhouses are new and the sites are right on Beaufort Lake."
8. Rippling Rivers RV Resort
"Rippling River is a really nice campground, very close to downtown Marquette and right in/on a huge mountain bike park."
"Nice new place, located next to bike trails, orv trails, and the ski hill. Good location."
from $40 - $50 / night
Check Availability9. Craig Lake State Park Campground
"Access is from 41 turn on the gravel road outside Michigamme coming from the East."
"This is my absolute favorite place to camp, hike, kayak, fish, and just get away from it all."
10. Marquette Tourist Park Campground
"Stayed on our drive from Mackinac to see the pictured rocks lake shore. The campground is surrounded by 18 miles of trails. No camp store, but a convenience store is a quarter mile away."
"This campground is in Marquette, near Northern Michigan University. But once you're camped there, you won't feel like you're in one of the largest cities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. "
from $20 - $40 / night
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Drive Time
- 2 hrs 21 min from Green Bay, WI
- 2 hrs 41 min from Appleton, WI
- 2 hrs 56 min from Wausau, WI
- 7 hrs 13 min from Traverse City, MI
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Republic, MI
352 Reviews of 64 Republic Campgrounds
Debra R.
GuideL'Anse Township Park & Campground
Hidden Gem
Beautiful & clean. Great site overlooking Lake Superior. Need to walk over highway to get to water. Very orderly and great Park Manager. Family & pet friendly with awesome playground.
- LLori N.Traveler
Rivers Bend Campground
Happy Camper
We enjoyed our stay very much. Pretty campground, extremely friendly and helpful staff, nice neighbors all around. The shower area could use some updating, but was fairly clean. It is a dog friendly place and for the most part they were well behaved pets. We planned on staying four nights and are staying six instead. Taking advantage of the last nice days of the season. I would highly recommend trying this park.
- SSam ..Guide
Van Riper State Park Campground
Van Riper State Park
We stayed at Van Riper State Park three times during June and July. The park is always clean and well-maintained. The bathrooms and showers and generally always nicely maintained as well, and there are plenty of both. The bathrooms do tend to run out of soap and toilet paper at busy times. Dogs are not allowed on the beach but also cannot be left unattended in your site. The rules are heavily enforced in this park. Park staff will ask you to move vehicles if you have more than two, and you will be asked to turn music completely off upon quiet hours. This is not the place to go if you want to party.
Sites 15 and 17, as well as several other sites along that side of that loop, now have a wooden fence at the back of them, so they are not as large as they appear in the photos online.
We have stayed in sites 14, 90 and 93. We travel with a 34’ trailer.
Site 14 is narrow but manageable. It is well-shaded by large pine trees on the site. Site is entirely dirt. There are trees to hang hammocks or clotheslines in.
Site 90 is on a corner by the propane tanks. It is a large site. It does have some roots and low spots. It is partial grass. It has nice shade and is adjacent to the bathrooms. There are trees to hang hammocks or clotheslines.
Site 93 is a large site that backs up to a small grass/tree buffer. It is across the road from the bathrooms. It has nice shade. There is a place to hang a clothesline but not hammocks.
Pros: Clean, well-maintained park
Quiet
Lots of playground equipment
Bike/scooter pump track
Excellent beach area
Lots of green space
Hiking trails
Wood and ice available for purchase at the entrance
Laundry is available; one washer and two dryers
Very kid and pet friendly
Cons: Park website has out of date information, specifically that there is no longer a store on the beach, nor are there kayaks/SUPs to rent
The Water Warrior Island is no longer in the lake
There are very few sites with buffers between
It is sort of far to the beach and laundry from the modern campsites
No non-reservable sites available
Nancy W.
LegendCountry Village RV Park
Nice Place to Stay
This park is located about 15 minutes from the town of Marquette and is a great alternative if you can’t get a site in the Marquette Tourist Park (which is closer to town and very popular in the summer). It is located off US-41 which is a major Upper Peninsula thoroughfare but set back about ½ miles so you don’t get road noise but it is still convenient. The campground is located behind (and within walking distance of) a shopping area that has a meat market, grocery, gas station, movie theater, bowling alley, a few restaurants and a brewery (which has good, inexpensive beer and food). It is also located next to an RV dealer/service center/camp store which is convenient if you need anything. Nearby are some interesting museums including the National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and the Michigan Iron Museum. You are only about 20 minutes from the town of Marquette which is worth a visit.
The park and facilities are well-maintained. The restrooms were super clean as was the pool and all the grounds. The people in the office were super nice in helping us pick a site and with information about the area. The park has over 105 RV sites with varying services and some being held by seasonal people. There are lots of amenities (which we did not use) including swimming pool, hot tub, playground, basketball courts, and more. The pool was super crowded and noisy so if you don’t want to hear kids screaming, stay away from sites close to the pool. The park does not take online reservations so you must call them directly.
We were assigned site #104 but could tell our motorhome was not going to get level in the site so we had to straddle the site and park partly in the adjacent grassy area. Luckily, the ground was dry to we didn’t make any deep ruts. Our site did have a nice shade tree on the patio which was welcomed because of the hot weather. The WiFi never worked at our site. We were able to get a clear view of the sky for our satellite television.
Jessica P.GuideCountry Village RV Park
A nice in town campground
Our dd was excited that she could see the McDonald’s golden arches from our site! The campground is clean & well maintained. It was easy for us to park our 35 ft trailer because the sites are large & level, but also because there weren’t any trees along the campground roads. Our kids loved that there is a pool, hot tub & bouncy pillow! This is our 2nd time staying & both were because of its convenience to ‘civilization’ not to get away from it. This time we took the opportunity to enjoy the afternoon shopping in Marquette before heading to the eastern UP the next day for a week’s stay there. It is located in town, near a Camping World & just behind some restaurants, shops, a brewpub & a hotel, but the other sides of the campground are surrounded by trees/forest because it is the UP. A great campground if you want to explore the area’s history or natural beauty, shop in Marquette or if you are checking out Northern Michigan University’s campus (about 20 minutes away). Most sites are full hookup, they also have rustic cabins & a dog play area. I’m sure we will stay here again, as it’s a short trip for us, the kids love the amenities & I’d like to explore the area for more than our usual day trips.
Rino S.
RangerMarquette Tourist Park Campground
Endless bike trails
Stayed on our drive from Mackinac to see the pictured rocks lake shore. The campground is surrounded by 18 miles of trails. No camp store, but a convenience store is a quarter mile away. Northern Michigan university is at the door step as well. Lake superior is 1 mile away. We biked there and fished at the campground beach. Lots of Brook trout there.
Adam A.GuideWest Bass Lake
Nice Campground and Beach, Recenntly Updated
As of this writing, 2024, they have recently installed new showers and flush bathrooms. I live near this campground, so I have stayed at almost every site in the park. If you cant have or don't want a lake site, site #4 is the largest. It is almost 35 yards across the front. Trees are growing back, but not many mature trees on the East of the park. There is a really nice beach area adjacent to, but not in the campground. It is a nice short walk. Each site has electric hookup, and some sites have more than one box. Not much ambient light in this park, so it is great for viewing stars and Northern Lights. This park also is situated near the ATV trail, and has access to the 160 mile Blue Ox trail system.
Amie L.GuideRippling Rivers RV Resort
An Okay Place for Modern Camping
Rippling Rivers Resort is new addition to an area that lacked a decent campground.
Amenities include bathhouses and shows (which have code locks on them), shared water access, picnic tables, fire pits, campstore with bar, and access to an outdoor pool and hot tub.
We stayed at one of the walk-in tent sites and also had the pleasure of enjoying the Carp River. The river was about 10 fee away from our site.
The staff is extremely friendly, to both people and dogs. I was very impressed with how dog friendly this location is. Even the other campers were respectful of each other.
Our tent location was entirely shaded and made it feel as though we were camping in a forest.
The downsides. The tent sites were too small and not level. We had a very hard time finding a place to put our tent. The sites were also very close together. Our neighbors were backed right up to use.
As mentioned above, the shower/bathhouse requires a code to access it. It was kind of weird. And made it a challenge if you had to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.
Parking was very limited. Not a problem if you have only one vehicle, but we had two. One of us had to park on the other side of the campground, which became an inconvenience.
Guide to Republic
Republic, Michigan offers campers a diverse range of experiences with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 1,800 feet in the western Upper Peninsula. Winter temperatures often drop below zero, while summer highs typically reach the 70s with cool evenings in the 50s. The region's mixed hardwood forests create distinct camping experiences across different seasons, with fall colors typically peaking in late September.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Michigamme River at Moose Rapids Campground offers smallmouth bass fishing in a peaceful setting. "This was my wife and I's first trip to the U.P. And we were pretty much the only ones here. It was absolutely beautiful and quiet. The Michigamme river is amazing. Decent fishing here as well. We caught some small mouth," reports Ryan B.
Hiking trails: Multiple trails connect camping areas to scenic viewpoints and natural features. At Van Riper State Park Campground, campers can access varied terrain. "Overlook hiking trail was awesome, minus the bugs!" notes Jenny G., who visited with her family. The park connects to multiple trails suitable for day hikes.
Paddling: Lakes and rivers throughout the region support kayaking and canoeing from spring through fall. "The lake was very peaceful and calm. There were a couple of small docks at each of the campground loops," explains UnnamedAdventures about their experience at Squaw Lake. Many campgrounds offer direct water access for easy launching.
What campers like
Large, private sites: Squaw Lake State Forest Campground offers spacious camping areas with natural separation. "This campground had LARGE campsites with 2 separate loops and plenty of room between campsites. There was only one other group at this campground on the second loop which we never saw," explains UnnamedAdventures, highlighting the privacy available.
Clean facilities: Many campers note the quality of maintenance at regional campgrounds. "The bathrooms were super clean as was the pool and all the grounds. The people in the office were super nice in helping us pick a site and with information about the area," writes Nancy W. about Country Village RV Park, located within driving distance of Republic.
Water recreation: Swimming and boating options exist at several campgrounds, with Michigamme Shores Campground getting particular mention. "Being by the lake in the summertime was really nice! They have a cool trampoline type thing in the water that kids loved playing on," writes Ashley W. Other visitors mention "several Large floating climbing structures in the swim area. Kids were having a blast."
What you should know
Weather variability: Upper Peninsula weather can change rapidly in all seasons. "Plan on cooler weather," advises Andrea B. about camping in the region, noting that even summer temperatures can drop significantly at night. Packing layers is essential even in summer months.
Water conditions: Lakes in the region often have natural features that affect swimming. "If you have dogs beware the lake bottom is heavy dark mud and can be troublesome getting off your dog if they decide to take a dip," notes UnnamedAdventures about Squaw Lake. Similar conditions exist at other local lakes.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate on seasonal schedules. "I stayed in site 15 [I think) and could see the lake from my site. It was a very nice typical state forest campground," reports Michael M. about Squaw Lake State Forest Campground, which typically closes by mid-October along with many other area campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Republic provide beach access with family amenities. "My kids made some of their best memories ever camping here. Lots of families, positive environment. Clean campground and park, helpful staff. Swam and paddled on Lake Michigamme for hours. Huge beach with volleyball net," shares Jenny G. about her experience at Van Riper State Park.
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment for children. "The campground is clean & well maintained. It was easy for us to park our 35 ft trailer because the sites are large & level, but also because there weren't any trees along the campground roads. Our kids loved that there is a pool, hot tub & bouncy pillow!" explains Jessica P. about Country Village RV Park.
Winter activities: For families interested in cold-weather camping, Craig Lake State Park remains open year-round with cabins and yurts available. "The park has 2 rustic cabins and 2 yurts for rent that are a fantastic getaway and a great place to take your spouse," suggests Jeff P., noting these provide comfortable shelter during harsh winters.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At Marquette Tourist Park Campground, RVers should note potential connection challenges. "The hook-ups are not laid out conveniently on some sites which requires extra hoses and electric cords," warns Nancy W. Bringing extension cords and extra-long water hoses is recommended.
Site surfaces: Ground conditions vary widely across campgrounds in the region. "Only the FHU sites on the perimeter have paved camper pads, all others are either dirt, grass, or a combo," explains Lee D. about Marquette Tourist Park Campground. Sites at many Republic-area campgrounds may require additional leveling equipment.
Off-season availability: While most pet-friendly camping options close for winter, some remain accessible. "If you're looking for an off-the-grid escape this is it. The hike-in/paddle in camping spots are equipped with a picnic table and a firepit, everything else is up to you," shares Mike S. about Craig Lake State Park, where winter camping requires significant preparation.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Republic, MI is Van Riper State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews.
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