Dog-Friendly Camping near Rudyard, MI

70 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates

    Brimley State Park Campground near Rudyard provides pet-friendly camping with multiple accommodation options including tent sites, RV spots, and a mini cabin. The campground enforces standard pet policies requiring dogs to be leashed at all times, properly supervised, and cleaned up after throughout the park's 160-acre property. Sites throughout the park accommodate pets with grassy areas and access to walking paths, though some visitors note the campground can become crowded during peak season with sites positioned relatively close together. The park's location on Lake Superior offers pet owners beach areas where leashed dogs can enjoy shoreline walks, though swimming regulations for pets may vary. Local campgrounds are searchable through The Dyrt's listings.

    Several other pet-friendly options exist within a short drive of Rudyard. Bay Mills Casino RV Campground welcomes pets with full hookup sites and is open from May through October. Clear Lake Campground maintains clean facilities with shower houses that are cleaned daily, providing a comfortable base for pets and owners. Search Bay Dispersed camping area offers free pet-friendly camping with more natural surroundings and fewer amenities, perfect for those seeking a more primitive experience with their dogs. Monocle Lake and Soldier Lake campgrounds in Hiawatha National Forest provide pet-friendly sites with drinking water and toilets, though without electrical hookups or showers. When camping with dogs in this region, weather considerations are important as Lake Superior can create rapid temperature changes requiring appropriate pet gear.

    Complete Isle Royale National Park Camping Guide - The Complete Guide

    Get the guide now

    View Guide

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Rudyard (70)

      1. Brimley State Park Campground

      4.2(24)13mi from RudyardRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "The park offers a nice sandy beach, but we mainly used it as a ‘home base’ for checking out other upper Michigan attractions."

      "Some sites have trees in odd places, so positioning your camper can be a slight challenge, but the lake is right here and I love this park!"

      2. Straits State Park Campground

      4.4(75)27mi from RudyardRVs, 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

      Check Availability

      3. Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI)

      4.8(18)18mi from Rudyard24 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Gorgeous Lake Superior shore experience! Fall asleep to the sound of waves.  Address of property:  19456 West Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, Michigan 49715

      There are no services nearby."

      "Best campground in Michigan. Sites aren’t too close together yet there are bathrooms in a reasonable walking distance from each site."

      from $21 - $24 / night

      Check Availability

      4. Search Bay Dispersed

      4.2(15)17mi from RudyardRVs, Tents

      "Absolutely stunning location! This dispersed campsite offers breathtaking views right on the shoreline. The serenity of the water and the peaceful surroundings make for an unforgettable experience."

      "Great spot on the lake. A lot of people are set up. Otherwise great location"

      5. Reddmann's Sleepy Hollow

      5.0(10)16mi from RudyardRVs, Tents

      "My boyfriend and I and our dog stayed on a Sunday night in June and had the place almost completely to ourselves."

      "Got here the weekend it was closing for the season and aside from the beginning of duck season and the firing of lots of shotguns on my next to last morning here, it was a really peaceful place."

      6. Bay Mills Casino RV Campground

      3.8(8)13mi from RudyardRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Close to food and fuel. Easy pull through sites. Check in is currently across the street at the hotel. Masks are required in the hotel/casino. Good sites. Decent park."

      "Close to the water and even closer to the casino. We used this as a base for seeing sites, mainly the locks. A bit wet while we were there but not to bad. The staff at the casino is nice and helpful."

      7. Monocle Lake

      4.4(11)17mi from Rudyard42 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This campground is a hidden gem, close to the small town of Brimley, Michigan where you can purchase forgotten items, visit the library, or visit local tourist attractions."

      "It was quiet, sites are far from each other, and it was only a short drive from where we wanted to go."

      from $24 / night

      Check Availability

      8. Carp River Campground

      4.6(8)15mi from Rudyard20 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Good distance between site and clean!!! Love this place!!! Easy access to carp river. Some site back up to river edge. I stayed at 14 which is quiet and is an amazing site."

      "It was very spacious and right near the bathrooms. Our only complaints are that there were some potholes in the road that could be filled in, and the mosquitoes were horrendous."

      from $24 / night

      Check Availability

      9. Soldier Lake

      4.7(7)15mi from Rudyard44 sitesRVs, Tents

      "It was really quiet and the lake was beautiful. However in the morning someone was shooting birds or squirrels and bullets literally flew over our heads. But it honestly was worth it."

      "It has bee 8 years since i have been there, small lake with warm water coming up from bottom. Sandy beach, real primative. did have outside toilet, no power and no hook ups."

      from $24 / night

      Check Availability

      10. Clear Lake Campground

      5.0(1)9mi from RudyardRVs, Tents

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time


    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Rudyard, MI

    718 Reviews of 70 Rudyard 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.

    • Lydia T.
      Jul. 1, 2024

      Waterways Campground

      Beautiful campground in Cheboygan

      This is a great campground if you like to bring your boat along too. We were able to tie our boat up and use it all weekend. The campground is beautiful with an awesome dog park as well.

    • 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.

    • 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!

    • Donna H.
      Jun. 1, 2021

      Aune-Osborn Campground

      Aune Osborn campground

      We had a great stay at Aune Osborn. Beautiful quiet place. Friendly staff, pet friendly and freighter watching.

    • 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 Rudyard

    Brimley State Park Campground maintains a pet-friendly policy across its 230+ grassy campsites, offering pet owners a Lake Superior shoreline experience. The park's modern campground accommodates tents, RVs, and includes one mini cabin that accepts pets. Most campsites are relatively close together in an open field layout with scattered trees providing shade. Pets must be leashed at all times throughout the park, including on the sandy beach areas where many campers enjoy walking their dogs along the shoreline. Other pet-friendly options include Bay View Campground and Bay Mills Casino RV Campground, both located near Brimley with policies allowing pets. Chipmunks and other wildlife are common throughout these campgrounds, so keeping food secure and pets controlled is essential for safety. Local campgrounds are searchable through The Dyrt's listings.

    For dispersed camping with dogs, Search Bay Dispersed Camping provides free pet-friendly sites accessible by boat, vehicle, or on foot. These rustic sites lack amenities like drinking water, toilets, or trash service, but offer more privacy than established campgrounds. Dogs can enjoy swimming in Lake Superior's clear waters, though the temperature remains quite cold even in summer months. Monocle Lake and Soldier Lake campgrounds in Hiawatha National Forest also welcome pets with more primitive facilities and quieter surroundings. When camping with pets in the Upper Peninsula, visitors should be prepared for varying weather conditions and bring supplies for their animals, as pet services are limited in this rural area. The bathrooms at Brimley State Park are cleaned daily but can become busy during peak summer season.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Rudyard, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Rudyard, MI is Brimley State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 70 dog-friendly camping locations near Rudyard, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.