Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Union Pier, MI

Warren Dunes State Park Campground welcomes pets at all campsites with spacious areas for dogs and their owners. Campers with pets can choose from tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and cabin accommodations throughout the park. Dogs must remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet at all times except at the designated dog beach section along Lake Michigan. The campground maintains clean facilities with modern restrooms and showers, making extended stays with pets comfortable. Nearby Weko Beach Campground and Michigan City Campground also accommodate pets with similar leash requirements. The dog beach at Warren Dunes provides a perfect opportunity for pets to enjoy Lake Michigan, though visitors note the mile-long walk required to reach this area from the main parking areas. Campground roads offer plenty of walking routes for daily pet exercise.

The trail system connecting Warren Dunes campground to the beach presents challenging terrain for dogs, especially during hot summer days. Most pet owners drive to the beach parking lot rather than attempting the steep dune crossings with their animals. Food trucks at the beach area provide refreshments after active days, though no pet-specific amenities exist beyond waste stations at campground loops. Warren Dunes maintains a strict policy regarding barking dogs, as sites are relatively close together with limited privacy between neighbors. Highway noise from nearby I-94 can be disruptive at night but may help mask occasional pet sounds. The park store stocks basic pet supplies and ice cream treats, though prices run higher than nearby markets in Sawyer and Bridgman. Wildlife encounters remain minimal in the heavily used campground areas, making for safe walking conditions with pets.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Union Pier, Michigan (66)

    1. Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Bridgman, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 426-4013

    "Happened upon this Gem when driving the coast of Lake Michigan.  Watched the solar eclipse from the beach.   The DBR had a viewing area setup for adults and kids.  "

    "The walk to the beach access is a beautiful one, and the beach is astounding! Pet friendly!"

    2. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    126 Reviews
    Beverly Shores, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 395-1882

    $25 / night

    "There is so much to do her, wineries and breweries nearby. The beaches are not too crowded. Pet friendly and lots to do for children. This is one of our favorite vacation spots."

    "give you a great view of Lake Michigan. Bathroom rooms and shower were super clean. Dog friendly campsite and right next to the lake!"

    3. Weko Beach Campground

    20 Reviews
    Bridgman, MI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 465-3406

    $50 - $30 / night

    "Couple minute walk to the beautiful Lake Michigan beach. Waist deep most areas, waves can get big tho."

    "Our site was in the RV section next to the beach. The sites were open and dirt/sand--ours was up on a bit of a hill. Worked great for exploring the area."

    4. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 926-1952

    $23 / night

    "This campground was very nice and clean and for a packed park was very quiet and we did not feel too close to the sites next to us. "

    "Our site was close to the trails leading to the dunes. Loved watching the waves on Lake Michigan and climbing the sand dunes."

    5. Michigan City Campground

    22 Reviews
    Indiana Dunes National Park, IN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 872-7600

    "We stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger."

    "Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook."

    6. Potato Creek State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    North Liberty, IN
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (574) 656-8186

    $20 - $90 / night

    "Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust. Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."

    "There is a nice prairie area to walk around in, and an easy to ride pave bike trail. We watched the osprey nest one year for several hours."

    7. Thousand Trails Bear Cave

    16 Reviews
    Buchanan, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "But even without the cave there was still a playground, pool and little walking trail near the waterfall. Close to nearby Lake Michigan and beaches."

    "Joseph River in southwest Michigan. There is also a waterfall right next to the cave. There is a boat launch and a few docks that can be used. The sites are a bit on the smaller side."

    8. Fuller's Resort and Campground

    8 Reviews
    Buchanan, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 695-3785

    "The tenting and trailer sites are a bit cramped, but there is a selection of either open grassy or wooded areas to choose from. we stay at a full hookup site down by the lake entrance."

    "The acres has lots of sites tucked away in the woods and many out in the open sun too! Rental trailers and cabins right on the lake too. Great ice cream too. We will be back!"

    9. Mini Mountain Campground

    7 Reviews
    New Carlisle, IN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (574) 654-3307

    "There are ample hiking trails and activities for all ages. The swimming pool is awesome and a great plus when camping with kids. The woods are very thick and filled with amazing trees."

    10. Shamrock Park

    11 Reviews
    Berrien Springs, MI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 473-5691

    $10 - $50 / night

    "Level site, fire ring and pets welcome."

    "It’s also a quick walk to a grocery store and restaurants. There’s no grill on the fire pit, so plan accordingly."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Union Pier, MI

663 Reviews of 66 Union Pier Campgrounds


  • deb K.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Elkhart Campground

    3 1/2 star campground

    It is a very large older CG with a few upgrades. Clean, with decent amenities. We were placed in the rear section, which was just ok. Site needed leveling, had no shade at all and was close to major hwy. The front and side sites seemed nicer and had ample shade with some concrete sites. Laundry room, pool and bathrooms were very clean. Large dog park, but was far from our site. Was only 25 min from Notre Dame and about an hour from lake Michigan WiFi was great, no cable, but good antenna reception

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2023

    Elkhart Campground

    Elkhart, IN….Nice campground

    We stayed here to pick up a new RV. It’s a huge campground with lots of space. Some sites are cement ours was gravel. Very clean, nice sized dog park, quiet and close to restaurants. If had an occasion to stay here again…we definitely would!

  • jamie S.
    Jul. 27, 2021

    Michigan City Campground

    Great campground

    We stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger. They do have nice premium sites in the front. Loved that it is gated and and key card access after hours. Has a dog park and a playground for the kids.

  • R
    Sep. 15, 2020

    Ebys Pines

    Very nice and friendly

    Stayed for a weekend. The campground was clean sites were all very nice and pool was really clean. The dog park was a nice added bonus. It could very possibly become our new weekend getaway

  • Sky
    Sep. 20, 2021

    Kal-Haven Outpost

    Good location and friendly staff

    Clean and nice little park with a cool "trading post" with nice merchandise, snacks and food. They have a dog park and trails on the property with a longer bike trail that runs alongside the campground. They had a band one night and an ice cream truck come through the next. Would recommend!

  • Derek N.
    Jun. 22, 2022

    Michigan City Campground

    Not my favorite, but not horrible

    Pros - playground, pool, well kept grounds, helpful staff, gated/swipe card access, ponds, close to area attractions, decent campground WiFi, small fire ring, small dog park

    Cons - tight spaces, BYO grill, bad showers, dirty/tight bathroom area

    The mens room is just gross. Water in the stalls because showers don’t drain. Water in the shower never gets hot. Missing shower heads with pressure that almost tears your skin. Can barely squeeze into the tiny stall. Toilets are gross.

  • Donna H.
    Oct. 13, 2021

    Michigan City Campground

    Great Campground

    We used it as an over night stop right off of 94. It was perfect for that. It would also be perfect spot to stay longer if wanted to be in the area. Grounds were nice. Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook.

  • Kara H.
    Oct. 29, 2021

    Weko Beach Campground

    Great little campground

    Couple minute walk to the beautiful Lake Michigan beach. Waist deep most areas, waves can get big tho. The campgrounds beach is NOT pet friendly, but there is a flat boardwalk that takes you to a pet friendly area of beach of neighboring Warren dunes state park. Clean easy to locate water/trash/office areas. Friendly staff. They check the loops frequently and keep things tidy. Sandy but drivable roads(be careful in a washout). Flat nice sized lots. Clean bathroom/shower house! (Males and females share showers, could be concerning during busy season). Peaceful and quiet. Loved everything about our trip. (Be warned the camping lots are sand too, you will have sand everywhere! But its worth it!)

  • L
    May. 29, 2019

    Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground on Lake Michigan

    Happened upon this Gem when driving the coast of Lake Michigan.  Watched the solar eclipse from the beach.   The DBR had a viewing area setup for adults and kids.  Lots of trails and activities for the kids.  Pet friendly also.


Guide to Union Pier

Pet friendly camping near Union Pier, Michigan offers lakeside retreats with varied terrain from sandy shores to wooded sites. Located within 30 minutes of Lake Michigan beaches, the region features a mix of state parks and private campgrounds that accommodate pets with specific designated areas. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with higher humidity levels near the lake.

What to do

Beach access for dogs: Warren Dunes State Park includes designated pet areas along Lake Michigan. "The best part, though, was having the beach 2 min from our doorstep. Can't beat it!" notes a camper at Weko Beach Campground.

Dune climbing with pets: Challenge the sandy slopes at designated areas where dogs can join. "Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart!!! And beware, the sand does get HOT midday," shares a visitor at Warren Dunes State Park Campground.

River fishing: Several campgrounds offer water access beyond Lake Michigan. "Nice river fishing, nice stream scenery, big rec center," reports a camper at Bear Cave RV Campground, making it suitable for dogs who enjoy water but might be overwhelmed by lake waves.

What campers like

Wooded campsites: Shaded areas provide cooler spots for pets during summer heat. "Very wooded and the sites were relatively large. There were trashcans all over the place near the bathrooms/pit toilets," notes a reviewer at Warren Dunes State Park.

Walking trails: Connected path systems offer exercise options for dogs. "This campground was very nice and clean and for a packed park was very quiet," mentions a visitor about Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.

Waterfront options: Sites near water provide natural cooling for pets. "We stayed at site 123, and it was very private feeling with a wooded backdrop," shares a camper at Fuller's Resort and Campground, noting proximity to the lake for pet cooling options.

What you should know

Noise considerations: Train and highway sounds affect some pet-friendly sites. "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long," warns a camper at Indiana Dunes State Park.

Site spacing: Many campgrounds have closely positioned sites affecting pet comfort. "Although each one as fairly large, they set them up 'two together', at least in the part we were in. One site beside another without any buffer of bushes or trees," notes a visitor about Warren Dunes.

Water access challenges: Dunewood Campground has specific pet limitations. "The closest beach within the national park is Kimmel Beach which is beautiful. There are some biting horseflies at the beach, but not at the campground," reports a camper, important for pet owners to consider.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Multiple pet-friendly sites offer family amenities. "There are ample hiking trails and activities for all ages. The swimming pool is awesome and a great plus when camping with kids," shares a visitor at Mini Mountain Campground.

Safe swimming areas: Pet-designated beach sections sometimes differ from family swimming zones. "The beach had lifeguards during certain hours, which gave me a little bit of extra comfort in bringing my kids to the lake," notes a camper at Indiana Dunes State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Union Pier, MI is Warren Dunes State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 67 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 66 dog-friendly camping locations near Union Pier, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.