Is there anything better than exploring and camping with your dog? Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) holds a bounty of outstanding forests, rivers, and lakes worthy of such activities. To sustain such an adventure, you’ll need campsites that allow dogs. This article includes a few of the best dog-friendly campgrounds in the Upper Peninsula to consider. Plus, there are travel tips and gear recommendations to ensure you have a fun excursion with your furry pal.
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Is Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Dog-Friendly?
Most of the campgrounds and hiking trails around the UP welcome dogs. The area’s vast forests stretch between three of the Great Lakes—Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron—and offer a host of opportunities for dog-friendly adventures.
Some areas in the UP, such as Kingsford and Bessemer Township, have breed-specific legislation (BSL) restricting or banning certain dog breeds. Pit Bulls, Mastiffs, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers are common victims of BSL restrictions. Always check the local regulations before you go. Most of the UP is dog-friendly.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds in the Upper Peninsula
With an exceptional spread of campgrounds across the UP, how do you know which ones are the best? Location ranks high. Cost and amenities are often top priorities as well. And, of course, campsites must be convenient and comfortable for your pup.
Here are a few of my favorite dog-friendly campsites in the Upper Peninsula.
Blind Sucker State Forest Campground: Hiking and Seclusion
Two Blind Sucker Campgrounds sit along the Blind Sucker Flooding shoreline: Blind Sucker #1 and Blind Sucker #2. They’re about 2.5 miles apart by car and connected by a short stretch of hiking trail. Lu and I stayed at Blind Sucker #1 Campground in August 2024. We were taking the scenic route from Tahquamenon Falls to Grand Marais and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Blind Sucker #1 includes two small loops, sites 1-6 at the first loop and sites 7-17 at the second loop. The first loop campsites offer little shade, but the second loop has plenty of trees providing shade and several of the sites are along the shoreline. Blind Sucker #2 features 4 loops with quite a few campsites along the water. Most of the sites here are shaded and many are quite spacious.
Why Blind Sucker is Great for Dogs
The Blind Sucker Campgrounds are excellent if you like solitude, hiking, or paddling with your pup.
- The Blind Sucker Pathway connects to both campgrounds and Lake Superior if your dog likes to hike.
- The Blind Sucker Flooding is a quiet spot to go paddleboarding for dogs who enjoy being on the water.
- Lake Superior is also nearby if you both want to relax on the beach.
- The Blind Sucker Campgrounds also offer plenty of campsites with shade to keep you and your canine pal cool on a hot summer day.
Blind Sucker State Forest Campground Details
- 17 campsites, non-electric (#1)
- 31 campsites, non-electric (#2)
- First-come-first-served, no reservations
- 15-day maximum
- $20 per site
Amenities
- Cell reception – Little to none (ATT)
- Water – Hand pump, potable
- Toilets – Vault
- Showers – NO
- Trash – Yes
- Dump station – NO
Roads and Traffic Around Blind Sucker
You’ll have to drive down a long dirt road with some washboard patches to get here, but it’s worth it if you want to stay at a quiet, secluded campground. Quite a few OHV trails pass through the area, so expect some traffic if you’re out hiking or walking the roads.
The Lake Superior State Forest Campground is across the road (Grand Marais Truck Trail) on Lake Superior. These shaded campsites are very popular. When I visited, the entire Lake Superior State Forest Campground was full while there were only three campsites taken at Blind Sucker #1. It’s a beautiful camping spot though, with easy access to the sandy beach along Lake Superior.
Nearby Attractions and Day Trips
- Lake Superior
- Perry’s Landing
- North Country Trail
- Muskallonge Lake
- Grand Marais
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Little Bay De Noc Campground: A Lake Michigan Escape
This campground sprawls along the eastern side of Little Bay De Noc at the top of Green Bay. If you’re looking for a quiet site on Lake Michigan, the Little Bay De Noc Campground is a good one.
This Hiawatha National Forest campground was full during our stay but didn’t feel like it once we got settled. I drove in on a Thursday afternoon in August 2024 and snagged site 24, one of the last first-come first-served sites available. The sites near the water were closer together. This is where most of the big RVs were camped and running generators. The thick forest kept the sounds muffled though if you weren’t right next to them.
Why Little Bay De Noc is Great for Dogs
Little Bay De Noc Campground has a few features that shine brighter than other dog-friendly campgrounds:
- Many of the campsites are spacious to give your pup room to play.
- Quite a few sites have enough trees between them to feel some sense of privacy and offer good shade.
- There is dog-friendly beach access along the trail and boat ramp.
- The trails and roadways are quiet if your pup loves to go for walks.
Little Bay De Noc Campground Details
- 38 campsites, non-electric
- Some sites are reservable at recreation.gov
- Some sites are first-come-first-served
- $24 single site, $48 double site
- 14-day maximum
- Two pets per site
Amenities
- Cell reception – Moderate (ATT)
- Water – Potable
- Toilets – Vault
- Showers – NO
- Trash – Yes
- Dump station – NO
Roads and Traffic Near Little Bay De Noc
This campground feels like you’re out in the middle of nowhere but is easily accessible on a paved road. No sketchy switchbacks or muddy backroads to drag you down here!
Nearby Attractions and Day Trips
- Hiawatha National Forest
- Hunter’s Point Boat Launch
- Big Bay de Noc
- Escanaba
- Hiawatha National Forest
Pete’s Lake Campground: A Dog-Friendly Site Near Pictured Rocks
Pete’s Lake Campground is parked right in the middle of the UP in the Hiawatha National Forest. We camped here in August to have close access to Munising and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Pictured Rocks isn’t very dog-friendly, so this is a great spot to get away from the crowds and enjoy more freedom with your dog.
The campsites are spacious with the usual picnic tables and fire rings. Many sites have a good amount of forest between them for privacy. Some of the nicer sites cost more but might be worthwhile if you want a paved parking pad. While there was a decent vault toilet near our site (#3), some of the other toilets smelled so bad that you couldn’t walk by without getting a terrible whiff. It’s worth assessing the toilet closest to your site if you’ll be using it.
Why Pete’s Lake is Great for Dogs
Pete’s Lake is beautiful and a big win for this location if your pup likes the water. Dogs aren’t allowed on the main beach, but they can get beach access by the boat launch and other paths leading to the shoreline. You also have direct access to Bruno’s Run, a long dog-friendly hiking trail winding around the surrounding lakes and through the forests.
Pete’s Lake Campground Details
- 46 campsites, non-electric (+ walk-in sites)
- Some sites are reservable at recreation.gov
- Some sites are first-come-first-served
- $24/$26 single site, $48/$52 double site
- 14-day maximum
- Two pets per site
Amenities
- Cell reception – Moderate (ATT)
- Water – Potable
- Toilets – Vault
- Showers – NO
- Trash – Yes
- Dump station – NO
Roads and Traffic Around Pete’s Lake
This is another spot that’s “out there” without the hassle of questionable roads. It’s paved all the way in, even through the campground. While a fair amount of people were recreating in the area, it was still a quiet space.
Nearby Attractions and Day Trips
- Hiawatha National Forest
- Bruno’s Run
- Munising
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Big Island Lake
- Moccasin Lake
Glidden Lake State Forest Campground
We visited Glidden Lake Campground to access the Crystal Falls area. It’s a great alternative to Bewabic State Park if you want more solitude. Some of the sites are on the small side, but three of them are right on the shoreline. This small lake is the perfect setting to enjoy nature. Bring your paddleboard to float with your dog or go for a hike on the surrounding trails. There was no trash and the vault toilets were smelly, but the beautiful landscape was worth it.
Why Glidden Lake is Great for Dogs
Glidden Lake Campground is an ideal spot to camp with your dog if you like quiet spaces. Grab one of the campsites along the lakeshore for easy access to swimming with your pup or hopping on a paddleboard. There’s also a hiking trail that connects to the campground for a variety of dog-friendly hiking loops.
Glidden Lake Campground Details
- 23 campsites, non-electric
- First-come-first-served, no reservations
- $20 per site
- 15-day maximum
Amenities
- Cell reception – Moderate (ATT)
- Water – Hand pump, potable
- Toilets – Vault
- Showers – NO
- Trash – NO
- Dump station – NO
Roads and Traffic Near Glidden Lake
Glidden Lake is another one of the easily accessible dog-friendly campgrounds in the Upper Peninsula. This site is close to town with a paved road leading up to the campground entrance. The campground roads are dirt but in good condition.
Nearby Attractions and Day Trips
- Lake Mary Plains Pathway
- Glidden Lake
- Crystal Falls
- Lake Mary
Michigan State Park Campgrounds
Do Michigan state parks have dog-friendly campgrounds in the Upper Peninsula? Yes, the state parks are a wonderful resource for dog-friendly travel and lodging. While I prefer the smaller state and national forest campgrounds, they don’t usually have showers or electric hookups. Camping at a state park for a night or two is a great way to recharge batteries and enjoy access to a hot shower.
I found the Michigan State Parks to be busy with more visitors, a lot of kids running around, and more dogs with less supervision. The sites felt cramped and often seemed like nothing more than a parking space on someone’s lawn, which looked like a muddy nightmare if you were visiting during a stretch of rainy weather. These sites weren’t the optimal environments for me as more than a one-night stopover, but I could imagine they’re excellent for families and anyone needing hookups. State parks offer many amenities that the state and national forest campgrounds don’t have the capacity to offer.
Dog Gear and Tips for Your Upper Peninsula Camping Trip
You’ve picked your favorite hikes and mapped out the best dog-friendly campgrounds in the Upper Peninsula, but have you checked your dog’s camping gear? Here are a few of my favorite items to pack when traveling and camping with dogs:
Travel Water Bowl
Seems simple and obvious, but a well-designed water bowl makes traveling with a dog easier. In the van, a non-splash bowl keeps water contained. There’s no need to empty the bowl any time you’re on the move. There are no spills to wipe up once you stop.
Also, consider a bowl that packs down small. Kurgo’s Collaps-A-Bowl is incredibly convenient with its space-saving design to fold down flat. I use one of these for Lu’s food bowl. I fold it up and store it in the food container between meals (fewer crumbs and food smells to attract bugs/critters).
Food Storage
A secure storage bin keeps food contained and safe from rodents. There’s nothing more annoying than finding out a mouse snuck its way in to chew through the dog food bag for a midnight snack. I use the Vittles Vault to keep Lu’s food fresh and secure, and it’s easy to stow in the campervan.
Dog Harness
The best harness is the one that fits your pup. For Lu, I use Ruffwear’s Hi & Light Harness. It fits her meatball-shaped chest and is well constructed with strong but minimal materials. Lu dives into lakes, streams, and swamps as often as she can, so it’s nice having lightweight materials that don’t soak up much water or collect burrs. The lack of padding is also cooler on hot days and long hikes.
Waste Bags
Not much explanation is needed here. Pick up after your pet to keep trails and campgrounds clean for everyone to enjoy. I love the Earth Rated Waste Bags because they’re sturdy enough to handle a healthy-sized poop without worrying the bag will rip.
First Aid Kit
This is the most important item to have that you hope to never use. You can get a dog-specific first aid kit or you can add a few extra items to the one you (hopefully) already own. I use this weekend first aid kit I got from REI. I’ve added styptic powder, self-adhesive wrap (vet wrap), nail trimmers, antimicrobial spray, rubber dog boots, and a muzzle.
Don’t forget to check the expiration dates on medications and ointments in your kit. You can purchase replacement packs to refresh these items without having to buy a whole new first-aid kit.
Dog Bed
For the pups that love to sprawl and stretch out after a long day, the Kurgo Loft Bed claims the top spot in my book. It has a durable and waterproof bottom and a water-resistant top that makes it perfect for outdoor adventures. It rolls up small to help save space in your campervan or car.
Camp Chair
This falls into both the human and canine category. After a full day of exploring, there’s nothing better than settling down in a comfortable camp chair around the campfire. Kelty’s Low Loveseat is hands-down my favorite campsite item that’s a basic essential but feels like a luxury item. And perhaps most importantly, the low seat height makes it easy for dogs to climb up next to you.
Conclusion: Dog-Friendly Travel is Easy and Fun in the UP
This is a small sampling of the many dog-friendly accommodations available across the UP but hopefully enough to inspire you to get out exploring with your best pal. Let us know if you have any camping, hiking, or gear recommendations of your own!