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Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Michigan in 2024: Off- & On-Leash Places to Visit

Hallie Ballard

By Hallie Ballard

close up golden retriever at the beach

A quick trip to the Upper Peninsula or to the Sleeping Bear Dunes isn’t complete without your furry friend. But how are you supposed to bring them along if you do not know any dog-friendly places to visit? You’re in luck! Michigan has many dog-friendly beaches that are just begging for you to visit. Take a look at all the places you and your fur baby can go below.

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Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Michigan

1. Hagar Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 Blue Star Hwy, Coloma, MI 49038
🕐 Open Times: 6AM–11PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: No

  • Wooden steps leading down to the beach
  • Sandy shores are gentle on paws and feet
  • Swimming in Lake Michigan
  • Lifeguards and doggie bags provided
  • Clean despite being so busy

2. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

🗺️ Address: 📍 N8391 Sand Point Rd, Munising, MI 49862
🕐 Open Times: 24 hours
💲 Cost: Recreation passport required
🐕 Off-Leash: No

  • Free parking and picnic areas
  • Sand point beaches
  • Various hiking trails to get out extra energy
  • Picturesque shorelines for pet photoshoots
  • Open 24 hours

3. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

🗺️ Address: 📍 Maple City, MI 49664
🕐 Open Times: 24 hours
💲 Cost: Recreation passport required
🐕 Off-Leash: No

  • Miles and miles of sandy beaches and shoreline
  • Free parking
  • Various hiking trails for you to discover
  • BARK Rangers ensure everyone is following rules and keeping the beaches clean

4. Grand Haven City Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 S Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI 49417
🕐 Open Times: Open to dogs before 11AM or after 5PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, before 11AM or after 5PM

  • Limited free parking
  • Restrooms available
  • No fees or passes required
  • Sandy beaches on the shores of Lake Michigan
  • 40,000 square feet of open running space

5. Ferrysburg Dog Park (Located Inside Coast Guard Park)

🗺️ Address: 📍 18161 N Shore Rd, Spring Lake, MI 49456
🕐 Open Times: 8AM–10PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes but only inside the Ferrysburg Dog Park

  • Long trails for plenty of exercise
  • Off-leash allowed inside the dog park only
  • Surrounded by beautiful Michigan scenery and nature
  • Fenced-in area that allows dogs to roam free
  • Park also offers baseball and soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts, picnic shelters, play areas, restrooms, and grills.

6. Kirk Park & Dog Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 9791 Lakeshore Ave, West Olive, MI 49460
🕐 Open Times: Only open for dogs from 7AM–10AM and 7PM–10PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, only on the off-leash beach

  • Off-leash beach available to dogs
  • Miles of sandy shoreline
  • Restrooms, picnic shelters, and playground areas available
  • Easy access to trash receptacles to clean up pet waste
  • Open, grassy running areas
  • Scenic views of Lake Michigan

7. Warren Dunes State Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 12032 Red Arrow Hwy, Sawyer, MI 49125
🕐 Open Times: 24 hours
💲 Cost: Recreation passport required
🐕 Off-Leash: No

  • Pet-friendly shoreline
  • Over 1,900 acres of recreational space
  • Rugged dunes towering 260 feet above the lake
  • Sandy shores that are gentle on paws and feet
  • 6 miles of hiking trails
  • Open year round

8. Belle Isle Dog Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 2 Inselruhe Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
🕐 Open Times: 5AM–10PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Only on the pet-friendly section of the beach

  • Pet-friendly beach area dedicated to your furry friends
  • Sandy beach on an urban landscape
  • Free and open year round
  • Located next to an aquarium, museum, nature zoo, and more
  • Open swimming

9. Tawas Point State Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 686 Tawas Beach Rd, East Tawas, MI 48730
🕐 Open Times: 8AM–10PM
💲 Cost: Recreation passport required
🐕 Off-Leash: No

  • Dog-friendly swimming
  • Next to a dog-friendly campground
  • Scenic lighthouses and beaches
  • Free Parking

10. Marquette South Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 501 S Lake St, Marquette, MI 49855
🕐 Open Times: 6AM–11PM
💲 Cost: Recreation passport required
🐕 Off-Leash: Swimming only

  • Dog-friendly swimming
  • 40 acres of park
  • Parking area for easy access
  • Miles of shoreline
  • Conveniently located next to Marquette, MI

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Conclusion

With 34.6% of Michigan households owning at least one dog, it is no wonder you’re looking for dog-friendly beaches to explore. You’ll find that, despite these beaches being located in different parts of the state, they all have beautiful sandy shores and plenty of space for your pup to run and swim. Some are even located next to picturesque lighthouses that make for the perfect photoshoot with your furry friends. If you’ve got the take, plan a trip to visit a few of these dog-friendly beaches and discover which one your pup loves the most.


Featured Image Credit: Greg Jenkins, Unsplash

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