Camping With Your Dog

Bringing your dog on your next outdoor overnight excursion? Oh, yes! With a little planning, your canine companion will enjoy camping just as much as you. These Northern Michigan spots are perfectly pet-friendly.

- By Heather Johnson Durocher

SOUTH HIGGINS LAKE STATE PARK

This 1,000-acre park south of Grayling features nearly a mile of shoreline along Higgins Lake, a spring-fed body of water known for its clarity and fishing. Pitch your tent or park your RV at one of the 400 modern, hardwood-shaded campsites and enjoy the sandy beach, boat launch and picnic area.

Dog-Friendly Hike: You’ll find a self-guided nature trail within the park. For a longer and history-filled hike, take the short drive to Grayling and spend an afternoon exploring Hartwick Pines State Park’s trails through old growth white pines—some of these trees stretch more than 120 feet skyward and date back to before the Revolutionary War.