Dog-Friendly Activities in Free Soil, MI

Located on the banks of Lake Michigan in Ludington, MI, Buttersville Park offers plenty to do with your pooch during their mid-May through the mid-October season. There's a dog-friendly beach area, picnic facilities, camping, or just taking a stroll to see the breathtaking view of the Lake Michigan shoreline, including the North Breakwater Lighthouse. Please ensure Fido remains on a leash during your visit.

Ludington State Park is a dog-friendly trail and state park in Ludington, MI. Leashed pets are welcome to explore the State Park, which features beautiful hiking trails along Lake Hamlin. The hiking trails are wooded and cross several small islands. There are many places along the trail to sit and enjoy the lake. The Park does not allow pets in any water area used for swimming or wading, including Lake Michigan. However, pets are allowed on the Big Sable River (east of the highway bridge) and on Hamlin Lake (outside of the swim area) as well as other public park areas.

Fido is invited to play at Ludington's Central Bark Park in Michigan. The off-leash outdoor facility offers roughly 2 acres of fenced-in wooded areas with two sections for small and large dogs. You can find this park right off of the Cartier Park Loop.

Historic White Pine Village in Ludington, MI is dog-friendly. Historic White Pine Village offers a living history, family-friendly, fun-filled tour of a late 19th to early 20th-century pioneer village. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to tour the grounds with their owners. The village is open May-October; check the website for dates. There is Admission fee for adults but Fido can visit for free.

Nordhouse Dunes offers miles of trails to explore on the shore of Manistee, MI. Natural features include dunes, wooded areas, marshes and interdunal ponds. Dogs must always be on a leash while visiting. Please be on the lookout for wildlife, and watch where you step. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are allowed at the campgrounds but aren't permitted on the swimming beach.

First Street Beach offers a dog-friendly beach area between the pier heads in Manistee, MI. The entrance is located next to the Rotary Observation Deck. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, though, dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time. Dogs should be kept leashed at all times in accordance with city ordinances.

North Beach Access Park in Manistee, MI, is dog friendly. The secluded beach is geared toward pets, and dog owners are encouraged to bring their leashed furry friends along for long walks. North Beach Access is located at the north end of Washington Street.

Orchard Beach State Park in Manistee, MI, is situated on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. A stairway leads from the campground to self-guided, dog-friendly hiking trails adjacent to the park. Take US-31 to M-110, turn north, and go one and a half miles to the park entrance. Dogs aren't permitted in buildings or swimming areas.

Captain John Langland Park is a pet-friendly beach on Lake Michigan in Onekama, MI. It offers a beautiful view and a pier where your pup can join you on a leash. There is a deck with two gazebos and stairs leading to the beach. In the warmer months, portable toilets are provided.

North Point Park is a pet-friendly attraction in Onekama, MI. Bring Fido for a wildflower stroll that offers waste stations and rest stops. You can take the paved and ADA-accessible Blanche Miler Trail, short graveled loop, or the Primitive loop that contains grass and sand.

Fido is invited to play at Loomis Street Dog Beach in Ludington, MI. You will notice about 50 yards from the boat ramp area where your furry friend can cool off. A restroom, trash can, doggie bags and a walking loop are nearby.

Bring Fido on the US Ghost Adventures top-rated, pet-friendly ghost tour running all year round in Ludington, MI. Walk 1 mile with expert guides past the Mason County Courthouse, Cartier Mansion B&B, and Stearns Hotel while hearing chilling tales of restless spirits and haunted history. Leashed pups welcome—perfect for private tours and bachelorette parties.

Lake Michigan Circle Tour is a pet-friendly scenic drive that spans over 1,100 miles and takes around 15 hours to complete with no stops. It follows state highways around Lake Michigan, through Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Leashed dogs are welcome to visit the pet-friendly Summit Township Park in Ludington, MI. This lakeside recreation area features an array of visitor amenities, from pirate ship-themed playgrounds and picnic areas to Lake Michigan beach access and sports courts. The park is open seasonally from April through October.

Cartier Park is a pet-friendly natural area with a camping facility on the Lincoln River in Ludington, MI. Fido is welcome to join you on the 1-mile loop, where you will find a dog park. The park is surrounded by 68 acres of untouched forests.

Sundling Park, located in dog-friendly Manistee, MI, is a 66-foot-wide strip just west of Red Apple Road, north of Magoon Creek. This scenic park offers a trail that leads through the dunes to the beach, perfect for a peaceful walk with your leashed furry friend. A small parking area is available, providing convenient access to the trail that ends at the water’s edge.