Whether you’re a resident of west Michigan, or are heading here for a relaxing vacation, it is always useful to have a list of places where your four-legged friend will be welcome! In recent years, a number of dog-friendly places and establishments have popped up across the state, making it far easier to bring your dog along for an outing.
In this article, we’ve summarized some of the best places in west Michigan to take your dog. Whether it’s a state park, a national forest, a boat rental, a restaurant, or even a dedicated pet bakery and boutique, there is no shortage of options!
1) Kirk Park
Address: Kirk Park, Grand Haven Charter Township, MI 49460
Hours: March 1 – October 15, 7am-10pm; October 16 – February 28, 7am to 8pm
Kirk Park is the perfect place to spend some outdoors time with your pup! In addition to providing stunning, scenic views of Lake Michigan, the park boasts acres of dunes, woods and hiking trails. A dedicated dog beach allows your dog to run off-leash; dogs must be on-leash in other parts of the park.
2) Bend Area
Address: 9500 12th Ave, Jenison, MI 49428
Hours: 5am to 10pm
A mere twenty minutes from Grand Rapids, Bend Area underwent two expansions in 2020 and now covers over 400 acres of primarily wooded land. This a true outdoors experience – there are no trails or restrooms, but Bend Area provides stunning views of the Grand River. Dogs are allowed off-leash. Be aware beforehand that deer hunting takes place in some areas of the park.
3) Grand Haven Boardwalk
Address: 301 N. Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI 49714
Hours: Dawn till Dusk
Looking for a gentle stroll along the waterfront with your dog? The Grand Haven Boardwalk is a one and a half mile paved path running alongside the Grand River harbor. A striking red lighthouse lies at the end of the path, which features a mixture of shops and restaurants, in addition to places to sit and watch the world go by.
4) Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Address: 6575 138th Ave, Holland, MI 49423
Hours: 8am to 10pm
Situated on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, Saugatuck Dunes State Park features four trails which vary in length and difficulty. Dogs are permitted, but park rules stipulate that they should always be on a six-foot leash and under their owner’s control.
5) Pilgrim Haven Natural Area
Address: 18th Ave, South Haven, MI 49090
Hours: 6:30am to 10pm
With easy access to fantastic views of Lake Michigan, Pilgrim Haven has been recently developed and provides a wonderful mixture of lakeshore habitats. Stretching across 27 acres, its barrier-free walkway enables people of all walking abilities to experience the spectacular scenery and a diverse range of birds, butterflies and plantlife.
6) Manistee National Forest
Address: 1755 S. Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601
Hours: Dawn till Dusk
One of three National Forests in Michigan, the Huron-Manistee National Forest covers almost one million acres in the northern part of the state. The Manistee National Forest is located in western Michigan and is a popular spot for camping and other activities. Dogs are permitted, although must be kept on a leash so as not to disturb other campers or wildlife.
7) Grand Haven Boat Rental
Address: 1211 Jackson St, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Hours: 9am to 7pm
Conveniently located near to Muskegon (15 mins), Holland (25 mins) and Grand Rapids (40 mins), Grand Haven Boat Rental offers a selection of cruising and sport pontoons for exploring the beautiful water surrounding Grand Haven. Their website states that they are pet-friendly and welcome responsible pet owners on board their boats.
8) Nelis’ Dutch Village
Address: 1211 Jackson St, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Hours: See website for updated hours (link)
Bringing a small piece of the Netherlands to modern-day Michigan, Nelis’ Dutch Village is the perfect day out for people of all ages. Offering theme park rides and a petting farm, plus demonstrations and activities which take place throughout the year, there is something for everyone. The majority of the Dutch Village is outdoors, and pets are allowed as long as they are on-leash (and don’t interfere with goats who may be walking within the park).
9) FuzzyButZ Pet Bakery & Boutique
Address: 306 State St, St Joseph, MI 49085
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm; Sunday, 11am to 5pm
Located in downtown St Joseph, FuzzyButz is run by a mother-daughter team who passionately believe in using local ingredients to bake homemade dog treats. They craft an extensive selection of unique delicacies to indulge your pup. The store also includes a range of pet merchandise, including clothing, decor, and gifts.
10) Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge
Address: 100 Commerce Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm; Saturday & Sunday, 8am to 4pm
If you’re in the heart of Grand Rapids and need to stop for a coffee and a snack, Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge is a popular community spot. Offering five outdoor tables, you can enjoy a coffee made using locally roasted beans in the company of your pup.
11) The Mitten Brewing Co.
Address: 527 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30am to 10pm; Sunday & Monday, 11:30am to 9pm
This craft brewery with a baseball vibe serves a variety of pizzas, sandwiches and appetizers. Their spacious outdoor patio welcomes humans and canines alike; online reviews suggest members of staff are extremely welcoming to pets and even bring out water bowls for dogs on the patio.
12) Lost Art Brewhouse
Address: 3393 Remembrance Rd NW, Walker, MI 49534
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 4pm to 9pm; Friday, 2pm to 9pm; Saturday, 1pm to 9pm
Based in Walker, MI, the Lost Art Brewhouse is a nanobrewery which prioritizes quality over quantity – their founders have a passion for making great beer and bringing it to their local community. Dogs are welcome in their outdoor areas.
13) Peachwave of Holland
Address: 6 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 12:30pm to 8:30pm; Friday to Sunday, 12:30pm to 9pm
Specializing in healthy smoothies, shakes and floats, patrons of Peachwave can either choose from an extensive menu or create their own. Dogs are allowed at their outdoor seating, where fresh water is made available for pups.
14) Lolo’s Bar and Grill
Address: 1862 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, MI 49424
Hours: Friday, 4pm to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11:30am to 9pm
Lolo’s Bar and Grill is situated on one of Holland’s local yacht marinas, serving a range of appetizers, sandwiches and a very extensive drinks menu. The large, outdoor patio is the perfect spot for humans and dogs alike.
15) Guardian Brewing Company
Address: 3657 63rd St, Saugatuck, MI 49453
Hours: Monday, 4pm to 8pm; Tuesday to Thursday, 12pm to 8pm; Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 9pm; Sunday, 12pm to 8pm.
With a focus on fresh and local ingredients, Guardian Brewing Company offers 22 taps of in-house beer, plus wine, cider, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. Their website confirms that the establishment is family-friendly, in addition to allowing well-behaved and leashed dogs on their patio.
16) Hudsonville Pike 51 Brewing Co.
Address: 3768 Chicago Dr, Hudsonville, MI 49426
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 10pm; Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 11pm; Sunday 12pm to 8pm
A microbrewery, winery and restaurant in one place, Hudsonville Pike 51 Brewing Co. offers house-crafted beverages such as beer, wine, wine slushies and hard seltzer. Their food menu provides appetizers, wraps, entrees and an extensive ‘south of the border’ collection.
17) Paw Paw Brewing Company
Address: 780 S Gremps St, Paw Paw, MI 49079
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11am to 8pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am to 10pm; Sunday 12pm to 8pm
Paw Paw Brewing Co has been in business since 2010, serving the small town of Paw Paw. The owners place a heavy emphasis on the community – the original idea behind this microbrewery is that it could be a place where locals could connect over a pint of locally hand-crafted beer. They have recently introduced their dedicated Canine Courtyard.
18) Lakeshore Pet Boutique
Address: 10 W. Center St, Douglas MI 49406
Hours: Sunday and Monday, 11:30am to 4pm; Tuesday and Wednesday, Closed; Thursday, 11:30am to 4pm; Friday and Saturday, 11:30am to 5pm
Located in Douglas, Lakeshore Pet Boutique offers a wide variety of pet toys, treats, collars, leashes and health-conscious foods.
Is there anywhere in west Michigan you enjoy visiting with your dog and isn’t on our list? Contact us or let us know on our Facebook page, and we’ll make sure to update this article!