Dog-Friendly Beaches
July 2, 2020
Trying to find a beach that will allow you and your best fur-friend to soak up some sun this summer? We’ve compiled a list of dog-friendly beaches throughout northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.
This list is not meant to be a complete list of dog-friendly beaches in Michiana and will be updated periodically.
Beaches that allow dogs inside of park limits but not on the sand or in the water are not included in this list, including Weko Beach and Silver Beach County Park in Michigan.
Many of the beaches on this list require that your dog is on a leash and that you pick up after it.
According to the American Kennel Club, not all dogs are born knowing how to swim and some may require assistance or the use of a life jacket when around water.
MICHIGAN
Deerlick Creek Beach(South Haven)
Dog friendly but dogs must be on a leash.
Grand Mere State Park(Stevensville)
Pets are allowed on the entire length of the Lake Michigan shoreline (one mile). Pets must be on a six foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control at all times. All pet waste must be properly disposed of in trash receptacles.
Hagar Beach(Coloma)
Dog bag dispenser available at park.
Roadside Park(Coloma)
Dog bag dispenser available at park.
Warren Dunes State Park(Sawyer)
Pets are allowed north of the northernmost swim buoy at the beach, providing two and a half miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Pets must be on a six foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control at all times. All pet waste must be properly disposed of in trash receptacles.
INDIANA
Indiana Dunes State Park beaches(Chesterton and Porter)
Pets must be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet (2 meters). Owners are responsible for removing pet waste everywhere in the park. Pets are not allowed on the Pinhook Bog Trail or the equestrian portion of the Glenwood Dunes Trail system, but are allowed on the Pinhook Upland Trail. Service animals are an exception to these rules and may accompany their owner to all park locations.
Pets must be on a leash at all times, even when swimming in the lake. Handlers allowing pets to chase birds or otherwise harass wildlife are subject to a citation. Pet handlers are responsible for carrying waste off the beach.
Pets are allowed year round on all beaches with the following exception: Pets are not allowed in the lifeguarded swimming area at West Beach from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day Weekend.
Kemil Beach(Beverly Shores)
Pets are permitted on a leash that is no more than six feet long.
Lake View Beach (Beverly Shores)
Pets are permitted on a leash that is no more than six feet long.
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