Pets at Pictured Rocks

Dog on leash at Miners Beach

Reece

Planning to visit with your pet?

Please make sure you know the rules and where you can go with your pet. We want you, your pet, other visitors and our wildlife to all be safe.

PLEASE REMEMBER to follow the B.A.R.K. Ranger rules:

• Bag your pet's poop (and discard in a garbage can).
• Always have your pet on a leash no longer than 6 feet (even on beaches and when swimming).
• Respect wildlife (keep a respectful distance from any animals you may encounter).
• Know where you can go (you are responsible to know where pets are and are not permitted)

Also, remember the following:

• Pets should not be left unattended. Summer heat and sunshine pose a threat to pets in vehicles.
• Pet food is also bear food so store pet food as if it were human food - in a vehicle.
• Pets are not allowed in visitor centers.

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Service animals that have been individually trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of persons with disabilities are allowed throughout the park.

Emotional support/therapy animals are not service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act and may only access the same areas as pets. They can not access visitor centers, backcountry trails, or other areas closed to pets.

 

Dog enjoying the view of Miners Castle

Reece

Pets can join you at these locations:

• All Roads, Parking Lots, and Picnic Areas
• Sand Point Beaches
• Munising Falls Trail
• Miners Falls Trail
• Miners Castle - paved trail to Overlooks
• Miners Beach
• Au Sable Access Road to the Light Station
• Log Slide Trail
• Lake Superior Overlook and Beach
• Sable Falls Trail and Beach
• All three drive in campgrounds: Little Beaver Lake, Twelvemile Beach, and Hurricane River Campgrounds
• Lake Superior beaches directly in front of the campground and day-use areas

These areas are CLOSED to pets:

• All North Country Scenic Trail segments that pass through the length of the park (trail is sometimes referred to as the Lakeshore Trail)
• Sand Point Marsh Trail
• Chapel Trails and Chapel Beach
• Mosquito Trails and Mosquito Beach
• All Backcountry Campgrounds/Campsites
• Grand Sable Dunes Natural Area
• All areas east of Miners Beach to the western edge of Twelvemile Beach Campground, including the entire Chapel-Grand Portal-Mosquito Loop Trails and beaches
• All Trails within the Beaver Basin Wilderness
• All Groomed Winter Ski Trails
• No carrying in pets

 

Dog on boat on Lake Superior

Chris Case

Also remember: Though pets are permitted on boats on Lake Superior, they are not permitted on park beaches in the backcountry. This includes - but is not limited to - Mosquito and Chapel Beaches.

Why can't you take pets in certain areas of the park?

• Pets may harass, scare, injure, or kill wildlife.
• Pets may be injured by porcupines, bears or other wildlife.
• Pets can intimidate or scare visitors.
• Pets can become lost.
• Pets can introduce diseases and pollute water, including through urine and poop. And wildlife or their urine or droppings can spread these diseases to pets and people.
• Pets can disturb hikers and backcountry campers who expect a pet-free experience.

Hiking and backcountry camping with your pet outside Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

If you'd like to hike and backpack with your pets, there are trails and backcountry camping areas in nearby Hiawatha National Forest, Grand Island National Recreation Area and Michigan State Forests.

 

Pet Boarding

Do not leave your pet in the car while you hike, especially during hot weather! These local businesses can board your pets while you are enjoying the park:

Pet boarding - Ruff n Reddy in Wetmore, MI (formerly Puppy Paws).
Phone [phone]

Pet boarding (day use only) - Melstrand Union General Store in Melstrand, MI.
Phone [phone]

Pictured Rocks Cruises will board pets of customers who take their boat cruise. Other private tour companies in the area may offer something similar.

 

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