Campgrounds with dog parks are still uncommon in Michigan. Most parks, public and private, allow dogs on a 6-foot leash and stop there; Michigan state parks don’t list any fenced off-leash dog parks at all. Walnut Hills Family Campground in Durand is one of the exceptions: a fenced dog park of just over a quarter acre with open lawn and shade trees, picnic tables, tunnels, a real fire hydrant, waste-bag stations and a dog selfie frame, plus a stretch of the Shiawassee River where dogs can swim. Our sister park, The Oaks Campground in Munith, has an off-leash dog run and 120 acres of trails where dogs can go off leash.
Here’s what the Walnut Hills dog park is like, how dogs use the rest of the park, what The Oaks offers, and what to look for in any campground dog park before you book.
The Walnut Hills dog park
The dog park went in a couple of years ago at the north end of the campground, next to Pavilion 2, the ball field and the new playground. Our team invested in it properly, with premium fencing and a footprint of just over a quarter acre, which is big enough to throw a ball or a frisbee without hitting the fence. Inside you’ll find:
- Open grass for fetch, plus a treed section for shade on hot afternoons
- Picnic tables so owners can sit while dogs run
- Tunnels and an authentic fire hydrant, which, as a campground employee put it, is there “for the dogs to stake their claim on”
- Waste-bag stations
- A dog selfie portrait frame, added this year and a hit with owners
It gets used about hourly through a summer weekend, often with several dogs in at once. Owners say it’s the amenity they didn’t expect at a campground and the one that makes a long weekend easier on an energetic dog. Because it sits in the entertainment zone, you can let the dog run while the kids are on the Kangaroo Jumper or the playground a few steps away. Sites 186 to 193 and 171 to 178 are directly across the road if you want the dog park within sight of your camper.
Where else dogs go at Walnut Hills
- The river. Dogs can swim in the Shiawassee River. Most owners walk down to the boat launch area by the store to let them in. The beach, swimming lake and Wibit are kept for swimmers, so dogs do their swimming in the river.
- The nature trail. A walking trail runs along the river inside the park. Around the corner on Reed Road there’s a lesser-known tract of public land, donated to the city years ago, that runs through woods to the river; seasonal campers ride golf carts out to it.
- The campground roads. At 5 mph with no through traffic, the loops make an easy morning walk. Dogs stay leashed and picked up after everywhere outside the dog park.
- Events. The three Halloween weekends include dog costume contests, and a past “campground Olympics” had a dog event held in the dog park.
Dog park rules at Walnut Hills
The rules are the ones you’d expect at any good dog park, and they’re the same at The Oaks:
- Leashed and under control everywhere except inside the dog park; pick up after your dog anywhere on the property.
- No breed restrictions. Our team’s view is that behavior matters more than breed: a breed with a reputation can be calm, and a typically gentle dog with a rough past can be reactive. In return, we ask that every dog be friendly around people and other pets so the park stays relaxed for everyone.
- Dogs aren’t left unattended at the site, and they don’t go in the store, the cabins, the bathhouse or on the beach.
- No pets in the two camping cabins. If you’re hoping for a cabin with your dog, see our guide to pet friendly cabins in Michigan for how families work around that.
The full list is on the map and rules page. There is no pet fee for dogs on RV and tent sites.
The Oaks: a dog run and off-leash trails
The Oaks takes a different approach that suits trail dogs. Instead of a fenced park, it has an open dog run toward the front of the campground, away from the campsites, where dogs can go off leash to run and chase a ball. It has the same selfie station, and fencing and toys are planned for future seasons. The bigger draw is the back of the property: about 120 acres of forest and grassland trails where dogs are allowed off leash with their owners. Expect deer and sandhill cranes out there, and bring water. Dogs can swim in the fishing lake at The Oaks (it’s downstream of the swim lake), but not on the beach or in the swimming area. Inside the campground proper, the same leash and clean-up rules apply.
If your dog’s best day involves miles of trail rather than a game of fetch, The Oaks is the better fit. If you want a fenced space you can relax in while the dog burns energy, that’s Walnut Hills.
What to look for in a campground dog park
Campground dog parks vary a lot in size and setup. Before you book anywhere, ask:
| Ask about | Why it matters | At Walnut Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Enough room for a real run, not just a potty stop | Just over a quarter acre |
| Fencing | Full-height, secure fencing for dogs that jump or dig | Premium full fencing |
| Shade and seating | You’ll be there a while on a July afternoon | Treed section and picnic tables |
| Waste stations | A clean park depends on them | Yes |
| Location | Near your site and away from quiet loops | North end, next to Pavilion 2 and the playground |
| Water for dogs | Swimming access or a water station | River swimming at the boat launch; bring a bowl to the park |
Also check the rest of the pet policy: leash length, whether dogs can be on the beach (rarely), whether cabins allow pets, and whether there’s a pet fee. Our guide to campground pet fees covers the cost side.
Do Michigan state parks have dog parks?
Not as a rule. Michigan state parks are dog friendly in the sense that leashed dogs (6-foot leash) are welcome in campgrounds and along most shorelines outside the buoyed swim areas, and the DNR lists which parks have pet-friendly shoreline and lodging. But the DNR’s pet page doesn’t name any fenced off-leash dog parks, and dogs shouldn’t be left unattended at a state park site. Several Michigan cities and counties run public dog parks that are a short drive from a state park campground, so it’s worth checking the nearest town if you’re camping there. For a fuller comparison, see Michigan state park pet rules vs campground policies.
Camping with dogs in Michigan: a quick checklist
- Current vaccinations and tags; a photo of your dog on your phone.
- A 6-foot leash (retractables don’t meet most campground rules), a tie-out and stake for the site, and plenty of bags.
- A water bowl for the dog park and the trail, and a towel for after the river.
- Shade or a fan for the camper on hot days; quiet hours at our parks are 11 PM to 8 AM, so bring the dog along on evening outings rather than leaving them alone in the camper.
- If you’re bringing your own golf cart, a secured spot for the dog; golf carts don’t drive after dark at any of our parks.
Our broader guides to dog friendly campgrounds in Michigan and safe camping with dogs cover the rest, including where dogs can and can’t go at both parks.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Walnut Hills dog park off leash?
Yes. Inside the fenced dog park, dogs can be off leash. Everywhere else in the campground they’re on a leash and under your control.
Is there a fee to bring a dog?
No pet fee on RV and tent sites. Dogs are not allowed in the two camping cabins.
Can my dog swim at the campground?
At Walnut Hills, yes, in the Shiawassee River at the boat launch area. At The Oaks, in the fishing lake. Not on the beaches or in the swimming lakes at either park.
Are there holiday parks that allow dogs in Michigan?
What’s called a holiday park in the UK is a family campground or RV resort in the US. Both Walnut Hills and The Oaks allow dogs on RV and tent sites with no breed restrictions.
How many dogs can we bring?
There’s no posted limit; we ask that every dog be leashed, attended and friendly. If you’re bringing more than two, call the store ahead of time so staff can suggest a site with some room.
