Pet Friendly Spots in the Grand Haven Area

Pet Friendly

The Grand Haven area is home to many beautiful parks with hiking that offers gorgeous and diverse scenery. There are several dog-friendly options that you and your four-legged friend can enjoy together to have the most paw-fect day!

Grand Haven/West Olive

Kirk Park
– Located in West Olive off Lakeshore Dr.
– May 1 – September 30: Off-leash dog beach from 7-10am and 6-10pm, dogs are not allowed on beach between 10am-6pm.
– October 1 – April 30: Dogs allowed on Kirk Park beach off-leash, no limiting hours.
– Dogs must remain leashed on trails and are not permitted in restrooms, buildings, picnic shelters, playground areas, off-trail, or as posted.
– Offers miles of hiking trails, beach access, a playground, picnic shelters, and restrooms.
– $8 daily entry fee or $25 fee for annual pass Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day weekend, no fee before Memorial Day and after Labor Day.

Grand Haven City Beach
– Located between Noto’s At The Bilmar and Grand Haven State Park on S. Harbor Drive.
– Dogs allowed on-leash before 11am and after 5pm Memorial Day through Labor Day.
– Before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, dogs are allowed on-leash, no limiting hours.
– Dogs must always remain on-leash.

East Grand River Park
– Located adjacent to the Grand River on Washington Ave. and Beechtree.
– Fenced, off-leash dog park with large and small dog areas.
– Amenities include: picnic shelter with grills, boat launch, children’s play area, ball fields, and more.

Pigeon Creek Park
– Located in West Olive on Stanton St.
– Allows dogs in spring, summer, and fall.
– Once trails are groomed for cross country skiing, dogs are not permitted in the park.
– Dogs must remain on-leash.
– Offers several miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, picnic area, and restrooms.

Connor Bayou
– Located on N. Cedar Drive.
– Allows dogs but they must remain on-leash.
– Offers hiking, woodland cabin, boardwalks, picnic tables, fishing dock, and a kayak/canoe launch.

Hemlock Crossing
– Located in West Olive on W. Olive Rd. off US-31.
– Allows dogs but they must remain on-leash.
– Includes miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, kayak/canoe launch, nature center, picnic tables, and restrooms.

Hofma Park
– Located on Ferris St. in Grand Haven Township.
– Allows dogs but they must remain on-leash.
– Offers hiking, picnic tables, playground, soccer field, softball field, and restrooms.

Hofma Preserve
– Located on Sleeper St. in Grand Haven Township.
– Allows dogs but they must remain on-leash.
– Offers miles of hiking trails, 885 foot floating bridge dock, picnic area, playground, biking trails, and restrooms. 

Spring Lake

Marv’s Dog Park
– Located in northwest corner of Central Park along south side of Lakeside Trail.
– 40,000 square feet of off-leash open running space.
– Separate areas for large and small dogs.
– Offers seating, shelter, and a drinking fountain for dogs.

Ferrysburg

Coast Guard Park
– Located off of N. Shore Rd. near North Ottawa Dunes.
– Contains fenced dog park for all dogs.
– Offers ball fields, basketball courts, and access to North Ottawa Dunes.

North Ottawa Dunes
– Located on North Shore Dr.
– Allows dogs with the exception of the dune stairs.
– Dogs must remain leashed at all times.
– Offers miles of hiking in wooded dunes just off Lake Michigan, picnic tables, and restrooms.
– Firearm hunting on limited occasions.

Ottawa Sands
– Located on North Shore Dr.
– Allows dogs but they must remain on-leash.
– Large inland lake with trails going around it.
– Offers hiking trails and restrooms.
– Hunting is sometimes present.

*For on-leash areas, dogs are required to be on a 10’ leash or less. Dogs are not permitted in any buildings, restrooms, playgrounds, picnic shelters, or as posted. Please always clean up after your dog and remain courteous of other park visitors.

If you’re looking for more of an off-leash experience where your dog can freely run, the County Open Space Lands are for you! 

Open Space Lands

– Off-leash area all year round.
– Some areas include Bur Oak Landing, Eastmanville Bayou, Hiawatha Forest, Robinson Forest, Grand River Open Space, and more.
– Carrying a leash is recommended and please always clean up after your dog.
– Deer hunting is allowed in some Open Space Lands, so always be mindful of hunting season when visiting with your pet.
– Hiking is also available around the Open Space Lands.

Restaurants

– Many restaurants in downtown Grand Haven offer outdoor dining along Washington Ave. from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
– Pets are allowed at the outdoor dining seating areas.

Lodging

– Baymont Inn located on US-31 a mile and a half from Lake Michigan is pet-friendly.
– Rodeway Inn in Coopersville located on O’Malley Dr. allows pets for $15 per day.
– Rodeway Inn in Grand Haven located on Beacon Blvd. off of US-31 allows dogs only.
– Varying rental properties available through Lake Michigan Cottages or Unsalted Vacations.