Anyone who is looking for a place to let their dogs roam the shores of Lake Michigan without worrying about crowds should check out Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness (located just north of Ludington, MI). It is one of Michigan's best kept secrets! We literally had miles of sandy beach to ourselves, and the dogs had a blast. Oxley was in heaven being allowed to run free and chase seagulls. He was very curious about the water, but didn't go in very far (he did still manage to get soaking wet and covered in sand). Brady swam to retrieve sticks from the water while Oxley waited on the shore and pounced on him when he got out of the water (what a pesky little brother!).We camped on a sand dune and the dogs stayed in their very own tent! I highly recommend dog tents to anyone who enjoys camping but would prefer to sleep without furry beasts chewing on their sleeping bags :)
7 comments:
Great shots! Can you access the dunes from somewhere other than inside the state park? (Considering that I live in Ludington, you'd think I'd know the answer to this question - but I haven't ever been to Nordhouse Dunes, and had no idea you could let dogs run there...)
The only way I know to get to the dunes is from the DNR parking lot at the end of Nurnberg Road. I can send you more detailed directions if you'd like.
Since you live so close, you would be missing out if you didn't experience this place at least once!
Cheeto loves the water. She has been swimming many times this year and launches herself feet tucked. It is a joy. The pictures are beautiful Ali. Looks like you all had fun.
Marianne
I should be able to find it, and definitely plan to try it out. Thanks, Ali!
Kari
So is a dog tent anything special? What does it look like when it is in a store? Are there accomodations to tether a dog, so that I don't have to worry about her roaming away while I snooze?
Kari, I can't believe you haven't ever been to Nordhouse Dunes! Follow the (paved) back road (Quarterline) toward Manistee, turn left on Forest Trail, go to the end, and walk over the dune from there. My dog du jour and my guests always go there. Sometimes there are beaucou' biting flies, but them's the breaks at the beach.
Oh, I forgot to mention that this way brings you to the swimming beach, and I think that there are signs only beyond which dogs are allowed. Sorry. But it is a glorious and spacious public place where man (woman) and beast can roam unfettered.
My observations about the forest near this place: Don't go there in hunting season, unless you dress in orange (and especially your dogs!). The trails are all unmarked, so do not go in alone unless you have a dog with a good sniffer, a good trail map, a GPS, a cell phone (may not be of much use because who know how far away the towers are?) and a trail of bread crumbs ( which my dogs always found and ate).
but adventure calls....
We foud our "dog tent" at Target (Eddie Bauer brand), but I am sure you can find them at pet stores as well. It isn't really anything special...just a small version of a regular tent. It only weighs a few pounds (granted, a few pounds is a lot of you're planning a multi day hike, but it's ideal for short trips). There aren't any special tether options, though you could run a rope out the front zipper. My dogs never tried to get out, though (I'm pretty sure they thought it was just a fancy crate). The best part is that it only cost $25...and it was well worth the good night's sleep!
For more of our Nordhouse photos, visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/allisonfabian
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