
Pet Friendly Places
Your pet should feel right at home in Ludington. There are many businesses that allow pets and parks and beaches for them to play on.
Photo by Mark Steigenga
We love our pets, and more of us are bringing them along when we travel. With all the wide open space here in the Ludington area, your dog or cat should feel right at home. But where are specific places that welcome your furry friend? Here’s a list to get you started.
Central Bark- Ludington’s only Dog Park, Central Bark, is located within Cartier Park, accessible from north Rath Avenue.
Loomis Street Boat Ramp- At the end of Ludington Avenue, the Loomis Street Boat Ramp has a small beach area where pets are welcome to roam. They are not allowed on Stearns Beach at any time, but can still experience the fun of splashing in Lake Michigan. They can be off leash here also. This area is a short walk from downtown and many local motels.
Cartier Park Walk Path- This beautiful 10 foot wide paved path, located at the corner of Bryant Road and North Rath Avenue, winds around the perimeter of the park and meanders through the woods. A gazebo near Lincoln Lake offers a place to rest and admire the surroundings. Your dog will love the hilly path, and it is plowed in the winter.
Ludington State Park- There are 3,000 acres at the Ludington State Park for your pet to roam, as long as he’s on a 6′ leash (or shorter), cleaned up after, and current with shots. Dogs are not allowed in park buildings or swim beaches, but are welcome in the campgrounds and hiking trails. There is an area called Sargent Sand Lake along Piney Ridge Road that is not an actual beach but it is on State Park property and dogs are allowed in the water there. They can also go into the water at Lost Lake, north of Beechwood Campground, and the sandy shoreline on the south side and to the east of the dam. At no time should your dog be left unattended.
Ludington’s Disc Golf Courses- Mason County Park, near the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant, has three courses: Beauty, Beast, and Goliath. Right off Jebavy Drive is Leviathan, which is actually two courses. All five welcome your dog to romp and play (and maybe catch your disc!). No leash is required, but you must clean up after them.
Pets are welcome on a leash at these parks, as long as you clean up after them, and keep them from disturbing other people.
Ludington
Around Ludington’s Hamlin Lake
Historic White Pine Village– This local attraction is dedicated to preserving Mason County’s rich history, and they welcome well-behaved dogs on a leash, and of course, cleaned up after. Families and their pets will enjoy the quiet surroundings, and you can all pick up a snack at the Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor!
Lake Michigan Carferry, S.S. Badger– Allows pets on board, but animals in cargo area or in the owner’s vehicle must remain in a crate.
Mason County is lucky to have numerous organizations that are dedicated to finding homes for stray animals, caring for animals, and supporting pet owners. Learn more here.
Your pet should feel right at home in Ludington. There are many businesses that allow pets and parks and beaches for them to play on.
The three accessible walkways installed at Stearns Park Beach in Ludington allow everyone to make their way to the water and sand.
Disc golf is a big deal here in the Ludington area, with up to 20,000 people per year visiting one of our six courses.
The Mason County Sculpture Trail was launched in 2012 and includes nine sculptures in Ludington, Scottville, and Fountain.
The Ludington Pumped Storage Plant and Lakewinds Energy Park are the two main sources of energy that power Ludington! Check them out!
In addition to thousands of book titles, the Mason County District Library’s Ludington and Scottville branches provide many free programs.
The Ludington Skate Plaza is a popular spot for kids with skateboards or in-line skates, and also draws spectators to Stearns Park.
The bronzed sculptures in Ludington’s 5-acre Waterfront Park sets it apart from other parks. The park is situated on the Lake Michigan inlet.
Ludington’s North Breakwater Light is the number one lighthouse to see in Michigan! Take a trip along the breakwater path to see it up close!
The Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) is the gathering place for community expression through arts and cultural experiences.
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