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Feature photo: Otis
He is more than (wo)man’s best friend – he is your hiking buddy, your partner in crime & adventure, your pal, your dog in the dunes.
For those who always have a four-legged friend with them, here is a compilation of some of the trails, beaches, restaurants, breweries and activities throughout Northwest Indiana that you can enjoy together!
Dog friendly beaches:
Lake Street, Miller – There’s a designated dog beach on the west side of Lake Street in Miller. Dogs are also allowed east of Marquette Park on the residential area beaches, but there’s not really public beach parking throughout that area.
Central Ave. Beach – Pines- Dogs are allowed on leashes
Kemil Beach and Dunbar Beach – Beverly Shores – Dogs are allowed with leashes
Lakeview Beach – Beverly Shores – Dogs allowed with leashes
Indiana Dunes State Park – Chesterton – Dogs are allowed with leashes to the right of the pavilion
Portage Lakefront – Portage – Dogs allowed on riverwalk, but not beach
**Service dogs are an exception to any pet rules and are allowed to accommodate their owner to all parks
Dog Friendly Trails: Dogs are fortunately allowed on most trails in the area on a leash.
Exceptions include:
Glenwood Dunes Trail System – due to horse being permitted on the main trails
Great Marsh Trail – Beverly Shores – due to being a populated wetland ecosystem.
Nature Play Area – the area located on the east side of the Paul H. Douglas Center where the main parking lot is fenced off.
Lulu running in the dunes. Photo taken by Brenda Campbell
Dog Friendly Parks/Gardens
These are the off-leash parks in the area
Bluhm Park in Westville
Creek Ridge County Park in Michigan City
Luhr County Park just south of LaPorte
Portage Dog Park in Portage
Perry Ferrini Dog Park – Schererville
Lemon Lake Dogwood Run – Crown Point
Wiggley Field Dog Park – St. John
Wicker Memorial Dog Park – Highland
Royal Acres Dog Park – Valparaiso
These are on-leash larger parks and gardens
Friendship Botanic Gardens – All trails are open to dogs on a leash
Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve – Chesterton – All trails are open to dogs on a leash
Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm – Porter – Dogs are allowed on leash
Gabis Arboretum (formerly Taltree) – Valparaiso – Allowed on a leash
**Most city-owned dog parks require permits
Dog friendly restaurants. We updated our top 20 outdoor patio list and have included the restaurants that are dog friendly. You will find a “DF” next to each restaurant that allows dogs on their decks.
Top 20 Outdoor Patios in the Dunes Also Goblin & the Grocer (Beverly Shores & Set em’ Up Lanes, Griffith
Dog Friendly Breweries & Wineries
Windmill Brewery – Dyer – Allows dogs inside seating area
Crown Brewery – Patio Only
Wildrose Brewing Company – Griffith – Patio only
Back Road Brewery – La Porte – Allows dogs inside seating area
St. John Malt Brother – St. John – Patio only
Bulldog Brewery – Whiting – Currently constructing a patio, which will allow dogs
18th Street Brewery – Hammond – Patio only
Zorn Brew Works Co. – Michigan City – Patio only
Brew Fast – Highland – Patio only
Ironwood Brewing Company– Valparaiso – Allows dogs inside and outside
Four Fathers Brewing – Valparaiso – New patio!
Aftermath Cidery – Valparaiso – Patio only
New Oberpfalz Brewing – Griffith – Patio only
Shoreline Brewery – Michigan City- Patio under construction, dogs allowed once open
Burn ‘Em Brewing – Michigan City – Patio only
Round Barn Estate – Baroda – outdoors all over the estate
Round Barn Filling Sation, Tasting Room, Tabor Hill & Free Run – dogs welcome on leashes on patio.
Haymarket Taproom – Bridgman, MI
Transient Artisan Ales – inside & out! – Bridgman, MI
St Julian Patio – Union Pier, MI
The Livery – Benton Harbor, MI
Watermark Brewery – Stevensville, MI
North Pier Brewery – St. Joe, MI
Are we missing someone? Let us know!
Dog friendly stores. These are all chains, but a few are in our area. It’s good to know!
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Do you know of some other dog-friendly areas that we didn’t include? Please let us know and we will add them! Info@digthedunes.com
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