Dog walking in Marquette

South Marquette

South Marquette abounds with fun things for you and your pup to do. Spring Street Park offers nearly three acres of open grassy space for on-leash running and romping. You will need to bring your own waste bags and water to this and all parks in the neighborhood. If you’re ready for a bite after some rounds of frisky play, dogs are welcome at the outdoor dining areas of Portside Inn and Donckers. Portside Inn serves seafood, sandwiches, and Southwestern fare, while Donckers is well known for its sandwiches and handmade candy. Once you’re full, you and your pup can stroll down to the shore to take in the sights. The city is famous for its ore dock, which can be seen from the Founder’s Landing Boardwalk. Nearby Father Marquette Park and Lakeside Park feature historical monuments, plaques, and wooded and grassy areas for your dog.

East Side Marquette

East Side Marquette is perfect for active pups. The City Multi-Use Path winds through the beautiful Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park and along the shoreline to McCarty’s Cove, where you can view the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse. The trail continues to Shiras Park, which features a large beach. Each of these parks includes grassy and sandy areas where you and your dog can enjoy a romp, as well as benches and picnic tables where you can rest. It’s a mile-long walk from Lower Harbor Park to Shiras Park, and if you’re up for another mile, you can walk from Shiras Park to refuel at Togo’s, a submarine sandwich shop with pet-friendly outdoor seating.

West Side Marquette

West Side Marquette features two dog-friendly spots where you can dine with your pup. The first is Border Grill on Third Street, a popular dining and shopping area. The next is the Marquette Food Co-Op on West Washington Street, where you can enjoy healthy fare at the pet-friendly tables outside of the store. The West Washington Street area is the perfect spot for a visiting pup, as the pet-friendly Ramada of Marquette hotel and Harlow Park can be found within a few blocks of the Food Co-Op. At Harlow Park, you will find expansive, shaded lawns, a beautiful fountain, and a veterans’ memorial. You will need to bring your own waste bags and water.

Northern Michigan U/ N Lakeshore Blvd

The Northern Michigan University campus abounds with compelling cultural sites like the De Vos Art Museum, but furry friends will be more interested in the acres of parks in this neighborhood. While the large Presque Isle Park is off-limits to dogs, Tourist Park, Setter Field, River Park, and Haley Field are all great places to bring your pup. Each has different features. River Park features water frontage, a BMX bike race course, and a disc golf course, for example, but all offer wide, grassy expanses for sniffing, running, and exploring. You will need to keep your pup on a leash and bring your own waste bags and water.

South Lake Marquette

The Iron Ore Heritage Trail winds along the lakefront and connects several parks throughout the city. In the South Lake neighborhood, it continues past the full length of South Beach Park. This beautiful mile-long park features grassy areas, a sandy beach, public bathrooms, and a viewing platform where you can watch the Lake Superior waves roll in. You will need to bring your own waste bags and water. Further south, you can find the Econo Lodge Lakeside, a pet-friendly hotel. There are many trails in the wilderness areas near the hotel. Just a little inland, near the Carp River, you will find the moderately difficult four-mile Mount Marquette Loop. Remember to pack out anything you bring in to a wilderness area, including dog waste!