Dog walking in New Buffalo

South Whittaker St

Near the center of town, just off the main road of West Buffalo Street, is the small neighborhood just off Whittaker Street. In addition to its green spaces and lush charm, the area has a community park nearby. Since its renovation in 2012, Oselka Park has become a favorite among local pet parents, thanks to the introduction of walking trails! Be sure to bring doggy bags and water when visiting, just in case. Hungry? For fresh eats that are locally sourced, look no further than Fresco, which has an outdoor patio for canine customers. After your meal, wander over to Beachtails Pet Shop for some eco-friendly goodies!

Tower Hill Shorelands

If you’re feeling guilty about being able to enjoy the beaches in New Buffalo while Fido whines at home, you’re in luck! Just 15 minutes north, up the coast of Lake Michigan, is the Warren Dunes State Park. Here, pups can roll around the sand and snap at the incoming waves, because the beach is pet-friendly year-round! The park boasts over three miles of beautiful shoreline, plus a dune formation that gives the park its name. Stay overnight at one of the campsites, with both modern and rustic set-ups. You and Fido can also explore over six miles of trails, lending beautiful views of the park.

Harbert

Searching for a small community with tight-knit values alongside a beautiful strip of Lake Michigan shoreline? Then look no further than Harbert, located within the Chikaming Township in Michigan. A quick nine-minute drive along I-94 will land you just outside Harbert. Or, if you pre-fur, you can take the scenic route along Red Arrow Highway. Once you’ve arrived, head over to the Harbert Community Park. The Chikaming Dog Park is located here and offers shaded shelter for pet parents while they socialize on the sidelines. The area is well-known for its natural sights, such as the wooded sand dunes running along the waterfront.

Stevensville

21 miles from New Buffalo, Michigan is a 986-acre stretch of land known as the Grand Mere State Park. This majestic state park is flush with huge sand dunes, deep blowouts, and a mile-long stretch of pure Lake Michigan shoreline. The best part is this park welcomes paw-prints on its beach, so long as your pup remains leashed and plays nice with other visitors, you can play the day away here. If you’d rather stay dry, stick to the hiking trails, many of which are foot trails leading to the secluded lakes throughout the park. Be mindful of posted hunting areas and wildlife in the area during your visit!

Edgewood

New Buffalo is located just miles from the Michigan-Indiana state line. In fact, it’s less than a 20-minute drive down to Michigan City, IN. Michigan City, which is on the south end of Lake Michigan, is noticeably more populated than New Buffalo, offering visitors an entirely new experience. It’s located in the Michiana region and welcomes a fair amount of tourists during high season. Furry friends are welcome, too! During summertime, the local off-leash dog exercise area at Creek Ridge County Park welcomes visitors for a daily fee of $3.00. The park stretches over 3.25 acres of land and has different exercise activities for pooches to try out.