Dog walking in Saint Johns

Sleepy Hollow State Park

Reconvene with nature at the Sleepy Hollow State Park! Like most of Michigan’s parks, Sleepy Hollow welcomes pups throughout most of their grounds as long as they remain on a leash shorter than six feet. The park boasts over 2,600 acres of land complete with a winding river and a huge lake. You and Spot can explore the 16 miles of hiking trails or check out the pet-friendly shoreline just north of the Lake Ovid swimming beach! Sleepy Hollow State Park also has over 180 campgrounds to choose from, many of which provide lodging for you and your furry friends.

Flushing Estates

About 40 miles east, just outside of Flint, is a small suburb known as Flushing. Here, residents enjoy all the luxuries of a metropolitan area, while remaining just far enough to maintain a small-town feel. You and your pup can venture out here from St. Johns for a short daycation or make the move and settle into one of their pet-friendly apartments. Many locals from the nearby towns frequent Flushing thanks to its all-inclusive, members-only dog park! Located at the Key-Lore Pet Rest Gardens, the Woof Woof Dog Park offers yearly memberships to pups with valid vaccination documents and well-behaved attitudes.

North Portland

Another great place to visit in Michigan is Portland. For residents of St. Johns, Portland is a 35-minute drive away and has plenty to offer. For example, head to the Portland Riverwalk to take in the sights that the city is famous for! Bring Spot along on a leash, and you may even run into other locals with their four-legged friends. The Portland State Game Area has a few trails to choose from, like the Morris Road South trail! Spanning about 2.7 miles through the back trails of the area, this hike is great for taking in the nature surrounding you.

Harrison Meadows

As the name suggests, East Lansing is located directly east of Michigan's capital city. Located within East Lansing is a beautiful neighborhood with quaint community values. Here, you’ll find the Harrison Meadows Neighborhood Park, which is a great spot for early morning walks to start the day. East Lansing has an overall high walkability, and you can journey through eight community parks by following the Northern Tier Trail. End the day with a trip to the Northern Tail Dog Park, which has trail access! Here, you’ll find a 2.5-acre off-leash area where your best friend can run around with other pups from the surrounding neighborhoods.

Ionia State Recreation Area

Discover this spectacular recreation area with pine plantations and hardwood forests aplenty! About 35 miles west of Saint Johns, the Ionia State Recreation Area is approximately 4,500 acres with a lake cradled in the hills and spacious meadows to explore. Bring along Spot (on their 6-foot leash) and check out the dog trail area or go hiking on another trail throughout the park. Ionia Recreation Area also boasts over 199 species of birds, wildflower fields, metal detecting, and even designated hunting areas. Visit just for the day or stay overnight at one of their 149 campsites, many of which welcome you and your furry friends!