Presque Isle State Park

Gorgeous Presque Isle State Park is a premier destination for Erie residents and visitors alike, offering lots of outdoor fun on Lake Erie. There's something for every member of the pack here, even your adventure dog!

Love to hike? This park's got over 11 miles of trails that are sure to please every pup. From easy 0.5 mile trails, to the Karl Boyes NRT's 13.5 mile circuit, these paths wind through the park's 3,200-acres, traversing oak, maple and pine forests, swamps, sand dunes and plains, beaches, and several ponds. Tackle one trail, or mix and match to create your own route for a furbulous hike your pup will love. Picnic areas and restrooms for humans can be found throughout the park, making great rest stops.

Water lovers flock to this park for their pawsome boating and fishing opportunities. There's many varieties of fish you can try your hand at catching, such as bass, perch, steelhead and trout at several locations in Lake Erie and around the park. If you and your dog would prefer to get out onto the water, boat launches are available for several sizes of boats, and some can even be rented at Graveyard Pond.

But if your dog is itching to actually get a splash in, head to the beaches! While dogs are prohibited from the sand and water on the park's designated swimming beaches and cannot go past the tree line, they can fully enjoy the unguarded beaches in between along the coast of Lake Erie. These beaches do not have lifeguards, and have some special rule for pet pawrents. Dogs can kick up the sand and splash in the water here, but humans can only wade out in the water up to their knees and up to 10 feet from shore, so no swimming with your pooch! Locations for these puptastic dog-friendly spots are between Barracks Beach and Beach 6, between Beach 6 and Beach 7 (Waterworks Beach), between Stone Jetty and Short Jetty of the Mill Road Beaches, between Leslie Beach and Pine Tree Beach (Beach 9), then another between Pine Tree Beach and Budney Beach (Beach 10), and lastly, the stretch north of Beach 11.

When visiting, your dog should be leashed at all times, even in the water. Be sure to have adequate protection for your dog, as deer ticks are prevalent here. Bring enough water to share with your thirsty pup, and clean-up bags to promptly pick up anything your dog has left behind. 

Ready for an adventure? Pack up your pup and explore the woofderful Presque Isle State Park today!