It’s always a dog day at this beach

While many beaches don’t allow dogs, one section of a Muskegon park is designated for dogs and their keepers.  Just head west on Interstate 96 and in a little more than two hours, you’ll arrive at Norman F. Kruse Dog Park, acclaimed as one of Michigan’s best dog-friendly beaches.

The city of Muskegon allocated a section of the northern beach at Kruse Park for leashed dogs and their owners to enjoy. You and your dog can spend the day frolicking in the waves of Lake Michigan along nearly a mile of pristine waterfront with breathtaking views of the the water and surrounding dunes.

Picnic shelters with charcoal grills, restrooms, electricity, a playscape for children, nature trails and ample parking are available. Plastic poop bag dispensers also are readily available and their use is encouraged.

The dog portion of beach can be accessed from two parking locations, the main park entrance at 3205 Sherman Blvd., or to the north, from Beach Street, which demarcates the northern border of the dog beach. If you enter the park off Sherman, a nice boardwalk with ramps and stairs leads down to the beach. Parking on Beach Street is limited and you’ll need to take a short walk through the sand dunes to reach the dog beach area.

Dogs are allowed off-leash to romp and play fetch in the water but are to be leashed in the sand per city ordinance. Photo credit Cathy Collins.

Dogs are allowed off-leash to romp and play fetch in the water but must be leashed in the sand per city ordinance.  The dog-friendly area of the beach is clearly marked, so pay close attention to the signs to avoid the possibility of being ticketed.

The jaunt is an ideal day or weekend trip. Bring a lunch and don’t forget your water bottles, and you and Fido can spend the day digging your toes into the warm sand and soaking up the last of the season’s golden sunshine.

Kruse Park rates a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and 4.5 from TripAdvisor.