SAWYER, MI -- A popular beach in Southwest Michigan just got national recognition for its pet-friendly amenities.
Warren Dunes State Park on the shores of Lake Michigan's southeast tip has been featured as one of the 10 Best Pet Friendly Beaches in the United States by the folks at Invitation Homes, a designation formed by input from both locals and vacationers on where they like to take their pets for some fun in the sun, the group said.
Johnny Ford, unit supervisor at Warren Dunes, said he was unaware of the honor, but not surprised.
"Warren Dunes State Park is one of the gateways to the state of Michigan," he said, with many visitors from Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
On a recent holiday weekend, staff noted license plates from 40 different states, and Canada as well, he said.
"We are one of the parks with well over 1 million visitors a year," he said.
The park is especially attractive to people who travel with their dogs, he said, because it has three miles of beach on the northern end of the park have been designated as a dog-friendly beach.
The dog beach, accessible from the northernmost of the park's three parking lots, is well marked, he said, and open year 'round.
Rules require that dogs be on a 6-foot leash at all times, in and out of the water, and that owners pick up waste and dispose of it in cans provided.
Compliance runs high, Ford said, because pet owners know that their adherence to the rules helps keep the dog beach open.
"It's been very popular," Ford said. "We are very happy the clientele wants it to stay and they do the best they can on their end in order to keep it."
The beach impressed the marketing team at Invitation Homes.
"When looking for pet-friendly beaches across the United States, Warren Dunes State Park stood out to us," a member of the team said. "Locals say it's one of their favorite places to bring their dogs due to the dedicated section for pets on the north beach. The park also features great trails and campgrounds if you're done having fun in the sun, another reason why it made our Top 10."
The top 10 beaches were chosen from a large list of beaches based on factors that include: Leash laws, whether pets can go in the water, what times of the year pets are allowed, and whether there is a pet-only section.Hunting for dog-friendly beaches in Southwest Michigan
The park, which requires an entrance fee, has pit toilets all year and modern restrooms open during the summer season, which begins on Memorial Day.
The campground building opens April 3.
Michigan residents may purchase an annual state park passport for $11 at the Secretary of State's office, or at the park. Out-of-state visitors pay $9 daily or $32 for an annual out-of-state pass.