I previously covered dog-friendly national parks in the West, so don't forget to check out Part One here. Part two now focuses on national parks where you can bring your dogs in the Midwest and Northeast.

Midwest

Minnesota

1. Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park’s topography is most recently a result of the glacial period. An area of over 500 islands, 40% of this park is covered in lakes. The Kabetogama Peninsula is 75,000 acres of rolling hills, swamps, and small lakes. Enjoy the quiet surroundings with blue herons and beaver dams. The park has been a wildlife protection zone for the grey wolf since 1992. Tip-toeing around are roughly 50 wolves split into six to nine packs. This unspoiled Northwoods scenery is topped off with the aurora borealis year-round. The best time to see the lights is during the winter months.

This is a tough park to navigate without a boat. Luckily, there are more than enough options to rent in nearby areas. The park asks that you make sure your dogs are updated on their shots before you go as well. If you decide against a boat, the recreation trail by Rainy Lake is a lovely place to spend an afternoon.

Camping

• Frontcountry camping is only accessible by boat and the only dog-friendly option within the park.
• Kettle Falls Hotel is pet-friendly but once again, only accessible by boat.

Hiking

• Rainy Lake Recreation Trail (12 mi)

Explore Surrounding Areas

• Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Outfitters and Tours

• Arrowhead Lodge and Resort
• Voyageurs Outfitters
• Ash River Trail Resorts

Ohio

1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Native Americans in the region gave the park its name, Cuyahoga, which means “crooked river.” In the center of the park runs the twisty Cuyahoga River for 22 miles along floodplains, valleys, and ravines. Just 15 minutes from Cleveland is this refuge away from the city with 110 miles of smiles — there are plenty of trails to explore. Dogs may stay in the park at The Inn but only in the provided kennels. Surrounding areas offer plenty of camping, backpacking, and kayaking.

Hiking

• Ledges Trail (2.3 mi)
• Brandywine Gorge Trail (1.4 mi)
• Stanford House to Brandywine Falls Trail (3.9 mi)
• Pine Grove Trail and Ledges Loop from Kendall Lake (4.1 mi)
• Blue Hen Falls Trail (3.0 mi)
• Plateau Trail (4.4 mi)

Explore Surrounding Areas

• Punderson State Park
• Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park: Rent a kayak and do a float down the Nimisila River.
• Cleveland Metroparks Backcountry: Grab your backpack and spend a few days off the beaten path with your pup.

Lodging

• The Inn at Brandywine Falls

Michigan

1. Isle Royale National Park — Restricted

Isle Royale National Park does not welcome pets to preserve the wolf population. Getting close to the park requires some work. Your options are to take a 6.5-hour ferry or a 30-minute ride via seaplane from Houghton, Michigan. From Copper Harbor, Michigan it is a 4.5-hour ferry or from Grand Portage, Minnesota, a 1.75-hour ferry to Windigo, or a 6.5-hour ferry to Rock Island.

Indiana

1. Indiana Dunes National Park

From national lakeshore to national park in 2019, the Indiana Dunes are a giant playground for you and your pup. More than just sand dunes, the park also features wetlands, prairies, forests, and rivers. Indiana Dunes National Park is a treasure trove of nature, with over 1,100 flowering plant species and ferns as well as over 350 species of birds. Within the boundaries of Indiana’s first national park are four natural landmarks and one historical landmark, the Bailly Homestead.

Dogs may join you on any trail except the Great Marsh Trail, Pinhook Bog, and the equestrian section of the Glenwood Dunes Trail. Here’s a great pet guide to the park and more.

Camping

• Dunewood Campground
• Indiana Dunes State Park

Hiking Visit AllTrails for an extensive list!

• Cowles Bog Trail (4.3 mi)
• West Beach- Dune Succession Trail (1.1 mi)
• West Beach 3 - Loop Trail (3.5 mi)
• Little Calumet River and Mnoke Prairie Trail ( 3.9 mi)
• Paul H. Douglas (Miller Woods) Trail (3.5 mi)
• Tolleston Dunes Trail (2.9 mi)

Beaches

• West Beach
• Kemil Beach
• Dunbar Beach
• Lakeview Beach and picnic area
• Central Avenue Beach
• Mount Baldy Beach

Explore Surrounding Areas

• Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve
• Gabis Arboretum

Missouri

1. Gateway Arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park’s location was set along the Mississippi with the intention for it to represent a gateway to the west. The world’s tallest arch, standing 630 feet high and staked as far as 60 feet below ground, is built to hold strong against earthquakes and sway up to 18 inches in high winds. Known today as the symbol of St. Louis, the arch was made in honor of western pioneers.

Have a relaxing day with your pup and walk along the river, or go on a boat cruise together. Only inside the arch is off-limits for those with four legs.

Lodging

• Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis
• Hyatt Regency St. Louis

Hiking

• Riverfront Trail (12.2 mi)

Take a Scenic Ride

• Riverboat Cruises

Explore Surrounding Areas

• Malcolm Martin Memorial Park
• Chain of Rocks Bridge

North Dakota

1. Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt was a rancher in the Dakota territory during the 1800s who preserved over 230 million acres of public land. The plan for a park in his dedication began shortly after his death in 1919. Medora, North Dakota, at the time was still valuable to ranchmen and they struggled with giving it up. After drought and overgrazing in the 1930s, the land was easily passed off to the federal government. There is a petrified forest and Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch in the park’s most visited south unit area.

The northern campground is just a short walk from the largest grassland in the nation. From the south side of the park at the Painted Canyon Visitor Center, you’ll see herds of buffalo. Follow that up with a drive through the scenic park loop to see wild horses and prairie dogs.

Camping

• Cottonwood Campground
• Juniper Campground

Hiking

• Long X Trail to Maah Daah Hey Trail (MDHT) (142.3 mi)
• Buffalo Gap Spur Trail (18.9 mi)

Take a Scenic Drive

• North Unit on Hwy 85
• Little Missouri River

Explore Surrounding Areas

• Sully Creek State Park
• Buffalo Gap Campground
• Little Missouri National Grasslands

South Dakota

1. Badlands National Park

The stripes that paint across the Badlands rock formations in Badlands National Park are the result of rushing rivers and seas millions of years ago. Powerful waters created the shape and the sweeping sediment that brushed the rocks and hardened, creating the vibrant and earthy reds, tans, and whites we see today. The terrain is still shifting and eroding at about one inch per year. In June and September, paleontologists offer a fossil preparation lab to teach you about what is involved in handling ancient artifacts. One visitor in 2010 found a sabertooth skull. With 244,000 acres to explore, findings like this are not unlikely.

Doggos are allowed to walk the backroads with you in the park. This gives them a chance to stretch their legs and see wildlife, like rabbits and birds. Maybe you’ll find some bones along the way.

Camping

• Sage Creek Campground
• Cedar Pass Campground

Take a Scenic Drive

• Yellow Mounds Overlook
• Conata Basin Overlook
• Sage Creek Rim Road

Explore Surrounding Areas

• Buffalo Gap National Grassland

2. Wind Cave National Park

The Lakota Nation’s creation story says they were led to the sunlight. The caves represent organs, meat, and medicine, and after they emerged, the black hills were in the shape of a buffalo lying down and facing east. After this experience, the Lakota Nation developed a holistic approach called “Wolakota,” natural law encompassing all that exists, that includes all places viewed as sacred. What used to be submerged in the ocean is now some of the world’s most complex caves found at Wind Cave National Park. The very first caves designated as a national park have ceilings lined in honeycomb-structured calcite. Above the caves are 33,970 acres of forest and prairie.

Make Wind Cave worth the visit and find a sitter for a few hours so you can experience the caves. After you’ve toured the caves, the dog-friendly hiking areas within the park will take you about two hours to do. Or, make your way over to Custer State Park for access to even more of South Dakota’s impressive land and wildlife with a plethora of dog-friendly hikes and lakes for swimming.

Camping

• Elk Mountain Campground

Find a Dog-Sitter

• Fall River Veterinary Clinic

Hiking

• Elk Mountain Campground Trail (0.7 mi)
• Prairie Vista Trail (2.4 mi)

Explore Surrounding Areas

• Custer State Park in the Black Hills
• Wildlife Loop Road
• Needles Highway
• Iron Mountain Road

Northeast

Maine

1. Acadia National Park

Acadia is in the top 10 most-visited national parks and is well worth the visit. New England’s rocky coastline, mountains, and peaceful wilderness are truly special. Be the first in the nation to catch the day’s sunrise at the most eastern national park in the U.S.

French for a place of plenty, Acadia is true to its name. Dogs are welcome anywhere except Sand Beach, Echo Lake Beach, Duck Harbor Campground on Isle Au Haut, ladder trails, public buildings, and in drinking supply water.

Camping

• Blackwoods Campground
• Seawall Campground
• Schoodic Woods Campground

Hiking

• Wonderland Trail (1.6 mi)
• Great Head Trail (1.8 mi)
• Jordan Pond Full Loop Trail (3.1 mi)
• Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail (7.1 mi)
• Gorham Mountain Trail (1.6 mi)

Scenic Drive

• Cadillac Mountain
• Park Loop Road
• Thunder Hole
• Sieur De Monts
• Otter Cliff
• Jordan Pond
• Schoodic Point

Explore Surrounding Areas

• Bar Harbor
• Sunrise on Ocean Path
• Sunset at Southwest Harbor

I hope this information is helpful! Check out Part Three if you're curious about dog-friendly national parks in the South. For free advice and other personalized recommendations, talk to a Camping & Hiking Expert here at Curated.