Cottonwood Trail

Dogs on a leash all year

Loop through the dunes off Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. No winter access. Dogs on a leash.

Source: National Park Service, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Pets. Checked October 29, 2026.

Follow the signs at the trailhead: parks can close areas to dogs for wildlife.

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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: the rule in full

Leashed pets are allowed all year on Empire Bluff, Pyramid Point and Cottonwood trails and on set stretches of beach, including Glen Haven Beach east to the Glen Arbor boundary. Closed to pets all year: the Dune Climb face, North Bar Lake access, the Maritime Museum grounds and several beach sections.

Dog walks nearby

• Alligator Hill TrailNo dogs from December 1 to March 31. Dogs on a leash the rest of the time
• Bay View TrailNo dogs from December 1 to March 31. Dogs on a leash the rest of the time
• Empire Bluff TrailDogs on a leash all year

Nearby beaches

• Glen Haven BeachDogs on a leash all year