August 26, 2022
Don’t leave your furry friend off the guest list when planning your next trip. The Brighton Howell Area is ready to welcome you and your pup to enjoy a variety of attractions, 50,000+ acres of parks, 180 lakes, and multiple pet-friend hotels. Don’t let your canine miss these dog-friendly spots in the Brighton Howell Area!
Parks for the Pups
The Brighton Howell Area is loaded with spots to let your furry friend run wild. In the city of Howell, bring your dog to the Countryside Veterinary Dog Park or the EZ Dog Park to let your canine run and play freely. If your pup loves to exercise leash-free, bring them to Whitmore Lake’s Bark Park. This safe, fun, and fenced area offers your dog the chance to mingle and play while the park next door gives your little ones the chance to burn off excess energy, too.
Recreation Areas
The Brighton Howell Area offers over 50,000 acres of parks and state recreation areas making it the perfect destination for your next family adventure. Dog-friendly parks include:
Although these parks allow dogs, each one requires them to be leashed.
Downtown Doggo’s

Brighton and Howell each have unique and historic downtowns perfect for taking your furry friend on a walk. Howell Downtown, a Great American Main Street Winner, offers a variety of shops and restaurants each housed in renovated historical buildings dating back to the 1800s!
In Downtown Brighton, you can expect to find unique boutiques and plenty of places to eat and grab a drink all while enjoying the gorgeous views of the Mill Pond. The best part? Each Downtown area offers a social district for you to grab your favorite drink to-go from a local restaurant to enjoy while you explore!
Patio Puppies
What’s better than devouring a delicious meal while enjoying the outdoors? Bringing your puppy, of course! The Brighton Howell Area has multiple places to bring your dog along for lunch or dinner. After your Howell Downtown adventure, for patio dining head to:
While you’re in Downtown Brighton, choose from a variety of dog-friendly places like:
If you want to leave your pup in the hotel, check out this full list of restaurants in the Brighton Howell Area.
Tail Waggin’ Trails
Bring your pup to burn off some energy at one of the many scenic trails in the Brighton Howell Area. Explore Mike Levine’s Lakelands Trail in Pinckney which makes for the perfect trail day. This trail brings hikers and bikers through delicious stops like Zukey Lake Tavern to grab a bite to eat then head to Cap’n Frosty’s for a sweet treat.
The area’s three state parks also offer a variety of trails just don’t forget to leave your furry friend leashed!
Pet-Friendly Hotels
There is so much to experience in the Brighton Howell Area with your furry friend that can’t be done in one day. Luckily, there are plenty of pet-friendly hotels in the area to let your dog rest their head at night. Here is a full list of pet-friendly hotels:
- Homewood Suites by Hilton (Brighton)
- Courtyard Marriott (Brighton)
- Candlewood Suites (Brighton)
- Best Western (Hartland)
- Days Inn by Wyndham (Whitmore Lake)
The Brighton Howell Area is the perfect place to adventure with your furry friend. Don’t just take our word for it. Check out all the dogs that have had the pleasure of adventuring the area by following us on Instagram. Don’t forget to use our #ExploreBHA hashtag on your next adventure for a chance to be featured in our next blog.
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