If your dog is part of the family, leaving them home probably isn’t much of a vacation. Drummond Island is an especially fun place to explore with a dog — quiet roads, fresh air, trails, beaches and plenty of shoreline to wander. And at Northern Properties, 22 of our vacation homes welcome four-legged guests.
The trick is choosing the right dog-friendly rental for the kind of trip you’re planning. Maybe you want to wake up on the water, need space for the whole family, plan to bring your Jeep or side-by-side, or just want a quiet place where everyone — dog included — can settle in after a day outside.
Some of Our Dog-Friendly Favorites:
Sunset Shores
If your perfect Drummond vacation involves spending as much time near the water as possible, Sunset Shores is worth a look. Start the morning outside with your dog, spend the day exploring the island together, then come back to a peaceful waterfront setting at the end of the day. It’s an easygoing home base for an Up North getaway where the dog gets to come along, too.
Paw Point Lodge
For families or groups who need a little more room, this is one of our favorites. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath log home sleeps up to 14, and has a game room stocked with a pool table, foosball, and air hockey. The enclosed dog run on the side of the house gives your pup a safe place to stretch out while you’re grilling on the wrap-around deck.
At the Trails
Bringing your side-by-side or Jeep along with the dog? This one makes a great home base. It’s trail-adjacent, minutes from hundreds of acres of state land for riding, hunting, and fishing, and is still just a short drive from The Country Store and Big Shoal Beach.
Whitney Bay Getaway
If you’re looking for something quieter and more tucked away, this is a great choice. Originally built in the 1940s, this cozy lakeside cottage sits in a wooded setting on the south shore with a screened porch overlooking the water, a dock, and rocky shoreline perfect for a dog to explore.
And those are only a few. View all 22 of the pet-friendly homes in our collection, and give us a call if you’re not sure which one fits your trip. We know the homes and can help narrow it down.
A Few Things to Know Before Bringing Your Dog
Pet policies vary by property, so always check the individual listing before booking. Our standard pet fee is $50 per dog, and some homes may have additional restrictions or limits.
Bring the things that make your dog comfortable at home — leash, food and water dishes, medications, towels for muddy paws, bedding or a crate if they use one, and plenty of food. Drummond Island has basic supplies available, but it’s not the place to discover at 8:00 p.m. that you forgot your pup’s special food.
And remember: this is an island with wildlife, unfamiliar surroundings, and a lot of tempting smells. Even dogs with excellent recall at home can behave differently somewhere new.
Bringing More Than the Dog?
Can I bring my side-by-side?
Absolutely — many visitors do. If trail riding is a big part of your trip, tell us when you book. We’ll help you choose a home that makes sense for your group, your trailer and the type of riding you’re planning. Some rentals offer much more convenient trail access than others, so it’s worth asking before you book.
Do any rentals have a private dock?
Some of our waterfront homes include docks or water access suitable for guests bringing a boat, but waterfront properties aren’t all alike. Water depth, shoreline conditions, dock configuration and the type of boat you’re bringing all matter. If a dock is important to your trip, contact us before booking and tell us what you’re bringing so we can help you find a home that actually works.
What’s the ferry like?
You really do take a ferry to get here, and for a lot of visitors that’s when vacation officially begins. The Drummond Island Ferry carries vehicles between DeTour Village and Drummond Island across the St. Marys River. If you’re bringing a dog, side-by-side, boat or trailer, give yourself a little extra time.
Once you drive off on the Drummond side, you’re here: no bridge, no traffic lights and plenty to explore.
What’s Drummond Island like in October?
One of the most underrated months. The pace slows after summer, the air gets crisp, the island starts changing color and trail riding gets cooler and more scenic. Evenings practically beg for a fire, and dogs generally seem pretty happy about the cooler temperatures, too.
Not every seasonal business stays open through fall, so plan a little more carefully than you would in July or August. But if you like quiet, color and fewer crowds, it’s a great time to visit.
Which Home Is Right for You?
There isn’t one answer, and that’s part of what makes our collection of homes different.
Some families want a cottage on the water. Some want a big house where grandparents, parents and kids can all stay together. Some are coming to fish, some arrive with side-by-sides and trailers, some bring the boat, some bring the dog — and some bring practically all of the above.
Rather than choosing a rental by bedroom count alone, think about what you actually want your Drummond Island days to look like.
That’s where we can help.
Northern Properties has been welcoming visitors to Drummond Island for decades. We live here, manage these homes and know the island, so we can help match you with a property that fits the vacation you’re imagining.
Bringing the dog? Tell us.
Bringing a boat? Tell us.
Bringing side-by-sides? Definitely tell us.
Ready to plan your trip? Browse our dog-friendly Drummond Island vacation rentals or contact Northern Properties and tell us what you’re looking for.