Best Dog Friendly National Parks – With over 100 miles of trails, carriage trails, and pet-friendly free flights, visiting Acadia National Park with dogs is a real treat for the whole family!
Access to Acadia National Park requires commitment. The northeast corner of America is not a place to stumble upon. Boston is the closest city, about 250 miles away!
Best Dog Friendly National Parks
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But like most things that require some effort, Acadia’s return far outweighs the investment. And for those traveling with pets, this is one national park that is guaranteed not to disappoint!
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Ice skaters have carved this beautiful landscape for thousands of years. To the left, rounded mountain peaks and deep valleys are now filled with freshwater lakes and ponds. Advancing and retreating glaciers have worn away the top layer, exposing the pink granite that makes this place so special.
Now you and your dogs can witness this great power while enjoying the incredible beauty of Acadia.
No matter your preference or skill level, there are fun ways to explore Acadia National Park with your dogs. For those who love to walk, there are 100 miles of pet-friendly trails – from downhill trails to hiking trails.
If walking or biking is more your speed, 45 miles of historic driveways await you and your dog.
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And if you choose to drive, the 43-kilometer loop road offers a spectacular view. And you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs as you move.
Acadia is one of the nation’s most popular pet parks, so plan to experience it with your best friend! In addition to many trails and all transportation options, pets are welcome in many public areas and on free shuttles that run around the park and island.
Acadia National Park’s Pet Policy Pets must be leashed at all times and all waste must be properly cleaned up and disposed of. Pets are welcome on the park’s 100km of hiking trails and 45km of trails. Blackwoods, Seawall and Schoodic Woods campgrounds allow pets while Isle au Haut only allows pets for day trips. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, ranger-led programs, Duck Harbor Campground, Acadia Wilderness and Sand Beach (June 15 – September 8) and Echo Lake Beach (May 15 – September 15). Because of the heavy soil for pets. Most of the lakes in the park are public waters. Pets and people are not allowed to swim in it. Turn your dog into a BARK Ranger.
Dogs have the opportunity to become Bark Rangers at Acadia National Park. This program teaches dog owners the importance of following the B.A.R.K rules. When visiting Acadia.
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Dogs who complete this short program can be trained as Bark Rangers. And owners can purchase a unique Bark Ranger collar tag to commemorate their visit. Tags are available at the Eastern National Bookstore at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center.
There’s so much to explore in Acadia, here are a few highlights you won’t want to miss.
Driving the Park Loop Road is a great way to get to Acadia. Although it’s only 27 miles, plan on taking two to three hours, with stops to admire the scenery and perhaps a short hike to a few viewpoints.
Here you’ll get the best views of the rugged coastline and towering cliffs, so allow plenty of time to get in.
Dog Friendly National Parks
Jordan’s Pond House Restaurant is located in Seal Harbor on the west side of Park Loop Road across from Jordan’s Pond. Dogs are welcome for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner on the terrace or at the picnic tables on the lawn. The food here is known for fried popovers, homemade ice cream and fresh Maine seafood!
If you happen to have a sundae (and I recommend you do!), the trail around Jordan Pond offers a chance to burn some calories.
The road goes around the lake. The western part is rocky and the eastern part is easily accessible on foot. But the good news is that both sides offer spectacular views of the North Bubble and the South Bubble.
Forty-five miles of roads built between 1913 and 1940 run through the heart of Acadia. Construction was paid for and overseen by John D. Rockefeller Jr. so he and others could enjoy the park on a car-free sidewalk. Originally designed for horses and buggies, these trails are now popular with walkers and cyclists.
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The park office will provide you with a trail map showing all 17 stone bridges. Each bridge has a unique design and crosses streams, waterfalls, roads and gorges.
We chose the six mile trail around Eagle Lake. It was the perfect way to experience the tranquility of the park with Buster and T.
Hoping to see the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain? At over 1500 meters above sea level, it overlooks the islands and the vast Atlantic Ocean above sea level. But to arrive at sunrise, you need to plan ahead!
Reservations are required to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain from late May to late October. Sunrises are available two days prior to the tour date at 10:00 AM ET and sell out quickly. Day bookings are available three months in advance and are easy to get.
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Please note that Cadillac Summit Street parking is added to your park admission pass. Fortunately, you can purchase both before you leave home at Recreation.gov.
In addition to being one of the nation’s most popular wildlife parks, Acadia is also one of our top ten wildlife parks. More than 4 million visitors visit the park every year. And having a lot of people in one place can get busy. If you want to escape the crowds, plan a day to explore these places outside the park.
Little Long Pond is a 1,000-acre park just outside Acadia’s borders. The land was formerly owned by the Rockefellers and was donated and managed by the Land and Garden Preserve.
Dogs can leave their leashes when swimming in the pool, climbing the woods and fields, or walking the paths and trails. Be sure to follow dog owner guidelines during your visit!
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There is no road sign indicating this area. So keep an eye out for a separate entrance to Bracy Cove between Seal Harbor and Northeast Harbor.
Most visitors to Acadia never pass Park Loop Road and the town of Bar Harbor. While it’s a beautiful city, it can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to explore it with your dog.
When you need a break from the crowds, drive to Bass Harbor. Stop by the Bass Harbor Lighthouse and grab a bite at Seafood Kate on Shore Road. The patio is pet friendly, the seafood is great on the dock and the view can’t be beat!
Most of Acadia National Park is located on a desert island near the Maine town of Bar Harbor. For a more peaceful experience, visit 5% Park on the Schodick Peninsula near Winter Harbor, about 5 miles east of Desert Island.
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This peninsula is different from a desert island in many ways, but most importantly, it is less crowded. You can drive the Schodic Loop trail, which is open year-round and runs one-way 6.5 miles from the camp. Or take a loop, extending your trip to 10 miles from Winter Harbor to Schodick Point and Birch Harbor. Along the way you will find many beautiful stops and beaches.
From the Schoodic Loop Trail you’ll find Schoodic Trail System trail guides ranging from easy to challenging. Bicyclists have more than eight miles of trails, and pets are welcome.
Acadia Bar is near the port, which is definitely a beach town. That means most seafood restaurants and other shops are closed for the winter.
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Peak season in Bar Harbor is between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If access to all the restaurants and shops is important to you, you’ll want to plan your trip around that time. Summer temperatures are refreshing and typically in the 70s during the day.
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If you love snow, don’t mind limited lodging and dining options, and want to feel like you have all of Acadia to yourself, plan your winter getaway. Arcadia National Park is home to many trails perfect for skiing and snowboarding.
Acadia National Park is on our short list of favorite places to visit with dogs. It will be a great place for your next vacation! We hope this review encourages you to see for yourself what this park has to offer.
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