Are Dogs Allowed In Acadia National Park? + Dog Friendly Hikes And Hotels

While traveling full time with my dog, whether or not I can bring him with me to the places I visit is always a top concern of mine. Most National Parks have extremely restrictive rules about where pets can and cannot go, so my first question when planning a trip is always “are dogs allowed in Acadia National Park?”.

Surprisingly, dogs are allowed in most of Acadia National Park! There are tons of dog friendly hikes in Acadia National Park.

Bar Harbor is also extremely dog friendly, so you can eat at restaurants, shop, and even take the bus with your dog.

My dog, Oscar, came with me almost everywhere during my recent trip to Acadia – including hikes, the Acadia shuttle bus & campgrounds, and most of the shops in Bar Harbor, Maine.

In This Article:

• Are dogs allowed in Acadia National Park? Where they can and cannot go.
• My favorite dog friendly hikes in Acadia National Park
• Best pet friendly restaurants, shops and hotels in Bar Harbor Maine
• Acadia National Park dog policy; rules and safety tips

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Where Are Dogs Allowed In Acadia National Park?

Acadia is one of the most dog friendly National Parks I’ve been to. There are over 100 miles of hiking trails and more than 45 miles of carriage roads where dogs are allowed in Acadia National Park.

With that said, there are some specific places where dogs are not allowed, and many, many more places where they are!

✅ Places Where Dogs Are Allowed In Acadia National Park:

It would actually be easier to list the places where dogs are not allowed in Acadia National Park – the list is much shorter. But for the sake of being thorough, here’s the full list.

❌ Places Where Dogs Are Not Allowed In Acadia National Park:

There are a few places where dogs are not allowed in Acadia National Park. This is because they either pose a risk to the wildlife and delicate ecosystem, or because the area is unsafe for pets. 

🚫 Prohibited Hikes For Dogs In Acadia National Park:

There are a few hikes in Acadia National Park that are very steep, require climbing iron rungs, or technical scrambles and could be dangerous for your dog. After hiking Beehive Trail I can see why – a lot of this trail was completely vertical.

Luckily, there are only a few trails that prohibit dogs in Acadia National Park, which makes for a very short list:

⚠️ Not Recommended For Dogs In Acadia National Park:

There are a few additional trails you may not want to bring your dog on unless they are very accustomed to tricky, technical hikes. While they aren’t outright prohibited, these hikes may not be enjoyable for your dog, and could pose a safety risk if you aren’t properly prepared.

Hikes where dogs are not recommended (but technically are allowed):

Best Dog Friendly Hikes In Acadia National Park

These are the best Acadia dog friendly hikes in Acadia National Park to add to your itinerary!

TIP: Trails get really crowded by mid-morning (around 9 or 10 am) and stay packed until late afternoon. Get there early, or after 3 pm for easier parking and quieter trails. Summer is the busiest season, but things tend to be more relaxed at Acadia National Park in the fall.

1. Jordan Pond Path

Jordan Pond Path is centrally located in the park and a popular hike because of its accessibility and beautiful water views.

The path follows the water and is fairly flat, but there are some long sections of raised planks that are extremely narrow and may be a challenge if your dog requires some personal space. Go before 9 am or after 3 pm if you want a quieter trail.

If you want, add Bubbles Nubble trail for a longer hike with more views!

2. Ocean Path Trail & Thunder Hole

Ocean Path Trail is an out and back trail, so you can do as much or as little of it as you’d like. It follows the coast line, so it’s fairly flat and has great views.

There are also two Island Explorer shuttle lines that run along this dog friendly hike in Acadia National Park, so you can choose to hike one-way and then catch the dog friendly shuttle back to your starting point!

TIP: Ocean Path runs along Park Loop Road which is one-way only in this part of the park. To take the shuttle back, start south (near Otter Cliff) and hike north (towards Sand Beach). Otherwise, you’ll have to ride the entire loop which takes 1 hour.

If you’re looking for a shorter hike, you can take the path between Sand Beach and Thunder Hole and then turn back for a total of 1.7 miles.

Thunder Hole is a really neat feature in Acadia National Park and I highly recommend checking it out while you’re there! It’s a narrow inlet carved into the cliffside by water and erosion. As the ocean water is forced into the inlet the trapped air gets pushed out and makes a sound similar to thunder. Simultaneously, water up to 40 feet high is forced out the top of the inlet.

The best time to see Thunder Hole is an hour or two before high tide. I didn’t see huge waves during my trip to Acadia, but if you hang around for a few minutes you’ll definitely hear the thunder sound (it also vibrates a bit so you can feel it as well).

3. Cadillac Summit Loop Trail

One of the best views in Acadia National Park is from the top of Cadillac Mountain. Like most places in the park, dogs are allowed on Cadillac Mountain, too!

Once you’re at the top of Cadillac Mountain this half mile loop is an easy way to see some panoramic views of Acadia National Park below!

The path is relatively flat, and mostly paved so it’s easy to follow and a good option for any dog.

TIP: You’re allowed to walk on the path and bedrock, but not on the vegetation at the summit. It’s fragile and walking across it damages the ecosystem.

You can also drive up Cadillac Mountain, but you’ll need to get a timed-entry reservation if you’re visiting Acadia between mid May and late October. Vehicle reservations can be made online and cost $6 per vehicle.

4. Bubbles Nubble Dog Friendly Hike In Acadia

Bubbles Nubble is another one of the best dog friendly hikes in Acadia National Park! It’s a fairly easy loop trail and has several stunning views from South Bubble, North Bubble, and Conners Nubble.

TIP: The parking area here is very limited so I highly recommend using the free Island Explorer shuttle if you can, or hiking this trail in late afternoon or early evening.

From the trail you’ll see Jordan Pond, Eagle Lake, Cranberry Isles, Sargent Mountain, and Pemetic Mountain.

Half of the trail follows the ridge line and is more of a challenge, but the lower portion of the trail is along the carriage roads and is very easy and flat.

5. Gorham Mountain Loop

Gorham Mountain Loop is a great dog friendly hike in Acadia National Park, especially if you’re looking for a bit more of a challenge.

Since it’s a loop, you can start the trail anywhere you can find parking. Sand Beach is the biggest parking lot, but also the most popular. Additional parking is available at Thunder Hole and along Park Loop Road.

The trail follows the water for about a mile (along Ocean Path Trail) and then treks up the mountain.

Between Sand Beach and where the Beehive Trail branches off the path is full of smooth boulders the size of a football or larger. It’s a little tricky to navigate but do-able, and less than a quarter mile.

You’ll also come to a lot of steps as you approach the Bowl Trail junction. I did this hike clockwise so came down these steps, but I imagine if you’re going counter-clockwise you’re going to feel it the next day!

NOTE: Gorham Mountain is a good dog friendly hike in Acadia National Park as an alternative to Beehive Trail (which is not dog friendly) because it has very similar views.

6. Dog Friendly Carriage Roads In Acadia

One of the best places to hike with your dog in Acadia is along the carriage roads. They’re trails that date back to the early 20th century and can be explored by foot or on bike.

The best part is that dogs are allowed on all of these trails in Acadia National Park, and theres more than 45 miles to explore.

I recommend Eagle Lake Carriage Road Trail. It’s a 6 mile loop around Eagle Lake. The wide gravel road is perfect for exploring Acadia with your dog.

TIP: You can easily combine this with other trails in the area, like Jordan Pond Path or Bubbles Nubble.

NOTE: There is no swimming allowed in Eagle Lake as it provides drinking water to neighboring communities.

I really wanted to rent bikes on my recent trip but ran out of time. It’s definitely on my list for my next trip to Acadia National Park! There are e-bike rentals available in Bar Harbor and you can also rent dog trailers for your pup!

Dog Friendly Beaches In Acadia National Park

For the most part, dogs are allowed on the beaches in Acadia National Park. There are only two exceptions to this, and they apply seasonally:

• Sand Beach Acadia dog friendly from September 9 through June 14.
• Echo Lake is a dog friendly beach in Acadia between September 16 and May 14.

There is so much coastline in Acadia National Park that even if Echo Beach and Sand Beach are not dog friendly during your visit you will still have plenty of opportunities for your dog to go swimming.

NOTE: Acadia National Park has a leash rule, so even while swimming your dog is technically required to be on a 6 foot leash.

TIP: Little Long Pond is a really great off-leash park near Acadia National Park with a lake and over 1,000 acres for dogs to run around! It’s not technically NPS land (even though it’s so close) so the rules are different.

NOTE: From May 1 through September 30 dogs need a leash at Little Long Pond from 10 am to 4 pm. Before 10 am or after 4 pm they can run off-leash!

Are Dogs Allowed In Acadia National Park Campgrounds?

There are 4 campgrounds in Acadia National Park and dogs are allowed at 3 of them! On my recent trip I stayed at Blackwoods Campground in Acadia with my dog and we both loved it!

I visited Acadia National Park in August so the weather was perfect for camping, but if you’re visiting during spring, fall or winter I recommend booking a pet-friendly hotel in Bar Harbor with a hot shower (there are none in Acadia campgrounds) and central heat.

Oscar looks grumpy in these photos, but I promise you he had a blast! He had so much fun he exhausted himself every day (and so did I!)

Is Bar Harbor Dog Friendly?

Bar Harbor is one of the most pet friendly cities I have ever visited (and I traveled full time for many years – so that’s saying something!)

🍝 Bar Harbor Maine Dog Friendly Restaurants

Just about any restaurant with outdoor seating will allow you to dine with your pet. The only exception to this is if the outdoor space is only accessible by walking through the restaurant (Thirsty Whale is set up like this, so they aren’t dog friendly.)

My favorite dog friendly restaurants in Bar Harbor Maine were:

• Choco-latte Cafe – omg get the blueberry cream cheese here, I could eat it on a spoon.
• Side Street Cafe – there’s limited outdoor seating so go early! I picked up takeout one night when I didn’t feel like battling for a parking space and enjoyed the BBQ chicken melt!
• Havana – a bit of a classier vibe, be sure to book patio reservations in advance so you can dine with your dog.

TIP: There’s also a restaurant in Acadia National Park – Jordan Pond House. They have a beautiful lawn overlooking the lake and are pet-friendly! Be sure to make a reservation in advance though (and beware that they get quite a few bees outside… they didn’t bother us at all though)

🛍️ Bar Harbor Maine Dog Friendly Shops

Most of the shops in Bar Harbor Maine are pet friendly, too. I spent a morning walking along Main Street with my dog, popping in and out of cute shops.

My favorite pet friendly shops in Bar Harbor Maine were:

• Bark Harbor – they have tons of dog toys and treats that look amazing (see photo).
• Island Trading Company – trendy clothing and elevated knick-knacks (ok I made that up but I’m not sure how else to describe it). Think American Eagle Outfitters, but Bar Harbor flavored.
• Acadia Shop – this shop is perfect for finding souvenir gifts that don’t suck and are weirdly cute (weird and cute at the same time).
• The Acadia Country Store – mostly housewares and decorations, but very uniquely Maine.

🛎️ Bar Harbor Maine Pet Friendly Hotels

There are so many pet friendly hotels in Bar Harbor Maine to choose from. Depending on what type of experience you’re looking for and your accommodation budget I have a few recommendations.

First, I’m always a fan of pet-friendly vacation rentals in Bar Harbor. This is usually the easiest way for me to leave my dog alone for an hour or two while I do an activity that isn’t dog friendly (like Beehive Trail). Hotels don’t love it if you leave your pet unattended.

Getting a rover sitter for a day is another good option (and one I’ve used a lot!)

‍My other pet friendly recommendations include:

Budget: Belle Isle Motel
Mid-Range: Holiday Inn Resort
Unique: Under Canvas Acadia
Luxury: Camden Harbor Inn

Safety Tips for Dogs In Acadia National Park

🦔 Porcupines! Acadia has a lot of porcupines which can do a lot of damage to a dog if there’s an encounter. Leashes are for their protection too!

🪲 Ticks! Additionally, Acadia National Park has tons of ticks! They can carry disease so always be sure to check yourself and your pet after spending time outside. Ticks are most active in spring and fall. I did not see any while visiting in August.

Bark Ranger Program For Dogs At Acadia National Park

Did you know you can have your dog sworn in as a Bark Ranger?! I did this with my dog in Olympic National Park. We just agreed to follow their B.A.R.K guidelines and in return he got a certificate and a Bark Ranger badge which he wore proudly on his collar.

You can participate in the Acadia Bark Ranger program by visiting a campground ranger station, the Sieur de Monts Nature Center, or the Hulls Cove Visitor Center.

B.A.R.K stands for:
Bag Your Poop,
Always Wear A Leash,
Respect Wildlife,
Know Where To Go.

What To Pack

• Dog backpack (so they can carry their own supply on longer day hikes)
• Collapsible bowl for hiking (I also bring these to restaurants)
• Harness (a good “doggie handling” system for harder terrain)
• Can of pumpkin (for tummy issues while traveling)
• Some treats (for good boys/girls)
• Dog first-aid kit
• Paw protection
• Old towel (for wet dog wipe-downs)
• Light up collar (makes it much easier to keep an eye on dogs at night)
• Tick remover tool

Psst! I also have additional articles for the best pet gear and safety tips for traveling with a dog (from someone who’s done it for 4+ years!):

• Guide To Backpacking With A Dog
• Best GPS Dog Collars
• RV Pet Temperature Monitors (this is essential for safety on a road trip with your dog)
• Best Portable Dog Fence For Camping
• Van Life With a Dog: My Tips, Challenges, And Essentials

Acadia National Park Dog Policy

Dogs must remain on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. This is for their protection (porcupines are prevalent!) as well as to protect other guests who may have a fear of dogs. It’s a good compromise that allows everyone to enjoy Acadia, even your dog!

You must pick up after your dog and dispose of waste properly. Pet waste contains nutrients that can increase algae and weed growth that disrupts the ecosystem. It can also leech into the groundwater and decay, which increases oxygen that disrupts fish and wildlife habitats.

Additionally, dogs can carry diseases like parvovirus, giardia and roundworms into the park’s wildlife populations.

Never leave your pet unattended. This includes campgrounds and cars.

Visit the NPS.gov website for more information.

Acadia Dog Friendly FAQs

Are dogs allowed on Cadillac Mountain? Yes, dogs are allowed on Cadillac Mountain. You can hike up or drive up. The only place dogs are not recommended is on the west side of Cadillac Mountain.

Are dogs allowed in Acadia National Park? Yes, dogs are allowed in Acadia National Park! In fact, Acadia National Park is one of the most dog friendly parks in the US.

Have another question? Drop a comment and I’ll do my best to answer it!