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Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park has been a popular destination for dog owners for generations. Whatever you love to do in the great outdoors, you'll find an opportunity at this stunning, dog-friendly park in Bar Harbor, ME. Whether you are into camping, hiking, or kayaking, Acadia is the place for you and Fido! You can even get involved in geocache, check out the wildlife, fish, skijor, and more. With over 158 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads, and three campgrounds open to pets, you may never have enough time to explore every corner of this park, but even a glimpse will last in your mind for a lifetime. Visit Website

Or call (207) 288-3338 or email acad_information@nps.gov for more information.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Acadia National Park has received a rating of 4.8 out of 5 bones by 20 canine critics on BringFido and 5.0 out of 5 by 2,178 guests on TripAdvisor.

  • Abby
    Feb 1, 2024
    Very Dog Friendly!

    Check All-Trails for the best information on where to take your dogs on trails that are dog-friendly. Our favorite for the dog was an off-leash trail (amazing they offer it!)

  • Ariana
    Aug 11, 2021
    Dog friendlu

    lots of dogs! our puppy had a blast on the Jordan pond trail, the carriage roads, and walking around the summit of Cadillac mtn after we drove to the top.

  • Diane
    Aug 1, 2021
    Not always easy but worth it

    Plenty of hikes to enjoy with my dog, loved the relaxed carriage trails. No official bluildings are open to the dogs, to get our pass I was told to leave my dog with a stranger so I could go inside to purchase pass. Not happening!! There is a drive through entrance where you can purchase the pass, Sandy Beech which doesn’t allow dogs. Can be confusing but we loved our time there

  • Marilyn
    Jul 18, 2021
    Shop Harbor Trail

    Don’t miss the hidden gems of the Southwest and Northeast Harbor. The trails are dog friendly and much less populated than the loop trails. Winston is a therapy dog on vacation and there were many opportunities for him to give and receive love with other hikers here.

  • Erin
    Jun 15, 2021
    Perfect for any dog owner wanting to go hiking with their dog

    I 10/10 recommended Acadia National Park for any dog owner looking to go hiking with their dog. The day we visited we did Bar Island Trail, Jordan’s Pond, and Cadillac Mountain. They were all super dog friendly and Cookie(my dog) who’s a 28-pound sheltie loved being able to climb on rocks and dip her paws in the water.

  • Candace
    Jun 7, 2021
    See the rangers at visitor center

    As usual, park rangers were the best! For great tips on where to hike with the dog on a very hot and humid day. We did the Acadia Mountain trail after taking a dip in Echo Lake. It was a very technical trail, not for small dogs or those who are fearful of uneven surfaces or heights. There was a significant amount of rock climbing. We had a blast!

  • Michelle
    Aug 31, 2020
    Beautiful

    we loved the summit of mount Cadillac and loop road has amazing views

  • Kim
    Nov 17, 2019
    Pup Paradise

    Hubby & I love hiking & exploring with our golden retriever so naturally Acadia has been at the very top of my bucket list for years so finally getting to visit this past week was a dream come true. First off I'd like to say that I think it's awesome that there are portions of Acadia that you can visit free of charge, we did just that, in addition to paying the $30 for the day, more than worth it and when we visit again next year I'll be sure to buy the multi day pass. We stopped at multiple points throughout the drive through the park but my favorites were Thunder Hole & Cadillac Mountain. As much as I love hiking I gravitate to areas that are in close proximity to water, perhaps its because I'm an Aquarius but I find a sense of calm near any body of water and Acadia provided that tenfold. Thunder Hole was very cool to see but I'll be sure to plan my next visit around high tide to see it in full effect and feel its power. Cadillac Mountain was breathtaking, I got goosebumps seeing the sun set from its peak and will plan for the sunrise next time. You could easily spend weeks in this park and still have hundreds of things left to see, truly the 8th wonder of the world and the most beautiful place I've ever experienced.

  • Sidney
    Sep 22, 2019
    Wonderfully Dog Friendly

    Not only was it great that dogs are welcome all over the park, but so many of the trails are great for dogs! My 85 lb GSD loved hopping up on the rocky terrain and summiting many peaks around the park. With moderate level hiking it was a good workout without being risky or dangerous for four legged friends.

  • Kirsten
    Sep 21, 2019
    Great dog friendly trip!

    We really enjoy traveling with our dogs and loved this park! We have two active 30# Aussies/mixes that regularly hike with us. We did the following hikes (listed easiest to most difficult):
    (1) OCEAN PATH - Easy, gravel path with gorgeous shoreline views. 3 mile out and back.
    (2) SHIP HARBOR - Easy, gravel path with rocky shoreline Midway through. 1.5 mile figure 8 loop.
    (3) GREAT HEAD - Slightly more challenging hike due to some mild rock scrambling in the first 1/3 of the hike. Great views of Sand Beach and the shoreline. 1.8 mile loop.
    (4) JORDAN POND LOOP + BUBBLES/EAGLE LAKE/CONNERS NUBBLE - Jordan Pond loop is easy. The addition of South Bubble, Eagle Lake, Conners Nubble and North Bubble makes it moderate. The dogs had to scramble a bit up South Bubble and needed assistance once. The terrain is rocky and varies from flat to hilly, but the views are with it. 7.5 mile figure 8 loop.
    (5) ACADIA MT./SAUVER - Moderate to slightly difficult hike with rocky terrain, elevation change and scrambling. The doggos did better than us. Would recommend going counter clockwise. 4 mile loop.

  • Courtney
    Jun 11, 2019
    Best Dog Friendly Vacation

    This place is a dog (and human) dream! We did the Jordan Pond trail loop, thunder hole, otter cliffs, bass harbor lighthouse, and Cadillac mountain! Don’t forget to become a bark ranger and get a cool tag!

  • Jessica
    Jun 9, 2019
    So Awesome!!

    My fiancé and I got engaged here definitely the perfect view!!!

  • Ria
    Sep 6, 2018
    Great hikes. Super dog friendly

    Bar Harbor village is very dog friendly. Each store we went to, they allowed dog inside. They gave him treats. He even got free vanilla ice cream. We hiked around Jordan pond which is a nice hike. Only bad thing that dogs can't swim in it.

  • Lauren
    Apr 16, 2018
    Perfect vacation when you don't want to leave the pup behind.

    We traveled here in April during the off season. A large majority of Park Loop Road that brings you through Acadia was closed at the time however, some of the road was open where you could access Sand Beach, Thunderhole and hike to Otter Cliff. There weren't many people there during that time so it was quiet and the weather was beautiful. June 15 - September 8 no dog are allowed on Sand Beach. So many hiking options throughout the Park. Check out the visitor center on Cottage Street for good recommendations on dog friendly paths.

  • Gretchen
    More than a year ago
    My Dog Loved Acadia

    We went last summer and stayed at the Blackwoods Campground. The businesses in Bar Harbor were very dog friendly and our pup, Zeke, loved hiking up Cadillac mountain. Can't wait to return this fall!

  • Tara
    More than a year ago
    excellent

    Everything around Acadia is dog friendly. Out dog is 3.5 years and this is her 4th visit.

  • Vince
    More than a year ago
    It doesnt get any better than this

    We have been coming here for family vaction for 9 years and the past six with our dog. There are a number of dog friendly accomodations as well as dog friendly restaurants and stores. The best part is that any well-behaved firndly dog, gets treated like a celebrity!

  • Randi Lass
    More than a year ago
    The Pinnacle of Dog Friendly

    So many choices for you and your dog. If you ever tire of seeing Acadia by foot, both you and your dog are welcome on their free buses they pretty much give you access to everywhere you'd want to go. Breathtaking place which I don't think I could ever tire of.

  • Christina
    More than a year ago
    a little tough for the little dog

    we brought our 2 chihs. it was a lot of walking for them and they were exhausted afterwards lol. but the scenery was beautiful and worth carrying the pups back up the rocks

  • Smithewicz
    More than a year ago
    Acadia is a dog's best friend

    My family which includes 2 high energy dogs, Arrow and Eli have been visiting Acadia for years. Acadia is a wonderful park to hike in. It is a great place to tire fido out with the kind of exercise he or she lives for. The park rangers often carry treats and are generally "pro-fido". Bar Harbor is a lovely place to go shopping or strolling with your hound. Shop owners will allow your pal in their stores sometimes and many storefronts sport a full dish of water near their entrance for their four-legged visitors. We LOVE Acadia and the island it is on!

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Acadia National Park