Best Dog Friendly Trails Acadia National Park – Most of Acadia Country’s popular trails are located on the east side of High Desert Island on the Park Loop Road. It has a beehive, a big head and bubbles to name a few. But on my last few trips to the park, I’ve tried to explore the quiet side (aka the west side) more. And there you can find the park’s namesake trail, the Acadia Mountain Trail.
This track surprised me and I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Also, it’s a lot harder than I expected (so be prepared). When you make it to the top (and there are good views near the top), be sure to sit and wait a while.
Best Dog Friendly Trails Acadia National Park
Trailhead: Located off Route 102 (on the way to Southwest Harbor), across from the Acadia Mountain Trailhead and St. Parking is available on the side of the road at the Sauveur Mountain Trailhead. You will find a small plot and even a bathroom.
6 Best Dog-friendly National Parks
There are a few ways to hike this trail, but I recommend a loop hike (unless you have a small dog, but more on that later).
For this Acadia Mountain loop, I decided to hike the slightly steeper (but still challenging) west side of the mountain and then go down the steep east side (the side that faces one thing).
Make sure you get there early to find parking in the small street facing the highway. When I was there in September, I arrived at the square at 9:00 and was able to get a seat. When we left near noon, the square was packed.
So cross the street and go up the stairs. Then turn left to the north. This short path follows the road until you reach the Acada Mountain trailhead. Traveling this way is much safer and easier than traveling by road.
The Most Dog-friendly National Parks In The U.s.
From here follow the trail (follow the signs for Mount Acadia) as it goes around and you will eventually come to a four way intersection. This intersection seems to confuse people (especially those who don’t have a map). Turn left and head north on Acadia Mountain Trail.
The road ends in the forest as it climbs. And there are very high sections with stairs. I had to stop twice to catch my breath.
But as you get closer to the top, things take a turn for the worse as the road starts to turn to granite. And after about 0.6 kilometers you will reach the very top. There are many good vantage points here, but the best view is just past the summit.
Continue the path a little until you reach a wide path. Here you get great views of Somes Sound, the ocean, the outer islands and the surrounding mountains.
Bar Harbor, Maine Pet Friendly Lodging
When youarereadytocontinue,youhavetwooptions. You can go back the way you came to leave. Those who attempt very high, rocky, rocky sections should do this.
Also, if you have small or older dogs, I would consider turning. The next leg of the journey is hard, steep and requires driving. My sister’s corgi (with her short legs) struggled. You have to lift it up and down the wings.
But if you’re up for the challenge, go ahead. There are more good views as you start to descend, but soon all your attention will be on the road.
This part of the walk reminded me of steel ladder climbing, only without the ladders to help you.
7+ Best Hikes In Acadia National Park
You will climb/descend rocks and rocks. You will have encryption. And it will take longer than you think (especially with the generation). I don’t have great photos of this part because I was so focused on getting myself and Ellie over these obstacles.
Eventually things will even out and you will return to the forest. You will cross a beautiful wooden bridge and see an alternate path that leads to the Sound (we skipped it because we were hungry).
To get back on the trail, keep right and follow the signs to Man o’ War Creek Trail. This old logging road is flat and will get you back on track.
Is it dog friendly? Acadia National Park is dog-friendly, as long as you keep them on a 6-foot (or less) leash (and you breastfeed them). However, this trail is tough and is best for medium to large dogs. Consider making this an out-and-back trip by simply walking on the gentle west side and then back.
Magical Sunrise Hike In Acadia 😍, Jordan Pond Is One Of The Many Dog Friendly Trails You Can Hike With Your Pup In The Park. It’s Super Easy And Offers Stunning Views At Every Turn!, ., ., ., #sunrise
Where should you park your car? Opposite St. Mount Sauveur has a small area with a bathroom. I recommend staying here and arriving early to get a spot. In addition, there is also a bathroom wc!
On our first trip to Bar Harbor, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Regency. It’s a bit out of town, but on the Island Explorer bus route which is convenient.
However, if you want to stay at one of the classic Bar Harbor Inns, you can’t beat the Bar Harbor Inn & amp; It is literally in the heart of Bar Harbor.
When my whole family goes away, we rent a house on VRBO or Airbnb. Extra spaces for 4 adults come in handy. There are several options in Bar Harbor and High Desert Island.
Hiking Acadia National Park + Car Camping With My Dog
Acadia National Park also has some campgrounds if you want to stay in the park. Make sure to check their status.
Hello! I’m Laura. I have a job and a house and money to pay. (For adults.) But I still find time to explore and see the world. You know, climbing, walking, swimming, surfing, the beach… And now I also want to help you find that balance. So what are you waiting for? Let’s do it. Did you know that Acadia National Park receives more than four million visitors each year and is one of the top ten most visited national parks in the United States? Despite being one of the smallest national parks in the US, Acadia is 47,000 acres of forested areas, granite mountains and rocky beaches. Maine National Park has over 150 miles of hiking trails for you to explore!
This post reviews the top easy hikes in Acadia that Amanda completed with her dog in August 2023. Although not a professional hiker (is that even a thing?), she loves the outdoors and hiking is one of her favorite things to do . to do.
The Acadia does not disappoint and actually lives up to all the hype! He completed the easy hikes in Acadia in 2 days And even though his legs felt like they were collapsing, he loved every second. Return to Acadia for an extended trip on your bucket list!
5 One-day Acadia National Park Itineraries — Road Trip Locals
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we can get a commission from your purchase at no extra cost which will be used to bring you more travel tips, tricks and treats.
While the park is open year-round, your experience will vary greatly depending on when you visit. The high season for visitors is from September to September. This is possible because of the rising temperatures, with summer highs in the 70s. If you’re into outdoor exploration in the winter, be sure to check out what Acadia has to offer in the winter—after all, it’s technically a year-round park!
When Amanda, her wife and their dogs visited in August 2023, it was difficult to find parking near the most popular trails and overlooks. There are lines at the restrooms and water fountains, and the gift shops are open.
Once they hit the trails the crowds quickly thinned out which was a huge relief – nothing beats the feeling of a walking trail! If possible, we HIGHLY recommend planning your trip at the beginning or end of the season to avoid large crowds and high seasonal prices. But to each his own!
Visiting Acadia National Park With Dogs
Acadia National Park is located on Maine’s North Atlantic coast, about a 3-hour drive north of the popular tourist destination of Portland. When you arrive, depending on the time of year you visit, you can enjoy a visit without a car and use the free bus system. It has several stops throughout the park and connects to the neighboring town of Bar Harbor.
Island Explorer is a FREE shuttle bus option. It’s a great way to get to Acadia National Park, especially when the parking lots are full in the early hours of the day! This well-designed bus system has 13 routes that also connect the nearby town of Bar Harbor
