Places You and Your Dog Can Explore Together
First off, Bark Harbor in downtown Bar Harbor is an amazing resource and has a list of pet-friendly lodgings. You should check it out. It’s right here.
GETTING AROUND
The Island Explorer (a free bus) allows pets. They just have to have a leash on.
WATER ADVENTURES
Some boat tours like Acadian Boat Tours (Bar Harbor), Downeast Windjammer Cruises (Bar Harbor), and Sea Princess Nature Cruises (Northeast Harbor) let dogs adventure, too. Call or contact them to make sure the policies haven’t changed. They will need to be leashed.
AT THE LAND AND GARDEN PRESERVE.
Little Long Pond:
May 1 through September 30, dogs must be leashed from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Hunters Cliffs:
Dogs must always be leashed.
Also applies to trails around Thuya Garden.
Harbor Brook Trail:
No dogs are permitted.
These new policies are in addition to existing policies that will remain the same.
Refer to the Preserve website for a list of those policies.
STONE BARN
A site about the Stone Barn, which is beautiful and has hiking trails is here.
Keep pets on leash and carry out all waste.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK POLICIES
You can explore a lot of the national park with your dog, but not quite everything and there are rules. The website about that is here.
Ways to explore via the park:
“Become an Acadia Bark Ranger.
“Federal law requires that all pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet (2 m) at all times. Wildlife, including porcupines and those with infectious diseases, can harm even well-trained pets. The presence of unleashed pets running loose also can be highly disturbing to unseen wildlife. Please protect your pet, other visitors, and the park by keeping your pet on a leash.
“Collect and dispose properly of animal waste in designated trash receptacles. Pet waste can leech into groundwater and pass diseases to wildlife.
“Do not leave your pet unattended, including at campsites or in cars. Summer sunshine poses a threat to pets in vehicles.
“Remember to check yourself and your pet for ticks.
“Planning a hike? Be sure to avoid ladder and rung trails, and bring plenty of water.”
Service Animals in Acadia
Service animals may accompany their owners to all park locations and programs.
Where to Go (and Where Not To) with Your Pet in Acadia
Pet-Friendly Areas
According to the park, “There are 100 miles (161 km) of hiking trails and 45 miles (72 km) of carriage roads in the park where pets are permitted.”
Most trails
Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods campgrounds permit pets.
On Isle au Haut, pets are permitted for day hiking only.
Pet-Restricted Areas
Most lakes in the park are public water supplies. Pets and people may not swim in them.
Sand Beach (June 15-Sept 8) and Echo Lake (May 15-Sept 15) are off-limits to pets.
Public buildings
Ranger-led programs
Wild Gardens of Acadia (Sieur de Monts)
Duck Harbor Campground
Park Trails Closed to Pets
Precipice
Beehive
Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain
Beech Cliffs Trail
Perpendicular Trail (Mansell Mountain)
Jordan Cliffs Trail between Penobscot East Trail and the carriage road
Park Trails Not Recommended for Pets
Acadia Mountain
Flying Mountain
Giant Slide
Cadillac Mountain- west face
Bubble and Jordan Ponds Path, between the carriage road and The Featherbed pond
Norembega Goat Trail
Bubbles-Pemetic Trail
Penobscot Mountain (Spring) Trail
Upper Beachcroft Trail
Upper Gorge Trail
Dispose of Pet Waste Properly
You can help keep Acadia and all the areas around it clean by collecting and disposing of all pet waste properly.
Be sure to carry the poop bag off the trail or off the beaches. Public garbage cans are located throughout the park. There are some in Land and Garden Preserve and Hadley Beach as well.
What not to do with those waste bags, according to the park:
Do not throw them into the woods or hang from trees.
Do not leave bags next to full or wrapped garbage cans.
Do not rely on park staff to pick up bags after your visit.
EMERGENCIES!
Vets
If you have a doggy healthcare emergency, Acadia Veterinary Hospital is in Bar Harbor. Island Veterinary Care is a mobile veterinarian, but is often not accepting new clients except for hospice and end-of-life care.
Boarding
Acadia Woods Kennel offers boarding services.
Lost dogs
The best first step is to call 9-1-1-, which will connect you to the right island police department or Acadia National Park dispatch at park headquarters. They can even connect you to the Coast Guard if necessary.
If dogs are found and not collected for a bit (each department and Acadia Veterinary Hospital has different policies for ‘a bit,’), then animals normally go to the SPCA of Hancock County off island in Trenton.
MDI Lost/Found Pet Alert on Facebook is a really good resource to get people who live on the island mobilized to help you find your dog.