The park has about 100 miles of hiking trails, ranging from gentle coastal walks to moderate uphill routes that climb through pine forest and across granite slabs. Only a few of the steeper trails, including Precipice and Beehive, are off-limits to pets, mostly due to ladders and exposed ledges.
Beyond the hiking trails, Acadia’s 45 miles of historic carriage roads are a more relaxed option for long walks without much elevation gain. Originally built for horse-drawn carriages, the gravel roads wind through forests and over arched stone bridges. They’re ideal for jogging or cycling beside your dog (unattached, per park rules) and connect directly with many trailheads, making it easy to adjust your route.
Photos: Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock, JennLW/Shutterstock, and d.w.photos/Shutterstock
If you’re traveling with your pup, be sure to stop by a visitor center. The park service runs a thoughtful “Bark Ranger” program where dogs can “take the pledge” and earn a souvenir tag for good behavior.
For well-trained off-leash dogs, the nearby Land and Garden Preserve at Little Long Pond allows dogs to run freely during designated morning and evening hours. It’s one of the few places on Mount Desert Island (outside the park) where dogs can swim legally, and the meadows and carriage paths feel like an extension of the park.
Beyond the park boundaries, the island itself feels just as welcoming to four-legged visitors. In Bar Harbor, it’s common to see water bowls set out along the sidewalks and dogs napping under cafe tables while their owners enjoy a beverage. Even the working waterfronts and small-town main streets seem to move at a dog-friendly pace, with plenty of spots to pause in the shade and take in the view before heading back into Acadia’s network of trails and carriage roads.
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The Wonder View Inn in Bar Harbor allows dogs for a nightly fee and provides water bowls, treats, and waste bags. There’s plenty of room to walk on its 14-acre property, and the deck offers views of boats crossing Frenchman Bay.
This hotel limits canine friends to those under 40 pounds. But if you have a small pup, its rooms are ideal, with dog pets, pet-friendly flooring, and external stairs on the decks that go directly to a grass area outside the rooms.
The Balance Rock Inn feels like you’re at a luxury private estate — which is was, back when it was built during the Gilded Age. Today, dogs can experience the same luxury as humans. Sadly (but not unexpectedly), dogs are asked not to use the whirlpool tubs in each of the generously sized rooms. 