Dogs at Acadia National Park
Acadia is one of the most dog-friendly national parks, but pets still have leash rules, seasonal beach closures, and a few trail restrictions to know before you go.
Acadia National Park ME Dog Policy
Acadia allows dogs on most trails and all carriage roads, but pets must stay leashed and are restricted from certain beaches, public buildings, water-supply lakes, ranger-led programs, and ladder-style trails.
Pets are also allowed on Isle au Haut for day hiking only. Trails closed to pets include Precipice, Beehive, Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain, Beech Cliffs Trail, Perpendicular Trail on Mansell Mountain, and the Jordan Cliffs section between Penobscot East Trail and the carriage road. In campgrounds, pets must be leashed or caged at all times and may not be left unattended.
Last updated: 2026-03-25
Dog-Friendly Trails
These real Acadia routes are dog-friendly under the park's standard pet rules. Keep dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet and avoid hot rock, crowded overlooks, and rough footing.
Jordan Pond Path
3.3-mile loop, easy to moderate. Scenic shoreline walk around Jordan Pond with boardwalks, rocks, and footbridges; the western half is noticeably rougher and more difficult than the eastern half.
Jordan Pond Boat Launch, Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park, ME
Visit WebsiteWonderland Trail
1.4 miles round trip, easy. Family-friendly coastal walk on an old gravel fire road with mostly flat terrain leading to tidepools and rocky shoreline.
Wonderland Trail parking area, ME 102A, Acadia National Park, ME
Visit WebsiteShip Harbor Trail
1.3 miles round trip, easy. Figure-8 trail through spruce woods to shoreline, mudflats, and rocky coast; some uneven and slippery sections near the water.
Ship Harbor Trailhead, ME 102A near Seawall Campground, Acadia National Park, ME
Visit WebsiteJesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop
1.5 miles round trip, easy. Mostly level figure-8 route through birch and hemlock forest and Great Meadow, with boardwalk sections and compact gravel.
Sieur de Monts area, Acadia National Park, ME
Visit WebsiteOcean Path
4.4 miles round trip, easy to moderate. Coastal path from Sand Beach to Otter Point with gradual inclines and declines, ocean views, and some short stair sections.
Upper parking lot at Sand Beach / Park Loop Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit WebsiteCompass Harbor Trail
0.8 miles round trip, easy. Short wooded walk to a dramatic shoreline and historic remnants of George B. Dorr's estate.
Compass Harbor Trailhead, Acadia National Park, ME
Visit WebsiteAcadia Carriage Roads
Up to 45 miles of routes, easy to moderate depending on loop and elevation. Wide historic carriage roads are among the park's best options for walking dogs away from technical hiking terrain.
Carriage roads throughout Acadia National Park, ME
Visit WebsiteTips for Visiting Acadia National Park with Your Dog
Start early, especially in summer, because parking lots and popular shoreline areas fill quickly and exposed rock can heat up fast. Bring more water than you think you need and a collapsible bowl, since pets are prohibited from swimming in most park lakes that serve as public water supplies. Stick to dog-appropriate routes and skip Acadia's ladder and rung trails, which are closed to pets and unsafe for most dogs anyway. Check your dog carefully for ticks after hikes, keep waste bags handy, and pack them out to a proper trash can rather than leaving them at trailheads. In campgrounds, pets must stay leashed or caged and may not be left unattended. Wildlife, steep drop-offs, slippery coastal rock, and sudden surf are all real hazards here, so keep your dog close and under control at all times.
Nearby Dog-Friendly Destinations
Bar Harbor
Adjacent to the parkAcadia's main gateway town with pet-friendly lodging, sidewalks, and easy access to park entrances.
Southwest Harbor
About 15-20 milesA quieter Mount Desert Island base near the park's western side, Seawall area, and coastal trails.
Northeast Harbor
About 10-15 milesConvenient for Jordan Pond and the southeastern side of Mount Desert Island.
Ellsworth
About 18-20 milesA practical inland base with more shopping, services, and pet-friendly road-trip stops before entering the park.
Winter Harbor
Near the Schoodic Peninsula unitBest nearby town for exploring Acadia's quieter Schoodic section with your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed on trails in Acadia National Park?
Yes. Dogs are allowed on most of Acadia's hiking trails and on all 45 miles of carriage roads, but they are not allowed on the park's ladder and rung trails.
How long can my dog's leash be in Acadia?
Federal law requires pets to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times in Acadia National Park.
Which Acadia trails are closed to dogs?
Pets are not allowed on Precipice, Beehive, Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain, Beech Cliffs Trail, Perpendicular Trail on Mansell Mountain, and the Jordan Cliffs section between Penobscot East Trail and the carriage road.
Can dogs go to Sand Beach or Echo Lake Beach?
Not during the posted seasonal closures. Pets are off-limits at Sand Beach from June 15 through September 8 and at Echo Lake Beach from May 15 through September 15.
Are dogs allowed in Acadia campgrounds?
Yes. Pets are permitted in Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods campgrounds, but they must be leashed or caged, may not be left unattended, and owners must pick up waste.
Can dogs swim in Acadia's lakes and ponds?
No in many key areas. Most lakes in the park are public water supplies, and pets and people may not swim in them. Follow posted regulations around lakes and ponds.
Is there a kennel at Acadia National Park?
NPS does not list an in-park kennel on Acadia's pet policy page, so plan on keeping your dog with you in pet-allowed areas or arranging care outside the park.