One Day At Acadia National Park With Dogs

Acadia National Park on the rocky and gorgeous coast of Maine is one of the most dog friendly National Parks in the United States. There are so many amazing places to explore and trails to hike with your pups. Loki and Freya both love Acadia and I have to say, it’s one of my absolute favorite National Parks. It is recommended that you spend at least 3 days at Acadia but what should you do if you only have one day in the park with your dogs?

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The Basics: Acadia National Park

Where Is Acadia National Park?

Acadia is a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast recreation area primarily on Maine’s coastal Mount Desert Island. 

What is Acadia National Park Known For?

Known as the place where the mountains meet the sea, Acadia is one of the most dog friendly National Parks. The park also features Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest point on the United States’ East Coast. During certain times of the year (October to March) Cadillac Mountain’s summit sees the first sunrise in the United States. 

Cadillac Mountain Reservation System

In case you missed it last season – There is now a Cadillac Mountain Reservation System in place at Acadia. This initiative is in place to limit the number of vehicles that can travel to the Cadillac Mountain summit at one time. Here’s what you need to know:

• This starts April 1 at 10 am (ET) 
• You can make your reservations through Recreation.gov
• Reservations need to be made May 26 – Oct 19
• This is in addition to an entrance pass is required for all locations in Acadia National Park
• Print, download, or screenshot your confirmation code to display since connectivity can be spotty approaching the check station
• There is an entry time window for each vehicle reservation – two hours for sunrise and 30 minutes for daytime 
• There is no limit on the length of time visitors may remain parked in the reservation area
• 30% of available vehicle reservations are released 90 days ahead of each calendar date on a rolling basis
• 70% are released at 10 am ET two days ahead of each date to allow visitors a bit more trip spontaneity

Find out more here.

Personal Experience: I tried really hard to get reservations for Cadillac Mountain for sunrise but it was pretty impossible. I hopped on at 9:58 am (the reservations drop at 10 am) and by the time I added a sunrise reservation to my cart, all of the reservations were gone. My advice is to have some backup plans for sunrise if this is your plan too. 

Know Before You Go: Pup Edition 

• Dogs should be kept on a leash (6 ft max) at all times 
• Dogs should never be left unattended 
• Clean up after your pup!  
• Dogs are permitted on most trails but there are a few exceptions (see below)
• Most campgrounds at Acadia are dog friendly (Duck Harbor is the exception) 
  • There is a 4 dog maximum per campsite. 

Check Out: Camping At Acadia: The Complete Guide

Keep In Mind: Pup Edition 

• Ticks are prevalent and are the worst during spring and fall. Mosquitos are also horrible in the summer so make sure to bring pet-friendly bug spray and tick repellent. And treat your dogs for heartworm, yes, they get heartworm from mosquitos (I had no idea). You can find our favorite pet friendly tick & bug spray. 
• Make sure to bring plenty of water with you if you are hiking on trails. Particularly longer trails. Loki always gets insanely thirsty while hiking. I always make sure to carry plenty of water in my backpack. I always carry this insulated bottle with me and this collapsible bowl. 
  • Bring treats or a snack for the pups if the trails are long. My pups love these and these.
• Keep your dogs at a respectful distance from wildlife including turtles and birds. 
• Never leave your dog unattended inside the park. This includes campsites!

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Check Out: Is Acadia National Park Dog Friendly?

Even More To Keep In Mind: Pup Edition

• Make sure to bring poop bags and clean up after your dog. You would think this would be a given, but I can’t tell you how many times we’ve come across poop on trails! Trust me, I know it sucks sometimes, Loki leaves some bombs behind but I always carry those smelly bags until I find a trash can. It’s just part of being a dog person.
  • I love these bags (and they are biodegradable!) and this little thing can be a lifesaver!
• It’s never a bad idea to have a dog first aid kit with you. I use this one. 
• Make sure you allow time for your pups to take a break. Hiking with dogs may slow you down a bit at first but it’s worth it to share that time with them! 

Trails Are Off Limits For Dogs: 

• Precipice Trail 
• Beehive Trail 
• Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain 
• Beech Cliffs Trail 
• Perpendicular Trail 
• Jordan Cliffs Trail (between Penobscot East Trail and the carriage road)

Many of the trails listed above have rungs, ladders, or steep cliff drops and this is why dogs are not permitted on them.

One Day At Acadia With Dogs

Enjoy A Sunrise On Ocean Path – 

I’ve seen some of my favorite sunrises at Acadia from Ocean Path, and every single time I’ve had it entirely to myself. Ocean Path is 4.5 miles long and has several different parking options. Making it guaranteed that you will have the perfect spot for sunrise to yourself. 

Check Out: The Best Sunrise Spots At Acadia

Head Into Bar Harbor – 

Start your day with a coffee at Coffee Hound or Acadia Perk – 

Coffee Hound 

• 62 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
• 7 am – 6 pm 

I love the Maple Leaf and the Nitro Chai here! 

Acadia Perk

• 5 Firefly Ln, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
• 7:30 am – 7 pm 

I highly recommend the Blueberry Macchiato and the Caramel Apple Sipper.  

Take your coffee and breakfast down to Agamont Park and enjoy the harbor views while sipping on your delicious treats!

Check Out: 11 Fun Thing To Do In Bar Harbor, Maine

Take A Stroll Down Bar Harbor’s Shore Path –

The Shore Path starts in Agamont Park. It’s got gorgeous views and it’s dog friendly. This short ¾ mile path was originally created around 1880. People from all over the world have walked this path while enjoying the sights and sounds of Bar Harbor. Early morning is the best time for a stroll.

Shop In Bar Harbor – 

You’ll be able to tell which shops are dog friendly because they have a paw print on the door or window. Our favorite is – 

Bark Harbor 

• 150 Main St # 3, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
• 10 am – 9 pm 

Loki and Freya love Bark Harbor! We always grab at least a few bags of treats when we visit Acadia. They love the bacon and peanut butter treats. 

Check Out: 11 Can’t Miss Shops In Bar Harbor, Maine

Head To Southwest, Harbor: 24ish Min Drive –

Hike Ship Harbor Trail –

• Distance: 1.3 miles 
• Rating: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 65 ft 
• Dog Friendly 

We love the Ship Harbor Trail. It’s great for dogs of any age and it’s nice and wide so if your dog is anything like Loki, it’s the perfect trail! Loki tends to go crazy on tight trails but when he’s on wide trails he does so much better. 

You are treated to great views on this trail and the cliffs are gorgeous. 

About ½ a mile down the road…

Hike Wonderland Trail – 

• Distance: 1.3 miles 
• Rating: Easy 
• Elevation Gain: 78 ft 
• Dog Friendly 

Wonderland Trail is one of our favorites at Acadia. If you hike this easy trail right away in the morning chances are you will have the cove all to yourself. On our last trip to Acadia we hiked the trail in the late afternoon and the tide was in. It’s still gorgeous but you’ve got less area to explore and generally there are more people on the trail.

I still highly recommend this one! Although it’s easy it’s perfect for dogs of any age.  

Check Out: 10 Can’t Miss Dog Friendly Hikes At Acadia

Grab The BEST Lobster Rolls In Maine –

Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound 

• 465 Seawall Rd, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
• 11 am – 8:30 pm 

I’ve had a lot of lobster rolls in Maine and these are by far my favorite. Charlotte’s has a different approach when it comes to lobster! You see, Charlotte’s has a mission and according to their website, “Love, and the knowledge that life, in all its forms, is sacred. If we are going to take a life we believe we have the obligation to do so as compassionately as possible.” How they do this may be a little unorthodox to some, but it works! 

I highly recommend their lobster roll and sweet potato fries, and for the full Maine experience try some blueberry soda. 

Either eat at Charlotte’s – the picnic tables to the right are dog friendly!

Check Out: The BEST Lobster Rolls In Maine

Head To Seawall Picnic Area –

About a half-mile down the road from Charlotte’s you will find the Seawall picnic area. Here you can sit at picnic tables on the edge of the ocean. Enjoy those ocean views while you savor your lobster roll. 

Someone wanted to me share my lobster roll! Haha Tell me you could resist that cute face!!

Sunset At Ship Harbor Or Wonderland –

To finish off your day head back to Ship Harbor or the Wonderland Trail for sunset. Both have amazingly gorgeous views of the sunset and are empty around this time of day. You can also head to Bass Harbor Light for sunset, but be aware that it gets crazy busy (I’m talking park a mile away and walk in busy). 

To me, it’s just not worth it fighting the crowds to get the same photo as hundreds of other people at sunset. 

It’s been a long day full of fun, and it’s time to say goodbye to the park and snuggle your pups! Acadia is special because it’s incredibly dog friendly and it’s one of the best places to explore with your pups. Have you been to Acadia with your dogs? What was your favorite trail? 

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