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March 6, 2026

15 Best Dog Friendly Hikes at Acadia National Park

Three dogs hiking the Little Long Pond trail in Acadia National Park, Maine — a brown mixed breed and two huskies on leash on a sun-dappled wooded path along the turquoise shores of Little Long Pond, highlighting Little Long Pond as a peaceful and dog-friendly walk in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island near Seal Harbor, Maine, perfect for hiking with dogs in Acadia

5 hikes that you really don’t want to miss the next time you take your pups to Acadia National Park…

December 23, 2025

6 Best Dog-Friendly National Parks to Visit This Winter

Okay, let’s talk about something that drives me absolutely crazy as a dog mom who loves National Parks…

May 19, 2025

Paws on the Trail: The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains

Planning a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with your furry friend? While many trails restrict dogs, the Smokies still offer several dog-friendly hikes and scenic drives perfect for adventurous pups and their humans. From easy riverside walks on the Oconaluftee River Trail to scenic drives like Cades Cove Loop Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, this guide covers the best pet-friendly trails and outdoor experiences to help you explore the Smokies together. Discover insider tips, local spots, and must-visit places to make your Smoky Mountains dog adventure unforgettable!

May 29, 2024

The 15 Best Hikes In Utah

Between the canyons swirled in orange, buttes, and otherworldly hoodoos, it’s a nature lovers’ paradise. Utah is home to 5 National Parks, including Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonland, Zion, and Capitol Reef…

October 17, 2023

15 Epic Things To Do In Vermont In The Fall

There is no better fall destination than Vermont. Between picturesque fall foliage, charming villages, everything apple, and maple syrup, Vermont will whisk you away to the fall landscape of your dreams…

February 15, 2022

Visiting Sedona In Winter

do you like fewer crowds and perfect weather? How about snowcapped red rocks? Winter in Sedona means cozy evenings by a fire after days spent exploring this mystical place. A trip to Sedona in winter is an EPIC idea…

February 8, 2022

14 Fun Things To Do In Sedona

If you’re looking for outdoor adventures, stunning scenery, great shopping, and amazing sunsets then Sedona is a dream destination…

August 31, 2021

The Best Dog Friendly Fall Hikes in New Hampshire

Heading to New England this fall? Is there anything better than fall in New England? Nope! The crisp air, the crunchy leaves, and all those gorgeous reds, oranges, and yellows. There is absolutely nothing better than being in the mountains in the fall…

July 27, 2021

11 Must See Waterfalls In The Smokies

Looking for a waterfall hike in the Smokies? Check out these 11 Must See Waterfalls In Great Smoky Mountains…

May 11, 2021

Roaring Forks: 11 Reasons To Visit

There are so many reasons to visit Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail on your next trip to the Smokies…

April 24, 2021

12 Reasons You Need To Visit Fundy National Park

Fundy National Park is completely underrated in my opinion! Here are the top 12 reasons that you really don’t want to miss Fundy…

April 1, 2021

Camping At Acadia: The Complete Guide

Everything you ever wanted to know about camping at Acadia National Park with dogs…

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Hi! I'm Vanessa, a 30 something, sunset chasing traveler. I'm here to inspire you to travel wherever, whenever, and with whoever you can. My Huskies, Loki and Freya are usually along for the ride. I have a soul that likes to wander, a desire to experience the unknown, and a curiousity to discover things off the beaten path. I hope you'll stick around for awhile!

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Let's be friends! I know e-mails can suck but mine won't and I promise cute pup photos too!

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Recent Posts

  • Phoenix To Grand Canyon: The Ultimate Winter Road Trip Guide
  • 15 Best Dog Friendly Hikes at Acadia National Park
  • The 18 Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine
  • The Ultimate Winter Guide to the Grand Canyon
  • 2026 National Parks Guide: New Fees, Reservation Systems & Timed Entry Explained

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If travel has taught me one thing… 🪻☀️🌙✨ It’s To If travel has taught me one thing…

🪻☀️🌙✨ It’s To Pay Attention.

There’s an art to traveling slowly, and most people never learn it…

They’re the details you almost walked past. 🌿
.

#SlowTravel #TheArtOfNoticing #WellWornShoes #TravelDifferently #acadianationalpark
Found the off-leash loophole (it’s amazing leashed Found the off-leash loophole (it’s amazing leashed as well) near Acadia and our dogs have never been happier.

Little Long Pond. 12 minutes from Bar Harbor. 1,000 acres. Former Rockefeller estate. Free. Your dogs can swim. You’re welcome.

Full dog-friendly Acadia guide on the blog - link in bio!

. 
#dogfriendlytravel #acadianationalpark #barharbormaine #offleash #hikingwithdogs
It’s World Bear Day and I’m mentally back in Cades It’s World Bear Day and I’m mentally back in Cades Cove, watching a black bear completely ignore 47 minivans pulled over to stare at him. Living the dream, honestly 🐻

The Smokies have one of the healthiest black bear populations in the eastern US, around 1,500 bears across the park. That’s something worth celebrating AND protecting.

Because here’s the thing: those bears don’t need us. They need us to leave them alone. No feeding, no approaching, no tossing snacks out the window because he looked hungry. (He’s fine. He’s a bear.)

The best wildlife encounter is one where the animal walks away completely unbothered by your existence. That’s the goal. That’s the win.

If you haven’t driven that loop at golden hour with the windows down and zero agenda, add it to the list immediately.

Happy World Bear Day to the bears, the conservationists, and everyone who’s ever sat in a bear jam and felt absolutely no regret about it.

📍 Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
📸 all photos taken with a zoom lens
The locals know about this one, and now so do you. The locals know about this one, and now so do you.🐾💚

Little Long Pond. Carriage roads. No cars. Former Rockefeller estate that’s now yours to explore for free. And yes, your dog can swim.

12 minutes from Bar Harbor. Zero entrance fees. All the tail wags.

This is the kind of place you come back to every single trip. 🐾

Full dog-friendly Acadia guide on the blog - link in bio!

.
#acadianationalpark #barharbormaine #hikingwithdogs #dogswhohike #acadiawithdogs
No one talks about this place near Acadia and hone No one talks about this place near Acadia and honestly I almost don’t want to share it 🤫

Little Long Pond is the most dog-friendly spot near Acadia and most visitors have no idea it exists. Your dogs can be OFF-LEASH here. October–April, anytime. May–September, before 10 AM and after 4 PM. (Ours remain leashed because huskies, ya know? 😂😆)

It’s a 2.2-mile loop around a pond on gorgeous Rockefeller-style carriage roads with four designated dog swimming spots and a boathouse straight out of a painting. It’s free, open year-round, and sits on 1,000 acres of the former Rockefeller estate.

What to know:
* 12 min from Bar Harbor off Route 3
* Only 32 parking spots - go early
* Dogs NOT allowed on Harbor Brook Trail

Go before everyone finds it! Keep in mind that there are horse drawn carriages that frequent Little Long Pond. 

🦞🤤 - After your hike do yourself a favor and stop by Northwest Harbor where @thebuckinglobster is parked and grab yourself a bahn mi lobster roll 🦞 truuust me, you won’t regret it! 

Full guide on our favorite Acadia dog friendly hikes on the blog - link in stories! 

✨ Save this for your next Acadia trip and send it to a dog parent who needs it.
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