Pet-Friendly Maine 2026: Dog Beaches, Trails & Hotels

Maine is dog country. Maine’s outdoor culture, abundance of hiking trails, and generally relaxed attitude toward well-behaved pets make it one of the most dog-friendly destinations in New England. Whether your pup prefers beach running, forest trails, or just riding shotgun on scenic drives, Maine delivers.

This guide covers the essentials: where dogs can roam, where they’re restricted, and how to plan a trip that works for the whole pack.

Dog-Friendly Beaches

Off-Leash Paradise

Long Sands Beach (York) Dogs allowed off-leash from October 1 through March 31. One of Maine’s longest sandy beaches with plenty of room to run.

Ogunquit Beach (Ogunquit) Dogs permitted on the beach October 1 through April 14. Three miles of sand with river and ocean options.

Goose Rocks Beach (Kennebunkport) Dogs allowed off-leash October 1 through April 30. A local favorite with gorgeous scenery.

Ferry Beach State Park (Saco) Dogs on leash year-round. Trails and beach access.

Popham Beach State Park (Phippsburg) Dogs on leash allowed on the beach. One of Maine’s most dramatic coastal settings.

Important Beach Rules

Summer restrictions: Most beaches prohibit or limit dogs May-September
Always check local ordinances: Rules vary by town and change seasonally
Leash requirements: Even “dog-friendly” beaches often require leashes in summer
Cleanup: Always pick up after your dog—carry bags

Dog-Friendly Hiking

Acadia National Park

Acadia is remarkably dog-friendly for a national park. Dogs are allowed on most trails (on leash).

Best dog hikes:

Carriage Roads: 45 miles of wide, graded paths perfect for dogs
Wonderland Trail: Easy 1.4-mile coastal walk
Ship Harbor Trail: Another easy coastal option
Jordan Pond Path: Flat loop with water access

Off-limits:

Ladder trails (Precipice, Beehive, Jordan Cliffs)
Sand Beach (in summer)
Some specific trails—check park website

Tips: Bring water, as dogs can’t drink from Acadia’s freshwater lakes (watershed protection).

State Parks

Most Maine state parks welcome leashed dogs on trails. Highlights:

Camden Hills State Park Dogs allowed on all trails. Mount Battie hike is achievable with fit dogs.

Bradbury Mountain State Park Easy summit hike, dog-friendly throughout.

Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park Coastal trails with osprey viewing. Dogs on leash.

Reid State Park Beach and trails. Dogs allowed on leash.

Cobscook Bay State Park Remote Downeast park with waterfront trails.

Land Trust Properties

Maine’s land trusts maintain hundreds of miles of trails, most of which welcome dogs:

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens trails (not the gardens)
Lands End Preserve (Harpswell)
Josephine Newman Sanctuary (Georgetown)
Various Boothbay Region Land Trust properties

Check ahead: Some preserves restrict dogs during nesting seasons.

Dog-Friendly Towns

Portland

The city’s urban parks, waterfront, and overall dog culture make it extremely welcoming:

Off-leash areas:

East End Beach (limited off-leash hours)
Capisic Pond Park (designated off-leash area)
Hall School Woods

Dog-friendly dining: Many restaurants with outdoor patios welcome dogs. The Old Port has numerous options.

Dog services:

Multiple dog bakeries and boutiques
Dog-walking services
Veterinary care readily available

Bar Harbor

The gateway to Acadia is accommodating to four-legged visitors:

Numerous pet-friendly hotels and rentals
Outdoor dining options
Close access to Acadia’s dog-friendly trails

Camden

Quintessential Maine town that welcomes dogs:

Trails at Camden Hills State Park
Walkable downtown
Pet-friendly lodging options

Freeport

L.L.Bean is famously dog-friendly (inside the store!)
Wolfe’s Neck nearby for trails
Multiple pet-friendly shops

Dog-Friendly Lodging

Hotels and Inns

Many Maine accommodations welcome dogs. Pet policies and fees vary.

Chains with generally dog-friendly policies:

La Quinta
Best Western (varies by property)
Residence Inn
Many independent motels

Boutique options:

The Francis (Portland) - luxury dog-friendly
250 Main Hotel (Rockland) - welcomes pets
Many B&Bs accept dogs—always confirm

Vacation Rentals

VRBO and Airbnb both offer pet-friendly filters. Many Maine vacation homes welcome dogs.

Tips:

Filter specifically for pet-friendly properties
Read reviews from other dog owners
Confirm size restrictions
Ask about fenced yards if needed

Camping

Dog-friendly campgrounds:

Most Maine state park campgrounds allow dogs
Acadia’s Seawall Campground (on leash)
Many private campgrounds welcome pets

Glamping: Check individual properties—policies vary.

Seasonal Considerations

Summer

Beach access limited (check local rules)
Heat can be challenging—carry water
Ticks are prevalent—check your dog daily
Never leave dogs in parked cars

Fall

Best season for dog travel
Fewer restrictions on beaches
Cooler temperatures for hiking
Foliage drives are perfect with dogs

Winter

Many beaches allow dogs off-leash
Cold-weather hiking possible for acclimated dogs
Salt and ice can hurt paws—bring booties
Shorter days limit trail time

Spring

Mud season on trails
Tick season begins
Some wildlife closures at preserves

Practical Tips

Packing for Your Dog

Essentials:

Current vaccination records (especially rabies)
Leash and collar with ID tags
Poop bags (lots of them)
Food and water bowls
Enough food for the trip
Medications if needed
First aid basics

Nice to have:

Portable water bottle with bowl attachment
Dog towel (for beach and trail cleanup)
Tick removal tool
Cooling mat or bandana (summer)
Booties (winter)

Health and Safety

Ticks: Maine has deer ticks. Check your dog thoroughly after any outdoor activity. Talk to your vet about tick prevention.

Porcupines: Common in Maine. Keep dogs leashed in areas where porcupines are active. If quilled, see a vet immediately.

Swimming: Not all dogs are strong swimmers. Cold water can be dangerous. Supervise water activities.

Wildlife: Moose, deer, and other wildlife may startle dogs. Keep control in areas with wildlife.

Etiquette

On trails:

Keep dogs leashed unless in designated off-leash areas
Yield to other hikers
Pick up waste (yes, even on trails)
Control barking

In towns:

Observe leash laws
Don’t tie dogs outside for extended periods
Ask before letting dogs greet strangers
Clean up immediately

At lodging:

Crate dogs if leaving them alone
Don’t leave dogs alone if they bark
Clean up any accidents thoroughly
Be honest about your dog’s behavior

Resources

Planning

BringFido.com: Searchable database of dog-friendly locations
Maine Tourism: Official site with pet-friendly listings
Acadia National Park: Pet regulations and trail guides
Maine Warden Service: Wildlife and outdoor regulations

Emergency Veterinary Services

Maine Veterinary Medical Center (Scarborough) - 24/7 emergency
Animal Emergency Clinic (Portland) - After hours
Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic (Brewer)
Pet poison hotline: 888-426-4435
Save your regular vet’s number for phone consultations

Dog Parks

Mackworth Island (Falmouth) - Off-leash island trail, very popular
Quarry Run Dog Park (Portland) - Fenced, off-leash
Bar Harbor Dog Park - Small but convenient near Acadia
Capisic Pond Park (Portland) - Designated off-leash area

Pet Stores

Loyal Biscuit Co. - Multiple locations, Maine-based favorite
Petco/PetSmart - In larger cities
Local pet boutiques throughout most towns

Sample Dog-Friendly Itinerary

Weekend in Midcoast Maine

Day 1:

Drive to Camden
Hike Mount Battie with your dog (on leash)
Explore downtown Camden (many dog-friendly patios)
Check into dog-friendly lodging

Day 2:

Morning beach walk at Pemaquid Beach (check seasonal rules)
Lunch at a dog-friendly restaurant
Afternoon hike at a local land trust preserve
Return home or continue exploring

Maine’s combination of outdoor culture, relaxed regulations, and genuine dog-friendliness makes it an exceptional destination for traveling with pets. Plan ahead, respect the rules, and enjoy exploring the Pine Tree State with your best friend.