Labor Day Weekend is a great time to explore dog friendly Acadia National Park in Maine.  With trails ranging from easy to difficult there’s something for everyone to enjoy.  The following are just a few of the trails we hiked during our visit last year, and most are located on the “quiet side” of Acadia National Park where it tends to be less crowded.  For our complete reviews with more information, including directions, parking, weather forecast, photos and more, click on the highlighted name.  Additional dog beaches, scenic walks, and trails in Maine and beyond can be found on our Dog Friendly Places page on LivingwithaGolden.com.

Please Note: Acadia National Park passes are needed to access these trails from May through October, but are not available for sale at the parking areas / trailheads.  To purchase a park pass please visit the National Park Service.  Dogs must be on-leashes no longer than 6 feet in length.  Also as always, respect the wildlife, leave only paw prints, and pick up the poop.

Ship Harbor Trail: Ship Harbor Trail is an easy dog friendly hike in Southwest Harbor.  This 1.3 miles figure-eight loop located skirts the rocky coastline and winds its way through forest.  The first loop is perfect for paws not accustomed to hiking or those simply looking for a scenic walk.  If you continue to bear right at the four-way intersection, the trail then takes a second loop over rocky ledges and uneven terrain with tree roots and narrow wetlands bridges.  Both trails loop back through dense forest.  Rating: Easy.

Wonderland Trail: Wonderland Trail in Southwest Harbor is a popular dog friendly scenic walk.  This former old gravel road is a 1.4 mile out and back trail through forest, over granite outcroppings to scenic overlooks of Maine’s quintessential coastline.  The trail is wide and there is plenty of room to roam on the rocks, making it a good place to explore with your dogs even on busy days.  Rating: Easy.

Lower Harbor Trail: The Lower Harbor Trail on the Schoodic Peninsula in Winter Harbor is a dog friendly narrow path through the woods following the shoreline of Sargents Point.  The trail itself offers views of Sargents and Norris Islands, with plenty of rocky outcroppings for quiet reflection.  This trail is approximately a mile one way, but we extended our hike to over 2 miles by making a loop on a nearby bike trail. Rating: Easy to Moderate.

Beech Valley Trail: Most people go to Acadia National Park for mountain top views and the scenic coastline.  However, if you’re looking for a different perspective we recommend Beech Mountain Valley Trail in Southwest Harbor.  This dog friendly trail is an easy to moderate hike through dense forest, on a boulder strewn trail, with interesting rock formations towering overhead.  Please note there are many trail options intersecting the Beech Valley Trail, and NOT all of them are dog friendly, so be sure to pay attention to the signs. Rating: Easy to Moderate.

Beech Mountain Trail: Beech Mountain Trail in Southwest Harbor is a 1.2 mile hike with breathtaking views of Long Pond, Mansell Mountain and Bernard Mountain.  At the trail junction the left (eastern loop) is the most direct trail to the summit, with a steep climb up over large boulders.  The opposite side of the loop on the right is a more gradual climb with views of Long Pond.  Rating: Moderate. 

Jordan Pond Path: Jordan Pond Path on Mount Desert Island is a very popular and moderately challenging dog friendly hike.  This loop trail is 3.2 miles with views of The Bubbles (South and North Bubble Mountains) and the pristine waters of the pond in the glacially carved valley.  We chose to hike the trail counterclockwise, by starting to the right of the loop on the east side.  Here the trail begins as an easy walk on compact dirt to a beach area at the northern end of the pond.  From there the trail becomes more difficult for dogs with rocky areas for them to climb over, and then to an approximately one mile section of a plank boardwalk to traverse.  Jordan Pond Path may be a bit challenging for dogs not accustomed to the different terrains.  It is also one of the most popular destinations at Acadia.  Rating: Moderate.

Flying Mountain: Flying Mountain in Southwest Harbor offers views of Somes Sound and descends to a secluded rocky beach at Valley Cove.  Flying Mountain is Acadia’s lowest peak at 284 feet above sea level, with a steep moderate to difficult trail to the summit.  The hike to the summit is a short 0.3 miles from the parking lot, through dense forest over ledges to exposed bedrock at the top with views of Somes Sound, Northeast Harbor and the nearby Greening Island, Sutton Island and Great and Little Cranberry islands.  To extend your hike, follow the blue blaze markers along the ridge to descend the mountain by way of Valley Cove Trail.  Please note: Flying Mountain is NOT recommended for dogs unaccustomed to hiking, and should only be visited by seasoned hikers.  Rating: Difficult.

Anvil Trail: The Anvil Trail on Schoodic Peninsula in Winter Harbor is a challenging hike with breathtaking views.  It is a difficult hike with rocky and steep sections up the southeastern side of Schoodic Head.  This in and out trail is approximately 1.1 miles, and leads to a scenic overlook at a rock outcropping known as “The Anvil,” and the 440-foot Schoodic Head.  On a clear day there are views of Champlain Mountain and Cadillac Mountain, and if the weather really cooperates you can even see the Petit Manan Lighthouse.  We do NOT recommend Anvil Trail to dogs who are not avid hikers.  But for those who crave adventures off the beaten path, it is worth the trip.  Rating: Difficult.