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, Maine. 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 Valley Trail, and NOT all of them are dog friendly.
On the day we visited, we hiked straight past the Canada Cliff Trail junction, to a moderately difficult section of the trail known as the “grotto.” The grotto feels very different than other hikes at Acadia as we weaved around the massive boulders and stared up at the sheer cliff to the right of the trail and down at the steep drop-offs to the left. Once past the grotto the Beech Mountain Valley Trail is a relatively easy walk through the forest.
There are many hiking options off of Beech Mountain Valley Trail. About 0.8 mile from the trailhead is the Beech Mountain South Ridge Trail, which is approximately 1 mile long and climbs steeply up a series of rock stairs and rocky terrain to the summit. Another option is to stay on the Valley Trail and hike to the shore of Long Pond, then turn right and climb the 0.9 mile Beech Mountain West Ridge Trail, which leads to Beech Mountain Trail about 0.1 mile from the summit. Please note though that Beech Cliff Trail and Canada Cliffs do NOT allow dogs due their level of difficulty. Because we had already climbed Beech Mountain and enjoyed the views, we decided rather than make a loop to the summit, we made the Valley Trail a simple approximately 2 miles in and out hike.
Dogs are allowed on-leash. There are multiple trailheads located at the parking lot. To access Beech Mountain Valley Trail, look for the marker at the south side of the parking lot.
Please Note: Acadia National Park passes are needed to access Beech Mountain Valley Trail from May through October, but are not available for sale at the parking area. To purchase a park pass please visit the National Park Service.
For additional recommendations for dog hiking trails at Acadia National Park, including our hike up Beech Mountain, as well as Flying Mountain and the Anvil Trail, or scenic hikes at Ship Harbor and Wonderland Trails, please visit our Dog Friendly Places page.
Beech Mountain Valley Trail
DIRECTIONS
From the North:
From the junction of Routes 3 and 102 in Bar Harbor, pick up Rt. 102 South.
Follow Rt. 102 South for about 5.3 miles.
Where Rt. 102 splits, turn right onto its western branch which is also called Pretty Marsh Road.
Drive for 0.25 mile then turn left onto Beech Hill Road.
Follow Beech Hill Road for 3.1 miles until it ends at the Beech Mountain parking lot.
From the East:
From the junction of Routes 3 and 233 in Bar Harbor, pick up Rt. 233 West.
Follow Rt. 233 West for about 5.9 miles where it will end upon meeting Routes 3 and 198.
Turn right and follow Rt. 198 North for about 1.4 miles where it will reach a junction with Rt. 102.
Turn left and follow Rt. 102 South for about 0.9 mile.
Where Rt. 102 splits, turn right onto its western branch which is also called Pretty Marsh Road.
Drive for 0.25 mile then turn left onto Beech Hill Road.
Follow Beech Hill Road for 3.1 miles until it ends at the Beech Mountain parking lot.
Please note: There are multiple trailheads at this parking lot. The Beech Valley Trail is on the far end opposite to the entrance to the parking lot at the south side.
