Fort Foster in Kittery, Maine is the ultimate place to spend the day with your dog.  It has everything for the perfect family day with your dog: beaches, trails, picnic areas, and playground.  Located on Gerrish Island, Fort Foster is 88 acres of dog friendly hiking trails, beaches, and a former fort to explore, with views of lighthouses, historic lifesaving station, and the Isles of Shoals.

The best part though is dogs are allowed all day!  Unlike most area beaches where dogs are only allowed during the early morning or in the evenings during the summer, Fort Foster is dog friendly year round.  The catch is during open hours, dogs must remain on leash, and there are many signs reminding dog owners of that rule.  However, before the park opens from dawn until 10:00 AM, Fort Foster is an unofficial dog park.  We frequently visit before the park opens, and the dogs enjoy running with their friends.  Then we leash them up, and spend the day relaxing with our tired dogs, enjoying the scenic views.

The park is officially open 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.  There is an entrance fee of $20 per vehicle.  Or if you prefer to park outside the park, pedestrians and bicyclists are $5 each for adults and $1 each for children under 12.  There are restroom facilities, including an outside shower that is useful for rinsing off sandy dogs before the ride home.  Fort Foster also has coal grills and picnic tables, and a pavilion that can be rented for functions.  Also, for those visiting with children, there is a playground and a beach area reserved for children where dogs are not allowed.  But despite that one area, the rest of the beaches and coves are dog friendly.

Fort Foster Directions:

51 Pocahontas Rd, Kittery Point, ME.

Entry is $20 per car, or $5 per person walking /  biking into the park.