Salmon Falls Preserve in Lebanon, Maine is a dog friendly hike along the Salmon Falls River.  Where the trail splits, bear right and you will head downhill towards the river’s edge.  There you will find a waterfall, dam and a former mill on the opposite shore in New Hampshire.  The loop itself is .5 miles.  However, on the day we visited the markers for the loop were easily missed, and we ended up continuing on the well used path onto private property, leading us to a collapsed bridge.  Retracing our steps, it took a bit of work to find where the trail maintained by the Three Rivers Land Trust loops back.  By that point we decided rather than hiking uphill through the woods, we would continue doubling back along the river trail to the trailhead.

Dogs are required to be leashed.  This easy to moderate trail does have many steep ledges and drop offs, and in some areas the current of the water can be unsafe for even the best doggie paddlers.  However, on a hot day the coolness of the dense forest and the refreshing spray of Salmon Falls makes it well worth the visit.  Parking is available along the road.  Please do not block the trailhead, and be respectful of the adjacent private property.

To plan your visit, including directions, weather forecast, photos and more, please visit our Salmon Falls Preserve page.  To learn about additional dog trails along the Salmon Falls River, as well as scenic walks and beaches in Maine, please visit our Dog Friendly Places recommendations.