Wonderland Trail in Southwest Harbor, Maine is a popular and easy dog friendly hike.  Located on the “quiet side” of Acadia National Park, this former old gravel road is a 1.4 mile out and back trail through forest, over granite outcroppings to scenic ocean overlooks of Maine’s quintessential coastline.  To be perfectly honest, we did the trail twice because on our first pass the views were shrouded in fog.  However, while we lingered exploring the tide pools and marveling at the weather twisted scrub trees, the fog lifted revealing a whole new hike, that we couldn’t resist doing this easy walk again.

Dogs are allowed on-leash.  Parts of the trail are roped off to keep hikers on the path and away from restoration efforts.  However even with the restrictions, the trail is wide and there is plenty of room to roam on the rocks, so it is a good place to explore with your dogs even on busy days.  Wonderland Trail is a high trafficked area, so please be respectful of the delicate flora and fauna, especially when tide pooling, and as always pick up after your pet.  There is a small designated parking area, and roadside parking is also an option.

Please Note: Acadia National Park passes are needed to access Wonderland 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 more information to plan your visit, including directions, weather forecast, photos and more, visit our Wonderland Trail page.  For additional Hiking Trails and Dog Beaches in the area of Acadia National Park, please visit our Dog Friendly Places recommendations.