Can dogs go on trails in Acadia?

Yes — pets are allowed on Most trails (about 100 miles of hiking trails) and Carriage roads (about 45 miles), with exceptions such as Public buildings, Ranger-led programs and Wild Gardens of Acadia (Sieur de Monts).

Does Acadia have a B.A.R.K. Ranger program?

Yes. Acadia takes part in the B.A.R.K. Ranger program (Bag your waste, Always leash, Respect wildlife, Know where you can go); ask at a visitor center about tags.

Dogs & pets

Dogs in Acadia: where they can go

Last verified October 5, 2026Most trails6 ft leash maxB.A.R.K. Ranger park

Yes — on most trails. Leashed pets are allowed on most trails, carriage roads and three campgrounds; barred from Sand Beach and Echo Lake in season, public buildings, ranger programs and six named trails.

While seated on a blanket on a patch of mountaintop granite, a man and woman clasp their arms around — Photo: NPS Photo by Kent Miller

Where pets are allowed

Trails

• Most trails (about 100 miles of hiking trails)
• Carriage roads (about 45 miles)

Areas

• Carriage roads
• Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods campgrounds
• Isle au Haut (day hiking only)

Off-limits

• Public buildings
• Ranger-led programs
• Wild Gardens of Acadia (Sieur de Monts)
• Duck Harbor Campground
• Sand Beach (June 15-Sept 8)
• Echo Lake (May 15-Sept 15)
• Most lakes (public water supplies; pets and people may not swim in them)
• Precipice
• Beehive
• Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain
• Beech Cliffs Trail
• Perpendicular Trail (Mansell Mountain)
• Jordan Cliffs Trail between Penobscot East Trail and the carriage road

Backcountry: not stated

Rules & services

Leash: 6 ft or shorter, at all times
Kennels: Not mentioned
B.A.R.K. Ranger: Yes
Service animals: Service animals may accompany their owners to all park locations and programs; the page defines a service animal as a dog individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability.

In the park's own words

What Acadia says about pets

Sentences quoted from the park’s nps.gov pets page, last updated September 10, 2026, captured 2026-10-05.

“Park Trails Closed to Pets Precipice Beehive Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain Beech Cliffs Trail Perpendicular Trail (Mansell Mountain) Jordan Cliffs Trail between Penobscot East Trail and the carriage road” nps.gov

“There are 100 miles (161 km) of hiking trails and 45 miles (72 km) of carriage roads in the park where pets are permitted.” nps.gov

“Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods campgrounds permit pets. On Isle au Haut, pets are permitted for day hiking only.” nps.gov

“Federal law requires that all pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet (2 m) at all times.” nps.gov

“Public buildings Ranger-led programs Wild Gardens of Acadia (Sieur de Monts) Duck Harbor Campground” nps.gov

“Carriage roads Most trails Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods campgrounds permit pets.” nps.gov

Worth knowing

The page also lists trails 'not recommended for pets' (not prohibited): Acadia Mountain, Flying Mountain, Giant Slide, Cadillac Mountain west face, Bubble and Jordan Ponds Path (between the carriage road and The Featherbed pond), Norembega Goat Trail, Bubbles-Pemetic Trail, Penobscot Mountain (Spring) Trail, Upper Beachcroft Trail, Upper Gorge Trail.
The page advises avoiding ladder and rung trails and says pets must not be left unattended, including at campsites or in cars.

How we read the rules

Every statement on this page was taken from the park’s own pets page on nps.gov and the quoted sentences are re-checked against our saved copy of that page each time the site is built. Parks change pet rules for wildlife, heat and trail conditions, and superintendents can close areas at short notice, so treat the park’s pets page and the ranger at the entrance as the final word. Service animals are covered by different rules. Compare all 63 parks.

Sources · 2

1.Acadia National Park — Pets (nps.gov), last updated September 10, 2026 · National Park Service
2.Pets pages of each park on nps.gov (62 park units), read and quoted · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)

FAQ

Acadia pet questions

Are dogs allowed in Acadia National Park?: Leashed pets are allowed on most trails, carriage roads and three campgrounds; barred from Sand Beach and Echo Lake in season, public buildings, ranger programs and six named trails. Leashes must be 6 feet or shorter. (From the park's nps.gov pets page, updated September 10, 2026.)
Can dogs go on trails in Acadia?: Yes — pets are allowed on Most trails (about 100 miles of hiking trails) and Carriage roads (about 45 miles), with exceptions such as Public buildings, Ranger-led programs and Wild Gardens of Acadia (Sieur de Monts).
Does Acadia have a B.A.R.K. Ranger program?: Yes. Acadia takes part in the B.A.R.K. Ranger program (Bag your waste, Always leash, Respect wildlife, Know where you can go); ask at a visitor center about tags.

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