Pets Welcome
Pet Friendly Guide to Acadia National Park

A Complete Pet Friendly Guide to Acadia National Park

The Complete Pet Friendly Guide to Acadia National Park

Planning a trip to Acadia National Park with your dog? You’re in luck. Acadia is one of the most pet-friendly national parks in the United States, offering miles of hiking trails, scenic carriage roads, breathtaking coastal views, and outdoor adventures that you and your four-legged companion can enjoy together.

At Ryan Estate Rentals, we welcome pets with no additional fees and provide comfortable accommodations just minutes from Acadia National Park. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, this guide will help you make the most of your dog-friendly adventure in Bar Harbor and Acadia.

Why Acadia National Park is Great for Dogs

Unlike many national parks that restrict pets to developed areas, Acadia allows leashed dogs on most hiking trails and throughout its extensive network of carriage roads. In fact, more than 100 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads are open to pets.

This makes Acadia one of the best destinations in New England for travelers who want to explore the outdoors without leaving their dogs behind.

While visiting, pets must remain on a leash no longer than six feet and owners are expected to clean up after their animals and respect wildlife.

Best Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Acadia

Jordan Pond Path

One of the most popular and accessible walks in the park, the Jordan Pond Path circles the crystal-clear waters of Jordan Pond and offers beautiful views of the Bubbles Mountains. The relatively gentle terrain makes it ideal for dogs of all ages.

Great Head Trail

This scenic coastal trail offers spectacular ocean views and dramatic cliffs. Dogs that enjoy hiking will love the varied terrain and fresh ocean breezes.

Ship Harbor Nature Trail

Located on the quieter western side of Mount Desert Island, this easy loop trail provides beautiful shoreline views and is perfect for families traveling with pets.

Wonderland Trail

A short, easy walk leading to the rocky coastline, Wonderland is an excellent choice for dogs and owners seeking a relaxed outdoor experience.

Compass Harbor Trail

Just minutes from downtown Bar Harbor, this lesser-known trail offers a peaceful walk through forested terrain leading to scenic shoreline views.

Exploring Acadia’s Famous Carriage Roads

Acadia’s historic carriage roads are one of the park’s greatest treasures. Built by John D. Rockefeller Jr., these gravel roads wind through forests, around lakes, and beneath beautifully crafted stone bridges.

The carriage roads are ideal for:

  • Walking your dog

  • Morning runs

  • Leisurely bike rides

  • Scenic photography

  • Wildlife viewing

Many guests at Ryan Estate Rentals appreciate our convenient location near the carriage road network, allowing easy access to some of Acadia’s most beautiful landscapes.

Dog-Friendly Places Around Bar Harbor

Village Green

Located in the heart of downtown Bar Harbor, the Village Green is a great place to relax with your dog while enjoying the atmosphere of town.

Agamont Park

Overlooking Frenchman Bay, Agamont Park offers beautiful waterfront views and plenty of space to enjoy the ocean breeze.

Bar Harbor Shore Path

This scenic coastal walkway provides stunning views of the harbor, islands, and historic cottages. It’s one of the most enjoyable walks in town for both visitors and pets.

Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Bar Harbor

Many restaurants in Bar Harbor offer outdoor seating where dogs are welcome.

Popular pet-friendly dining options often include:

  • Casual seafood restaurants

  • Waterfront cafes

  • Ice cream shops

  • Local coffee houses

Availability and policies may change seasonally, so it’s always a good idea to confirm pet accommodations before your visit.

Tips for Visiting Acadia with Your Dog

Bring Plenty of Water

Summer temperatures can be warm, especially on exposed trails. Carry extra water for both yourself and your pet.

Watch for Wildlife

Acadia is home to deer, foxes, porcupines, and numerous bird species. Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times.

Protect Your Dog’s Paws

Rocky shorelines and granite trails can be tough on sensitive paws. Consider checking paws regularly during longer hikes.

Follow Leave No Trace Principles

Always clean up after your pet and dispose of waste properly to help preserve Acadia’s natural beauty.

The Best Time to Visit Acadia with Your Dog

Spring

Cool temperatures and fewer crowds make spring a wonderful time to explore trails and carriage roads.

Summer

The most popular season offers long days, warm weather, and full access to park amenities.

Fall

Many visitors consider autumn the best time to visit Acadia. Crisp temperatures, colorful foliage, and scenic drives create unforgettable experiences.

Winter

For adventurous travelers, winter offers quiet trails and a peaceful atmosphere, though weather conditions can vary.

Stay Near Acadia at Ryan Estate Rentals

After a day of hiking, biking, and exploring Acadia National Park, you’ll appreciate returning to a comfortable vacation rental designed for both people and pets.

Ryan Estate Rentals offers:

  • Pet-friendly accommodations with no pet fees

  • Convenient access to Acadia National Park

  • Spacious outdoor areas

  • Fully equipped kitchens

  • Comfortable living spaces

  • Easy access to Bar Harbor attractions

Our peaceful wooded setting provides the perfect home base for your Acadia adventure while keeping you close to the park’s most popular destinations.

Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning to explore new trails, Ryan Estate Rentals is the ideal place to stay while discovering everything that Acadia National Park has to offer.

We look forward to welcoming you and your four-legged family members to Bar Harbor.

What guests are saying!

Thank you for letting us rent the Summer House. It made our first visit to Bar Harbor even more special. The house and space was perfect. It was clean and had everything we needed to enhance our stay. Very quiet area and close to town. I could go on and on, but I won't make this too long. This is definitely going to be one of those vacation moments that we will always remember. I thank you, stay safe and good luck in all you do.

p.s. Our dog Bella did great. She even got her bark badge for good trail behavior.
Donna, Paul and familyJuly | 2020
Just wanted you to know that we really enjoyed our week at the carriage House. Your son Ian was the perfect host and couldn't do enough for us. Looking forward to our next stay at the summer house on August 15th.
GaleJuly | 2020
One of our favorite vacation getaways is Bar Harbor Maine. Our favorite rental is the Ryan Estates. The owners Marilyn and Steve see to it your stay is perfect. Beautiful different size accommodations to meet everyone’s needs for a great vacation. On site laundry facilities , close proximity to downtown eating and shopping! Access to hiking trails right across the street. And of course pet friendly to bring your best friends at no extra charge! Rental sits nestled in the trees bordering the national park lands, so quiet if you want to just sit back on your deck and enjoy reading or just relaxing! Highly recommended for your stay in Maine. You will not be disappointed!
K. Mikrut
Beautiful location in wooded area, pet friendly at no extra charge. Quiet and off the beaten path. Comfortable, cozy, and clean apartment with private deck area. nice sized separate fenced area for dogs to run around and do their duty. Very close to Cadillac Mt entrance of Acadia National Park and the Eagle Lake carriage road. Short drive to downtown Bar Harbor, approx 3 miles. Steve & Marilyn are lovely people with great knowledge of the area! Their accommodations have made our stay in Bar Harbor more fun and enjoyable each year especially since we can bring our furry family members!
We have stayed at Ryan Estates almost every year for the last 25 years. Steve and Marilyn are wonderful hosts. The houses are well stocked, extremely clean, private, and most importantly – pet friendly. They are very convenient to carriage trails, downtown Bar Harbor, blueberry picking, hiking, and kayaking. The beds are very comfortable so after a long fun filled day, it is nice to know that you will be able to sleep and feel refreshed for your next day’s adventure.
Wendy & Jeff CavesPlymouth, MA
Traveling with pets can be challenging. Trying to find safe, pet- friendly accomodations can be discouraging if not impossible in resort destinations. Finding Ryan Estate Rentals just outside the town of Bar Harbor on Mt. Desert Island years ago was a godsend. Exactly what we needed when we got to the Island. The owners who travel with their dogs "get" what pets & their people need while on the road, and as repeat customers, have gone above and beyond to deliver for us every time. Welcoming, gracious and attentive, Steve & Marilyn make bringing our pets a breeze, freeing us up to relax & make the most of our grand adventures on the Island. Truly a jewel in the "ruff"! You won't find a more pet -friendly accommodation anywhere!
Chris, Cathy, Sasa & Orson
Ryan estates is a beautiful location in a wooded area that is very quiet and off the beaten path. The Mountain View apartment has amazing views, especially in the fall during peak fall foliage. The accommodations are comfortable, cozy and very clean with a cabin-like feel. Each apartment has a private deck area with grill, table and chairs. There is a very nice sized separate fenced area for your dogs to run around and do their duty. The Summer House and Deer Path apartment have a small private fenced area for the dogs separate from the large fenced-in area. It is very close to the Cadillac Mountain entrance of Acadia Nat'l Park and Eagle Lake Carriage roads to access the park loop road or hiking trails and bicycle paths. It is a short drive to downtown Bar Harbor, about 3 mi. Marilyn and Steve are lovely people with much knowledge of the area and local restaurants and shops. Their accommodations have become like a 2nd home for us, as we vacation in Maine at least twice a year. They have made our stay in Bar Harbor more fun and enjoyable each year! Especially since we can bring our furry family members along and they are very welcome there!
Jen & Chas
We have been staying at Ryan Estate’s Mountain View apartment for many years because it is spotless clean, beautiful view, and very quiet. Steve and Marilyn are wonderful people and are there if you need any kind of help. My husband and I love it and wouldn’t think of staying elsewhere when we visit Bar Harbor.
Thersa Dimouro
Our three rescued canine family members love their annual trip to Ryan's Estates and they leap into the car when they see the gear bags packed for Maine. The hosts, Marilyn and Steve, are responsive, friendly, but never intrusive. The pups love the on-site dog run and revel in the sniffs from the woods and wildlife. They like being close to town. but far from the hustle and bustle.

PS: The human family members adore staying here as well!
Joyce Glassman & Denise MartinNew York
Each year we end our summer with a trip to Acadia National Park in Maine. We like to go hiking, biking and of course eating lobster. For the the past six years we stayed in one of the cottages at the Ryan Estate in Bar Harbor. For some reason it does not even feel like staying at "a place", it feels more like home. Our dog Breezy jumps out of the car and sniffs at the familiar territory and we settle into the cottage for the next week. After settling in, we usually see some familiar faces, guests as we got to know over the years who seem to vacation at the same time we do. All of us love dogs and the outdoors. An ideal place to stay. Steve and Marilyn are wonderful hosts, making you feel comfortable without being intrusive. Besides staying at a wonderful, clean place, the cottages are ideally located near Acadia National Park and close to downtown Bar Harbor. We are very active and early morning bikers, it takes us 5 minutes to get to the Carriage Road to start our day. Back at the cottages is a large fenced in area to let the dog run free, Breezy loves all the interesting smells and the large area to run around. In spite of being visited by many dogs, the area is very clean.

Thank you Marilyn and Steve for providing us with your wonderful place each year at the end of the summer.
Mike & Ute Amherst, MA
Our countdown has started...see you guys in 3 months! We rented the Summer House 10 years ago for our Honeymoon & rented it again for our Anniversary!
Amy Schneider
We have been staying at Ryan Estates with our dogs since they first opened. We love the property’s peacefulness and seclusion and its proximity to Acadia and the trails. We stay at the Carriage House, but over the years have had friends and family members visit at the same time and stay at one of the other Ryan Estate rentals. All of the rentals are kept immaculately clean and the Ryans are unfailingly welcoming and friendly to their guests – both human and canine! We stay for several weeks and feel like the Carriage House is our home away from home. Our dogs love the privacy and their own fenced yard for the times that we are not out on the trails hiking with them. We love being able to take our bikes onto the Carriage Trails directly from the property. Hiking trails and Bar Harbor (for great coffee shops) are all a short drive away. One of the very best things (of many) about Ryan Estates is that, unlike many rental owners, the Ryans do not penalize dog-owning renters with enormous pet fees. On the contrary, they welcome and celebrate dogs and dog owners – something that we so very much have come to love and appreciate! If you love nature (Acadia!), love dogs, and are looking for a beautiful, well-maintained, and welcoming place to stay, The Ryan Estates are for you!
My hubby and I pulled up to the Ryan's home and were greeted by a friendly Marilyn in the driveway. She showed us to our apartment called Deer Path that we had rented for the 3rd week in August.Nice place, neat, clean, and very close to carriage trail access (Eagle Lake) and Bar Harbor. It was close to all, but nice and QUIET! We enjoyed breakfast in the AM and cocktails in the PM on our deck with the sun. They are dog friendly as all of the 3 other apartment/bungalow guests had their puppies. They have fenced-in areas for pups to do their business too.We recommend staying here if you like privacy away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds during the summer, not to mention hosts that will take care of anything you may need! PS They do have laundry machines/dryers to use that are $1 per load...make sure you have quarters! That's all I have, overall just a great place to stay!
Kristen