5 Dog-Friendly Hikes to Try in Acadia National Park This Fall
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Fall in Acadia National Park is the kind of scenery that makes you stop mid-trail just to look around — red maples, gold birches, granite peaks, and the Atlantic coastline all within a few miles of each other. The good news for pet parents: with over 100 miles of trails and 45 miles of carriage roads, Acadia is one of the more dog-friendly national parks in the country. The better news: fall is one of the best times to bring your hiking buddy, with cooler temps and thinner crowds than summer.
Before you go, a few things to know: dogs must stay on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times, and a handful of trails — the Precipice, Beehive, Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain, Beech Cliffs, Perpendicular Trail, and part of Jordan Cliffs Trail — are off-limits to dogs because of the iron rungs and ladders that aren't safe for paws. Swimming is also off the table in most of the park's lakes and ponds, since they double as public water supplies.
Here are five dog-friendly trails worth adding to your fall hiking list.
1. Jordan Pond Path
An Acadia classic for a reason. This roughly 3.3-mile loop circles Jordan Pond with the Bubbles mountains reflected in the water — one of the most photographed views in the park, and even better with fall color on the hills behind it. Much of the route is flat carriage road or boardwalk, making it an easy, dog-friendly option that doesn't skimp on scenery.
2. Eagle Lake Carriage Road Loop
For dogs who need more miles to feel satisfied, the carriage road loop around Eagle Lake delivers a long, gently graded walk with steady lake views and plenty of tree cover changing color overhead. Carriage roads are wide, crushed-stone, and free of the rock scrambling found on Acadia's mountain trails, so it's an easy one to settle into a rhythm on.
3. Great Head Trail
A coastal loop near Sand Beach with sweeping ocean views and granite outcrops to explore. Worth noting for fall specifically: Sand Beach itself is off-limits to dogs from mid-June through early September, but once the calendar flips to fall, leashed dogs are welcome again — making this trail an especially good pick for an autumn visit.
4. Jesup Path
Looking for something mellow? Jesup Path is an easy boardwalk trail winding through a birch forest that turns golden in the fall, right alongside the Wild Gardens of Acadia (dogs can't enter the gardens themselves, but the boardwalk skirts right past). It's flat, short, and a good option for older dogs or a lower-key morning walk.
5. Day Mountain via Carriage Road
For a quieter alternative to Cadillac Mountain's crowds, Day Mountain offers a moderate carriage-road climb to a summit view over Frenchman Bay and the surrounding hills — without a single ladder or rung in sight. It's a solid choice for dogs who are ready for a bit of a workout but still need trail conditions their paws can handle.
Trail Snacks, Handled
A day of hiking means a hungry dog, and Meaty Tenders are built for exactly that — made with real meat as the first ingredient, they break apart easily for an easy trail reward or a mid-hike refuel that won't weigh either of you down. Stock up before your next Acadia trip so a well-earned treat is always within reach at the summit (or the car).