By Susan Spisak
The days are warming and there’s plenty of things to see and do! Maine boasts unrivaled regions, and you’ll find beautiful beaches, soaring mountains, clear rivers and lakes, hidden gems, and everything in between! Plan your outings, pack up your favorite buddy, add a few friends, and you are in for days of fun and memories. Let your adventures begin!
Downeast and Acadia Region’s big draw is top rated Acadia National Park, with its trails, paths, driving loops, wildlife, sea views, and Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the eastern seaboard. If you’re chatty, you and your pooch can become Acadia National Park’s Bark Rangers. (Bark means bagging waste, always using a leash, respecting wildlife, and knowing where you can go in the park.) You teach the importance of BARK for this spectacular 50,000-acre national park. For more, nps.gov/articles/be-an-acadia-bark-ranger.htm.
Little Long Pond, part of the Mount Desert Land & Garden Preserve, has picturesque meadows, forests, and clear streams. Originally purchased and owned by John D. Rockefeller, it was donated to the preserve in 2015 in his honor. As of 2025, May 1 through September 30 dogs are allowed but only on a leash. (You may unleash him for a swim at the four water access areas at Little Long Pond.)
Consider a pet-friendly Sightseeing & Nature Cruise of Frenchman Bay. You can relax while admiring the coastline, including the town of Bar Harbor. You’ll see eagles, marine mammals, birds, and Egg Rock Lighthouse. Nice for less energetic canines. acadianboattours.com/public-boat-cruises/sightseeing-nature-cruise/.
Be sure to visit the charming Midcoast and Islands region. Expect tiny towns steeped in history, islands that are teeming with fishermen, and phenomenal views of Penobscot Bay and islands beyond.
Camden Hills State Park sits high above the storybook town of Camden. It’s fantastic for walking, hiking, and bird watching. There are many trails with various distances and difficulties. If you have a senior, there’s the easy, .3-mile Shoreline Trail. For info, maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/details.pl?park_id=14.
If you’d prefer to see the sites from the water, book time on the classically restored Schooner Olad and sail out of Camden to glide through the waters of Penobscot Bay. Their business manager confirmed your canine is allowed on the Olad, but added their Cutter Owl only allows small pups in a private group. Details: maineschooners.com/.
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome at Boothbay Railway Village, a 15 + acre outdoor history museum and recreated Maine town of the 1850’s to 1950’s. It’s open weekends only starting May 24, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Starting June 17, they’re open Tuesday through Sundays, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Light snacks are available, and guests may bring a picnic. For all info, railwayvillage.org.
Maine's Lakes and Mountains is an all-season destination in the western part of the state. It stretches from the shores of clear Sebago Lake to the Appalachian Mountains. There’s hundreds of calm lakes and ponds to explore. Lewiston/Auburn, also referred to as L/A, has creative outdoor art. For a list of those, you can visit, mainelakesandmountains.com/things/art-streets/.
You will find six covered bridges in the region, the most in the state. Built between the mid 1800’s to early 1900’s, they were constructed to allow horse-drawn carriages to cross rivers. Drive around to see them…great for an inactive canine or one who adores car rides. Here’s the list, mainelakesandmountains.com/things/covered-bridges/.
Visit Poland Spring, a historic, rural, friendly community near the twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn. If you want to stay overnight in this area, there are several places that allow your buddy! One is Poland Spring Resort, polandspringresort.com/.
The Kennebec Valley Region covers more than 5,000 square miles. Twenty minutes from Augusta is Belgrade Lakes, a chain of immaculate lakes. If you and your friends are golfers, head to Belgrade Lakes Golf Club. Your boy’s allowed to walk the course or may retire to the cart—this is good for your not-so-active friend! Fishing is a big draw here and there’s lots to do for the family. Go to French’s Mountain with amazing lookout stops, for an easy mile jaunt.
The Western Region is filled with high peaks and rolling valleys. The Sunday River Resort has various hiking trails that can be geared to the level of stamina of your pets. Take your leashed or voice-controlled dog in the Chondola, an enclosed gondola, free of charge, to the North Peak. You can take in the Sunday River Valley and Mahoosuc Mountain Range. Check out Long Mountain Trail in Bethel with its cascading falls and cooling pools.
Don’t forget the Beaches Region aka the Southcoast. It’s a year-round vacation destination with miles of sandy beaches, lighthouses, towns, and good restaurants. There are many notable towns including York, Kennebunkport, and Old Orchard Beach. (When swimming, your pet should wear a life vest. Be sure to check if there are any beach restrictions.)
Lyra at Pine Point Beach Courtesy of Nancy B.
Maine Day Ventures has unique “Doggy & Me” walking tours for treats and local bites of Kennebunkport. The good news? They’re delicious and the proceeds benefit the Animal Welfare Society of West Kennebunk. For prices and details, mainedayventures.com/ or email pam@mainadventures.com. (They offer other tours in several towns, see website.)
Head to the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. Since 1939, they’ve collected over 250 national, international, regional, and state mass transit vehicles. They welcome your dog if he’s friendly, licensed, healthy, and up-to-date on shots. Keep him on a 6 ft. or less leash, and please clean up after him. For hours and prices, trolleymuseum.org.
In the Greater Portland and Casco Bay Region, you’ll find Fore River Sanctuary, an 85-acre nature preserve. There’s walking trails and your well-behaved, voice-controlled dog is allowed off lead. You’ll also find stunning Jewell Falls, Portland’s only natural waterfall. It’s the perfect spot for your bud to splash about! For more and directions, mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/fore-river-sanctuary.
In Portland, or any town, sit at a restaurant’s patio and chat with your friends and trusty dog. The list of those who allow pets is long…just do an internet search of pet-friendly spots. This is an option for the older pet or those who can’t exert much—yet he gets fresh air and attention.
If you want to grab a sweet dessert on your way home, stop at Wicky Ralph’s Ice Cream on the Grammy Rose Dog Rescue and Sanctuary campus in Acton. Take orders and you grab the deliciousness while a friend keeps your pup company! Make a note to stop back another time for a mini golf game on their campus. Check out wickyralph.com/about/.
The Moosehead Region is pet-welcoming, and you can find lodging for overnighters—check out The Birches! (birches.com/) Moosehead Lake, one of the Northeast’s largest, is excellent for fishing or boating—this is a good way to see the many islands that dot the lake. For info, https://tinyurl.com/4jzre4j9.
For a real adventure, head north to the region called “Crown of Maine,” Aroostook County. You’ll discover rolling hills, farmland, and historic communities. Plan ahead, look for pet-friendly cabins for an overnight stay since it’s a further drive. If your pet has limited mobility, take a scenic route once there for moose sightings! Here’s a list of routes: visitaroostook.com/post/the-best-scenic-drives-to-spot-a-moose.
For all regions, disc golf is a terrific sport to share with friends. It’s similar to golf, but you throw flying discs at targets. It's good for all ages and skill levels, and some courses allow canines. (Check first if there’s a tournament, dogs may not be allowed then.) For locations, https://tinyurl.com/3wfkbjwx.