Pet-Friendly Travel in Maine

Pets make the best travel companions, and Maine knows it. With stunning landscapes and dog-friendly communities, it’s the perfect place for outdoor adventures, pampered stays and a little shopping for both of you.

Pet-Friendly Hotels & Resorts

These Maine hotels and resorts treat pets like VIPs — Very Important Pups. Whether you’re after salty air or wooded seclusion, there are stays that go all-in on canine hospitality.

For a coastal getaway, book a room at Glenmoor by the Sea in Lincolnville, with sweeping ocean views, direct beach access and nearby dog parks for off-leash fun. Linekin Bay Resort in Boothbay Harbor offers pet-friendly cabins with private decks and space to roam. At Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, dogs get the red carpet: water bowls, fluffy beach towels and homemade treats at turndown. The Craignair Inn in Spruce Head offers a boutique vibe, complete with ocean breezes and breakfast on the deck with your pup by your side.

If you’re headed inland, consider Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport with L.L.Bean dog beds, “Yappy Hours” in the lodge and wooded trails to explore. At Poland’s Wolf Cove Inn on Tripp Lake, dogs are greeted with complimentary “pupcakes,” the perfect welcome to a peaceful lakeside escape.

Off‑Leash Dog Parks

Maine’s top dog parks have all your basic playdate needs, plus thoughtful touches that make time outside safe and fun for everyone.

For waterfront playdates, South End Dog Park in Bath runs along the Kennebec River and offers wide-open grass, a paved walking loop and essentials like water fountains and waste stations with views of naval ships in the background. Merrymeeting Dog Park in Brunswick also borders the water, with trails along the Androscoggin and separate spaces for big and small dogs.

Prefer trekking through the woods? Return to the wild with these shady parks. Quarry Run Dog Park in Portland spans 7 fenced-in acres of forest, winding trails and wildflowers. It’s a natural retreat just minutes from downtown. Ogunquit Dog Park offers a similar setting with mulch-covered trails and play areas and plenty of space for zoomies.

Belfast Dog Park, part of the larger Walsh Field Recreation Area, features fenced zones for all sizes, benches, a shaded pavilion and even a kiddie pool where pets can cool off after playtime.

Dog‑Friendly Breweries & Restaurants

Maine is the perfect place to bring your pup along for pub food and a pint. Here are a few local spots that welcome pets with their humans.

At Turning Page Farm Brewery in Monson, you’ll find a working goat farm turned craft brewery. Dogs are welcome to hang out in the outdoor seating area overlooking the goat pasture, where you can sip small-batch ales and dunk warm pretzel bites into house-made beer cheese.

Allagash Brewing Company in Portland is a pioneer of Maine’s craft beer scene, brewing Belgian-style favorites since 1995. Their spacious outdoor patio is dog-friendly, and the lobster roll is a must, so come hungry.

For a scenic drive and wood-fired pizza, head to Knife Edge Brewing in Millinocket. Located just outside Baxter State Park, home to Mount Katahdin, Maine’s tallest peak, it’s the perfect post-hike stop to relax with your travel buddy and take in the mountain air.

In Orono, The Family Dog lives up to its name. This casual eatery serves up hot dogs, burgers, floats and local beer with a pet-friendly patio.

Dog Treats & Pet Supply Stores

Maine is packed with pet boutiques full of charm, personality and plenty of ways to spoil both cats and dogs.

In Portland, Uncommon Paws is a standout boutique with a stylish collection of Maine-made designer collars, leashes and harnesses along with luxury, all-natural pet products.

Pet Pantry in Freeport is tucked inside a cotton-candy-pink, three-story home filled with supplies, gifts and goodies on every floor. Your travel buddy will drool over the display case stacked with bakery treats. 

In Boothbay Harbor, Two Salty Dogs Pet Outfitters is a small, family-owned shop known for its high-quality toys, treats collars—and even gifts for humans. They also offer shipping, so you don’t have to worry about hauling everything home.

Loyal Biscuit Co., with multiple locations, specializes in all-natural food, healthy treats and accessories for pampered pets. The Rockland shop is a one-stop spot for toys, edibles and even a quick scrub at their self-service dog wash.

More Things to Do with Dogs

Maine’s wild landscape is a natural playground year-round, offering everything from snowy trails and rocky coastlines to rolling hills and lakeside peaks—plenty of opportunities to explore with your pets.

Near Blue Hill, Penny’s Preserve feels like a secret garden, with nearly 5 miles of lightly trafficked trails that overlook historic quartz quarries and wind through grassy meadows. The terrain is a mix of easy to moderate, and dogs are welcome to romp off-leash once inside the preserve.

Maine State Parks offer endless adventure—hiking through the mountains, stargazing by the campfire or strolling along sandy beaches. Most trails and campgrounds are dog-friendly with a leash, and park beaches allow pets seasonally.

When the snow falls, hit the trails at Fort Kent Outdoor Center, where leashed dogs are invited to join the fun on snowshoe paths and select ski loops marked with paw prints. Or explore Rangeley Lakes Trails Center, which welcomes pets on winter snowshoe trails and summer hiking paths. Keep an eye out for gnomes tucked into tiny houses, part of a community project featuring handmade figures from local students.