Blue Horizons Preserve - Bar Harbor, ME
Blue Horizons Preserve: Dog-Friendly Trails Near Bar Harbor, Maine
Located just outside Bar Harbor, Blue Horizons Preserve offers a peaceful, pet-friendly hiking experience that’s ideal for both dogs and their owners. This hidden gem features easy loop trails through lush Maine woods, with several paths leading to a scenic, rocky shoreline overlooking the lake. Dogs are welcome throughout the preserve, making it a favorite spot for dog-friendly hiking and nature strolls in Bar Harbor. The area is especially attractive for families, with kid-friendly trails and a tranquil atmosphere perfect for a relaxing outdoor adventure.
The trails can be muddy in the spring, but wooden walkways help keep the route accessible. The preserve is known for its serenity—avoid the crowds and enjoy a quiet walk, picnic by the beach, or let your dog frolic along the shore (while following leash rules). Parking is available for about 10 vehicles. Although some visitors let their dogs off-leash despite posted restrictions, all dogs are required to be on-leash. Please be courteous and pick up after your pet to keep the area clean and welcoming to all.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? No, dogs must be kept on-leash at Blue Horizons Preserve.
- Are dogs allowed at the preserve? Yes, dogs are welcome on all trails.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? No, there is no fenced dog area at this preserve.
- Is Blue Horizons Preserve good for kids? Yes, the trails are easy and suitable for children.
- Where is the best place to park? There is a small parking lot near the trailhead that fits about 10 vehicles.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the preserve features loop hiking trails through the woods and along the lake.
- Is there a swimming area or pond for dogs? Yes, dogs can swim and play along the rocky shoreline, but be cautious as the rocks can be slick.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Yes, the trails can get muddy, especially in the spring, but raised wooden walkways help in wet areas.
Reviews
Nice easy hike to take a dog or kids. It has 3 ways to get to the lake
Very quiet secluded path leading to the beach. Half way there, two trails break off thru the woods. The trail on the left is muddier and has more planks to help out, but once you get to the beach, the rocks are smaller on this end.
The beach itself is quiet and gorgeous, but very rocky. We were the only ones there and had a little picnic, while our dogs frolicked all around and in and out of the water, sometimes chasing an occasional gull.
Beautiful loop trail leading to a rocky shoreline. Parking lot fits about 10 vehicles. Zero crowds when I arrived at the trailhead.
Little gem of a hike hidden away near Bar Harbor. Relatively easy stroll through the woods then a hike along the beach. The beach is very rocky and the rocks are slick, so be careful! Note that you can’t do this part of the hike at high tide.
Gorgeous, lush gem of a spot. Short, easy, muddy in the spring, but plenty of raised wooden walkways. Lots of moss, ferns, lichen. As wet as it was, the bugs weren’t biting, which was nice. Ended at a stunning, rocky beach! Wasn’t crazy-busy; there were between one & three vehicles while we were there.
My only complaint is that the locals use this as their own personal off-leash dog “park”, despite the signs stating dogs must be ON leash… We were the ONLY dog owners respecting this while we were here… The others couldn’t even be bothered to put their dogs on leash when they saw us respectful folks training our dogs ON leash… So incredibly rude. Plus, because their dogs were off-leash, they didn’t see where they pooped, so they didn’t bother picking up after them. So gross. Also, they weren’t even well-trained dogs, they didn’t listen, so we had to move far off the trail & move quickly to avoid their terribly behaved off-leash dogs. None of the owners apologized, could be bothered to greet us, say their dogs are friendly, etc. Just rude. Something to keep in mind if you’re like us & you’re a respectful dog owner & want to come here. 🙂