PET-FRIENDLY KATAHDIN REGION
Planning a trip to Maine’s Katahdin Region and want to bring your furry friend along? Good news—this breathtaking outdoor paradise is pet-friendly (see exceptions below), offering plenty of hiking trails, scenic campsites, and welcoming accommodations for you and your four-legged companion. From dog-friendly parks and waterfront spots to pet-welcoming lodging and local businesses, there are endless ways to explore the Katahdin Region together.
Whether you’re hiking through the woods, paddling on a quiet lake, or relaxing at a cozy cabin, you and your pet will love the fresh mountain air and wide-open spaces that make this area so special. Start planning your pet-friendly adventure today and discover why Katahdin is a perfect getaway for you and your furry friend!
PET SERVICES & DOG PARKS
Millinocket Dog Park, Located directly behind the Carmen Brigalli Memorial Playground at 26 York Street, It is less than 1 mile South East from the center of Millinocket. There are signs on Granite Street to help you navigate the last turns before arriving. The dog park includes toys, water, benches, and picnic tables. Please be sure to read and follow the posted rules while enjoying the park! It’s open from dawn to dusk, 7 days a week, year-round.
Katahdin Kritters Pet Resort, Located at 20 Dirigo Drive in East Millinocket, Katahdin Kritters is a multi-species facility that offers pet daycare with a home like environment, a modern cage-free facility for all small pet species, and supervision by a trained and certified veterinary technician.
Island Falls Animal Health Clinic, located at 1255 Crystal Rd. Island Falls, Me 04747, is a small community veterinary clinic with a staff of 5. They offer standard veterinary services along with holistic treatment for your pets, and carry a range of medicines. They do not have x-ray capacity. Please call for an appointment.
Lincoln Regional Veterinary Hospital is a full service animal hospital located 25 minutes South of Medway at 10 Prospect Avenue, Lincoln Me 04457
Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic, located 60 minutes south of Medway at 15 Dirigo Dr. Brewer, Me 04412, offers urgent and emergency veterinary hospital services. Call (207) 989-6267.
PET-FRIENDLY ACCOMODATIONS
Most hotels, resorts, Inns, lodges, and campgrounds in the Katahdin region offer varying pet friendly options. Many Katahdin accommodations list their pet friendly information on BringFido.com and/or a dedicated page on their websites.
Pet-Friendly Accomodations Located Near Pet-Friendly Trails or Amenities
Mt. Chase Lodge in Mt. Chase has a pet-friendly public trail system on property
New England Outdoor Center in the lakes region of Millinocket has a designated pet friendly trail within their shared trail system
Shin Pond Village in Mt. Chase is located next to the Mt. Chase Lodge pet-friendly public trail system, and has other areas on property to walk your dog
The Sherman Inn in Sherman is located just off 95 in the middle of farm fields
Most campgrounds also have wooded areas and/or trails to walk your furry friends.
QUICK LINKS:
PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS
During the summer months the Katahdin region has several restaurants, food shops, and food trucks/trailers that offer pet-friendly outdoor seating, or are located next to public spaces that allow pets. Enjoy your meal with your furry friends!
Appalachian Trail Cafe located at 210 Penobscot Ave. in Millinocket next to the Millinocket Heritage Plaza
Golden Road Crossing & Yacht Club located at 1605 Baxter State Park Rd. in Millinocket in the Lakes region
Knife Edge Brewing located at 200 Katahdin View Dr. in Millinocket in the Lakes region
River Driver’s Restaurant (at NEOC) located at 30 Twin Pine Rd., Millinocket in the Lakes region
Yum Bake Shop located at 215 Penobscot Ave. in Millinocket next to the Millinocket Heritage Plaza
Patten, Mt. Chase and Shin Pond
Bear Mountain Smoke Shack located at 927 Shin Pond Rd. in Mt. Chase
Craig’s Clam Shack located at 92 Main St. in Patten across the intersection from Patten Academy Alumni Park where there is a picnic table and leased pets are welcome
Debbie’s Deli & Pizza located at 2 Founder’s St. in Patten
Shin Pond Village located at 1489 Shin Pond Rd. in Mt. Chase
PET FRIENDLY RECREATION & MANAGED AREAS
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument allows pets in the monument. Please review their B.A.R.K. policy before arriving – Bag pet waste, Always leash your pet, Respect wildlife, and Know where you go.
Nahmakanta Public Land allows pets that are leashed and warns that Nahmakanta allows trapping. Please be vigilant where your self and your pets walk to avoid traps.
Jerry Pond Park is provided by the Town of Millinocket and allows pets that are leashed and asks that you clean up after them.
Medway Recreation Area is provided by the Town of Medway and allows pets that are leashed. Please clean up after your pets.
QUICK LINKS:
PET RESTRICTED RECREATION & MANAGED AREAS
Baxter State Park Pets or other domestic animals are not allowed in the Park. Releasing or introducing any animal in the Park is prohibited. Service dogs are welcome, but must be reported to gate staff on entry.
Debsconeag Lake Wilderness Area *To avoid disturbance of native wildlife and introduction of invasive plant species, horses, pets and other domestic animals are not permitted—exception: dogs are welcome on the Ice Cave Trail only and must be leashed at all times. Please carry out pet waste.
Penobscot River Trails No dogs or pets of any kind allowed. PRT is a privately owned nature preserve located at 2540 Grindstone Rd. 8 miles North of Medway. PRT also owns and maintains the Seboeis River Trail on the outskirts of Mt. Chase where well-behaved dogs are permitted on-leash.
PET-FRIENDLY TRAILS
Trails and trail systems outside of recreation and managed areas have their own leash rules. Please review local leash rules before venturing out, and always pick-up after your pet.
Managed Trail Systems
- Bait Hole Trails in Millinocket
- Lakeside Trail at the NEOC in the Lakes region of Millinocket
- Millinocket Town Trails
- Mountain Heights Outpost trails in Patten (winter only)
- Mt. Chase Lodge trails in Mt. Chase
Other Trails
- Island Falls River Walk, just outside of the Island Falls town center
- Lumberman’s Trail & Story Book Lane in Patten
- River Pond Nature Trail 6 miles North West of the Lakes region of Millinocket
- Seboeis River Trail 6 miles North West of Shin Pond Village
PHOTO GALLERY
Photographs courtesy of Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters
CURRENT WEATHER
HOW TO GET THERE
To get to the Katahdin Region in Maine, follow these directions:
From the South (e.g., Portland, Boston):
- Take I-95 North: Head north on Interstate 95.
- Continue on I-95: Pass through Bangor, Maine.
- Take Exit 244 for Medway/Millinocket: This is the primary exit for accessing the Katahdin Region.
- Follow ME-157 West: After exiting, take Maine State Route 157 west toward Millinocket and Baxter State Park.
- Arrive in the Katahdin Region: You’ll pass through Medway, East Millinocket, and Millinocket, which are gateway towns to the region.
From the North (e.g., Houlton, Canada):
- Take I-95 South: Head south on Interstate 95.
- Take Exit 244 for Medway/Millinocket: Same exit as from the south.
- Follow ME-157 West to enter the region.
From Bar Harbor or Downeast Maine:
- Take Route 1A to Bangor: Follow signs to connect to I-95 North.
- Take I-95 North: Continue to Exit 244 for Medway/Millinocket.
- Follow ME-157 West into the Katahdin Region.
Travel Tips:
- For Baxter State Park: Continue through Millinocket and follow signs for Baxter State Park (approximately 20 miles from Millinocket).
- For the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument: Depending on your specific destination, there are several entry points, often through the town of Stacyville (Exit 264 on I-95) or through Millinocket.
BEFORE YOUR GO (SAFETY INFORMATION)
IMPORTANT NOTES: You are entering Maine’s vast wilderness! Some areas do not have good (or no) cellphone coverage. Weather can change quickly, and emergency services can be an hour away or more. You should always bring a First Aid Kit and ensure you are well-prepared with appropriate gear & supplies. Always let someone know about your travel/outing plans.
Before you head out, ensure you have a detailed trail map and check the latest trail conditions and weather forecasts. If needed, visit the official websites of the resources mentioned on this page. These often provide downloadable maps and current trail conditions to help you plan your route.
Please follow the “Leave No Trace” principles, respect nature by minimizing your human impact, ensure that all waste is carried out, preserve natural habitats, and leave the environment as pristine as it was found for future generations to enjoy.
Enjoy the serene beauty of the Katahdin region’s cross-country ski trails.
TRAVEL GUIDE
Enjoy the Trails!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This guide is produced by the Katahdin Tourism Partnership (katahdintourismpartnership.org), a core advocacy group for the economic and tourism development of the Katahdin region.
This pet-friendly Katahdin Region Travel Guide was made possible in part by a generous grant from the Maine Office of Tourism (VisitMaine.org) and by information and assets provided by our wonderful local supporters and byway partners – THANK YOU!
HELP US IMPROVE THIS GUIDE!
If you have additional information or updates, or you think we are missing entries for our Pet-friendly guide in the Katahdin Region, we would love to hear from you—help us make this important regional resource even better by sharing details on trails, rentals, and guided tours, or accommodations! Please send us an e-mail at directory@destinationkatahdin.org