It’s summertime! And for those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere, that means it’s time to start planning our vacations! If you are an RVer looking for the perfect vacation spot to hit this Summer with your furry friends, what else could be better than Acadia National Park? With several hiking trails, scenic views, and wildlife, you’re bound to have an amazing experience.
Before you hit Acadia National Park, we are here to hype your expectations and generously give you the best tips to make full use of your vacation with pets.
A Pet-Friendly Paradise
Acadia National Park is one of the few pet-friendly national parks across the United States. It has a training program for dogs, and their owners called The Bark Ranger Program. So if you like exploring Acadia National Park with your fur friend, here’s a tip for you. Stop by the campground ranger station, the Sieur de Monts Nature Center, or the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and learn about the park’s Bark Ranger Program.
The program teaches pet owners the importance of following the Rules of the B.A.R.K. and allows your canine friend to become a Bark Ranger. As their owner, you will be eligible to purchase a special Bark Ranger collar tag at the Eastern National Bookstore at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center.
So, What is B.A.R.K.?
B.A.R.K. is short for Bag your poop, Always wear a leash, Respect Wildlife & Know where to go. Cool right?
1. Bag Your Poop
Dog feces can carry diseases such as parvovirus, giardia, and roundworms into the park’s wildlife population. So keep in mind that dog feces is not a fertilizer and can carry diseases.
As visitors, we must keep the park clean by disposing of your pet’s waste. Always carry a poop bag with you and make sure to dispose of it in garbage cans that are placed throughout the park.
2. Always Wear a Leash
Always restrain your dog on a leash no longer than 2 meters, and beyond this limit is prohibited. This rule should be followed to protect your fur friends from wilderness hazards and from becoming lost.
Also, not every person who visits the park understands how friendly, cute and caring dogs are. Your well-built adult dog will obey you, but there’s no guarantee it will behave the same in front of a crowd of strangers. So it is important to use leashes to protect the experience of other visitors, especially children who may be afraid or allergic to dogs.
3. Respect Wildlife
You may encounter small animals while you are hiking with your pet. The scent left behind by dogs will be considered as a predator’s scent by small wild animals and goes into hiding for an entire day. That disrupts the park’s wildlife behavior. So it is advised to keep your dog on a leash and keep a respectful distance from any animals you may encounter. Ensure your dog does not threaten wildlife, scaring birds, and be extra careful around loons and turtle nests.
4. Know Where To Go
The below places mentioned are restricted to pets. Although service animals are an exception:
- Most lakes in the park are public water supplies, and it is prohibited to swim there
- Sand Beach from June 15 to September 8 and Echo Lake from May 15 to September 15 are off-limits to pets.
- Public buildings
- Ranger-led programs
- Wild Gardens of Acadia (Sieur de Monts)
- Duck Harbor Campground
Frequently Asked Questions by RVers
1. What is the entry cost to visit Acadia National park?
Weekly passes are $30 per vehicle and can be purchased at information centers throughout the park.
2. Does Acadia have lodging facilities?
Yes. Acadia has two campgrounds on Mount Desert Island, one campground on the Schoodic Peninsula, and five lean-to shelters on Isle au Haut.
3. Does the camping fee cover the entrance fee into the park?
No. You have to pay a separate camping fee.
4. When are vehicle reservations required?
From May 26 through October 19, vehicle reservations are required for Cadillac Summit Road between sunrise and sunset.
5. Where are vehicle reservations required?
Vehicle reservations are not required for areas other than Cadillac Summit Road.
6. How to make a vehicle reservation?
The vehicle reservation has already started from April 1. You can purchase it online at Recreation.gov.
7. What’s the time limit on a vehicle reservation?
Vehicle reservations provide a timed entry but do not require a departure time. Please note that if you leave the area with your vehicle, you need another reservation to re-enter.
It is natural that you like to take a carefree walk without worrying about controlling your pets just for a while. However, take necessary precautions before doing that.
The summer heat poses a threat to the pets left alone in the RV. If you are leaving your pets alone in your RV, make sure to install Waggle Pet Temperature Monitor to get real-time updates on your RV temperature to take swift actions to save your pet in case the temperature reaches the limit unbearable for your pet.
Have a safe and happy Summer!
