The Best Dog Trip: Schoodic Peninsula Itinerary

So you booked a summer vacation to Acadia National Park to hike with your dog and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Maybe you are staying in dog friendly Bar Harbor or in neighboring Ellsworth or Trenton. But sometimes Acadia can get overwhelming. There are swarms of tourists with misbehaving children. Don’t you wish you can enjoy the beauty without the noise?

When Ezra and I visited, we couldn’t walk six feet without hordes of tourists getting in the way or trying to pet Ezra in Bar Harbor and throughout Acadia’s main hub. I wanted a spot where I could relax and enjoy and not have to talk to a ton of strangers about how cute Ezra is. (I know, what a terrible problem to have…)

And then I learned about Schoodic Peninsula. It was like a breath of fresh air. Keep on reading if you want to see if Schoodic is a good trip for your and your pup.

Where is Schoodic Peninsula?

Schoodic Peninsula is a part of Down East Maine and it’s the only part of Acadia that is on the Mainland. The drive to actually get to the Peninsula from Bar Harbor is about 70 minutes.

Though the ride seems long, it isn’t actually that far. As the crow flies, it is only four miles away from Bar Harbor. There is a ferry service that will take you between Winter Harbor on Schoodic and Bar Harbor in 45 minutes for ~$25.

Why Venture to Schoodic Peninsula with Your Dog?

You can see and do all of Schoodic in an afternoon. Ezra and I did it in late June on a Sunday morning. Parking was abundant. The drive through Schoodic Peninsula is only six miles, so without any stop, you can blitz through it in 15-20 minutes. But there are plenty of scenic viewpoints that are worth a pit stop.

There are hikes along the peninsula to check out if you want that could lengthen your stay at Schoodic. If you want to hike, check out NPS to find hikes that are suitable for you. Ezra and I opted not to do any hikes because we couldn’t find any that matched our skill level and had scenic viewpoints.

3 Stops You Must Make on Your Schoodic Trip Itinerary

1st Stop: Stretch Your Legs at Frazer Point

Stop at Frazer Point to get out of the car for a bathroom break for the dog. This is the only grassy area in the park with trash cans so it’s a good spot. The views are pretty, but not as spectacular as the ones ahead. There are also picnic tables if you want to eat a packed lunch or a snack. When you are ready, keep driving down the road and stop at any scenic viewpoints that appeal to you. There are more than ten to choose from.

2nd Stop: Demascus Point

This is the largest and most beautiful part of Schoodic. There is so much rocky coastline to climb over with your dog and enjoy the ocean view. So much in fact, that even if it is crowded, there is more than enough space to spread out for some solitude. The rocks are large and relatively flat so you can even bring a lawn chair with you if you wanted to marinade the day away in front of the ocean.

3rd Stop: Lunch at The Pickled Wrinkle

As far as Schoodic Peninsula restaurants are concerned, there is really only one main one called The Pickled Wrinkle. It is open starting at 1pm every day for lunch and dinner. It’s conveniently located right down the road from the exit of Acadia National Park on Schoodic.

Dogs are allowed at the outdoor seating. The restaurant has rave worthy meals, delicious cocktails, and live music at night. If you are in the mood for something sweet, check out Ben’s Ice Cream. It is located at the other end of the parking lot from The Pickled Wrinkle.

Conclusion

Schoodic is not a well-known part of Acadia, but it’s worth the visit to see the stunning coastal beauty and stay clear of crowds. If I were to go back to Acadia, I’d take a morning drive to that part of the park. Do you have any friends planning a trip to Acadia? Share this post so they can check out this little known slice of rocky paradise.

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