It would be an understatement to say pet-friendly Ogunquit, Maine, is charming with its famous cliff walk, picturesque beaches, and delightful village. Strikingly beautiful, Ogunquit, translated to ‘a beautiful place by the sea’, is an ideal New England escape.
Luckily, nothing beats spending time outdoors, and Ogunquit is more than ready to welcome you and your furry companion. An increasing number of hotels, restaurants, and shops are becoming pet friendly.
In this guide, we give you all the essential information one may need to plan a pet friendly trip to Ogunquit, Maine. We wi ll delve into the town’s seasonal pet policies, cover the town’s best accommodations and dining options, and provide a sample for an itinerary filled with dog-centric activities. There’s a lot we can do to create beautiful experiences with your pooch, from sandy paws to seaside patios.
Understanding Ogunquit’s Pet Policies
Before anything else, you need to know the local policies to ensure a smooth and civil visit. Ogunquit’s dog policies are highly seasonal and tend to change with the tide from spring to fall.
- Main Beach: Ogunquit Beach’s main attraction and oh boy do they have a “no dog sign” policy. From April 1st until September 30th, the leash law is particularly enforced for dogs on Ogunquit Beach and the sand dunes. In the Off Season, from October 1st until March 31st, the rules relax to allow leashed dogs on the lovely stretch of beach. Offseason is perfect for a dog friendly trip as there is lots of wonderful space!
- The Marginal Way: With stunning panoramas, this 1.25 mile walk is a dog’s worst nightmare as they are not permitted to walk along the Marginal Way, not even during the winter months. This is for the protection of the delicate flowers and flora as well as the animals and the people on the very skinny walkway.
- Other Public Areas: Generally speaking, the other public areas of the village do allow dogs, although they must be on a leash as well as picking up any waste they might leave for you is strongly advised.
- Pet-Friendly Hotels, Inns and Rentals: Ogunquit is truly blessed with a range of accommodation options that allow for fur babies. Make sure to check with the specific property for any policy regarding fees, size limits and even breed restrictions.
Pet-Friendly Hotels and Inns in Ogunquit Maine
Practically all inns in Maine have dog-friendly rooms. It is worth checking for dog-friendly accommodations that offer ground-floor rooms pet relief areas and a friendly ambiance. Hotels such as The Admiral’s Inn, The Grand Hotel, and Gorges Grant Hotel have pet-friendly rooms.
Why Rent a Vacation Home
For increased privacy and room, consider a vacation rental. Platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO have filters for dog-friendly vacation rental homes. Rent a home that offers a fenced in backyard, easy dog walking access, and plywood or tiles instead of carpets.
Ogunquit Restaurants With Paws
Though Ogunquit’s health ordinances assume that dogs must remain tethered leashed, there is a vast number of Ogunquit’s restaurants with dog-friendly patios.
- Ogunquit Lobster Pound. Enjoy fresh Maine lobsters at picnic style tables settled on a sprawling lawn.
- The Front Porch. Famous for its piano bar, The Front Porch is a dog-friendly restaurant with a beautiful outdoor patio.
- Cove Cafe. Enjoy breakfast or lunch on a dog-friendly deck with views of Perkins Cove.
- That Place in Ogunquit: Pet friendly upscale dining. Outdoor seating is available.
In the busy season, always call to check their dog policy and the availability of the patio.
Parks, Trails, and Beach Alternatives
While Ogunquit Beach is off limits to dogs with seasonal restrictions, there are still plenty of locations to let your dog stretch and run.
- Ogunquit Dog Park: This fantastic resource is located at the entrance to the transfer station located on Ogunquit Road. This fully fenced in, off-leash park has large and small fenced areas for dogs to run and play and socialize.
- Wells Beach and Drake’s Island Beach (Wells): A short drive north is the town of Wells, which has more relaxed rules for dogs on the beach. From June 16 to September 15, dogs are permitted on the beach before 8AM and after 6PM. During the off season, dogs are free to roam the beach at any time.
- Kennebunk Beaches (Gooch’s, Middle, Mother’s): Even further north in Kennebunk, dogs are allowed on the beach before 9AM and after 5PM from June 15 to Labor Day.
Creating Your Dog-Friendly Itinerary
This is less work than it sounds. To help get you started, I’ve included a sample 4-day itinerary.
- Day 1: After you check in to the pet friendly hotel, set out to explore the village center and surrounding area. Take in the various shops, nearly all of which allow dogs if you ask. If you fancy something to eat, there is a front porch at one place and you can eat outside.
- Day 2: Go to the Ogunquit dog park first to get some off-leash fun. Visit Perkins Cove around the afternoon. If you were to go to Marginal Way with your canine, it is forbidden however your dog can relish the charm of the old fishing village. After, you may go to the footbridge and there is a place to see the boats enter and leave the water.
- Day 3: Go to Wells Beach for around 11 am to take stroll by the water and enjoy the sand, there are some seasonal rules. If you are looking for some lunch, there is a lunch place nearby that is casual where you can bring your dog.
- Day 4: Take your final stroll and have some breakfast on the deck of the hotel, then you may depart home.
Rainy Day Ideas
A little rain shouldn’t stop the fun. Ogunquit’s shops remain largely unbothered by the little ones, and distribution for biters is an ideal opportunity for a car on coastal scenic drives. Some of the nearby towns’ breweries, rest assured, continue pegging out the dog accessibility with their patio roofs.
Important Preparations for the Trip
Packing Checklist
- A leash, collar with ID, and a harness
- Food, water, and foldable bowls
- Poop bags (way more than you think you need!)
- Cot
- Small towels the size of a sanded-off plank
- With any dog travel, you need the correct vaccination records
- A nifty first-aid kit for pets
Safety First
- On the Grass or Hot Pavement
- In the summertime, hot pavements can burn a dog’s paws pretty easily.
- Try to remain on grass wherever you can, or use protective paw balm.
- Tides
- If you go to a beach, make sure you check the times of the tides
- The water can unexpectedly raise.
- Overall
- Keep a full bowl of water with you on hot days.
You Can’t Leave Your Pet in the Car
On a slight day, that car will, minutes later, boil over.
Local Pet Services
- If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, you can take them to the Ogunquit Veterinary Clinic that is conveniently located in the town for treatments.
- Pet Supplies: If you’re looking for food or gear for your pet, you can find everything needed at local shops or larger stores located in Wells and York.
Parking and Budget
Parking in Ogunquit in the summer can be a stressful and costly ordeal. It is suggested to find accommodations within closer proximity to the village to avoid driving. Ogunquit is more accessible in the shoulder seasons. Low prices, thin crowds, and beautiful weather in May through June and September through October. If you are a pet owner, the months from October to March are the most cost-friendly options as they provide the most freedom for your beach-loving pup.
Quick Trip Checklist
- Book Pet-Friendly Lodging: Confirm policies and fees in advance.
- Review Pet Rules: Understand Marginal Way and beach restricted areas.
- Identify Restaurants with Dog-Friendly Patios: Prepare a shortlist for your visit.
- Parks and Trails: Know the areas where your dog can run.
- Don’t forget to pack: food, water, bowls, leashes and waste bags.
- Be a Responsible Dog Owner: If we want Ogunquit to stay a dog-friendly town, we have to follow the rules. Always pick up the waste and keep your dog leashed.
Ogunquit, Maine is an activity-friendly seaside village and offers something to do for every member of the family, including the family dog. With a little organization, you and your best fur friend are sure to have an unforgettable experience in this oasis by the sea.
