Fall is for Fido - Maine Beaches Go to The Dogs

Tick. Tock. Tick. As the clock ticks over to 9:54 pm on September 22nd, Eastern Daylight Time, the sun crosses the celestial line and Fall begins in the Northern Hemisphere. Don 't whine, this is great news, goodbye summer beach umbrellas and hello frolicking Fidos! During the peak summer season Fido 's hours are more limited but as the summer curtain goes down on the horizon beach dogs and their folks get more time to kick up their heels at dog friendly Maine beaches. Some towns switch their beach rules towards four-paw action right after Labor Day while others wait till the golden days of early October.

Take a peak at the change of season dog-friendly Maine beach hours at 15 coastal destinations from DownEast Acadia to Southern Maine. Some of these beaches allow good dogs to wag and paddle off-leash.

Dog-friendly beach hours are a privilege that dog-lovers and their best friends want to hang on to so please be mindful of the rules, respectful of the wild life and fellow beach goers and cognizant of whether your dog has the temperament and training for appropriate off-leash play. Only leave paw prints.

Sand Beach, Acadia

Off-Season Dog-friendly Hours - September 9 to June 14 - on-leash only.

Parking: Follow the Acadia National Park signs to Sand Beach and park in the designated lot.

Walk along the white sandy shoreline to the estuary and watched the adventurous people climbing up Beehive Mountain. With the iron rung ladders needed to climb this particular Acadia mountain, the Beehive will be one Acadia icon that our four-paw trail blazer won 't be able to conquer.

Laite Beach Park, Camden - Bay View Street, Camden

Starting October 1st, good dogs get to kick-up their heels all day with off-leash privileges. This sandy mid coast neighborhood beach is bordered by a sloping adjoining park with public facilities. Just a short stroll from the beach, visitors can find dog-friendly accommodations in the heart of Camden - the luxurious Grand Harbor Inn, The Lord Camden Inn and the newest addition to these sister dog-friendly inn 's, 16 Bay View. Our dog felt like a celebrity when he visited The Lord Camden Inn. He was welcomed with a platter of cookies and a VID in-house blackboard greeting "Welcome Teddy". It 's the kind of place where every staff member knows your pup 's name and you start your day with a walk to Laite Beach for a pre-breakfast paddle and beach ball.

Parking: Non-metered parking spaces bordering the park.

Off-Season Dog-Friendly Hours/Restrictions: Oct 1 to April 30 - dogs are allowed on the beach 6am to 10 pm. Off-leash play allowed with voice control and leash on-hand.

Summer Dog-Friendly Hours/Restrictions: May 1 to September 30 - dogs are allowed on the beach 6am to 8am and 6pm to 10 pm. Off-leash play allowed with voice control and leash on-hand.

Hendrick 's, Southport Island - Beach Rd - Southport Island

This is a dog-friendly haven all year round the key difference for off-season play is less 2-legged folks to share the shores with. Good dogs can enjoy all day off-leash play benefits at this long sandy beach with views to Hendrick 's Head Light. Depending on the tide, paddle or wade with your pup to Kitten island - purrrfect.

Parking: Take the steep road just past Southport General Store and stay left on Beach Rd. Designated parking by the beach

Off-Season Dog-friendly Hours/Restrictions: Dogs can play off-leash at any time with voice control and a leash on-hand. Follow posted signs. Dog bags provided.

Summer Dog-Friendly Hours/ Restrictions: Dogs can play off-leash at any time with voice control and a leash on-hand. Follow posted signs. Dog bags provided.

East End Beach, Portland - Cutter St - Eastern Promenade Trail.

Nestled below the grassy slopes of the Eastern Promenade this city beach offers views to Fort Gorges and has off-leash play benefits from Labor Day to Memorial Day. The Eastern Trail will bring you and your leashed companion back towards the Old Port via the dog-friendly Ocean Gateway Visitor Center. At the far end of Commercial Street, Fish and Bone boutique pet-store can you hook you up with treats and gear including our HappyME Vacationland leashes and collars with colorful Maine-inspired ribbon woven designs.

Parking: Designated parking areas off Cutter St and by boat ramp.

Off-Season Dog-Friendly Hours/Restrictions: From Labor Day to Memorial Day. Off-leash play permitted with voice control and leash on-hand. Dog bags provided.

Summer Dog-Friendly Hours/Restrictions: Memorial Day to Labor Day - before 9am and after 5pm. Off-leash play permitted with voice control and leash on-hand. Dog bags provided.

Willard Beach, South Portland - Stretches from Fisherman 's Point to Southern Maine Community College.

October 1st is "pawty" time for locals who love Willard Beach because it 's the kick-off to all day dog-friendly hours. Local dogs dig this spectacular South Portland neighborhood beach with Casco Bay views. After beach play, leashed dogs can wag along the Spring Point Shoreway Trail for some lighthouse posing with Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse.

Parking: Designated Parking lot on Willow St, off Preble St, South Portland.

Off-Season Dog-Friendly Hours: October 1 to April 30 - (off-leash with voice control).

Summer Dog-Friendly Hours/ Restrictions: May 1 - September 30 - Dogs permitted - 7am - 9am and 7pm - 9pm. Off-leash play allowed with voice control and leash on-hand. No dogs permitted on beach 9am to 7pm.

Scarborough Beaches - Ferry, Pine Point and Higgins

Scarborough dog-loving locals live for after Labor Day rules because that 's when off-leash and beach play hours reach a wagging crescendo. The Scarborough dog-loving community has lobbied hard to maintain reasonable beach dog hours. Please help us all keep these privileges alive by following the rules. Obey the signs regarding restricted areas to help protect the endangered Piper Plover population and be extra mindful of ensuring your dog 's off-leash play is managed appropriately.

- Off-season hours - after Labor Day to May 14th, (except for restricted areas for Piping Plovers) - sunrise to sunset, off-leash all day; excluding 1 to 3pm when all dogs must be leashed.
- May 15 to Labor Day - non-restricted areas allow off-leash play - sunrise to 9am with voice control and leash on-hand. On-leash only 5pm to sunset. Follow posted beach signs and respect the restricted beach areas.
ScarboroughMaine.org has the Animal Control Ordinance with the latest updates and you should always read the posted beach signs.

Ted checks out the Scarborough area beach rules.

Pine Point Beach - King St, off Pine Point Rd, Scarborough - tongue-hanging views and plenty of sandy shoreline to make a splash.

Parking: Municipal parking is located on Avenue 5 off King St.

Restricted Areas: April 1 to Labor Day - restricted areas for Piping Plovers - from main beach access path and Hurd Park north to the Scarborough River (dogs on leash only). Follow posted signs.

Ferry Beach - Ferry Rd, Scarborough. Take Route 207/Black Point Rd, past Scarborough beach on left and then turn right to Ferry Beach.

With views back over to Pine Point Beach this sandy beach is ripe for beach romps. Western Beach which connects Ferry Beach to the south side of Prout 's Neck and is a no go for dogs in summer due to the Piping Plover nesting areas.

Parking: Municipal Parking lot Ferry Road.

Restricted Areas: April 1 to Labor Day - Restricted Areas for Piping Plovers - no dogs allowed on the area of Ferry Beach starting at the south end of municipal parking lot and extending south to Ferry Rock and to the southeast for the full length of Western Beach. Follow restricted area signs.

Higgins Beach - Bayview Ave - from Route 207/ Black Point Rd head south to the intersection of Route 77 and turn left. Turn left on Ocean and follow signs.

A sandy nook of beach near the mouth of the Spurwink River with low-tide views of an old shipwreck.

Parking: Municipal Parking on Ocean Avenue and limited street parking on Bayview Avenue.

Restricted Areas: April 1 to Labor Day: restricted areas for Piping Plovers - No dogs allowed - Champion Street to the Spurwink River.

Saco Town Beaches - Bay View and Kinney Shores

Saco 's town beaches wave a dog-friendly flag year round and from September 1 to June 30 good dogs dogs can frolic off-leash all day. The long sandy stretch of Bay View and Kinney Shores links up to Ferry State Park beach, which is under the Maine State Park rules and allows leashed dogs on the beach October 1st to March 31.

Bay View Beach - Bay View Rd, Saco

Parking: Designated parking lot on Bay View Rd/ Seaside Ave.

Kinney Shores - Seaside Avenue - between cross streets Shore Avenue and Dune Avenue, Saco.

Parking: On-street parking as per signs.

September 1 to June 30 - off-leash with voice control and leash on-hand. Dog bags are provided at many beach access points.

Summer Dog-friendly Hours/Restrictions: For Saco Town Beaches - July to August - on-leash 9am to 5pm.

Kennebunk Beaches - Gooch 's, Middle and Mother - Beach Avenue, Kennebunk - off routes 9 and 35.

After Labor Day, Kennebunk welcomes beach dogs to unleash their happy tails and ruff it up. After September 15th no parking permits are needed. Choose your beach entrance and stroll the sandy shores that extends 1.5 miles along Beach Avenue, from the breakwater at the mouth of The Kennebunk River to Lord 's Point. Gooch 's Beach is the northern most beach section of The Kennebunk Beach Walk. If you head south from Gooch 's, you 'll hit the rocky shoreline of Middle Beach and then the smallest beach, Mother 's Beach. Gooch 's is our family favorite with it 's sandy coastal stretch of over 3000 feet that expands into a wagging wonderland at low-tide. You can pick-up woof-worthy beach supplies at Scalawags in the nearby village.

Parking: Permits required June 15 to September 15 - daily, weekly and seasonal passes are available at Kennebunk Town Hall and the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Centers.

Off-Season Dog-friendly Hours/Restrictions - after Labor Day to June 15 - off-leash play permitted for dogs under voice control - always carry a leash. Dog bags provided.

Dog-friendly Summer Hours/Restrictions: June 15 to Labor Day - before 9am and after 5pm. Off-leash play permitted for dogs under voice control - always carry a leash. Dog bags provided.

Long Sands Beach - Long Beach Ave - Route 1A, York.

September 21st, the last day of summer, is appropriately the kick-off day for off-leash play benefits at this Southern Maine dog mecca. You can clock-up over a mile of sandy shoreline between the villages of York Harbor and York Beach.

Parking: Metered parking

Off-Season Dog-Friendly Hours/Restrictions: September 21 - May 19 - off-leash with voice control and leash on-hand.

Dog-friendly Summer Hours/Restrictions:
May 20 - September 20:
- Sunrise to 8am - off-leash with voice control and leash on-hand.
- 8am to 6pm - no dogs on beach
- 6pm to sunset - on-leash only.
These rules apply for all York Beaches including: Cape Neddick , Short Sands and Harbor Beach.