Kennebunkport Maine “must love dogs” to quote the dating movie. You will see pups, pooches and dogs out and about everywhere in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport! There’s even several pet stores in Dock Square – Scalawags and Digs, Divots & Dogs. In downtown Kennebunk, Reigning Cats and Dogs is a fun four-legger shop next to Garden Street Bowl! This is a town that celebrates Christmas Prelude with a big Dog Parade every December, where pets and their two-legged owners dress for the holidays and stroll Dock Square. But your dog can’t just romp all over town. Restaurants, beaches and lodging establishments have dog policies.
Book Pet Friendly Hotels and Resorts in Kennebunkport and Kennebunk
Dog-Friendly lodging properties in The Kennebunks: Colony Hotel, Yachtsman Lodge, Lodge on the Cove, Hidden Pond, Lodge at Turbats Creek, White Barn Inn, Port Inn, Kennebunk Inn, Waldo Emerson Inn, Shorelands Guest Resort & Cottages, Lodge at Kennebunk
Dog friendly dining is available at The Colony and Mabel’s Lobster Claw outdoor seating. Typically, outdoor restaurants with patios allow well-behaved leashed dogs, but of course proprietors reserve the right to restrict access to four-leggers, so ask first and respect that they can say no to your pooch (regardless of how cute).
Here are Kennebunk & Kennebunkport Beach Dog Policies, seasonally:
Kennebunk Beaches — Gooch’s, Middle and Mother’s allow pets as follows:
From June 15 to Labor Day, dogs are allowed leash-free, voice controlled, before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m..
The day after Labor Day to June 14, dogs are permitted on the beach but must be under voice control or on a leash.
From April 1 to Sept. 15, dogs would be required to be on a leash when on the beach.
Goose Rocks Beach Dogs must be leashed April 1 – June 14
June 15 – Labor Day Dogs must be leashed, No dogs 9am -5pm
Sept 16 – March 31 Dogs must be voice controlled, Dogs must be leashed Noon – 5pm, after 5pm, Dogs must always be voice controlled
Please always pick up after your pet everywhere and anywhere in Kennebunk & Kennebunkport. Dog waste bag dispensers are located along many sidewalks and at beach access points. Dog owners are expected to use them in order to keep the beach clean and limit pollution.
Gooch’s Pooches is a dedicated group of dog owners who volunteer to walk the beach and educate visitors and locals alike about the dog policy for our beaches, and remind people to please pick up after their pet.
There is even an annual calendar called “The Pooches of Goochs” that is published with local doggies’ photos by Cape Porpoise resident Bob Dennis. Visit Chris Becker’s Gallery on Ocean Ave to see his cute and clever photographic portraits of “man’s best friend.”
See our Favorite Dog Walks around Kennebunkport, including Ocean Ave, Parsons Way, which has sidewalks all the way to Walkers Point, aka The Bush Family Compound. This scenic shoreline stroll is perfect for you and your pet. Save extra time to meet and greet fellow dog-walkers and four-leggers!
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