Dog walking in Yarmouth

Yarmouth Junction/ Royal Junction

This neighborhood is where you’ll find Pratt’s Brook Park, 220 acres featuring 6 miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails. The trails form multiple loops, traversing open meadows, through woods and on bridges over Pratt’s Brook. Fido will sense many animals here, including beaver and deer, with sightings of owls and other birds. Be aware that parts of the trails pass near Amtrak rail lines, and these trains can reach high speeds. Please keep your pup leashed for his safety. Another caution: in October, November and May you might encounter hunters. During those months, be sure to equip both yourself and your pooch with blaze orange vests or other gear. When you’ve finished your trek, make a side visit to Day’s Lobster and Crab, a favorite among locals for fresh,  sweet shellfish, along with seafood dinners, salads and “rolls” (Maine seafood sandwiches.) With lots of outdoor tables, Fido can join you as you chow down on these Maine delicacies. 

Yarmouth Town Center

The Town Center is home to the Spear Farm Estuary Preserve, which is a 55-acre piece of land overlooking the Royal River estuary, comprised of forests, meadows and a fresh water pond. On the pond’s north shore is a spot that would be pawrfect for a picnic with your fur-pup. Or find the 2 miles of trails and take a hike, or in the winter you can snowshoe or cross-country ski. The trails have interpretive signage, and are looped and intersecting, affording you the ability to meander wherever you like. With views of the salt marshes and their denizens, and free parking near the trailhead and main information kiosk, this is not only a pawrrific place to spend some time with your fur-pup, it’s convenient, too. Woofderful!

North Yarmouth

Just to the north and west of Yarmouth is North Yarmouth, which hosts the pup-friendly Chandler Brook Preserve, a 65-acre property. Chandler Brook is one of the Royal River’s tributaries, and the preserve features 3 miles of trails that follow along the brook, past an old farm, and through the hemlock forest surrounding it. The paths through the woods are well-worn and natural and intersect with the mowed path around the fields. Paddling on the brook is possible, and is accessible from the Royal River Water Trail. The banks of the brook are too steep to allow access from any other location. Your furry bestie will love this trail and the small animals and birds you’ll see during your pawsome walk! 

Freeport Town Center

Freerport is a town to the northeast of Yarmouth, and is home to the popular Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park. Only 5 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Freeport’s Bow Street outlets and LL Bean’s famous store, this park returns the visitor to tranquility. It features salt marshes and fields, forests and the rocky shoreline that Maine is famous for. Fur-babies are welcome on leash. Pawrrific nature walks are available and dogs are welcome to attend, as well. You may see the ospreys that live on Googins Island, or some of the other birds and animals who call the park home. A new picnic shelter area is the perfect spot to end your visit, with food on the grill and a tired but happy Fido by your side. Arf!

Pownal