Little Beach is one of several beaches (including Big & Middle beaches) as part of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust's Frenchboro Preserve on Outer Long Island, Maine. This is a great escape from the crowds of Acadia, but we need to get you there first.
Getting to Frenchboro and Little Beach
You can take the Frenchboro Ferry as one of the Maine Department of Transportation options. Pet-friendly cabins are available, but confirm the availability before you book. The ferry departs from Bass Harbor on Mount Desert Island, meaning you're likely pairing this trip with an adventure through Acadia National Park.
Do not miss the return ferry, as there are no amenities on this island, and you'll be stuck until the next day.
Private boats are allowed to dock here, but you'll need to rent a mooring.
Little Beach Dog-Friendly Details
Little Beach has the same rules as the rest of the preserve—dogs are welcome as long as they are under control. Use a leash if your dog isn't able to follow voice commands. Let them off-leash if they stay close and won't disrupt other people, pets, wildlife, or wilderness along the way.
You must pick up after your dog as you go and carry the waste with you. Do not bag and drop waste or assume it's "natural fertilizer." The bacteria and toxins of pet waste can hurt water and forest quality.
As you can see from this map, Little Beach is one of the closest beaches to the ferry dock.
The beach is all rocks, one of those unique Maine rocky coastlines that stretch into the water. You'll find a small portion of sandy beach, but even that part will have pebbles and cobbles.
Little Beach Dog-Friendly Amenities
You'll need to bring all your own items to Outer Long Island. There are no stores here. Bring drinking water because salt water is dangerous to dogs.
Most people who come to Frenchboro Preserve are longing for the solitude and lack of amenities, but there are information billboards at the entrance to several of the trailheads. It's best to have a conversation with one of the stewards before you go.
Is Little Beach Safe for Dogs?
It's important to know the weather forecast and tide schedule here, as each will impact the shoreline and safety of the trails.
Even if you trust your dog off-leash, bring the leash with you when walking on steep cliffs or when approaching water to avoid them jumping ahead of you, potentially into danger.
Bugs are abundant in the summer, and you'll need flea and tick prevention plus a tick-removal kit.
What's Near Little Beach?
You can walk to Middle Beach or Big Beach within an hour along the shoreline. Eastern Beach is on the opposite end of the island but offers a more traditional sandy beach.
Little Beach Dog-Friendly Beach Rating: A
