Roque Bluffs Beach

Roque Bluffs Beach is located at Roque Bluffs State Park in Machias, Maine. The park is dog-friendly, but the beach is not.

It's worth clarifying with the park manager because Maine State Parks have the same pet-friendly rules across the board. That includes leashed dogs being allowed on beaches from October 1 through March 31.

Since Roque Bluffs State Park is only open formally from May 15 to October 1, the "no dog" beach policy could be reflective of only that timeframe. We reached out but didn't hear back from the parks department.

You can get into the park during the off-season and explore the trials, but you just won't have any park employees, services, restrooms, or water available. Signs still adamantly state, "No Pets Allowed on Beach."

Why Roque Bluffs Beach is Worth a Dog-Friendly Visit

Even if you can't explore the beach, you still have 274 acres of trails to explore and a freshwater pond. Trails take through woods and wetlands to Englishman's Bay and Simpson Pond. Pets must be on a leash no longer than four feet at all times.

Kayaking, fishing, and swimming are popular here, the latter of which is only advised in the summer. Even then, the water will be cold. The park is also full of wildlife, from eagles in the sky to animals on the ground. Hunting is also allowed here, so visitors and pets should wear hunter orange to stand out from other things moving in the woods.

This park is also part of the Maine Ice Age Trail.

NOTE: There's a "Q" and not a "G" in Roque Bluffs. That has been a point of confusion for first-timers, so it's worth clarifying.

Is Roque Bluffs State Park Safe for Dogs?

You'll want to make sure your pet has tick and heartworm prevention for the insects that live here, especially in the summer months.

Bring your own pet waste bags and pick up pet waste immediately. You'll have to carry it with you until you find a trash can. Do not leave bagged waste on the trails or throw it into the woods.

Pets should be kept away from all wildlife.

During the winter, trails can be snowy and icy, making scenic views more dangerous. Outside the cold winter months, the trails can be muddy and messy. The wooden trail planks are narrow. Plan to have a dirty dog when you get back to the car.

In a tragic cautionary tale, two women and a dog got lost on the trails here in 2013 and needed to be rescued. They were found safe and went on their way. They got confused in the fog and drove to the end of Schoppee Point Road, which is the town's boat ramp. They called 911 from the water, but the line went dead. The women, one who was five months pregnant, and the dog perished.

That road still ends at the boat ramp with nothing stopping a driver from going in. Please use caution in an area with so much fog.

What's Near Roque Bluffs Beach?

If you truly love this area and want to be as close as possible, check out Welch Farm, which harvests the famed wild blueberries of Maine and offers cottages for overnight stays. Dogs are welcome, and you won't be able to beat these views with your own stretch of beachfront.