Beautiful state beaches are just one of the many summer attractions in Massachusetts.
These state beaches are owned and operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and are clean, safe and well-maintained beaches.
Many of these beaches located at the state parks or state reservations often charge a parking fee but the beaches that are not located at parks usually have free on-site parking.
The following is a list of state beaches in Massachusetts:
Carson Beach:
Address: 2010 Day Blvd, Boston, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/castle-island-pleasure-bay-m-street-beach-and-carson-beach
Carson Beach is a small, three-mile-long beach on Castle Island in South Boston with a boardwalk, lifeguard station, picnic areas, playground, restrooms and rinsing showers and free on-site parking in the lot near Fort Independence.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named Carson Beach one of the best beaches near Boston, In 2021, Time Out Magazine named it one of the 10 best beaches near Boston, and, in 2022, it was named one of the cleanest beaches in the Boston area by the Save the Harbor organization.
Constitution Beach Park:
Address: 0 Barnes Ave., Boston, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/constitution-beach-park
Opened in 1952, Constitution Beach Park is a small, man-made beach in East Boston that features a bathhouse, basketball courts, athletic fields, concession stand, picnic area, playground, restrooms and free on-site parking.
The beach is located on 223 acres of land which was artificially constructed using dredged material and gravel. The beach is located within 2000 feet of Logan Airport and features views of airplanes taking off at runways 22L and 22R.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named Constitution Beach one of the best beaches near Boston. In 2021, Time Out Magazine named it one of the 10 best beaches near Boston and, in 2022, it was named one of the cleanest beaches in the Boston area by the Save the Harbor organization.
Demarest Lloyd State Park:
Address: 115 Barneys Joy Road, Dartmouth, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/demarest-lloyd-state-park
Demarest Lloyd State Park is a state park at Buzzard’s Bay in Dartmouth that features a 1,800-foot saltwater beach, a boat ramp, picnic area, restrooms, showers, hiking trails and fishing spots.
The Buzzards Bay waters is calm and shallow, meaning warm water temperatures through most of the summer, which makes the beach ideal for families with children.
Demarest Lloyd State Park charges a daily parking fee from May 14 to September 5.
Fort Phoenix State Reservation:
Address: 100 Green St, Fairhaven, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/fort-phoenix-state-reservation
Fort Phoenix State Reservation is a 28-acre state park in Fairhaven that features a half-mile-long sandy beach, a historic military fort, a basketball court, tennis court, picnic area, playground, hiking trails, outdoor grills, restrooms, showers and a pavilion and free on-site parking.
Horseneck Beach State Reservation:
Address: 5 John Reed Rd, Westport, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/horseneck-beach-state-reservation
Established in 1956, Horseneck Beach State Reservation is an 815-acre state park in Westport that features a two-mile-long beach, a campground, boat ramps, fishing spots, playground, basketball court, hiking and biking trails, restrooms and showers.
Horseneck Beach State Reservation charges a daily parking fee from May 14 to October 30.
Nahant Beach Reservation:
Address: 1 Nahant Road, Nahant, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/lynn-shore-nahant-beach-reservation
Established in 1900, Nahant Beach Reservation is a 67-acre state park in Nahant with a 7,000-foot-long beach, a bathhouse, beach shelters, a bridle path for horses, athletic fields, boat ramps, a picnic area, playground, restrooms and a bandstand.
Nanhant Beach Reservation charges a daily parking fee from May 14 to October 31.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named Nahant Beach one of the best beaches on the North Shore and, in 2022, North Shore Magazine also named it one of the best beaches on the North Shore.
Also in 2022, it was named one of the cleanest beaches in the Boston area by the Save the Harbor organization.
Nantasket Beach Reservation:
Address: 212 Nantasket Ave, Hull, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/nantasket-beach-reservation
Nantasket Beach Reservation is a 39-acre beach in Hull with a fine, light gray sand beach, a bathhouse, athletic fields, a pavilion, playground and restrooms.
Nantasket Beach Reservation charges a daily parking fee from May 14 to Labor Day.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named Tenean Beach one of the best beaches on the South Shore, in 2021 Time Out Magazine named it one of the 10 best beaches near Boston and, in 2022, it was named one of the cleanest beaches in the Boston area by the Save the Harbor organization.
Quincy Shores Reservation:
Address: Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy, MA
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/quincy-shores-reservation
Quincy Shores Reservation is a state park in Quincy that features the 2.3-mile-long Wollaston Beach, a bathhouse, boat ramp, picnic area, lifeguards, a playground and free on-site parking.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named Wollaston Beach one of the best beaches near Boston.
Revere Beach Reservation:
Address: Revere Beach Boulevard, Revere, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/revere-beach-reservation
Established in 1896, Revere Beach Reservation is a 89-acre state park in Revere that features a beach, a playground, athletic fields, lifeguards, a pavilion, restrooms, a bandstand and historic sites.
Revere Beach Reservation is the oldest beach in America and is a National Historic Landmark.
Revere Beach Reservation offers free four-hour parking along Revere Boulevard.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named Revere Beach one of the best beaches on the North Shore. In 2021, Time Out Magazine named it one of the 10 best beaches near Boston, and, in 2022, it was named one of the cleanest beaches in the Boston area by the Save the Harbor organization.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation:
Address: State Reservation Road, Salisbury, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/salisbury-beach-state-reservation
Established in 1931, Salisbury Beach State Reservation is a state park in Salisbury that features a three-mile-long beach, campground, a river with a non-swimming beach, fishing spots, boat ramps, a playground, showers and changing rooms, a boardwalk, pavilion, grilling area, restrooms and a picnic area.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation is one of the most popular state parks in Massachusetts and receives more than one million visitors a year.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation charges a daily parking fee from May 14 to October 30.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named Salisbury Beach State Reservation one of the best beaches on the North Shore and, in 2022, North Shore Magazine also named it one of the best beaches on the North Shore.
Sandy Point State Reservation:
Address: Parker River Wildlife Refuge Road, Ipswich, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/sandy-point-state-reservation
Sandy Point State Reservation is a 134-acre state park on Plum Island in Ipswich that features a sandy beach, restrooms, fishing spots, a freshwater pond, hunting, hiking trails and on-site parking that is limited to 15 parking spots.
If you want to visit more beaches near Ipswich, check out this article on beaches in Salem, Mass.
Savin Hill Beach:
Address: 68 Denny St, Dorchester, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/savin-hill-and-malibu-beach
Savin Hill Beach, also known as Malibu Beach, is a state beach in Dorchester with a playground, athletic fields, restrooms, bathhouse, a boardwalk and free on-site parking.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named Savin Hill Beach one of the best beaches near Boston. In 2021, Time Out Magazine named it one of the 10 best beaches near Boston, and, in 2022, it was named one of the cleanest beaches in the Boston area by the Save the Harbor organization.
Scusset Beach State Reservation:
Address: 20 Scusset Beach Road, Sagamore, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/scusset-beach-state-reservation
Scusset Beach State Reservation is a 459-acre state park in Sandwich with a 1.5-mile-long beach, a campground, lifeguards, picnic areas, nature center and showers and restrooms.
Scusset Beach State Reservation charges a daily parking fee from May 14 to October 30.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named Scusset Beach State Reservation one of the best beaches on the South Shore.
Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor:
Address: Boston Harbor, Boston, Mass
Website: www.bostonharborislands.org/spectacle-island/
The beach on Spectacle Island is a small, gravel beach with a lifeguard stand, changing rooms, outdoor rinse-off showers, a cafe and bathrooms located in the Spectacle Island Visitor Center. The island can be reached via public ferry from May to October.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named the beach at Spectacle Island one of the best beaches near Boston.
South Cape Beach State Park:
Address: 668 Great Oak Road, Mashpee, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/south-cape-beach-state-park
South Cape Beach State Park is a 480-acre state park in Mashpee that features a one-mile-long white sand beach, hiking trails, boardwalk, picnic area, grilling area and restrooms.
South Cape Beach State park charges a daily parking fee from June 21 to September 5.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named South Cape Beach State Park one of the best beaches on the South Shore.
Tenean Beach:
Address: Conley St, Dorchester, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/tenean-beach
Tenean Beach is a state beach in Dorchester that features a beach, playground, boardwalk, picnic areas, basketball court, tennis court, restrooms and free on-site parking.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named Tenean Beach one of the best beaches near Boston.
Winthrop Shore Reservation:
Address: Winthrop Shore Drive, Winthrop, Mass
Website: www.mass.gov/locations/winthrop-shore-reservation
Established in 1900, Winthrop Shore Reservation is a 18-acre state park in Winthrop that features a small beach, fishing spots, restrooms and free parking along the beach.
In 2016, Boston Magazine named Winthrop Beach one of the best beaches on the North Shore and, in 2022, it was named one of the cleanest beaches in the Boston area by the Save the Harbor organization.
Sources:
Laban, Linda and Olivia Vanni. “The Best 10 Beaches Near Boston.” Time Out Magazine, 10 June. 2021, timeout.com/boston/things-to-do/best-boston-beaches
Ringle, Evan. “Here Are the Cleanest Beaches in the Boston Area.” NBC Boston, 28 May. 2022, nbcboston.com/news/local/here-are-the-cleanest-beaches-in-the-boston-area/2733372/
“15 of the Best North Shore Beaches To Visit This Summer 2022.” North Shore Magazine, nshoremag.com/faces-places/north-shore-beaches/
Weidenfeld, Lisa and Madeline Bilis, Catherine Cray, Gabrielle DiBenedetto, and Alex Erdekian. “Best Beaches in Massachusetts – 100 Awesome Beaches in Boston and Beyond.” Boston Magazine, 12 June. 2016, bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2016/06/12/best-beaches-massachusetts/