Sandy Point State Reservation
A pristine wildlife preserve with soft sand beaches, calm waters, and salt marsh trails, perfect for families and nature lovers.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, easier parking
Sandy Point State Reservation
Best Time
Fewer crowds, easier parking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A pristine wildlife preserve with soft sand beaches, calm waters, and salt marsh trails, perfect for families and nature lovers.
"Perfect size beach with soft sand and calm waters for families. "
🚗 Secure Your Parking Spot
Limited parking means arriving early is key! Aim for before 10 AM on busy days.
🦟 Pack Bug Spray!
Greenhead flies can be intense. Don't let them ruin your day – bring repellent.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.8 · 648 reviews
Type
State Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Pristine Sandy Beach
Atlantic Ocean shoreline
Enjoy soft, fine sand and gentle waves perfect for body surfing and family play. Minimal rocks in many areas.
Salt Marsh & Trails
Adjacent to the beach
Explore a large salt marsh and walking trails offering peaceful nature views and birdwatching opportunities.
Emerson Rocks
Western end of the beach
A scenic spot for fishing and observing the confluence of rivers meeting the Atlantic.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Arrive Early for Parking
Prepare for Nature's Elements
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Personal day impulsive beach trip suggestions
Hi Massachusetts Looking for advice for the best way to spend my Personal day at the beach, scheduled for tomorrow (April 29th, forecast says around 75 degrees) Here's my criteria: \- Clean with nice water (I love Revere and East Boston but would like something a bit more…
🚗 Secure Your Parking Spot
Limited parking means arriving early is key! Aim for before 10 AM on busy days.
🦟 Pack Bug Spray!
Greenhead flies can be intense. Don't let them ruin your day – bring repellent.
Least bullshit beach for the weekend?
Hi. Happy to drive up to an hour from Boston. Looking for a beach that's not super hard to get into. Rhode Island is fine. Can anyone recommend a place?
Help me find a good beach?
I moved to NW Mass a year or so ago, and haven't explored the coast at all. I love the ocean but I prefer empty, undeveloped beaches - like I had in Alaska and Oregon. I know it's apples and oranges - just painting a picture. I want to sit in the sand and build a fire and watch…
🌊 Gentle Waves for Families
Calm waters and a sandbar make it ideal for young children to play safely.
🚶♀️ Explore the Trails
Beyond the beach, discover peaceful salt marsh trails for birdwatching.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Secure Your Parking Spot
Limited parking means arriving early is key! Aim for before 10 AM on busy days.
🦟 Pack Bug Spray!
Greenhead flies can be intense. Don't let them ruin your day – bring repellent.
🌊 Gentle Waves for Families
Calm waters and a sandbar make it ideal for young children to play safely.
🚶♀️ Explore the Trails
Beyond the beach, discover peaceful salt marsh trails for birdwatching.
♻️ Leave No Trace
Help keep this pristine beach clean by packing out all your trash.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Sandy Point State Reservation is lauded for its clean, soft sand and gentle waves, making it a family favorite. Visitors appreciate the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere, though the extremely limited parking and potential for biting insects are noted drawbacks.
"Love this beach, it's clean and not rocky, sand is fine sand and the waves are great for body surfing. Not a lot of parking so you need to get there early if you want a spot to park. Great place to chill with the family and have a fun day at the beach."
Chrystal Sutton
"We have been coming here for the past three years with our young children. It is the perfect size beach with soft sand and calm waters for families. There is a sandbar 40ft out and the deepest it gets from the edge to the sandbar is maybe 1.5ft. My young kids now 3, 4, & 6 can splash and play in the water with almost no riptide and the tiniest of waves. The only downside is there isn't much parking so plan to be there early unless you don't mind a little walk on a gravel road. There is a porta potty but no changing rooms or rinsing stations. Not a big deal since the sand brushes off easily when dry. It costs $5 to park and there is a pay station at the beach entrance. Definitely recommend Sandy Point Beach and will continue to come here."
Matt Beale
"Stunning beach with a large salt marsh and trails. Peaceful and uncrowded, even on July 4th! Clean, clear water. Soft sand. There were areas with medium sized rocks (where I saw a few people fishing), and then areas with no rocks or shells whatsoever.
Limited parking but we went around 1pm and had no issues finding a spot. Paid $10 in total to access (the state park charges $5 separately from the main beach entrance of $5).
A bunch of the upper parking areas have no beach access right now due to bird nesting.
The bugs were annoying, and unbearable once the sun stopped shining on our spot. Greenhead fly bites pinched! Wish we brought bug spray."
Jessica Milan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Sandy Point State Reservation is located at the end of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge road. You'll need to drive through the refuge, which has its own entrance fee. Follow the signs for Sandy Point.
Public transportation options are very limited for reaching Sandy Point State Reservation due to its remote location. Driving is the most practical method.
There is a fee to enter the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. An annual pass is available and can be cost-effective if you plan to visit multiple times.
Yes, Sandy Point can be accessed from Newbury, typically via the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Be aware of potential tricky currents if entering from the ocean side.
During bird nesting seasons, some upper parking areas may have restricted beach access. Check local advisories if planning a visit during these times.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Parking fees can vary. Some reviews mention $5 for parking and an additional $5 for beach access, totaling $10. There is a pay station at the beach entrance.
Yes, there is typically a fee for parking and beach access. This is separate from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge entrance fee.
Operating hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check the official state park website or local advisories for the most current information.
No, parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited capacity, arriving early is crucial.
While specific discounts aren't widely mentioned, an annual pass for the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge might be a good option for frequent visitors.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The beach features soft, fine sand and is generally clean with gentle waves, making it great for body surfing and families. Some areas may have rocks.
Yes, the water is generally clean and calm, especially near the sandbar, making it suitable for swimming and wading, particularly for children.
There are porta-potties available, but no dedicated changing rooms or rinsing stations. The dry sand brushes off easily.
As a wildlife preserve, you can expect to see nesting terns and plovers, as well as numerous seagulls.
Information regarding dog policies can vary. It's advisable to check the official park regulations before visiting with pets.
📸 📸 Photography
The confluence of rivers meeting the Atlantic at Emerson Rocks offers scenic views. The salt marsh and birdlife also provide excellent photographic opportunities.
The beach faces the Atlantic, making it ideal for sunrise photography. Sunset views would be over the marsh and inland areas.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive beach and marsh. A telephoto lens is useful for birdwatching and wildlife photography.
Generally, photography is allowed, but be mindful of any posted signs regarding protected nesting areas or private property.
The 'golden hours' – shortly after sunrise and before sunset – offer the best light for beach photography, minimizing harsh shadows.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit