A six-mile barrier beach and dune system on Cape Cod Bay, with a staffed public swimming beach near the gatehouse and a much longer off-road-vehicle beach beyond it that stretches out toward Sandy Neck Point.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot $20/day weekday or weekend; $80/week; $275/season
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Beach pass/parking required 9am-3:45pm year-round; ORV 8am-4pm Nov-Apr off season
Accessible
Wheelchair access noted
Dogs
Leashed at all times, max 15ft leash, everywhere on Sandy Neck; allowed on ORV beach and all hiking trails unless marked closed for shorebird protection; restricted at some marked public swim access paths in season
Fishing
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Town of Barnstable Natural Resources / Sandy Neck Beach Park
508-362-8300 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Access points along this beach
Gatehouse
main vehicle entrance, ORV permits sold here
Bodfish Beach
main staffed public swim beach
Great Marsh Trail trailhead
near gatehouse; gatehouse parking reserved for hikers and employees
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Near gatehouse/Bodfish Beach
Common questions
Is Sandy Neck in Barnstable open today?
Open, no advisory on record in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-07-16). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Can I drive onto the beach?
Yes, with an ORV permit purchased at the gatehouse: $100 for Barnstable residents, $250 for non-residents, valid January 1 through January 15 of the following year.
Is there parking at Sandy Neck, and what does it cost?
Paid lot ($20/day weekday or weekend; $80/week; $275/season). Gatehouse public lot (Bodfish Beach)
Are there restrooms at Sandy Neck?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What rules should I know at Sandy Neck?
Self-contained camping vehicles may stay overnight on the front beach up to 96 hours; everyone overnight must sleep in the camper. Horseback riding only on Cape Cod Bay Trail (front beach to Trail No. 5) and Braley's Dune Trail, with a daily permit registered at the gatehouse.
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