A small, quiet Nantucket Sound beach at the end of Forest Beach Road, backed by the walking trails and salt marsh of the adjoining conservation area. Shell-hunting and a calm midsummer swim are the draw here, not crowds or amenities.
What to expect
Parking
Free lot Free parking, no sticker required
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Hours
Opens 1hr before sunrise, closes 10pm
Season
Open year-round; lot opens 1hr before sunrise, closes 10pm.
Lifeguard
No lifeguard on duty.
Dogs
No dogs May 1-September 15; leashed (max 6ft) permitted rest of year, waste must be removed. Conservation-area trails allow leashed dogs year-round.
Hiking/Walking (Adjacent Conservation Area Trails)
Allowed year-round
Hiking/Walking
Allowed year-round
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round; Piping Plover nesting closures late April through mid-summer
Managed by
Chatham Recreation & Beaches Division
(508) 945-5175 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Free lot
CostFree parking, no sticker required
Forest Beach lot
Details unconfirmed
Forest Beach lot
CostFree parking, no sticker required
beach stickers are required from the third Friday in June through Labor Day
Access points along this beach
Forest Beach Road lot entrance
small free lot leads directly onto the sand
Forest Beach Conservation Area trailhead
1.1-mile loop trail starts from the same lot, passing WCC radio-tower ruins and salt marsh
Forest Beach Road lot/trailhead
Mill Creek Road viewpoint
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Forest Beach by month, in °F| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| Water °F | 40° | 39° | 42° | 49° | 55° | 63° | 69° | 68° | 66° | 60° | 50° | 44° |
|---|
Monthly averages from NOAA, Chatham (2022 to 2024). Today's reading is in the conditions above.
Common questions
Is Forest Beach in Chatham open today?
Forest Beach is not monitored right now. MA DPH samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day and posts no advisories or all-clears off-season, so there is no swim status to report. Swimming off-season is at your own risk.
Is there parking at Forest Beach, and what does it cost?
Free lot (Free parking, no sticker required). Forest Beach lot
What's the water temperature at Forest Beach?
Water at Forest Beach averages about 39°F in February and 69°F in July, based on NOAA readings at Chatham from 2022 to 2024. For today's temperature, see the conditions above.
What rules should I know at Forest Beach?
Poison ivy grows heavily along the marsh trail and ticks are active April through November; a full-body check after the walk is worth the habit. No dogs May 1-Sep 15 on the beach; leash law (6ft max) applies on adjacent trails year-round.
Can you swim at Forest Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Forest Beach off-season: the state samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming off-season is at your own risk; check conditions posted at the beach.
Are dogs allowed at Forest Beach?
No dogs May 1-September 15; leashed (max 6ft) permitted rest of year, waste must be removed. Conservation-area trails allow leashed dogs year-round.
Is there an entry fee at Forest Beach?
No, entry is free.
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Forest Beach?
A beach sticker applies to parking here. Free parking, no sticker required.