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, no sticker
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
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, no sticker
Forest Beach lot
Details unconfirmed
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
Common questions
Is Forest Street in Chatham 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.
Where do I park if the small lot is full?
There's no designated overflow lot; the parking area is small and free, so arriving before 9am on summer weekends is the best strategy.
A 1.1-mile loop starts at the same lot and reaches almost no elevation gain, passing four concrete footings left from a 1948-1997 RCA radio station that once relayed Byrd's Antarctic expedition and Lindbergh's flight.
What's the WCC radio history here?
Four concrete tower footings in the marsh are what remains of a 300-foot RCA Marine Communications station that operated 1948-1997 and once relayed messages for Byrd's Antarctic expedition and Lindbergh's transatlantic flight.
What rules should I know at Forest Street?
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.
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