An 18-acre town-owned dike and dune/salt-marsh strip across Morris Island Road that has separated Stage Harbor from Chatham Harbor since the late 1950s. It is one of the named access points onto the South Beach barrier system that leads toward Monomoy, alongside the adjoining federal refuge's mainland trail.
What to expect
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Dogs
Leashed dogs permitted only in the off-season, September 16-April 30, matching the adjoining Monomoy refuge's Morris Island rule; not permitted May 1-September 15.
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round; dune and salt-marsh habitat
Managed by
Town of Chatham Conservation Commission
508-945-5100 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Free lot
CostFree
Morris Island Road dike shoulder
Details unconfirmed
Access points along this beach
Morris Island Road dike
the dike itself is a named access point onto the South Beach barrier system
Common questions
Is Morris Island Dike and Beach 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.
Is this the same as the Monomoy refuge trail?
It's adjacent and connected but town-owned rather than federal: the dike separates Stage Harbor from Chatham Harbor and leads on foot toward South Beach, while the neighboring Morris Island unit of Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge has its own trailhead and visitor parking at 30 Wikis Way.
Is there parking at Morris Island Dike and Beach, and what does it cost?
Free lot (Free). Morris Island Road dike shoulder
What rules should I know at Morris Island Dike and Beach?
The property sits entirely in the coastal floodplain; conditions and shoreline shape shift with storms. Standard Chatham conservation-land rules apply: no motor vehicles, no open fires without permission, no camping, no alcohol.
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