Chatham's most active swimming beach on Nantucket Sound, with a staffed gatehouse, lifeguards, and seasonal food trucks and water-sport rentals, plus a tidal creek at its west end where kids wade for hermit crabs at low tide.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot $30/day, $90/week, $190/season (non-resident); free with $30/season resident/taxpayer sticker
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Hours
Chatham beaches and their lots are closed 10pm until one hour before sunrise; lifeguards run 9am to 4:30pm daily, mid-June to late August. Posted hours at the entrance win if they differ.
From mid-JuneSeason
Staffed gatehouse/lifeguard season roughly late June through the end of August; open access off-season.
Entry fee
Non-resident visitor pass: $30/day, $90/week, $190/season. Free with Chatham resident/taxpayer beach sticker ($30/season). One of Chatham's three main staffed/paid beaches (with Hardings and Cockle Cove). checked Jul 14, 2026
Lifeguard
On duty daily, roughly 9am-4:30pm, late June through the end of August.
Dogs
Prohibited May 1-Sep 15, like all Chatham public beaches except Jacknife Harbor.
Allowed now · ban starts May 1Kayak/Paddleboard/Sailing (Rentals And Lessons)
Allowed in season
Managed by
Chatham Recreation & Beaches Division
508-945-5175 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Paid lot
Cost$30/day, $90/week, $190/season (non-resident); free with $30/season resident/taxpayer stickerStickerChatham resident/taxpayer beach sticker, or non-resident visitor pass
Ridgevale Beach lot (staffed gatehouse)
Details unconfirmed
Ridgevale Beach lot (staffed gatehouse)
Cost$30/day, $90/week, $190/season (non-resident); free with $30/season resident/taxpayer sticker
Access points along this beach
Ridgevale gatehouse entrance
Bucks Creek
the tidal creek at the west end of Ridgevale, crossed by a footbridge from the lot; a wading and kayak/paddleboard spot at lower tide, and a separate DPH monitoring point
Cockle Cove Creek at Ridgevale Bridge
DPH-monitored tidal creek/marsh outflow at the same footbridge; has a history of bacteria postings and an ongoing town bacterial source assessment
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Portable restrooms at the lot, cleaned daily
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Ridgevale 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 Ridgevale Beach in Chatham open today?
Ridgevale 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.
Where do I park if the lot is full?
Ridgevale is one of Chatham's most popular beaches and its staffed lot fills on peak summer days; the town does not designate overflow parking, so arrive early or expect to be turned away until spots open up.
Do I need a resident sticker?
No - non-residents can buy a day ($30), week ($90), or season ($190) visitor pass at the gatehouse; residents/taxpayers use the $30/season Chatham beach sticker instead.
Can I rent a kayak or paddleboard here?
Yes, seasonal rentals and lessons for sailboats, paddleboards, and kayaks operate out of the beach in summer.
Are there restrooms at Ridgevale Beach?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What's the water temperature at Ridgevale Beach?
Water at Ridgevale 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.
Can you swim at Ridgevale Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Ridgevale 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 Ridgevale Beach?
Prohibited May 1-Sep 15, like all Chatham public beaches except Jacknife Harbor.
Is there an entry fee at Ridgevale Beach?
Yes, Non-resident visitor pass: $30/day, $90/week, $190/season. Free with Chatham resident/taxpayer beach sticker ($30/season). One of Chatham's three main staffed/paid beaches (with Hardings and Cockle Cove).