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
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Chatham beaches and their lots are closed 10pm until one hour before sunrise; lifeguards run 9am to 4:30pm daily, June 20 through August 31. Posted hours at the entrance win if they differ.
From June 20Season
Staffed gatehouse/lifeguard season roughly June 20-August 31; open access off-season.
From June 20Entry 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).
Lifeguard
On duty daily, roughly 9am-4:30pm, June 20-August 31.
Off duty · back June 20Dogs
Prohibited May 1-Sep 15, like all Chatham public beaches except Jacknife Harbor.
Banned now · back Sep 15Kayak/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?
Open, no advisory on record in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
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?
Yes. Ridgevale Beach has no swimming advisory in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). Check again the morning you go.
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).