A state park beach on Buzzards Bay with an 1,800-foot calm, shallow saltwater shoreline backed by grassy dunes and picnic sites, plus a marsh view of the Slocum River on its east side. It is a walk of roughly half a mile from the gated entrance to the beach itself.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot $12/day MA plates in-season (approx $20-40 non-MA reported)
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Sunday 8am-6pm, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Saturday 8am-6pm (seasonal); gate closed off-season
Season
Year-round, sunrise to sunset; gated/staffed parking season is Memorial Day-Labor Day
Entry fee
Parking fee charged 9am-5:30pm daily, roughly May 23-Sep 7: $12/day MA-plated vehicles, higher for out-of-state (reported as $20-$40 depending on source); paid via YODEL app/portal
Accessibility
ADA accessible; beach access mats and a floating beach wheelchair available on request, though cobblestones near the waterline can limit reach
Dogs
Prohibited on the beach April 1-Sept 15 (service animals excepted); allowed leashed (6ft) on the trail system year-round
Fishing
Allowed year-round
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Paid lot
Cost$12/day MA plates in-season (approx $20-40 non-MA reported)StickerDCR annual pass ($60/yr MA resident) or Senior Pass ($10 lifetime, 62+) accepted
Main DCR lot
Details unconfirmed
Main DCR lot
Cost$12/day MA plates in-season (approx $20-40 non-MA reported)
Gate closes access off-season
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Bathhouse near beach
Showers
outdoor rinse showers
Not here
No drinking water
not confirmed present
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is Demarest Lloyd State Park in Dartmouth 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.
Is the beach wheelchair accessible?
Yes, DCR provides beach access mats and a floating beach wheelchair on request, but cobblestones near the water can still make the last stretch difficult.
Not onto the beach between April 1 and September 15, but leashed dogs are welcome on the park's trails year-round.
Is there parking at Demarest Lloyd State Park, and what does it cost?
Paid lot ($12/day MA plates in-season (approx $20-40 non-MA reported)). Main DCR lot
Are there restrooms at Demarest Lloyd State Park?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What rules should I know at Demarest Lloyd State Park?
Dogs banned on beach Apr 1-Sep 15.
Can you swim at Demarest Lloyd State Park?
Yes. Demarest Lloyd State Park has no swimming advisory in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). Check again the morning you go.
Is there an entry fee at Demarest Lloyd State Park?
Yes, Parking fee charged 9am-5:30pm daily, roughly May 23-Sep 7: $12/day MA-plated vehicles, higher for out-of-state (reported as $20-$40 depending on source); paid via YODEL app/portal