A small, crescent-shaped beach tucked inside Stage Fort Park, calmer and more sheltered than the city's ocean beaches. A concrete ramp drops straight from the lot to the sand, making it one of the easier beaches here for strollers and small kids.
What to expect
Parking
Free lot $30/day weekday, $35/day weekend & holiday; free for residents with sticker
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Accessible
Wheelchair access noted
Lifeguard
On duty Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 9:00am-5:00pm.
Dogs
Prohibited April 1-September 30 per the citywide beach ordinance. Secondary sources disagree on the off-season leash rule for Half Moon specifically (one describes leashed dogs allowed on the Stage Fort Park beaches Oct 1-Apr 30; another…
Managed by
City of Gloucester Department of Public Works (beach operations) / Gloucester Health Department (water testing)
978-325-5157 (beach parking/operations); 978-325-5260 (Health Dept, water testing) · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Free lot
Cost$30/day weekday, $35/day weekend & holiday; free for residents with stickerStickerGloucester resident beach sticker
Stage Fort Park lot (shared with Cressy's Beach, the dog park, and park athletic fields)
Details unconfirmed
Access points along this beach
Concrete ramp from Stage Fort Park lot
Step-free path from the lot to the sand.
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Stage Fort Park Visitor Center, nearby
Common questions
Is Half Moon in Gloucester 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 Half Moon Beach good for young kids?
Yes - it's a small, quiet, crescent-shaped beach within Stage Fort Park with a concrete accessibility ramp and lifeguards on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day, making it calmer than the larger reservation beaches.
Is there parking at Half Moon, and what does it cost?
Free lot ($30/day weekday, $35/day weekend & holiday; free for residents with sticker). Stage Fort Park lot (shared with Cressy's Beach, the dog park, and park athletic fields)
Are there restrooms at Half Moon?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What rules should I know at Half Moon?
No alcohol, flotation devices, or inflatable objects.
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