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
Paid lot $30/day weekday, $35/day weekend & holiday; free for residents with sticker
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Good Harbor, Wingaersheek, and Stage Fort Park lot gates open 8am and lock at 9pm in season (lots open April 1, closed November through March); lifeguards are on 9am to 5pm Memorial Day through Labor Day. Posted hours at the entrance win…
Season
Open year-round; not independently gated (uses the shared Stage Fort Park lot, $30 weekday/$35 weekend & holiday, non-resident reservation in-season).
Accessibility
Concrete ramp down to the beach (handicapped accessible).
Lifeguard
On duty Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 9:00am-5:00pm.
Dogs
Prohibited April 1-September 30 per the citywide beach ordinance. Some listings 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
Paid 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
Stage Fort Park lot (shared with Cressy's Beach, the dog park, and park athletic fields)
Cost$30/day weekday, $35/day weekend & holiday; free for residents with sticker
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
Picnic area
Picnic tables in the adjoining Stage Fort Park grounds.
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is Half Moon Beach in Gloucester 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 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 Beach, and what does it cost?
Paid 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 Beach?
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 Beach?
No alcohol, flotation devices, or inflatable objects.
Can you swim at Half Moon Beach?
Yes. Half Moon 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 Half Moon Beach?
Prohibited April 1-September 30 per the citywide beach ordinance. Some listings 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 discusses only Cressy's and Plum Cove by name) - not confirmed…
Is there an entry fee at Half Moon Beach?
No, entry is free.
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Half Moon Beach?
A beach sticker applies to parking here. $30/day weekday, $35/day weekend & holiday; free for residents with sticker.