Red River is Harwich's largest town beach, with 198 parking spaces, lifeguards, restrooms, a beach wheelchair, a bike rack, mobile concessions and a non-motorized craft launch.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker Beach sticker or day pass required through Labor Day; day passes sold on-site
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Hours
Harwich beaches close midnight to 6am, and beach lots close 10pm to 6am. That's the town default unless posted otherwise.
Dogs
Pets are banned from Harwich beaches, landings, and public ponds May 1 through September 15; leashed dogs are fine the rest of the year. Posted signs at the site take precedence.
Allowed now · ban starts May 1Kayak/Canoe/Sup
Allowed designated areas only
Getting in
Parking
Resident sticker
CostBeach sticker or day pass required through Labor Day; day passes sold on-siteStickerHarwich beach sticker or day pass
Red River / Deep Hole Road lot
Red River / Deep Hole Road lot
CostBeach sticker or day pass required through Labor Day; day passes sold on-siteSpaces198
the town's largest beach lot; one of four selling a day pass
Access points along this beach
Deep Hole Road / Uncle Venies Road entrance
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
handicap-accessible restrooms
Concessions
mobile concessions
Worth knowing
- Red River is the only Harwich town beach where small sailboats, kayaks, windsurfers and surfboards are permitted in a designated area.
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Red River 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 Red River Beach in Harwich open today?
Red River 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.
Is there parking at Red River Beach, and what does it cost?
Resident sticker (Beach sticker or day pass required through Labor Day; day passes sold on-site). Red River / Deep Hole Road lot
What's the water temperature at Red River Beach?
Water at Red River 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.
What rules should I know at Red River Beach?
Dogs prohibited on the sand June 15-Labor Day; on-leash dog walking is allowed in the Red River parking lot only, dawn-9am and 4:30pm-dusk. No motorboat over 10hp and no waterskiing at Red River; boats other than the designated small-craft area are barred townwide.
Can you swim at Red River Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Red River 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 Red River Beach?
Pets are banned from Harwich beaches, landings, and public ponds May 1 through September 15; leashed dogs are fine the rest of the year. Posted signs at the site take precedence.
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Red River Beach?
Yes, parking here uses a resident sticker. Beach sticker or day pass required through Labor Day; day passes sold on-site.