A 12-acre stretch of salt marsh, cobble dune and beach owned by a private land trust rather than the town. A boardwalk crosses the cobbles to sandy tidal flats, and it is used mostly by Marblehead residents rather than out-of-town visitors.
What to expect
Swimming
Water not monitored by DPH
Hours
Dawn to 10:30pm; parking lot closes at dusk
Season
Open dawn until 10:30pm; parking lot closes at dusk
Accessibility
A boardwalk crosses the cobble dune to the beach, but full wheelchair accessibility is not confirmed
Dogs
Leashed in the parking area year-round; not allowed on the beach May 1 through Oct 1
Fishing
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Goldthwait Reservation Inc.
617-922-0656 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Parking not sourced yet
Check the town's beach pages before you go.
Access points along this beach
Boardwalk over the cobble dune
What's here
Facilities
Picnic area
stone seating and a fire pit in the park area
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is Goldthwait Reservation in Marblehead open today?
open to the public; water quality here is not monitored by MA DPH (updated 2026-08-14). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
The reservation is intended primarily for Marblehead residents; non-residents may occasionally be admitted on a case-by-case basis for a fee.
What rules should I know at Goldthwait Reservation?
Fires only with a same-day permit from a director and Marblehead Dispatch.
Can you swim at Goldthwait Reservation?
Goldthwait Reservation is town-owned and its water is not monitored by MA DPH, so there is no official swim status. Check conditions posted at the beach.
Are dogs allowed at Goldthwait Reservation?
Leashed in the parking area year-round; not allowed on the beach May 1 through Oct 1
Is there an entry fee at Goldthwait Reservation?
No, entry is free.