Monterey's lifeguarded swimming beach on Lake Garfield, with a roped swim area, a grass overflow lot across Sylvan Road, and a small boat ramp just south on Tyringham Road. Also called Lake Garfield Beach on the town's own pages.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker Free with a current Monterey transfer-station sticker
Swimming
Water not monitored by DPH
Hours
No gate; open access. Lifeguard hours are daily 12pm-6pm, roughly June 22 through Labor Day.
From June 22Season
Open access year-round. Lifeguards are on duty daily 12pm-6pm from around June 22 through Labor Day.
Accessibility
Accessible restroom next to the parking area; two accessible spaces at the nearby boat-ramp lot.
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed at the beach, a stricter site-specific rule than Monterey's townwide 'dogs under owner's control at all times' bylaw.
Kayak/Canoe/Sup
Allowed year-round, ice permitting
Boating (Motor)
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Monterey Parks Commission
413-528-3831 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
CostFree with a current Monterey transfer-station stickerStickerTown transfer-station sticker, $120/year, from the Town Administrator's Office
Tyringham Road resident lot
Tyringham Road resident lot
CostFree with a current Monterey transfer-station sticker
Reserved for Town of Monterey residents.
North grass lot (across Sylvan Rd)
CostFree; suggested but not mandatory $20/vehicle/day donation for non-residents
Open to the public, short walk north to the beach.
Access points along this beach
Lifeguarded swim area
Roped swim area; swimming outside the buoys is prohibited.
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Adjacent to the parking area
Common questions
Is Town Beach in Monterey open today?
open to the public; water quality here is not monitored by MA DPH (updated 2026-09-13). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Do I need a parking sticker to visit Town Beach?
Only for the resident lot on Tyringham Road, which needs a current Monterey transfer-station sticker. Everyone else parks free on the grass lot across Sylvan Road.
Are dogs allowed at Town Beach?
No, the beach itself bans dogs, even though Monterey's townwide bylaw elsewhere only requires a dog stay under its owner's control.
Are there restrooms at Town 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 Town Beach?
No swimming when thunder or lightning can be seen or heard; no running, pushing, or flipping off the docks. No alcohol, glass containers, fires, smoking, or inflatables; no swimming outside the buoys.
Can you swim at Town Beach?
Town Beach 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.
Is there an entry fee at Town Beach?
No, entry is free.