Black Rock is Nahant's small pocket beach off Castle Rd, known locally as Doggie Beach because it is the only town beach where dogs run off-leash year-round. The sand is modest and gets rocky at the edges, with open water views toward the Boston skyline and no lifeguard or restroom on site.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker Free for residents with sticker
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Hours
No posted gate hours; open access
Season
Open access, year-round; no gate
Entry fee
None; beach itself is free and open to the public checked Jul 14, 2026
Dogs
Off-leash exercise allowed year-round -- the only Nahant beach with this exception (town-wide, all other beaches ban dogs May 1-Sep 30)
Off-Leash Dog Play
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Town of Nahant
(781) 581-0088 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
CostFree for residents with stickerStickerNahant resident sticker
Lowlands Park lot (resident)
Details unconfirmed
Lowlands Park lot (resident)
CostFree for residents with sticker
Nahant Beach/Long Beach DCR lot (walk over)
Cost$10/day MA residents, $40/day non-residents
Access points along this beach
Castle Rd entrance
Direct entrance off Castle Rd opposite the former Coast Guard station
What's here
Not here
No drinking water
Not listed among this beach's amenities on the town's official beaches page
No showers
No outdoor rinse showers at this beach; only Nahant Beach's Ward Bathhouse has showers
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is Black Rock Beach in Nahant open today?
Black Rock 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.
Can I bring my dog, and when?
Yes, year-round and off-leash -- Black Rock (Doggie Beach) is the only Nahant beach where this is allowed; every other town beach bans dogs entirely from May 1 through September 30.
Is there parking at Black Rock Beach, and what does it cost?
Resident sticker (Free for residents with sticker). Lowlands Park lot (resident)
What rules should I know at Black Rock Beach?
No lifeguard on duty. Dog walkers must remove waste from public and private property.
Can you swim at Black Rock Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Black Rock 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.
Is there an entry fee at Black Rock Beach?
None; beach itself is free and open to the public
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Black Rock Beach?
Yes, parking here uses a resident sticker. Free for residents with sticker.