Forty Steps is a small pebbled beach reached by a stairway down from Nahant Rd, wedged between Canoe Beach and Castle Rock. Its two benches look out over a popular dive spot, and like the rest of Nahant's small beaches it has no lifeguard, restroom, or dedicated parking.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker Free for residents with sticker; no public parking
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
No posted gate hours; open access
Dogs
Prohibited May 1-September 30 (town-wide rule); leashed permitted October 1-April 30
Scuba Dive
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Town of Nahant
(781) 581-0088 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
CostFree for residents with sticker; no public parkingStickerNahant resident sticker
No dedicated lot; nearby Canoe Beach lot (resident only)
Details unconfirmed
Access points along this beach
Stairway from Nahant Rd
The namesake stairway down to the beach from Nahant Rd
Common questions
Is Forty Steps in Nahant open today?
Open, no advisory on record in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-07-16). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Is there parking at Forty Steps, and what does it cost?
Resident sticker (Free for residents with sticker; no public parking). No dedicated lot; nearby Canoe Beach lot (resident only)
What rules should I know at Forty Steps?
Rocky/pebbled beach; no lifeguard.
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