A city-owned sand beach and floodplain forest on the Connecticut River, part of the larger Connecticut River Greenway. Locals swim here informally, but there is no lifeguard and no monitoring of water quality, so it behaves more like a river access point than a managed beach.
What to expect
Swimming
Water not monitored by DPH
Dogs
Leashed per the citywide dog ordinance; no beach-specific rule is published
Managed by
Northampton Conservation Commission
413-587-1262 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Parking not sourced yet
Check the town's beach pages before you go.
Common questions
Is Rainbow Beach in Northampton 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.
What rules should I know at Rainbow Beach?
No lifeguard and no posted water-quality testing; river current and depth can change quickly after rain upstream.
Can you swim at Rainbow Beach?
Rainbow 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.
Are dogs allowed at Rainbow Beach?
Leashed per the citywide dog ordinance; no beach-specific rule is published
Is there an entry fee at Rainbow Beach?
Not confirmed. The record reads: No pass needed here; Northampton has no parking sticker program for its parks.