Orleans' big barrier beach on the open Atlantic, three-plus miles of sand backed by dune and bluff that erodes visibly year to year. The main lot fills by mid-morning on summer weekends, and the oversand-vehicle corridor south toward Chatham is its own world of permit-holders and shorebird closures.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker $35/day + $1.50 service fee (non-resident); $25 resident season sticker; also valid at Skaket Beach same day
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Beach open dawn to dusk; parking-gate enforcement 7:30am-4:30pm in season, free after 4:30pm
Accessible
Wheelchair access noted
Lifeguard
DCR/Town lifeguards on duty in peak season
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the main swimming beach April 1 through October 15 for nesting-bird protection; allowed leashed (max 30 ft) on the oversand-vehicle trail south of Trail #1 toward Chatham except Friday before Memorial Day through Labor…
Oversand Driving
Allowed permit required, subject to shorebird closures
Managed by
Orleans Parks & Beaches Department
(508) 240-3780 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
Cost$35/day + $1.50 service fee (non-resident); $25 resident season sticker; also valid at Skaket Beach same dayStickerOrleans resident sticker, or daily/weekly/non-resident season pass
Nauset Beach main lot (Beach Rd)
Access points along this beach
Nauset Beach main entrance (Administration Building)
Oversand-vehicle trail gate (Trail #1)
permit corridor south toward Chatham Inlet
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Nauset Beach Administration Building / bathhouse area
Common questions
Is Nauset in Orleans 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.
Where do I park if the Nauset lot is full?
The ~400-space main lot fills by mid-morning on summer weekends and holidays; a same-day pass or hangtag bought at either the Nauset or Skaket gate works at both beaches, so Skaket (bay side, calmer water) is the practical overflow option rather than a second Nauset lot.
Is Nauset wheelchair accessible?
Yes to the waterline - blue Mobi-Mat pathways run from the parking area to the water, and beach wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis in season; call the Sticker Office at (508) 240-3790 to check same-day availability.
Can I bring my dog to Nauset, and when?
Not on the main beach from April 1 through October 15, when nesting-bird rules apply. Dogs are allowed leashed (up to 30 ft) on the oversand-vehicle trail toward Chatham except during the Friday-before-Memorial-Day-through-Labor-Day stretch, and off-leash in the off-season from the day after Labor Day through March 31.
Are there restrooms at Nauset?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What rules should I know at Nauset?
Erosion-prone barrier beach; rip currents and surf conditions possible - swim near lifeguards. Dogs banned on the main beach April 1-October 15; leash max 30 ft on the OSV trail where allowed.
Been here? Help keep it current.
Prices, hours, and facilities change. A quick note keeps the next visitor from guessing.