A 3.8-mile barrier beach at the mouth of the Merrimack River, wide enough for a real walk at low tide and pinched by jetties where the river meets the Atlantic. The DCR side runs bathhouses and boardwalks over the dune; the town side threads past the Salisbury Beach arcade strip before the sand opens back up.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot $14/day MA resident; $40/day non-MA resident, May 15-Oct 31, credit/debit only
In effect now · free after Oct 31Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Sunrise to sunset generally; the day-use area is separately posted 8am-8pm from late May through Columbus Day (sources vary slightly on exact wording).
In effect nowSeason
Beach open year-round, sunrise to sunset. Day-use vehicle entrance fee charged mid-May through October only.
Accessibility
20 sunbathing (beach) wheelchairs and 3 floating wheelchairs available on loan; accessible restrooms, an accessible swimming area, beach mats over the dune at the W Street comfort station, and accessible nature-center programming.
Lifeguard
DCR lifeguards on duty Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, roughly 9am-5pm.
Dogs
No dogs or other pets on the beach April 1-September 15 (service animals excepted).
Banned now · back September 15Managed by
DCR - Salisbury Beach State Reservation
978-462-4481 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Paid lot
Cost$14/day MA resident; $40/day non-MA resident, May 15-Oct 31, credit/debit onlyStickerMA state parks annual parking pass accepted
Cable Ave / State Beach Rd DCR day-use lots
Cable Ave / State Beach Rd DCR day-use lots
Cost$14/day MA resident; $40/day non-MA resident, May 15-Oct 31, credit/debit only
James Hunt Memorial Parking Lot (town-run, 228 Beach Rd)
Cost$3 for 0-3 hours, $35 for 3+ hours; pay-by-plate kioskSpaces~672, including 15 handicapped spaces
Separate from the DCR reservation lots; enforced May 1-Oct 15, 8am-midnight daily.
Town on-street zones (Broadway, Driftway/Central Ave/Shea St, Railroad Ave, Oceanfront South/Ocean St)
Cost$3/hr (3-hr max) most streets; $7/hr on Oceanfront South and Ocean St
Pay-by-plate kiosks, May 1-Oct 15, 8am-midnight daily; this is the beach's overflow answer when the town and DCR lots are full.
Access points along this beach
Main day-use entrance
Off Cable Ave / State Beach Rd (Route 1A)
W Street comfort station and dune boardwalk
Accessible comfort station with a boardwalk crossing over the dune to the sand
Beachfront comfort-station boardwalks
Two more dune-crossing boardwalks at the other beachfront comfort stations
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Three additional comfort stations spaced along the beach, each reached by a boardwalk over the dune; the W Street comfort station is accessible
Changing rooms
Changing rooms included in the bathhouse buildings
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is Salisbury Beach in Salisbury open today?
Open, no advisory on record in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The reservation lends 20 sunbathing (beach) wheelchairs and 3 floating wheelchairs, and has accessible restrooms, an accessible swimming area, beach mats over the dune at the W Street comfort station, and accessible nature-center programming.
Can I bring my dog, and when?
Dogs are banned from the beach April 1 through September 15 (service animals excepted); the reservation's general leashed-dog policy applies the rest of the year.
Where do I park, and what does it cost?
The DCR day-use lots off Cable Ave / State Beach Rd run $14/day for MA residents and $40/day for non-residents May 15-Oct 31, credit/debit only. When those fill, the town's James Hunt Memorial Lot at 228 Beach Rd (672 spaces) and metered on-street zones are the backup, both pay-by-plate.
Are there restrooms at Salisbury 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 Salisbury Beach?
Swim only in the lifeguarded area/season; jetties at the Merrimack River mouth carry currents and boat traffic. No dogs or other pets on the beach April 1-September 15 (service animals excepted).
Can you swim at Salisbury Beach?
Yes. Salisbury Beach has no swimming advisory in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). Check again the morning you go.