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
Swimming
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).
Accessible
Wheelchair access noted
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).
Horseback Riding
Allowed unconfirmed, likely off-season/permit only
Managed 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
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
Reservation bathhouse nearest the day-use beach entrance; Three additional comfort stations spaced along the beach, each reached by a boardwalk over the dune; the W Street comfort station is accessible
Common questions
Is Salisbury in Salisbury 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 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?
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?
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).
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