Two RI state beaches are opening early this year. Will the weather cooperate?

Jack Perry, Providence Journal
·2 min read

PROVIDENCE − Two state beaches, Scarborough North and Roger Wheeler in Narragansett, will get an early start on the season by opening this weekend, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Weather permitting, the beaches will be open Saturday and Sundays until Memorial Day weekend, when they and other state beaches open full-time for the summer, according to the DEM.

The DEM will have lifeguards on duty, and bathrooms and amenities will be open on weekends at both beaches starting May 11.

What could be better than being at Scarborough Beach and playing in the waves? Having a sandwich ready when you get back to your blanket.
What could be better than being at Scarborough Beach and playing in the waves? Having a sandwich ready when you get back to your blanket.

More: How to go to the beach for free before the season (mostly) starts on Memorial Day

Will the Rhode Island weather cooperate?

Judging from the weather forecast, only the hardiest, most passionate beach lovers will show up this weekend.

Saturday looks mostly sunny, but the high temperature in Narragansett will reach only about 57 degrees, and the wind will blow from the northeast at 10 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Sunday should be mostly cloudy with a high near 55 and a northeast wind shifting to come from the south, the weather service says.

The water temperature is about 51 degrees.

How much does it cost to go to the beach?

The state is urging beachgoers to buy their parking passes early.

DEM Director Terry Gray said, "The more beachgoers who buy their parking passes ahead of time, the faster we'll all be able to get on our beautiful beaches during the busy summer ahead."

Passes can be bought online at www.beachparkingri.com. Passes can also be purchased in person at the Scarborough South State Beach overflow lot this weekend from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., next weekend during the same hours and then Monday through Friday starting May 28 through Aug. 9. Passes can't be bought at state beach entrance booths.

Resident passes are $30, non-resident passes are $60, resident senior passes are $15, and non-resident senior passes are $30.

Daily parking fees at most state beaches are $6 for residents on weekdays and $7 on weekends and holidays. Non-residents pay $12 on weekdays and $14 on weekends and holidays.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI beaches: Scarborough North and Roger Wheeler open early this year