Where to go to the beach as parking restrictions, fees end after Labor Day
A somewhat lackluster summer may be heaving its last gasp this week, with temperatures predicted to flirt with 90 degrees and heat advisories up around the state - but there is some good news. While summer doesn't officially end until Sept. 23, Labor Day marks the official end of the beach season for Rhode Island, as the next day lifeguards leave their chairs, bathrooms are closed and concession stands stop slinging fried seafood.
But it also means that paid parking and resident-only parking restrictions will go away until May 2024 in all but a few communitie.
Rhode Island Beach Guide: Everything you need to know about the best beaches in the state
Newport, the biggest outlier in the state, requires that patrons pay for parking at Easton's Beach until Oct. 31, well after beach weather, and the lifeguards, are gone.
Newport spokesman Tom Shevlin said the parking at Easton's Beach, paid for at kiosks, also serves as an entry point to the Cliff Walk, a snack shack and the Save The Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium.
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At state-owned parks and beaches
State beaches do not require passes or payments after the end of the season, Labor Day.
Facilities are closed in the off season and all state parks have a carry-in, carry-out trash policy,no trash cans. Opening dates for 2024 have not yet been posted.
Salty Brine State Beach, Narraganset: Small, calm beach that’s protected from surf by a seawall. Eco-friendly pavilion and boardwalk along the water at 254 Great Rd.
Scarborough State Beaches (North and South), Narragansett: Expansive beach popular for hiking, sunbathing and picnicking at 970 Ocean Rd. South entrance closed after Labor Day.
Roger Wheeler (Sand Hill Cove), Narragansett: Expansive ocean beach and recreation area offering picnic tables and a playground at 100 Sand Hill Cove Rd.
Charlestown Breachway: Big beach with little parking. It features camping, fishing and views of Block Island Sound at 1 Burlingame State Park Rd.
East State Beach, Charlestown: Beautiful, unspoiled barrier beach with limited parking on East Beach Road.
Fort Adams State Park, Newport: Popular sunbathing spot with views of Newport Harbor, at 80 Fort Adams Drive.
Rome Point, North Kingstown: Rocky beach, great for seal watching and sea-glass hunting, in John H. Chafee Nature Preserve, at 1413 Boston Neck Rd. A little bit of a walk between parking and the beach.
East Matunuck State Beach, South Kingstown: Sprawling, busy beach with fine sand and good surf at 950 Succotash Rd.
Goddard Memorial State Park Beach, Warwick: Quiet, sandy beach in a state park, popular spot for sunbathing, fishing and hiking, at 1095 Ives Rd.
Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly: Clean, popular beach. Parking at 257 Atlantic Ave.
More: Here's everything to know about RI's new shoreline access law before you head to the beach
Block Island beaches
Parking is free at all Block Island beaches.
Andy’s Way Beach: Clamming beach on the Great Salt Pond. Block Island shellfish license required.
Charlestown Beach: Popular fishing spot overlooking New Harbor.
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Crescent Beach: Three-mile medley of smaller, individually-named beaches, ranging from Surf Beach in the south to Mansion Beach in the north.
Mohegan Bluffs: Secluded swimming spot at the base of the cliffs. The shore, accessible by a steep wooden staircase, offers stunning views.
Barrington
The town beach does not require a parking pass after Labor Day.
Barrington Beach: A 4-acre parcel of beachfront property. The parking lot has space for 100 vehicles, at 87 Bay Rd.
Phantom access: Is wealthy Barrington using parking tickets to limit the public's access to the beach?
Bristol
Parking at the Bristol Town Beach and Sports Complex is free after Labor Day (Sept. 4) and until Memorial Day (May 27, 2024)
Bristol Town Beach: The beach is next to Colt State Park on Asylum Road. There are bicycle trails, picnic tables, a bathroom and a playground. The nearby sports complex has tennis, basketball and bocce courts, a horseshoe pit, a skate park and restrooms.
Charlestown
Charlestown beaches are free after Labor Day and until Memorial Day.
Blue Shutters Town Beach: Safe and accessible spot that offers facilities, concessions and picnic tables and is great for the whole family, at 469 East Beach Rd.
Charlestown Town Beach: Often windy, located next to Charlestown Breachway, at 557 Charlestown Beach Rd.
Jamestown
Jamestown's main beach, Mackerel Cove, is open without stickers after Labor Day (Sept. 4, 2023), but other beaches in town require stickers until Sept. 15.
Shores Beach (Head’s Beach): Small sitting and swimming area with boat launch on Seaside Drive. Requires a beach sticker until Sept. 15.
Jamestown beaches: Town's beach access points map
Mackerel Cove (Town Beach): Family-friendly, laid-back swimming spot on Beavertail Road. No sticker required after Labor Day.
Potter Cove Beach: Facing Narragansett Bay at the base of Pell Bridge, this beach attracts kayakers, windsurfers, picnickers and more. On Freebody Drive.
Little Compton
Little Compton beaches are free after the Labor Day weekend and until Memorial Day.
Goosewing Beach: Natural, striking stretch adjacent to the town beach, where it shares parking, on South Shore Road.
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South Shore Beach: Rocky ocean beach with limited parking at 140 South Shore Rd. The portable toilets will be removed from the beach after Labor Day.
Lloyd's Beach: Primitive beach with little street parking and a contested access point, on Rhode Island Road.
Middletown
Middletown beaches are free after the Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4) and until Memorial Day.
Sachuest Beach (Second Beach): Scenic mile-long beach with well-kept sand and facilities, which are closed in the off season, at 315 Sachuest Point Rd. Popular with surfers.
Third Beach: Family and recreation friendly with fishing and picnic areas, at 804 Third Beach Rd.
Narragansett
Beaches are free, for parking and admission, starting Sept. 4. While the facilities will be closed, portable toilets will be placed in the parking lots until the end of October.
A little-known story: Why Narragansett can charge you admission at Town Beach
Narragansett is the only municipality in the state that during the season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) charges both for parking and for entrance to the beach.
Town Beach: Popular beach in the center of town at 39 Boston Neck Rd., known for its surf.
Newport
Paid parking stays at Easton's Beach until Oct. 31. That parking lot also serves as parking for the beach snack bar and the Save The Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium. Parking must be paid for via a kiosk and beach staff will issue tickets.
Easton’s Beach (First Beach): Ocean beach at the base of the Cliff Walk. Offers rental items, concessions and a carousel at 175 Memorial Boulevard. Lifeguards will not be on the beach starting Sept. 4.
King Park Beach: Small harbor beach with a playground and space for picnicking. Parking along Wellington Avenue requires a resident parking pass through Oct. 1 and parking in the lot requires a pass from May 1 through Oct. 15.
North Kingstown
North Kingstown's town beach is free after Sept. 4. The season begins on Memorial Day.
Blue, Compass Rose, Calf Pasture Point, Spink’s Neck beaches: These four tranquil beaches in the Quonset Business Park look out over the West Passage. Parking is free, though Calf Pasture Point has no parking.
North Kingstown Town Beach: Family-friendly with gentle surf, at 10 Beach St.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth stopped requiring beach passes when it shut down its facilities on Aug. 23.
Sandy Point Beach: Relaxed, natural spot with shallow water, favored by families. Facilities are closed until Memorial Day, which means there are no trash cans, at the end of Sandy Point Avenue.
Teddy’s Beach: Small, pet-friendly beach with no facilities or lifeguards, owned by the state, at 710 Park Ave. No pass is required
McCorrie's Point: An open space at the end of McCorrie Lane, but resident parking passes are required year round.
South Kingstown
South Kingstown's town beach does not require a beach sticker after Labor Day.
Town Beach at Matunuck: Family-friendly with a playground and a walkway to the beach at Matunuck Beach Road.
Tiverton
Tiverton's beaches do not require beach stickers after Labor Day.
Fogland Beach: Tranquil, great for windsurfing, on Fogland Road. Parking spaces for 200 cars.
Grinnell's Beach: A small beach on the Sakonnet River, at 1860 Main Rd. (Route 77), south of the Stone Bridge Pier. Parking for 50 cars.
Warren
The town stopped requiring beach stickers at the end of August.
Warren Town Beach: On the Warren River next to Burr’s Hill Park, at 533 Water St., this beach offers shallow water and a picnic area. A popular spot for get-togethers.
Warwick
City does not require beach stickers after Labor Day.
City Park (Buttonwoods Beach): Popular 126-acre park and beach area with baseball fields, bike paths and facilities, on Steven O'Connor Boulevard.
Conimicut Point Beach: Stony beach with views across Narragansett Bay, on Point Avenue.
Oakland Beach: Small inlet beach on Oakland Beach Avenue, with a quick walk to restaurants.
Sandy Point Beach: Bay beach with limited parking at the end of Ives Road.
Westerly
Westerly does not require beach stickers after Labor Day.
Napatree Point: Sandy stretch between the Bay and the ocean. Great spot for hiking and bird watching, off of Fort Road.
Wuskenau Town Beach: Facilities, concessions and parking at 311 Atlantic Ave., adjacent to Misquamicut State Beach.
Westerly Town Beach: Located at 365 Atlantic Ave., a sandy beach across from the town's beach pavilion.
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Where to go to the beach for free in RI as season ends Labor Day
