Fun in the Sun

Plymouth Beach
A public saltwater beach, Plymouth Beach is located south of Plymouth Center on Route 3A. Restroom facilities are available as is a restaurant serving seafood, burgers, etc. Lifeguards are on duty from the end of June through Labor Day (as staffing allows - be sure to check). A parking fee is charged through Labor Day.

Where to find Plymouth's Beaches

Nelson Street Beach
Located at the north end of Water Street, Nelson Beach isn’t a good place to swim, but it is a beautiful place to walk at low tide or to take photographs of Plymouth Bay. It has a soccer field, a popular playground and picnic tables.

White Horse Beach
About six miles south of Plymouth Center, off Route 3A in Manomet, White Horse Beach is a pristine spot that offers white sand, gentle water (most of the time) and about a mile or so of beach, perfect for walking. Lifeguards are scheduled daily through Labor Day (as staffing allows - be sure to check). There are no restroom facilities. Parking is available on the side streets, but be sure to observe the signs.

Morton Park
Located down Morton Park Road, off Summer Street, Morton Park provides a fresh-water oasis surrounded by pines. Restroom facilities are available. The lifeguard schedule is the same as Plymouth Beach. There is a parking fee and, be aware, the park is very crowded on the Fourth of July.

Fresh Pond
About eight miles south of Plymouth center, on Bartlett Road off Route 3A, Fresh Pond is another fresh-water town beach. Although the beach area is not extensive, there are numerous pine trees that shade the sun, and a steady breeze customarily comes across the water. Parking and restroom facilities are available at no fee. Lifeguards are scheduled daily during the summer as staffing allows, but be sure to check.


Ellisville Harbor State Park
Ellisville Harbor offers views of a barrier beach, a sphagnum bog, forested upland, open meadows and, sometimes, small fishing boats. Recreation activities include walking, bird watching, beach combing, swimming and sightseeing. In fall and winter, harbor seals can often be seen just offshore. Ellisville is located south of Plymouth Center – take Route 3A south through Manomet and the park will be about five and a half miles farther down 3A on your left. Parking is available; there are no lifeguards or restroom facilities.

College Pond and Fearing Pond
Located within Myles Standish State Forest, these ponds offer pine-shaded picnic areas for day use for a fee. Campers may stay at any of the forest’s 570 sites, which are available on a first come, first served basis, for a nightly fee. Most areas are equipped with hot showers, toilets, fireplaces and picnic tables. Call 508-866-2526 for reservations.

Scusset Beach State Reservation
Located on Cape Cod Bay at the east end of the Cape Cod Canal, Scusset Beach is a popular swimming and camping area. For salt water anglers, the area offers a popular fish pier, a breakwater and 1.5 miles of frontage along the canal. A fairly flat bicycle/walking path along the canal offers picnic areas and great views of the ships passing between Cape Cod Bay and Buzzard’s Bay. Restroom facilities and parking (fee charged) are available. The regular camping season is from mid-April through mid-October. From Plymouth, follow Route 3A south to the intersection with Scusset Beach Road. Take a left and follow Scusset Beach Road four miles to the campground entrance. For additional information, call 508-888-0859.

Cape Cod National Seashore
Scattered along the beautiful Cape Cod coastline are numerous locations maintained by the National Park Service as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. There are beaches, trails, visitor centers and a resource center, in addition to headquarters and ranger stations. Some of the more well-known beaches are Coast Guard Beach, Nauset Light Beach and Race Point, in Provincetown. Each site has its own characteristics (e.g. parking, restrooms) and guidelines that can be found at the NPS Web site www.nps.gov/caco/home.html. Click on “places” for location details.