It’s not nice to arrive at your favorite beach and find that it’s full. Fortunately, state and some local beaches post updates online about parking availability.
PROVIDENCE — On Juneteenth, the federal holiday, many Rhode Islanders got a rude awakening when they arrived at their favorite beach to find it crowded. Traffic was backed up and many parking lots were full before noon, news reports said.
When thousands head to the beach on the same day, options are limited. What you can usually know, however, is whether parking is available. Many beaches – both state and municipal – post up-to-date information on parking status and let visitors know if their parking lots have any spaces available.
Here’s a handy guide to check if the parking lots at your favorite beaches are full:
How to check parking at state beaches
The State Parks Division of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management monitors the status of parking at the following state beaches in near real time:
- East Matunuck Beach
- Misquamicut Beach
- Roger Wheeler State Beach
- Scarborough North State Beach (including overflow parking)
- Scarborough South State Beach
At state beaches, parking passes are required during hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Purchasing a pass in advance reduces traffic, reduces wait time at the ticket booth, and allows you access to the express lanes available at most state beaches, as the passes now use the license plates of the vehicles, making scanning easier and faster.
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At some beaches, such as East Beach and Charlestown Breachway in Charlestown, parking is limited and it may not be possible to check availability in advance.
How to check parking at Middletown beaches
Middletown posts updates on its Facebook and Instagram accounts when parking spaces at its beaches are full. The city also has a live camera of the parking lot at Sachuest Beach — known locally as Second Beach — where you can check in real time to see if a spot is available.
Seasonal beach passes may be required for parking at Middletown beaches. They are available in person at the pavilion at the intersection of Hanging Rock Road and Sachuest Point Road, and online. But beware: online passes cannot be picked up at the pavilion until 48 hours after purchase.
Parking at other popular beaches
Other popular beaches, like Narragansett Town Beach, may not post parking availability updates online. According to the Narragansett Parks and Recreation Department, the west parking lot – which is open to non-residents – is full between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on busier days. Only residents can park in the north and south parking lots – except on weekdays after 1 p.m., when the south parking lot is open to non-residents. There are usually spaces available in these lots unless it is a very busy holiday.
Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seasonal parking permits are $50 per sticker. Photo ID, vehicle registration, and proof of residency or taxpayer status are required. Parking fees for the West Lot are $15 on weekends and holidays and $10 on weekdays.
This story will be updated with more information on parking availability.
