Nahant Beach: parking, fees, swimming and getting there from Lynn

Nahant Beach, also called Long Beach, is the long sandy beach on the causeway between Lynn and Nahant, run by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). It is one of the busiest beaches on the North Shore in summer, and it starts right where Lynn Shore Drive and Lynn Beach end at the Nahant rotary. Here is how parking, swimming and getting there from Lynn work.

Nahant Beach at a glance

• Where: the causeway (Nahant Road) between the Lynnway rotary in Lynn and the town of Nahant
• Run by: Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), part of the Lynn Shore and Nahant Beach Reservation
• Open: year-round, dawn to dusk
• Parking: $10 a day for Massachusetts plates, $40 for out-of-state plates, charged 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m., May 24–Oct. 13 (2026 season); pay with the YODEL app, no cash
• Lifeguards and bathhouse: summer swim season only
• Dogs: not on the beach in summer; Nahant’s year-round dog beach is Black Rock Beach
• Bus: MBTA route 439 from downtown Lynn or Wonderland stops at the Lynnway rotary at Nahant Road

Fees and dates come from DCR’s listing for the reservation; they can change from season to season, so check mass.gov before a summer trip.

Who runs Nahant Beach and when it’s open

Nahant Beach is part of the state’s Lynn Shore and Nahant Beach Reservation. The Town of Nahant says the DCR beach is open year-round from dawn to dusk, with a parking fee at the DCR lot during the summer season.

Parking lots and restrooms are kept up year-round, while lifeguards and the seasonal bathhouse operate during the summer swim season.

Parking: lots, resident stickers and summer fees

Public parking for visitors is available at the DCR Long Beach (the DCR lot) on the Nahant side. The Town of Nahant says the DCR‑run Long Beach has a parking fee during the summer season.

DCR’s listing puts daily parking at $10 for cars with Massachusetts plates and $40 for out-of-state plates, charged 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from May 24 to Oct. 13 in the 2026 season. Pay with the YODEL app; DCR parks don’t take cash. Nahant’s own town lots are separate and need a Nahant resident beach parking sticker.

Swimming, lifeguards and water‑quality testing

DCR lists lifeguard hours and season dates for its beaches on its Waterfront Services page; at metropolitan beaches lifeguards typically work from about 10:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. in season, and swimming is not allowed after lifeguards leave.

The state tests beach water for bacteria during the swim season and posts results on its beach water quality dashboard. The Town of Nahant points swimmers there for current results and advisories.

Facilities and accessibility

Public restrooms and a bathhouse are open in the summer months.

Paved walkways along the reservation make much of the shoreline accessible. Ask DCR about beach wheelchair availability before you go.

Rules, dogs and other restrictions

Dogs are not allowed on the beach in the summer season. Nahant’s town-run Black Rock Beach, known as Doggie Beach, is open to dogs year-round. Some other Nahant beaches have no lifeguards or seasonal dog limits, so check the town’s beach page first.

Getting there from Lynn: car, bike, bus or on foot

By car: follow Lynn Shore Drive toward the Nahant causeway; the DCR Long Beach parking lot sits at the Nahant end of the causeway. Parking here is separate from Nahant town lots.

On foot or by bike: a continuous public promenade/walkway runs along the Lynn Shore / Nahant Beach reservations and the causeway, providing an accessible route for walking, running and cycling between Lynn features like Red Rock Park and King’s Beach and the Nahant beach area. For more about coastal walking routes in the area, see the Lynn Wellness Circuit guide.

By bus: MBTA route 439 runs between Wonderland Station and Nahant, with stops in downtown Lynn and at the Lynnway rotary at Nahant Road, right at the start of the beach. Check the MBTA schedule before you go.

Nahant Beach FAQ

Is Nahant Beach free?

The beach itself is free to walk onto. Parking in the DCR lot costs $10 a day for Massachusetts plates and $40 for out-of-state plates during the summer season; off-season parking has no daily charge from DCR.

How much is parking at Nahant Beach?

$10 for cars with Massachusetts plates and $40 for out-of-state plates, charged from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. between May 24 and Oct. 13 in 2026. You pay through the YODEL app; DCR parks don’t take cash.

Are dogs allowed on Nahant Beach?

Not on the beach during the summer season. Nahant’s town-run Black Rock Beach, known as Doggie Beach, is open to dogs year-round.

Are there lifeguards and bathrooms?

Yes, in the summer swim season. DCR staffs lifeguards and opens the bathhouse during the season, and restrooms are maintained year-round.

How do I get to Nahant Beach without a car?

Take MBTA bus 439, which runs from Wonderland Station through downtown Lynn and stops at the Lynnway rotary at Nahant Road, at the start of the beach. You can also walk or bike there along the Lynn Shore Drive promenade.

Is the water at Nahant Beach clean?

The state tests the water for bacteria during the swim season and posts results on its beach water quality dashboard. Check it the day you go, especially after heavy rain.

What else is nearby?

Lynn Beach, King’s Beach and Red Rock Park are just up Lynn Shore Drive, and High Rock Tower has views over the whole coastline. For a meal after the beach, see our guide to restaurants in Lynn.

Before you go

Check the Lynn weather forecast, current parking fees and any water-quality advisories before you head out. DCR and the Town of Nahant post closures and beach testing results.

If you plan to drive to a Nahant town lot, remember some require a Nahant Resident Beach Parking Sticker; the DCR Long Beach lot is separate and used by visitors. If accessibility equipment such as a beach wheelchair will be needed, contact DCR or the reservation’s visitor services to verify what is on site that day.

Sources: Town of Nahant — Our Beaches; Mass.gov — Waterfront Services at DCR‑Managed Swimming Locations; Town of Nahant — Parking in Nahant; Visit Massachusetts — Lynn Shore & Nahant Beach Reservation (visitor guide); Town of Nahant — Parking Clerk; Town of Nahant — DCR Beach Water Testing (information page); Mass.gov — DCR documents on beach operations and management (Revere/Nahant/Winthrop COI request & related documents); Bird Observer; Mass.gov news (Healey‑Driscoll administration beach opening) and Nahant News (local reporting).