Got to relax on the beach mid-September and it was perfect. The part we were at is nice and rock free, plus they had a sand rug as you enter that beach that made it easy to get to. The water was cold but was nice to dip my feet in. They do charge for parking until October I believe but it was Girl Scouts love State park weekend so it was free for us. There are both parking meters or you can use Yodel.com for convenience. They have a bathhouse at the parking lot that is clean and has an outdoor shower too. Plus I saw a children's park and a cookout area. Overall lovely park and I'd love to come swimming here in the new england summer months! read more

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Ok park with good access to the beach. It gets very crowded in the summer, but we were always able to find a spot on the beach. Sites are water and electric only - they have a dump station with 4 lanes which is convenient. Few trees and kind of close together. One negative for us, it's really priced for Massachusetts residents. They charge an extra for non-MA residents (Like $40 more per night). read more

Salisbury Beach State Reservation - Camping near the river! - Beaches Near Me - Salisbury, Massachusetts

Now that I'm a dog owner - I've found out that dogs are allowed on the Merrimack River side of the beach year round. Dawn to Dusk. read more

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They offer tidepool groups for kids, it is ran by a woman named Elizabeth from the mature office. My nephew really enjoyed it! She was great and explained all of the little sea creatures the children caught. Definitely a great experience for the little ones. Highly recommend!!! read more

Taken within the framework of Massachusetts beaches north of Boston, Salisbury Beach ranks near the top. The beach is long and slender, like a twig in topographical form. It is clean and there is plenty of parking. I also like Crane Beach in Ipswich, but in this day and age there is a certain convenience of Salisbury Beach over Crane Beach: no advance reservations are required, and it is less expensive. There's not much more to say about Salisbury Beach. It's a beach. Both the sand and the water have been clean in my experience. No smoking is allowed, but kiddies are known to light up to their lungs' desire. Lifeguards monitor the water, and false medical emergencies are common. It is generally good practice to not drown when possible, and use great caution in the water if you do not know how to swim. Last time I went, a fetus washed ashore. The lifeguards were hesitant to deal with it, but ultimately one of them mustered the courage to do their job. Hopefully the fetus was composted rather than thrown in the trash. I won't state the parking rate, as it changes with the current of time. May each and every one of you be resourceful enough to find the current parking rates if you so desire. Massachusetts residents with state park passes have parking fees covered under the purview of their passes. A good investment if you visit state parks with some frequency. The campground looks like trash, by the way. read more

Great place to camp. Sites are nice, bathrooms clean. Having water and electricity on sites is great. Wifi would be nice.

The camp site is nothing much to write about (minus the sun sets) but the beach nearby is stunning. Im not talking about the main beach. Im talking about one near the campsites. It has little entryways (closer to alphabetical campsite areas H-W? Cant recall) leading to it. Its not crowded on weekdays (cant fully report re weekends) and the tides are calm. Great for working moms who need free childcare w constant peripheral supervision while working remote using phone as hotspot. ..not that I would know. This smaller beach is very clean, clearer waters, fun for little ones w textures all around eg seaweed, barnacles, crab shells, hermit crabs, etc. I have a thing for beaches with deep purple sand. (Plum Island does too. Turns out thats not at all where the name comes from) Great for restful walks, fishermen watching (if up early. Theres a tidal pool area the fish like to play at certain hrs of the day), sunbathing peacefully (without people trying to spray sunscreen several feet from you as it blows into your face), watching seals at a distance, collecting purple sand, and the occasional happy dog dancing in freedom. Do bring snacks as this is no Crane Beach fried clams stand type of beach. No bathrooms on the beach site. But there are near enough bathrooms (3 large scattered throughout campsite) and then.. theres the ocean (esp if you have a 7 yr old with a small bladder) We camped in the Z area. The newest renovated/just created bathroom building was close to us. Two showers (those ones where you have to pump the button every 8 seconds. but hey. Lets be grateful.) About 6 reg stalls. 2 handicap. It stayed relatively clean. Just don't expect the Ritz -Carlton and you'll be fine. The main beach (with lots of parking) is great if you have older kids who don't need to be monitored every second. Its a great area for those mini foam boards the young teens like to use. Nice small to med waves. Even on weekdays, its somewhat crowded. Though my mom friend loved the main beach as well. Esp bc there was a playground for our boys to play at. (yay for adult conversation time) I need to mention that Reserve America did take over the reservation aspect of this campsite. It's probably a good and bad thing overall for maintenance & sustainability but a strong warning -- that they do not work in collaboration (at least when we were there. But they'll likely change that if they took my requested review seriously). Hence, if you need help changing your reservation in any way, Do Not check in yet. Once you've checked in, the on site staff and office administrators have no power to help you, as kind as they are. The camp sites are side by side. So don't expect a wilderness expedition. Its no glamping experience either, but there is an electrical outlet near each site, along with running water area where you can wash dishes. Two nights three days stay for us two moms and two boys came out to $74. I put up my own 4 person tent (w/o the help of hubby who claims I cant follow instructions) and we maintained fire long enough for the boys to make s'mores. All in all, a spectacular time together of peace, figuring out food w/o refrigeration, and two mommies feeling restored again via nature (while still carrying the world) :) read more

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So I drive up on my own to join my family. I knew the cost would be higher because I am from out of state of Mass. There are kiosks where you pay (with a credit or debit card, no cash). I was pretty horrified to see since I was from out of Mass, the cost was FORTY DOLLARS. The cost for Mass residents was 14.00. I can see adding maybe another 10 on top of that but 40 is just crazy. So know this, if you are not from Mass, clearly, you are encouraged to stay away unless you like getting reamed for ridiculous money. read more

If you are in a pinch it's okay. The beach is very nice, but the bathrooms are dirty and there are a lot of flies on the campsites. A lot of pets/dogs and people leave them in campers and bark for hours. There is no staff monitoring the sites or driving around. It was quite disappointing. You can't even ask for help on the site they direct you to Reserve America. I would rather pay double somewhere in Maine than go back to that place. read more

Salisbury Beach State Reservation was a nice little destination for a day trip (we paired it with mini golf and ice cream in the Salisbury area). At first I wasn't sure if it would still be worth a visit on a cloudy day, but I'm actually glad it worked out this way, as the cooler weather meant almost no crowds! We came here not so much for a traditional beach day, but more so to relax and have a scenic walk, and it definitely fit the bill for that. We walked along the beach over to the Butler Toothpick area (basically a big, red triangular statue with a bunch of rocks that you can climb on), and just sat, relaxed, people-watched, etc. for a while. They also have a nature trail that isn't directly on the beach - we didn't check that out, but it's there if you want a non-beach walk. The campsite area was pretty full with campers and trailers, and you can tell that this is definitely a beach that would fill up on a sunny day with the people who are camping plus all the day visitors. My only complaint is that the boardwalk area that you walk along before going down to the beach had a bit of trash on it... but it got much cleaner once we got down to the actual beach itself. Parking is $14 for a day pass for MA residents. The person at the gate told us that it is free after 5 PM, which I wish we had known (we showed up at 4 PM), but still was a nice destination for some afternoon exploration in Northern MA. read more

Salisbury Beach State Reservation - Butler Toothpick is a great little spot to walk to - Beaches Near Me - Salisbury, Massachusetts

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Birthday tradition revived!! We got to visit Salisbury today. I love coming when it's still chilly so we can have the shore almost too ourselves. Beautiful and serene! read more

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One of our favorite camping area. Paved area for RV and chairs. Clean! They were cleaning almost every two hours. The bathrooms were spotless. Showers were warm and clean. Felt secure. Beach is well maintained a fact that I love. The atmosphere here is welcoming. Walkable area, plenty to see. Highly recommended read more

Not much happening here unless you consider fighting the Nats/sand fleas a good day, the kids play area has nothing to get out of the sun, Oh and let's not forget the green heads they draw blood with their bites,On a good note the place does have showers, If you are not a mass resident you will pay for it$$$. read more

This beach has some massive waves. Was fun mayhem for the adults, but I would not feel comfortable allowing my 10 and 5 year old swim at this beach. Must be a strong swimmer. I had a great time. Sand is also hot lava. Shower, and changing area was disgusting. Was full of trash, and smelled highly of urine. Bathroom was okay. Horse flies were out in full force. Parking on the weekend will fill fast. read more

Salisbury Beach State Reservation - Packed Sunday - Beaches Near Me - Salisbury, Massachusetts

This review is for the Campground only. The beach itself was very nice. I hesitate to give this campground 2 stars rather than a more accurate 1 star, but I will admit that your experience will depend greatly on your expectations of camping in general. For us, this missed the mark by a large margin. Firstly, this is a state park, and in Maine this means something. State parks are known for being well kept, quiet, wooded, with space between spots and clean if modest bathrooms. Perhaps we are spoiled. This felt more like a trailer park with tents. Pros: Near the beach. You do have to drive to it if you are carrying anything, but there is ample parking. The staff at check in and in the general store were friendly. Pretty view over the marsh once you walk down to it (not from sites). Cons: -Our site was full of trash when we pulled in, we walked around for about 10 minutes picking it up. -The sites are on top of each other. If we had two cars like we originally planned to, the cars and a single tent would have taken up almost the entire site. And we had one of the larger sites. -When we arrived at 4pm on Friday the women's bathrooms were already filthy. -Our site (X002) was right next to the marsh/inlet, but there is a paved road between the site and the marsh. (see photos) -The sites are not wooded at all, so you are completely exposed. -Someone was blasting country music from 8-10pm, and there wasn't much we could do about it. If you have an expectation of respectful neighbors, this isn't the place for you. A storm came through on our second night and we used it as an excuse to leave. For some campers this might be just what you like, but it didn't work for these nature lovers. read more

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Open 8am-10pm (I think) Memorial Day to Labor Day (I think, check the website to be sure!). $9 fee to get on the beach, but it has tons of parking, and at that price it is totally reasonable compared to a lot of beaches in the area. The beach was pretty full today, but it was AMAZING weather, and I'm pretty sure that they do fireworks on Saturday nights (you can see them from Hampton Beach) so that would explain it.... 90+ degrees on the beach, we set up a blanket and ran down to the water. The water was a COOL 60+/- degrees, every part of your body feels numb within 15 minutes, but oh so refreshing! I hadn't been here in YEARS, maybe 10, but it was pretty much what I remembered. There are lots of warnings about rip tides, which is usually why the beach is always so full, and there is tons of space IN the water. Keep an eye on your kids if you come here, rip tides are no joke! I always set up near the lifeguards chair anyways - out of habit, my mum used to so it was easier for us to find her from the water. I will be back again, hopefully before the summer is through! read more

Salisbury Beach State Reservation - where you pay to park - Beaches Near Me - Salisbury, Massachusetts

Great place to take your family any time of the year. Though, expect long lines during summer peak times, when the weather is good. The issue they have is not being able to direct traffic correctly coming in. There should be two lanes open during busy peak times upon entry. One for season holders and the other for those paying. The entry should be widened to accommodate for the large volume during the summer. It's a great place to see the seasonal birds too. Lots of clean beach and water. read more

Salisbury Beach State Reservation - Snow owl in the tree - Beaches Near Me - Salisbury, Massachusetts

Very nice park and convenient access/parking system. However I'm going to have to give them an D for customer service. We got there early and found a picnic table by a grill, but seeing the sign about reservations for the canopy area my friend called to see if it was ok if we setup there. The person he talked to said there were no reservations for the day so it was ok if we stayed in that spot. Then a few hours later someone showed up and said they reserved that space. Thinking he was bluffing because he just wanted our spot we called the staff again. This time a different operator said the space was in fact reserved for that day. So we had to move all our stuff and luckily found another table and grill. If he didn't know he should've just told us directly that there was a chance it was reserved? Instead of leading us on with misinformation? read more

This review is about the CAMPGROUND and, more specifically, the jerk who runs the camp store. I have never met anyone so rude in my life and have no idea why he is allowed to act like that! I went in there three times over three days and each time was worse than the last. The first time, on our first day, I went in there to ask where the beach was - because it was 90 degrees out and I was walking to it with my 3-year-old son and didn't want to chance getting lost. "Are you kidding me?" he snorted. "What are you, first timers?" Like, yes, yes we are. Then he proceeded to give me the wrong directions. The second time there was another man behind the counter with him that seemed to keep him in check, still...I was squinting at the board behind him to read the "cash only" sign and he was like, "What, you can't read?" And it's like, I don't have my glasses on! The third time, because it was cash only and our last day there, I only had a certain amount of cash left on me and needed a half gallon of milk and a bundle of wood. I asked how much each was ($5 for a half gallon of milk, btw) and proceeded to add it up in my head and count my money. "Are you kidding me? Didn't you go to school?" It was like, jesus, man, give it a break...you are NOT funny and you're the one sitting in a funky-smelling, dusty old 150-degree store filled with clutter acting miserable. Seriously, this guy should be fired! It made an already "eh" weekend worse. The campground is cramped and many spaces - including ours - lacked trees or shade of any kind. The bathrooms were gross. Showers grosser. There are almost zero amenities. The main beach is crowded and filled with blood-sucking greenhead flies. There's zero security or anyone patrolling the place (which can be good or bad depending on how you look at it). Gaggles of kids - mostly boys - were roaming and biking around well until midnight. And in general a lot of the people came across as Cousin Eddie types. But, hey, what do you expect for $35 a night, I guess, right? The only upside was the wedding we went to on the beach. That was the one and only reason we went here. Won't be back. read more

We stayed for 2 nights on the hottest days of the summer in the campground. There is no shade whatsoever so be prepared to try and beat the heat. The sites were easily accessible and to back into with hookups but they are packed in like sardines. If you were like our visit, you probably will be next to some trashy folks or drug users. That was a bummer. The showers were long lines and make sure you wear shoes while using them. We swam at the mouth and at the beach- we preferred the mouth, but there were lots of dogs and people fishing from shore. I personally picked up some broken glass and fish hooks. Overall, it's OK here. It is "camping" after all. I might do it again. I would want to hand pick my site though. I got the last one. read more

Overall, the campground is adequate. Location is great! But quiet hours are not adhered to. With a young baby, it's hard when the neighbors allow their children to be up screaming all hours of the night. It would be nice if there was some enforcement of this read more

It's nice beach not too crowded the water cold though, easy parking $14 for MA Resident and $40 for Out of state plate, Warning it's traffic on the way out read more

Someone's has to do something about the speeders in the campground area. We are local residents and walk there as often as possible with our dogs. People speed at high speeds with no care for anyone walking. The speed limit is posted 5 mph and hardly anyone abides to it. State Police should set up speed traps. It is very dangerous walking there, particularly where people drive in the opposite direction of the campground park and don't even know it. Suggest the park install do not enter signs, or one way signs, and brighten up the 5mph on the street, or enforce the speed with the State Police. It is a nice park and with the new electrical project, seems to be changing things a little. However, the biggest complaint is the speeders, then those who simply do not care when they are walking their dogs and don't pick up after. Then there is all the litter. I filled a green back of cans one day, which I brought to the recycle center. A week later, cans thrown all over the place again. People are so inconsiderate. I appreciate the park placing buckets for dog poop, but the owners should take it away since it is often left in the buckets. Overall, the access to the beach is pretty good. Just biggest complaint is the speed and the road surface in the park. read more

Absolutely gorgeous, acres of undisturbed land, long beautiful ocean front, showers at parking lots two and three. One of my favorites

One of the best beaches I've been to this far in Massachusetts. Only an hour away from Boston. Ample parking available, $14 for MA residents and $20 for non-MA residents. The beach itself was very clean and not too crowded. The water was cold but refreshing with a decent amount of waves great for body surfing or boogie boarding. The walkways to the beach are in great shape. There are public restrooms, outdoor showers and changing rooms. There are also picnic tables and a playground! Overall, it is a great beach and I am looking forward to my next visit! read more

The best time to visit the Salisbury Beach State Reservation, a.k.a. "The Res", is coming off season for free. I guess I am old fashioned, but $9 feels like a lot to park...but for families it's probably not all that much. Still it's a nice beach, away from the center and the White-Trash vibe of the Salisbury Beach Center. Sure the pizza is good, and it's nice to play games, but I would rather just go to the beach and chill. Camping hear is a tremendous value, but I think they should limit the amount of RV's. It's not really camping if you are in a 20-50 foot metal box with cable, etc. I am all for the creature comforts, but it's kind of ridiculous. This place is kinda sad that the sites are so damn close together. I agree, it is like a refugee camp of sorts. That said, in the off season it's awesome. People do drink here in moderation (even though it is technically illegal) but you have to A. be real quiet. B. be very, very discreet C. Not be in a large group as the State Police and Park Staff patrol very often in peak season. Oh yeah, almost all the sites have virtually no shade, so prepare accordingly. Oh and the seagulls are all over your site if you leave anything accessible. I wish this place was better maintained. I wish the staff here didn't hate there jobs. I wish more sites were set aside for tenters. That all said, it is a great place that many people in Eastern Mass have been coming for years and I always enjoy it... Bring your bikes, your walking shoes, a fishing pole for the Merrimac River and definitely anything you can use for shade. Buy wood on site so you don't accidentally bring the Japanesse Beatle that is threatening the forests of North America. read more

It used to be one of our favorite affordable places to go but DCR really really hiked up the prices up from $9 to $14 and let this place go... (and $36 seasonal to $60 seasonal) The traffic control once you get into the park is awful, people who pay cash have to wait in line for those that pay with a credit card (where the attendant has to walk over the CC machine) causing a big line. No signs of high tide anymore. Bathrooms are ABSOLUTELY disgusting... some water needs to be flushed down here to get rid of the smell. Not enough trash containers... when we left the whole area was littered with TRASH! The beach is nice and they are doing improvements on the jetty... not sure why? Life guards once noticeable was few and far between and when you do see them they are flirting with the other life guards. I know Mass has some budget issues but once a treasure ...now thinking of just heading to Hampton State from now on. read more

There's a fee to get into this small stretch of beach, but I prefer it over Hampton, or Plum Island. There's a campground on the site, too. There's nothing appealing about a campsite packed with RV's to me where people are within 10 feet of you on all sides. They remind me of metal refugee camps. Time it right, grab some takeout from somewhere and there might be a full moon in October or April on an unseasonably warm night and you can pitch a tent in the relatively desserted campground, build a fire and enjoy the beach. read more

This depends on the season. For me, off-season beachgoing can't be beat, and we have loved this place for decades. The playground is so Much fun with children, especially on those soft spring days or clear, comfortable fall days. And if you have a camera and you can catch the golden hour while Your children are playing at the beach, you will cherish those photographs forever. The Merrimack River is so gorgeous at this spot, great for strolls in the sand while you watch for seals and all kinds of birds. Bird watching here is great, too, in the off-season, because you can take your time and set up your scope and look around without too many hassles. Butler's Toothpick is a scenic little spot. Again, for bird watching, lots to see. There are hunters and fisherman around, enjoying their hobbies and sports, but it's never very crowded...during the off-season! The beach is really nice and there are restrooms available. The jetty is picturesque and great for fishing. The campsites are so nice and flat, but during the season, the place is packed. Still, if you're looking for a nice off-season nice weather thing to do, meander and explore all around this place, and bring your binoculars, kite, young ones, whatever you please, and you'll love it. read more

This place is well worth the $9 parking fee...Or, better yet, if a MA resident: pay the annual fee of $35, and park free at this, and all state parks for the year (very worth it if you go more than a few times). We've been coming here for the last two years..it's clean, there are bathrooms, a great playground (on the last parking lot), camping facilities, and snack bars (just hot dogs, water, and ice cream, but it's inexpensive, and helps in a pinch). The beach itself is large -- there are three separate parking lots..we opt for the last lot as it's nearest to the smaller beach which abuts the river(less waves for the kids), and it's nearest to the excellent playground for the kids..but all of the beach is well maintained, clean and just lovely. You can also BBQ here - there are pits near the last parking lot, and some interesting historical information. Very easy to access via 95N or 1AN...I love the many north shore beaches, but this one has the feature of offering affordable parking, and a playground right there..so it has my vote as a family friendly place...and, unlike most northern CA beaches, the water doesn't require a wet suit to go swim in!! read more

This is my beach of choice. I have been enjoying this beach ever since I was a little kid. This is a state park and you can either pay daily at $9, or by a season pass at $35, which is good for any MA state park. Great deal in my book. There are several parking lots and although you may have a bit of a walk to get to the beach, parking is almost always gauranteed. There is also a RV area which I have never ventured into. Like others have stated, it does seemed to be clustered very close together. The Reservation also houses a playground, bathrooms at every parking lot, ands food truck at the first parking lot. The beach itself is always cleaned daily and never seems to have any seaweed. The beach is staffed by lifegaurds daily and they are reasonable about what you can and cannot do. One warning - do NOT bring alcohol here; this is a family enviornment and they do take alcohol offenses seriously. There is also a "rock wall" at the end where, if your timing is good, you can catch small crabs. This past weekend, with the pass of Hurricane Arthur, we witnessed the surf like never before. Strong tides and currents, huge waves, and even a sea lion surfaced his head 10 feet from me! Never ever before seen that in my life. As a beach bum I love the peacfulness of this location and look forward to coming back for years to come. read more

AWSOME campground. Clean and right in beach and river for saltwater surf fishing. Higher power sites are 30's +. You need to have a saltwater fishing license to fish but only $10 so was well worth it! But firewood from the guy at the end of the entrance road as it's much cheaper. Bring tie downs and watch weather as it blows in hard and fast here so be prepared to take down EZ ups and roll up awnings, saw a few go flying this week. Enjoy!!! read more

Salisbury Beach State Reservation - Relaxing on Salisbury beach - Beaches Near Me - Salisbury, Massachusetts

Cute little beach that has bomb pizza from Tripoli's. I feel like this beach is the beach that you go to when it's neighbor beach, Hampton, is already too packed to enjoy your day there. But I didn't mind coming to this beach. The sand wasn't made out of pebble rocks, which is nice because Boston beaches have that. The arcades there were ok, nothing mind-blasting. read more

Love this beach. Perfect waves. Amazing wildlife. Parking is solid. Lots of walking trails to explore. Note: don't bring your dog as they aren't alowed read more

disappointed this year, the parking rate got jacked up and the beach is not well kept. Been going there for many years but went to Hampton Beach during a week and payed less and the beach was nicer its pretty sad to see it go this bad read more

The Park is in a great location but was crowded. The bathrooms were NOT very clean at all and, I found out that they are cleaned? by "volunteers" who get "paid" with free campsites! For hundreds of campers, there are only 2 buildings with just 6 showers!!! And 2 of the showers were out of order!!! Oh...AND there are NO laundry facilities! Good news is...the campers were very kind and respectful of one another. read more

This campground is no more than an open field. Very crowded and with a 4 pet limit one must watch where you step. Our neighbors would not park in there site but chose ours! It seems that there are many sites with large access covers with large lifting rings, they are not flush with the ground but are raised a few inches. they always line up with your campers steps. During setting up our site my wife stumbled and fell while exiting our camper. the end result is a broken foot and a dislocated shoulder! The state will surely here from us. CAMPERS BEWARE ! read more

I was wary after the reviews, but I went anyway. This was wonderful. 5 minute walk to the ocean, so no need to pay for parking. Bathrooms were very decent, plenty of TP. There's a store on sight for morning coffee and lots else. There was no partying, yelling or any loudness. Every camper we met was kind and friendly. The police patrol on horses and vehicle, so if you want to party, find alternate accommodations. This is now my new favorite spot. Great for families who just want to do thier thing and relax. 9 out of 10. read more

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This beach is beautiful and convenient to get to from southern central NH. I love it!

Cigarette's in the sand everywhere! Some child told his mom there was a needle under the pier!! Trash and nips in the sand! People smoking everywhere on the beach! The lifeguard was picking up girls in his shift. Disappointed read more