Long sandy ocean beach and dune grass on Plum Island seen from an overlook

Plum Island Beach

Plum Island beach is not one beach but several, run by different owners, including the City of Newburyport's Plum Island Point Beach at the north end, the beach inside the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge along most of the island, and DCR's Sandy Point State Reservation at the southern tip. Each has its own parking and rules. At the city's Plum Island Point lot, non-residents pay $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends and holidays; the refuge charges $5 per car. Dogs are never allowed at the refuge or at Sandy Point. Plum Island is a short drive east of Maudslay State Park and downtown Newburyport.

At a Glance

Plum Island at a Glance

North endPlum Island Point Beach (City of Newburyport)

City lot fee$20 weekday / $25 weekend (non-resident)

Refuge beachParker River National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS)

Refuge fee$5 per car

South tipSandy Point State Reservation (DCR, 77 acres)

DogsNever at the refuge or Sandy Point

LighthousePlum Island Light, built 1898

Plum Island Point Beach (North End)

The City of Newburyport's Harbormaster Department runs Plum Island Point Beach and its parking lot at the north end of the island. Enter the lot next to 278 Northern Blvd, Newburyport; the city says entering through Reservation Terrace is not allowed and can bring fines and towing.

Non-residents: $20 weekdays, $25 weekends and holidays.
Newburyport residents: $10 weekdays, $12 weekends and holidays.
Pay with the Passport Parking app, zone 2160, once you arrive. Parking is first-come, first-served, and paying ahead doesn't guarantee a space if the lot is full.

The city's warning for this beach is in capital letters: no swimming in the river or off the sandbar. The north end faces the mouth of the Merrimack River.

The Wildlife Refuge Beach

Beach and dunes along the shoreline at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

A long stretch of the island's beach is inside the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge charges $5 per car per day (cash or check at the gatehouse); walkers and bikers enter free. From April 1 into August, most of the refuge beach is closed to protect nesting piping plovers, and it reopens in stages as the chicks fledge. Beach access is only by the marked boardwalks from the refuge parking lots. Dogs are never allowed.

In summer the refuge often closes to cars when its lots fill. The refuge recommends coming on weekdays, or before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. on weekends.

Sandy Point State Reservation (South Tip)

DCR's Sandy Point State Reservation covers 77 acres at the southern tip of Plum Island, with a coastal beach for swimming and sunbathing. Its address is Parker River Wildlife Refuge Road, Ipswich: you reach it by driving the length of the refuge road. It is open sunrise to sunset, has restrooms and a beach wheelchair, and allows no dogs and no alcohol. DCR lists fishing and educational programs there too.

Plum Island Lighthouse

Plum Island Light, also called Newburyport Harbor Light, stands near the north end of the island. The present conical tower was built in 1898. The Coast Guard deeded the lighthouse to the City of Newburyport in 2003, the city leases the tower to the nonprofit Friends of Plum Island Light, and the Coast Guard still maintains the light itself.

The grounds have an outdoor kiosk with photos, maps and a timeline. The Friends open the tower on a handful of tour days each season (2026: May 30, June 20, July 18, August 22, September 19 and October 3), booked online, in groups of five. Tours are free with a suggested $5 donation; climbers must be at least 5 years old and 42 inches tall, with sturdy shoes and no sandals. The lighthouse has no parking of its own; use the public lot nearby.

Which Part of Plum Island to Choose

With a dog: none of the refuge or Sandy Point. Maudslay State Park allows leashed dogs year-round.
For birding and boardwalks: the wildlife refuge.
For a state beach at the end of the refuge road: Sandy Point (no dogs).
For the lighthouse and the river mouth: the north end, from the city lot.
For a full-service state beach with camping: cross the river to Salisbury Beach.

DCR sign at the entrance to Sandy Point State Reservation

Beach and water at Sandy Point on the southern tip of Plum Island

Sailboat and wooded shore seen from Sandy Point on Plum Island

FAQ

Plum Island FAQ

How much is parking at Plum Island beach?

At the City of Newburyport's Plum Island Point lot, non-residents pay $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends and holidays, by Passport Parking app. The wildlife refuge charges $5 per car.

Are dogs allowed on Plum Island beach?

Never at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge or DCR's Sandy Point. Check the city's rules before bringing a dog to the north end.

Can you swim at Plum Island?

The wildlife refuge lists swimming at its beach, and DCR lists swimming at Sandy Point. At the city's north-end beach, the city warns: no swimming in the river or off the sandbar. Most of the refuge beach is closed April 1 into August for nesting plovers.

Can you go inside the Plum Island lighthouse?

On tour days run by the Friends of Plum Island Light, booked online. The 2026 dates were May 30, June 20, July 18, August 22, September 19 and October 3.

What is Sandy Point State Reservation?

A 77-acre DCR beach at the southern tip of Plum Island, reached by the wildlife refuge road. No dogs.

Facts checked against the DCR page for Maudslay State Park on October 18, 2026.