DCR to Raise Fees at Massachusetts Beaches and Parks

Both residents and out-of-staters can expect increases.

Photo by Kyle Clauss

Peddocks Island. Photo by Kyle Clauss

Plan to visit Massachusetts’ parks and beaches this summer? Be prepared to pay a little more.

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation will institute fee hikes for both Bay State residents and out-of-staters, part of a plan spearheaded by former Gov. Deval Patrick near the end of his administration.

“The previous administration actually raised the rates just before we came in, and so we’ve been rolling out that increase,” DCR commissioner Leo Roy told the State House News Service last week. “We’re using the rate increase that was previously done by the previous administration, but it hadn’t been rolled out across the state and that’s what we’re doing.”

Here’s what it means for you:

  • Parking at Nantasket Beach will increase from $10 per day to $15 for Massachusetts residents and $20 for out-of-staters.
  • Parking at Nahant Beach will increase from $10 to $20 for both Massachusetts residents and out-of-staters.
  • Coastal campsites will increase from $27 to $35 for out-of-state residents.
  • Season parking passes will increase from $85 to $120 for out-of-state residents.

The new fee rollout is expected to complete by July 1.