2025 Long Beach Camping

Application Information:

The Department of Energy & Environment will accept applications for overnight camping at Long Beach through Wednesday, July 30.  Completed applications must be submitted online or received in the Department of Energy & Environment office by 4:00pm on July 30.  Applications received after 4:00pm on July 30 will not be included in the lottery. Applications will not be accepted by email or fax.  

A Plymouth Long Beach 4x4 sticker is required prior to applying.  If you have received a temporary pass but have not yet received your sticker, you may apply for camping.  

Applications will be randomly drawn in a lottery on Thursday, July 31 at 10:00am in the Ropewalk Room at Town Hall.  Attendance at the lottery is not required.  Applicants awarded camping permits will be contacted by email following the lottery.  

Camping dates for this season are the nights of Wednesday, August 20 through Saturday, August 23.  Due to the timing of shorebird breeding activity and extreme high tides, camping is limited to 4 nights this season.  Each camping permit will be issued for up to 2 nights.  The applicant should indicate their preferred nights.  A second and third choice may also be indicated.  

Camping is limited to a maximum of 36 people and 9 vehicles per night.

The total number of campers allowed per permit is 8.  Names of all campers are required at the time of application.  Because of limits on the number of campers allowed to camp each night, additional campers can not be added once an application is submitted (names can be changed, but the number of campers cannot be increased).  The total number of vehicles allowed per permit is 2, and both must have a 4x4 sticker.

Camping is contingent on the completion of shorebird breeding activity and the presence of sufficient Natural Resources Staff.  Camping will only be permitted in designated areas.  Each party is required to have a self-contained toilet for camping.  Cook fires are allowed only within permitted hours.

How to Apply:

The application period is closed.

General Camping Information:

Camping is allowed only in the area designated by the Natural Resources staff.

Each group must have a self-contained toilet, which must be presented at check-in at the Crossover. If you do not have a self-contained toilet, you will not be permitted to enter the camping area. Emptying of toilets anywhere on Long Beach is strictly prohibited.

Only persons and vehicles listed on the camping permit are allowed to remain on the beach after 7:00pm.  Like all other beach visitors, guests of campers must also leave by this time.

There is to be no driving of vehicles outside of the travel corridor at any time. The launching of boats via vehicle over the flats is strictly prohibited.

There is no recreational driving of  vehicles on the beachfront between 7:00pm and 9:00am. After 7:00pm, campers may drive off the beach if necessary (in case of emergency), however, the Crossover gate will not be opened for re-entry until 9:0am.

An approved camping permit will function as the open cookfire permit.  A separate cookfire permit issued by the Fire Department is NOT required. Open cookfires are only allowed during certain periods throughout the day. Grills are not considered “open” fires.

The MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife required the Town to ban dogs from the Town properties north of the Day Parking Area from April 1 to September 30 in order to comply with the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. Therefore, dogs will not be allowed during camping. Please see the "Information for Dog Owners" pamphlet for more information.

Additional camping information will be provided upon issuance of a camping permit.

The Department of Energy & Environment will accept applications for overnight camping at Long Beach through Monday, August 5.  Completed applications must be submitted online or received in the Department of Energy & Environment office by 4:00pm on August 5.  Applications received after 4:00pm on August 5 will not be included in the lottery. Applications will not be accepted by email or fax.  

A Plymouth Long Beach 4x4 sticker is required prior to applying.  If you have received a temporary pass but have not yet received your sticker, you may apply for camping.  

Applications will be randomly drawn in a lottery on Tuesday, August 6 at 3:00pm in the Cordage Room at Town Hall.  Attendance at the lottery is not required.  Applicants awarded camping permits will be contacted following the lottery.  

Camping dates for this season are the nights of Wednesday, August 28 through Friday, August 30.  Due to the timing of shorebird breeding activity and extreme high tides, camping is limited to 3 nights this season.  Each camping permit will be issued for 1 night.  The applicant should indicate their preferred night.  A second and third choice may also be indicated.  

Camping is limited to a maximum of 36 people and 9 vehicles per night.

The total number of campers allowed per permit is 8.  Names of all campers are required at the time of application.  Because of limits on the number of campers allowed to camp each night, additional campers can not be added once an application is submitted (names can be changed, but the number of campers cannot be increased).  The total number of vehicles allowed per permit is 2, and both must have a 4x4 sticker.

Camping is contingent on the completion of shorebird breeding activity and the presence of sufficient Natural Resources Staff.  Camping will only be permitted in designated areas.  Each party is required to have a self-contained toilet for camping.  Cook fires are allowed only within permitted hours.