Crossover Vehicle Access

Long Beach will be staffed for the summer season beginning on Saturday, May 27. Crossover access is from 9:00am to 7:00pm daily, subject to restrictions for nesting shorebirds and tidal conditions. Due to the location and timing of the hatching of piping plover nests, we expect there will be little to no vehicle access over the Crossover beginning Memorial Day weekend. The closest nest to the Crossover is estimated to hatch around May 26.  Depending on whether this nest hatches on time or a few days later than expected, we may have a very limited amount of vehicle access (~7 vehicles) over the Crossover for opening weekend. If the nest hatches by the morning of May 27, we unfortunately won’t be able to open the Crossover, but, depending on the other nesting activity, an early closing might result in an earlier reopening – we will keep our fingers crossed! And be sure to check the Long Beach Information page for updates on vehicle access.

Ryder Way Access

There are currently 5 plover nests along Ryder Way, and a few more are expected soon. Least terns are settling into their colony along the road between the Day Parking Area and the Crossover. Under normal circumstances, once a nest hatches, vehicle access would be restricted to protect the chicks until they can fly, however, the Town participates in the statewide Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plover, which will allow the areas beyond the chicks to remain open to recreational vehicles for limited hours.  

The first nest expected to hatch along Ryder Way is located near the Day Parking Area. When this nest hatches around May 26, the Day Parking Area and areas beyond will close to recreational vehicles (including for fishing) at 7:00pm. This night-time restriction will be moved southward to near the first cottage along Ryder Way when the first of two nests in that area hatches around June 1.

The Natural Resources staff will monitor the location of the chicks and manage traffic if they approach or cross the road or parking area. Delays may be caused by the presence of chicks in or near the road. Be alert to the possible presence of chicks and adult plovers in the road and stop to let them pass. If you see chicks in or near the road, please notify staff. If a take occurs (e.g., a chick is killed), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife may suspend use of the road and vehicle access will be limited to areas south of the area where the chicks are located, so please use caution when driving through these areas.  

Bird Nesting

So far this season, 37 pairs of piping plovers have nested at Long Beach, with several more to go! Least terns have returned to the beach and are settling into their nesting colonies, and common terns have returned to their nesting areas at the point and have begun laying eggs. Ospreys returned to the 3 nests active in prior years again this year and a new pair of ospreys made a new nest on the “Sparkplug” channel marker. Several more species of songbirds and shorebirds have also returned to nest at Long Beach this season.

Long Beach Sticker Information

Last year’s orange beach stickers are valid through December 31, 2023, so if you have a sticker from last year, you do not need to purchase another one this year. However, if you do need to buy one, stickers are being sold online, by mail, and at the Tax Collector’s office. More information about sticker purchases can be found on the Beach & Pond Information page. Please remember that the license plate number on your sticker must match the one on your vehicle, so if you got a new plate since last summer, you’ll need to get a replacement sticker to gain access to the beach. Replacement stickers are available at the Collector’s office for a $5 fee if you bring in the old sticker, or full price without it.

Rules & Regulations Reminders

Before you head out to the beach for the first time this season, please take a few minutes to review the Plymouth Long Beach Rules & Regulations.  

For the safety of yourself and those around you, observe the speed limit of 10 mph in all areas including on the beach, on Ryder Way and in the parking lot. If you park along Ryder Way, park in the areas designated by signs, and do not block the road as other vehicles, including emergency vehicles, must be able to pass by. Please become familiar with and follow all of the rules and regulations so that we can all have a safe summer while protecting Plymouth’s valuable natural resources.  

The seasonal dog ban on certain portions of the beach went into effect April 1st. From April 1st through September 30th, the partial ban restricts dogs from all Town properties north of the Day Parking Area, which is the small 4x4 parking area located about 2/3 of the way out to the Crossover. Leashed dogs are allowed on Ryder Way and the beachfront from the main parking lot northward to the Day Parking Area, excluding areas closed for shorebird nesting.  Violations of the ban and/or the leash law can result in fines up to $100.

More Information

More information about the Crossover and Long Beach can be found on the Long Beach Information page.

Information about other Town beaches and ponds can be found on the Beach & Pond Information page.