Long Beach Vehicle Access

The Natural Resources staff has been busy over the last week installing and adjusting the travel corridor in anticipation of opening more of the beach for vehicle access following fledging of some of the piping plover chicks on the northern part of the beach. We have been able to increase access over the last few days, and the Crossover currently has access for approximately 160 vehicles. Vehicle access is expected to further increase over the next week. Updates will be posted on the Long Beach Information page.

The last of the least tern chicks along Ryder Way have fledged, so the night-time restrictions on vehicle access along the road have been lifted. Ryder Way, the Day Parking Area, the Fishermen’s Turnaround, the Landing Lot and designated parking areas along the road are available until the usual closing time of 9:00pm (Plymouth bylaws §30-20). Ryder Way access for night fishing is available.  

Extreme Tide Closures

Beginning on August 30 through September 4 (Labor Day), above average and extreme tides will affect vehicle access to some extent each day at the Crossover. Each morning, the Natural Resources Officer will assess tide height, weather conditions and beach topography to determine the timing and extent of tide closures. Vehicles may need to leave some or all of the areas over the Crossover. Typically, tide closures last about 1 ½ hours before and after high tide, so remember to check the tides before heading out to the beach during that time period.  

The high tides over Labor Day weekend will be among the highest of the summer, and vehicles will need to leave all areas of the Crossover during the tide closures, so please plan accordingly!

The 2023 NOAA tide calendar (PDF) for Plymouth is available to download or print.

Post-Labor Day Crossover Access

Other than during temporary tide closures, the Crossover will be open the normal hours of 9:00am to 7:00pm daily through Labor Day on Monday, September 4. Usually, the Crossover closes after Labor Day because vehicle access over the Crossover is permitted only when sufficient staff are present. The Plymouth Long Beach Management Plan includes a staffing requirement so that the Town can ensure compliance with the state and federal laws that protect endangered species habitat and coastal wetland resources. However, there will be enough of the seasonal staff available to open the Crossover for two additional weekends, on September 9 and 10 and September 16 and 17. The Crossover hours will be reduced for those weekends and the gate will be open from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Long Beach 4x4 Stickers will be required for access past Manter’s Point on those two weekends. The Crossover gate will be closed on weekdays after Labor Day, and will be closed for the season after September 17, but Ryder Way will remain open and parking will be available in the parking lots and designated areas along the road.

Seasonal Dog Restrictions through September 30

As Labor Day approaches, please remember that the seasonal ban on dogs on the Town properties north of the Day Parking Area extends through September 30. Leashed dogs are allowed at the Plymouth Beach parking lot and on the beach and road up to the Day Parking Area. The Natural Resources staff will be present to enforce this restriction, including when the Crossover is closed, as required by the MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. Please continue to comply with the seasonal ban through September 30, and with the leash law year-round. More information is available at the Seasonal Dog Restrictions at Long Beach page.  More information about the seasonal dog restrictions is available at the Seasonal Dog Restrictions at Long Beach page.

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.