Good Harbor Beach

Cape Ann, Massachusetts, United States · near Gloucester (Thatcher Road / Route 127A)

Directions (OpenStreetMap)

Overview

Good Harbor is a white sand beach reached over a footbridge, run by the City of Gloucester with a snack bar and restrooms and showers open 9-6. Nonresidents must reserve a parking space ahead, at USD 40 weekdays and USD 45 weekends, and cars are turned away at the gate when the lot is full. Dogs are banned April through September, partly for piping plover nesting.

Facilities and access

Public accessOpen to the public
Access notesCity-run beach. Nonresidents must reserve parking online in advance (up to 10 days); turned away at gate if full; cash not accepted. Gates 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Entry feeUSD 40 (per vehicle, weekdays (USD 45 weekends and holidays); nonresident). City beach detail page as read 2026-11-14; reduced rates may apply after Labor Day. Older city FAQ versions showed USD 30/35.
ParkingPaid. Residents use a beach sticker per Patch 2022 (not verified on city page).
Getting thereDrive; buses prohibited in the lot and large groups need a permit.
ToiletsYes
ShowersYes
Food and drinkYes
LifeguardYes. Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily
DogsRestricted. Prohibited April 1-September 30. October 1-March 31 unleashed dogs allowed on even-numbered days only. The city page also mentions a date change under a recent ordinance and a USD 300 fine per violation; confirm the current dates with the city.
Accessibility
  • about 16 handicapped parking spaces
  • drop-off space near footbridge
  • beach wheelchair at collection booth or from lifeguards

Not yet documented: Changing rooms, Sunbeds and umbrellas. A detail listed here is unknown, not absent.

Activities and planning

Surface: Sand

Type: Coastal

Activities mentioned: Surfing, Swimming

Seasonal context for United States is organised by coast. See the United States season notes and pick the region closest to this beach; one town’s table is not a forecast for another.

Map

Coordinates 42.6194, -70.6314, taken from the cited source.

Nearby beaches

Sources and updates

Last compiled 2026-11-14. Found an error? Suggest a correction.

Fact-level evidence
  • fee: USD 40 per vehicle weekdays, USD 45 weekends/holidays; reservation required for nonresidents; cash not accepted source (2026-11-14)
  • lifeguard: Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day 9:00-17:00; inflatables and flotation devices prohibited during guard hours except Styrofoam boogie boards source (2026-11-14)
  • facilities: Restrooms and showers 9:00-18:00; snack bar source (2026-11-14)
  • dogs: No dogs April 1-September 30; October 1-March 31 unleashed on even-numbered days; plover protection source (2026-11-14)
  • accessibility: ~16 handicapped spaces, drop-off near footbridge, beach wheelchair source (2026-11-14)
  • rules: Alcohol prohibited; carry-in carry-out source (2026-11-14)
  • coordinates: 42.619444, -70.631389 source (2026-11-15)
Sources we could not reach
  • Coordinates not sourced
  • Trustees of Reservations not consulted (city operates this beach)