PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, with most state beaches opening for the season on Saturday.
From parking passes to hours and safety, here’s what you need to know to be prepared.
Skip to a section: Beach Parking 🌊 Capacity 🌊 Safety 🌊 Trash Policy 🌊 Beach Hours
Parking
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is encouraging locals to buy their state beach parking passes in advance.
Doing so helps reduce the amount of time beachgoers will spend at the entry booths on busy weekends and holidays. Express lanes will be available at all state beaches except East Beach, Charlestown Breachway and Salty Brine, according to the DEM.
Physical passes no longer need to be placed on windshields, since they’re now connected to beachgoers’ license plates.
The DEM noted that once someone buys a pass, it does not go into effect immediately. It takes 24 hours to be validated while the person’s address and age are verified.
Capacity
On busy days, staff may close parking lots to prevent overcrowding. You can check the DEM’s real-time beach capacity status tracker here.
Ocean, Bay & Beach // A look at the conditions at the coast »
Safety
Lifeguards will not be on duty at state beaches after 6 p.m. Anyone entering the water when lifeguards are not on duty is swimming at their own risk.
The DEM highly recommends that people of all ages learn to swim and know their limitations. Children should always be supervised while swimming.
The DEM is still recruiting to fill a wide range of summer jobs, including lifeguards. Lifeguards hired by June 28 can receive a $500 sign-on bonus, and those who remain in good standing until Sept. 2 can receive an additional $500 retention bonus.
Carry In/ Carry Out
All DEM properties have a carry-in/carry-out trash policy that has been in effect since 1992. All visitors are asked to secure their own trash and throw it out at home.
Beach Hours
The following is a list of Rhode Island’s state beaches and swimming areas, with information about their dates and hours of operation:
Charlestown
Burlingame State Park: The facilities will be open from May 25 through Sept. 2. Lifeguards will be on duty from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as staffing allows.
Charlestown Breachway: The beach will be open daily from May 25 to Sept. 2. The beach will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays, weather permitting.
East Beach: The beach will be open daily from May 25 to Sept. 2. On weekdays, the beach will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., while on weekends and holidays it will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Glocester
Pulaski State Park: The facilities will be open from May 25 through Sept. 2. Lifeguards will be on duty from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as staffing allows.
Lincoln
Lincoln Woods State Park: The facilities will be open from May 25 through Sept. 2. Lifeguards will be on duty from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as staffing allows.
Narragansett
Roger Wheeler State Beach: The beach will be open daily from May 25 to Sept. 2. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays, weather permitting.
Salty Brine State Beach: The beach will be open daily from May 25 to Sept. 2. The beach will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays, weather permitting.
Scarborough North State Beach: The beach will be open daily from May 25 to Sept. 2. On weekdays, the beach will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., while on weekends and holidays it will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting.
Scarborough South State Beach: The beach will be open daily from June 15 until Aug. 18. After that, the beach will only be open on weekends until Sept. 2. Lifeguards will be on duty from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Newport
Fort Adams State Park: The facilities will be open from May 25 through Sept. 2. Lifeguards will be on duty from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as staffing allows.
South Kingstown
East Matunuck State Beach: The beach will be open daily from May 25 to Sept. 2. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays, weather permitting.
Warwick
Goddard Memorial State Park: The facilities will be open from May 25 through Sept. 2. Lifeguards will be on duty from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as staffing allows.
Westerly
Misquamicut State Beach: The beach will be open daily from May 25 to Sept. 2. On weekdays, the beach will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays, weather permitting.
Close
Subscribe Now
