Beach it! Buy Rhode Island parking pass online. Beach jobs. Beach bus. Trash policy.

Photo: Pamela Bhatia, Artistic Images RI Ltd – Sand Hill Cove

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, many Rhode Islanders and out-of-state visitors will plan on visiting one of the Ocean State’s world-class state beaches. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is urging beachgoers to buy their parking passes online NOW to avoid getting stuck in traffic tie-ups at beach entrances during the holiday and the busy summertime. Historically, Independence Day week is the peak of the beach season and depending on the weather, tens of thousands of visitors may flock to the eight state surf beaches. 

“Rhode Island’s spectacular state beaches are part of what makes living in the Ocean State so special, and I encourage everyone to get outside and enjoy our beautiful beaches,” said Governor Dan McKee. “At the same time, I remind beachgoers that keeping our natural spaces clean is everyone’s responsibility. This Independence Day and all summer long, let’s protect our natural heritage by helping keep Rhody litter free.” 

“We welcome everyone to enjoy swimming, relaxing, and gathering with friends and family at one of our beautiful, accessible state beaches,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “As thousands of beachgoers celebrate Independence Day at state beaches each year, we remind all visitors to have a fun and safe holiday weekend.”

Buy parking passes before you go!

To help reduce the amount of time beachgoers spend at the entry booths, DEM is urging visitors to buy a season pass online and well in advance of their visit. Prepaid customers may use the express lanes at beaches for speedier access. Purchasing a season pass online also will help DEM keep the express lanes open, as there have been past instances when the express lanes could not be used because too many people were paying for parking at the entry gates rather using pre-paid parking passes.

Express lanes are available at all state beaches except for East Beach, Charlestown Breachway, and Salty Brine, which are one-lane facilities. DEM’s parking vendor, LAZ Parking, uses license plate recognition (LPR) technology at the express lanes whereby a scan is taken of the rear license plates of prepaid customers confirming that the customer has paid to allow for quick entry. Please allow space for the car at the gate space for the reader to recognize the license plate. Driving bumper to bumper will cause the system to fault, requiring an attendant to manually enter the plate, and slow the flow of cars. Season passes no longer require a physical pass to be placed on vehicle windshields as passes are now electronically connected to an individual’s license plate. 

Annually, state beach season parking passes are available for purchase starting the first week of January, and purchasing passes ahead of beach season helps reduce the amount of time beachgoers spend at the entry booths during busy holidays. Once purchased, season passes do not go into immediate effect. It takes up to 24 hours during the summer months for the buyer’s residency status and age to be verified to charge the correct fee and for the pass to be validated. Individuals may purchase beach parking passes at www.beachparkingri.com to purchase your state beach parking season pass. For a step-by-step guide on purchasing your state beach parking pass online, click here. 

Along with the online option, state beach season parking passes may be purchased in person at the Scarborough North State Beach overflow lot (on Burnside Avenue, Narragansett) from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday through Friday, August 9. Season passes are not for sale at state beach entrance booths. DEM urges customers purchasing day passes at the entrance booths or customers purchasing a season pass at the overflow lot to have their money and documents ready to show the attendant to allow for these transactions to occur quickly and efficiently. 

For beachgoers paying the daily parking fee, a in addition to credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are all accepted as payment methods, allowing quicker “scan to pay” transactions. The daily beach parking fee for residents is $6 on weekdays and $7 on weekends and holidays. 

DEM reminds beachgoers that RI state beaches reach capacity quickly around holidays with many thousands of people going to the same beaches at the same times. For the safety and enjoyment of beach patrons, staff monitor the available space on the sand and may close parking lot entrances to prevent overcrowding, ensuring lifeguards and first responders have space to respond to water emergencies and that beach facilities can support the number of people on a given day. Closed lots may reopen as space becomes available. DEM encourages beachgoers to check the near real-time beach capacity status before heading to the beach and to be patient and courteous to others as they enter beach parking lots. If you arrive at a favorite beach and find that the beach is full, please consider visiting a different location or returning at another time of day.

Beach Bus with RIPTA

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) offers year-round service to a number of popular beaches and a seasonal “Beach Bus” express route to several South County beaches. For details on the schedules, routes, and destinations, please visit RIPTA’s website – here is the schedule which is subject to changes:

South County Express Beach Bus

South County Express Beach Bus provides direct service to Scarborough, Wheeler and Salty Brine beaches from Woonsocket, Cranston, Central Falls, Pawtucket, Downtown Providence and North Providence. Service will run on weekends and holidays beginning Saturday, June 29, through Saturday, August 31, 2024.

Narragansett Beach

Route 14 (West Bay) provides direct service from Kennedy Plaza to the town beach.

• Weekday – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 60 minutes from 5:10am to 7:10pm.
• Saturday – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 3 hours from 9:10am to 3:10pm.

Scarborough, Wheeler and Salty Brine Beaches (Narragansett)

Route 66 (URI/Galilee) provides service to the state’s South County beaches. Just transfer to Route 69 (Narragansett/Galilee) at URI!

• Weekday – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 30 minutes from 6:06am to 7:26pm, then every 60 minutes until 11:26.
• Saturday – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 60 minutes from 7:48am to 9:48pm.
• Sunday and Holidays – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 60 minutes from 7:53am to 10:08pm.

First Beach (Newport)

Route 68 (CCRI NPT/Mem/ Blvd/First Beach) provides service to First Beach in Newport.

• 7 Days a Week – Trips depart Newport Transportation Center every 45 minutes from 8:18am to 4:14pm.

Cliff Walk, Belmont and Bailey Beaches (Newport)

Route 67 (Bellevue/Salve Regina Univ) provides service to the Cliff Walk, as well as the Belmont and Bailey Beaches in Newport.

• Weekday – Trips depart Newport Transportation Center every 20 minutes from 8:00am to 8:00pm.
• Saturday – Trips depart Newport Transportation Center every 20 minutes from 8:40am to 10:00am and from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. 15 minute frequency from 10am to 6pm.
• Sunday and Holidays – Trips depart Newport Transportation Center every 20 minutes from 9:40am to 10:00am and from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. 15 minute frequency from 10am to 6pm.

Lincoln Woods

Route 51 (Twin River/CCRI) and Route 54 (Lincoln/Woonsocket) provide direct service from Kennedy Plaza to Lincoln Woods with its 600-plus acres around Olney Pond.

Route 51 Twin River/CCRI

• Weekday – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 43 minutes from 6:40am to 11:52pm.
• Saturday – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 30 minutes from 6:55am to 10:25pm.
• Sunday and Holidays – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 60 minutes from 7:00am to 10:00pm.

Route 54 Lincoln/Woonsocket

• Weekday – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 43 minutes from 5:20am to 11:58pm.
• Saturday – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 55 minutes from 6:55am to 11:25pm.
• Sunday and Holidays – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 60 minutes from 6:30am to 10:30pm.

Oakland Beach (Warwick)

Route 3 (Oakland Beach)  provides service to this inlet beach which is just 10 miles south of Providence. 

• Weekday – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 40 minutes from 6:10am to 6:50pm, then every 80 minutes until 9:30pm.
• Saturday – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 70 minutes from 6:30am to 8:30pm.
• Sunday and Holidays – Trips depart downtown Providence, Kennedy Plaza every 100 minutes from 8:00am to 7:40pm.

Beach Jobs – and Safety

DEM continues to accept applications for seasonal employment positions including qualified lifeguards for state beach facilities. DEM has currently hired 109 lifeguards to staff state beaches and parks as this essential summer workforce recruitment momentum continues. For more information about becoming a DEM lifeguard, please visit: www.riparks.ri.gov/lifeguard. 

As always, DEM urges parents, guardians, and family members to watch their children while they’re swimming or near the water, including those who are unable to swim, regardless of age. Also, DEM further urges beachgoers to pay attention and adhere to all safety messaging given by beach staff and lifeguards. Public safety is DEM’s highest priority and staff monitor weather and ocean conditions daily. For more safety tips, please visit www.riparks.ri.gov/beachsafety. 

Carry-in/Carry-Out Trash Policy

Everyone who enjoys parks, beaches, and public outdoor spaces has a responsibility to keep them clean. All DEM properties have a carry-in/carry-out trash policy. This policy has been in effect since 1992. We ask all visitors to come prepared to secure their trash in their own containers and dispose of it properly when they return home. This simple measure helps minimize litter, reduces nuisance wildlife issues, and prevents trash and plastics from entering coastal waters. “The carry-in/carry-out policy is a best practice across the country because it promotes conservation, fosters a sense of stewardship, and leads to better visitor experiences,” said Director Gray. 

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.