Ogunquit Beach

Three Entrances to One Barrier Beach

Ogunquit Beach is a three-mile stretch of sand in York County, about 45 minutes south of Portland and just north of the New Hampshire border. The beach forms a narrow barrier between the Atlantic and the tidal Ogunquit River. That gives one visit two distinct kinds of water: ocean surf on the east side and a gentler river edge on the west.

The town of Ogunquit is built for combining the beach with a walk through the village. Restaurants, galleries, and shops sit close enough together that a parked car can stay put once you arrive. The Marginal Way begins near the south end of the beach area and follows the rocky shore to Perkins Cove, so the classic Ogunquit day is beach first and cliff walk second, or the reverse.

There are three practical beach entrances:

• Main Beach is at the Ogunquit River mouth, closest to Beach Street and the center of town. It has the busiest arrival area and the most direct access to both the ocean and river sides.
• Footbridge Beach is reached across the pedestrian bridge from Ocean Street. It places you farther north on the same sand and is a useful alternative when Main Beach is crowded.
• North Beach reaches the northern end of the barrier beach. It works best when your priority is sand and water rather than walking into the village.

These are not separate beaches. They are different entry points to the same long strip of sand, and your parking choice should match the entrance you plan to use.

Tides Change the Beach

At low tide, Ogunquit opens into a huge field of firm sand with room to walk, spread out, and move between the ocean and river sides. As the tide rises, that width disappears. The usable sand narrows substantially toward high tide, so a spot that looked generous when you arrived may become cramped later in the day.

The river side near Footbridge Beach and the north end is the better choice for many families with young children. It is generally calmer and warmer than the open Atlantic side. The ocean side is where to go for surf, while the river side is better for wading and quiet water. Conditions still change with the tide, and children need close supervision around any moving water.

Lifeguards are on duty at Main Beach during the summer season. Restrooms are available near the Main Beach access.

Parking Rates and Enforcement (checked July 2026)

Ogunquit’s municipal lots are enforced from April 17 through October 31. During that period, the lots operate from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pay when you arrive at the meter or through the Passport Parking or ParkMobile app. Parking violations start at $60, so do not wait until after the beach to activate a session.

Main Beach is the most direct choice for a first visit, but it is also the lot most likely to fill early on a summer weekend. Footbridge and North Beach avoid the center-of-town approach and put you directly at their matching entrances. Obed’s Lane and Perkins Cove make more sense for the Marginal Way than for hauling a full beach setup.

Skip Beach Parking: The Ogunquit Trolley (checked July 2026)

The Ogunquit trolley is the simplest way to skip the municipal beach lots entirely. During the 2026 peak season, it runs daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., July 1 through October 15. Each ride costs $5.00 for an adult and $3.00 for a child under 10. Service does not operate in inclement weather.

Use the trolley when you are staying elsewhere in Ogunquit or when you want to combine downtown, the beach, and Perkins Cove without moving a car between stops. The fare is per ride, so plan the order of your day before boarding.

Pair the Beach with the Marginal Way

The Marginal Way runs just over a mile along the ocean between the Shore Road entrance and Perkins Cove. It is paved, lined with benches, and makes a natural counterpoint to a beach day: open sand and tidal water at one end, granite ledges and Atlantic views along the walk.

Start early at Perkins Cove and walk north toward the beach if swimming is the main event. Reverse the route if you want to end with a meal and harbor views. Either direction requires planning the return, whether that means walking back, using the trolley, or arranging a pickup.

Perkins Cove

Perkins Cove, at the southern end of the Marginal Way, is a small working harbor with restaurants, art galleries, and shops. The manual-draw footbridge over the cove entrance is a local landmark, and summer boat trips leave from the harbor.

The cove feels different from the beach: rockier, tighter, and centered on the harbor rather than the sand. It is best treated as the second half of an Ogunquit day, not as another beach entrance.

Dogs and Beach Rules

Dogs are not allowed on Ogunquit Beach from April 1 through September 8. From September 9 through March 31, dogs are welcome on the beach. Dogs are never allowed in the Ogunquit River estuary.

The Marginal Way follows a different seasonal rule. Dogs are permitted only from October 1 through April 1 and must be leashed.

When to Go

Getting There

From Portland, take I-95 South to Exit 7, then Route 1 North into Ogunquit. The drive is about 45 minutes. From Boston, it is about 75 minutes via I-95 North. Once in town, follow signs for the specific entrance and lot you chose rather than simply following the first beach sign.

Nearby Mount Agamenticus offers a quick summit hike with ocean views if you want to combine sand with a trail away from the coast.

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