Season Passes On Sale To Park At Rhode Island State Beaches

NARRAGANSETT, RI — Summer may still feel awhile way in Rhode Island, but season parking passes are already on sale for the 2021 season.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management encouraged residents to buy their passes in advance, online, to avoid backups at the parking lot. Anyone who buys their pass online will be able to use special express lanes at parking lots, allowing for faster entry. East Beach, Charlestown Breachway and Salty Brine beaches will not have express lanes, since each only have a single entrance lane.

Passes on sale include both resident, non-resident and senior passes for the season, as well as daily flex passes for single-day parking. Online credit card purchases will have a 6 percent transaction charge, which would add $1.80 to a season pass for a resident.

Seasonal passes no longer require that drivers put a physical pass on their vehicle's windshield, instead the pass will be tied to the driver's license plate. Beach attendants will scan the license plate upon entry using a hand-held device, the DEM said.

Rhode Islanders can also buy parking passes in person at the Scarborough State Beach overflow lot, across the street from the beach. Passes will be available for purchase on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting May 15, and daily during the same hours starting May 29. Season passes cannot be purchased at state beach entrance booths.

2021 Beach Fees

Daily fee (flex pass if purchased online)

• Residents: $6 on weekdays, $7 weekends and holidays
• Non-residents: $12 weekdays, $14 weekends and holidays

Seasonal passes

• Residents: $30
• Non-residents: $60

Seniors: 50 percent discount on both daily and season passes for anyone 65 years old and older.

Note: Resident/non-resident rates are based only on the vehicle registration. The vehicle must have an in-state license plate to qualify for the resident rate.

The only state beach with a proposed fee increase for the 2021 season in Westerly's Misquamicut State Beach. Under the proposed plan, the daily rate for non-residents will increase from $12 to $20 on weekdays, and from $14 to $30 on weekends and holidays. Resident rates would increase from $6 to $10 on weekdays and from $7 to $15 on weekends and holidays.

The DEM will hold a public comment hearing on April 26 to discuss the proposed rate hikes. If approved by the state legislature, the new fees would take effect July 1.