Rhode Island Beach Season Passes Available Online

WESTERLY, RI —Season passes for Rhode Island's state beaches go on sale online starting Tuesday and this year RIDEM is introducing a new concept in the form of a "daily flex pass."

Motorists with a season pass or a daily flex pass will be able to enter beach parking lots via an"express lane," as opposed to those who must wait in line to buy their daily passes on-site.

The Department of Environmental Management says people should go to www.riparks.com/beach-pass beginning April 20 to purchase their passes or gift certificates.

Live in Westerly? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. You can also download our free Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.

The Daily Flex Pass works like this: Go to www.riparks.com/beach-pass, create an account, and save your payment method. Once you purchase a daily flex pass, you can pack up the car and head to the new "express lanes" at larger state beaches. The lanes use license plate scanning technology. When you drive through, your account will be charged the day rate. Express lanes are available at all state beaches except for East Beach, Charlestown Breachway and Salty Brine, which are one-lane facilities.

"We are working hard to reduce traffic and wait times," RIDEM said.

They say don't wait until the last minute to set up your online account, because it can take 24 hours to process.

Season pass rates are as such: Rhode Island resident, $30. Non-Rhode Island resident, $60. Rhode Island senior citizens, $15. Non-Rhode Island senior citizens (65 and older), $30.

Beach-goers are encouraged to buy their season and day passes online. But people can still purchase season passes in-person at the Scarborough State Beach overflow lot across from Scarborough State Beach (870 Ocean Road, Narragansett) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

RIDEM maintains surf beaches at Charlestown Breachway and East Beach in Charlestown; Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly; and Roger Wheeler, Salty Brine, and Scarborough state beaches in Narragansett.