Beaches
Beach Passes
Scarborough beaches are a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.
Beach passes are an amenity that can be purchased to use for parking in Town-operated lots of specific beach during the summer season. The season for beach parking passes runs from the start of Memorial Day weekend (May) to the end of Labor Day weekend (September). Passes are available for purchase beginning in May each year.
See parking fees for season parking pass rates and daily parking rates for non-passholders.
Prices have been updated for the 2023 beach season. Parking permits include access to all three of Scarborough's beaches. (Does not include parking at Scarborough Beach which is privately-owned)
| Season Parking Pass | Cost |
|---|---|
| Resident Pass | $40 |
| Resident - Additional Vehicle | $5 |
| Resident Senior Pass (Age 60+) One per household | $0 |
| Non-resident Pass | $150 |
| Daily Parking | Cost |
|---|---|
| Single Vehicle | 5:30am - 9:00am | $5 |
| Single Vehicle | 9:00am - 3:00pm | $15* |
| Single Vehicle | 3:00pm - 6:00pm | $5 |
| Large Vehicle (RV, Camper, Bus) |
$45 |
Season passes are valid at all three town-operated beaches:
- Ferry Beach
- Pine Point Beach (Hurd Park)
- Higgins Beach
All beach passes must be obtained in person. This includes the free senior resident passes (Ages 60+). Passes may be purchased in the Town Clerk’s Office, or, if you are conducting other business in the Revenue Office, such as a vehicle or boat registration, you may purchase your beach pass there at the same time. Please bring your vehicle registration as it is required for the purchase of a beach pass. If you are purchasing additional passes for all household vehicles, all vehicles’ registrations must be presented, as well. Cash or check payment is recommended; cards are accepted with an additional convenience fee.
Dogs and Horses on the Beach
May 15-Labor Day: No dogs are allowed on any beach from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; dogs allowed on leash from 5:00 p.m. to dusk and off-leash from dawn to 9:00 a.m.
Day after Labor Day-May 14: Dogs allowed on beaches; must be on leash from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please note areas of beaches where dogs are restricted (April 1 to Labor Day) to protect endangered plover species. When off-leash dog access is permitted, dogs must be under voice and sight control.
For detailed information about bringing a dog to the beach, including maps showing restricted areas, refer to the Animal Control Ordinance. For current, detailed information about riding a horse on the beach, refer to the Horse Beach Permit Ordinance.
Beaches
Scarborough is home to several beautiful public beaches. For information on beach amenities including boat access, parking, and facilities, select from the options below.
Environmental Conservation
Beach Clean Up
Pitch In Pails was launched in Summer 2021 in an effort to help keep our beaches clean. Pitch In Pails encourages beachgoers to participate in their own mini beach clean-up.
Find the station at the at Hurd Park/Pine Point Beach entrance and grab a bucket to bring with you onto the beach. Collect litter on the beach and empty into the trash bin that is built into the station. The pail can then be returned for others to use. Pitch In Pails allows anyone to "pitch in" to help keep the beach clean. Community Services plans to expand Pitch in Pails to other beaches and parks in Scarborough.
Endangered Species Protection
Each summer, endangered piping plovers call Scarborough's beaches home. Piping plovers are small, sandy-colored birds that nest in front of sand dunes on the upper beach. They are vulnerable to natural predators, roaming pets, storms, and human activity.
Help protect endangered piping plovers by adhering to the following:
- Keep your dog leashed on the beach during nesting season and be aware of Restricted Areas, staked and twined nesting areas, and leash laws.
- Keep away from staked and twined nesting areas. Dog owners must keep their dogs 200 feet away from fencing to avoid disturbing nesting birds and chicks.
- Use the blue trash receptacles provided on the beach. Help keep Scarborough’s beaches, parking lots, and roads clean.
- Homeowners and renters with cats should keep their pets indoors or add a bell to the cat’s collar during nesting season (April - October).
Read more about Piping Plovers
Weddings & Special Events
If you are interested in hosting a wedding or other special event at Pine Point Beach/Hurd Park, please refer to the document linked below for policies and instructions.
Online Reservation Instructions
Kayak Storage
Tired of lugging your kayak to and from the beach? Community Services has the answer for you! We currently have 16 spaces at the Pine Point Co-Op, 8 spaces at Ferry Beach, and in 2023 we will be adding an additional 8 at Ferry and 8 at Clay Pitts boat launch.
Due to the high demand and the limited amount of spaces, we will be running a lottery enrollment for the 2023 season. Beginning February 7 and running through February 26, Scarborough residents and taxpayers may enter their name into the lottery for a chance to secure a space for the season. No fee will be assessed for the lottery enrollment. If you are selected, each kayak spot is $150 for the season.
Please see details and registration instructions below:
Kayak Rack Lottery Enrollment Details
Additional Resources
US Harbors: Maine - Tide Chart
Maine Healthy Coastal Beaches Program
Scarborough participates in the Maine Healthy Coastal Beaches Program, which provides the State of Maine with a system to monitor public beaches and notify the public when there is a potentially hazardous condition. Town employees collect water samples on a weekly basis for the purpose of testing for high levels of bacteria.