Your Beach Questions Answered

It’s beach season! Make the most of these fleeting few months of warm weather in Maine by heading to Scarborough’s stunning coast. Here is some information to know for May through Labor Day:

Beaches in Scarborough

Scarborough is home to Ferry Beach, Pine Point Beach (Hurd Park), Higgins Beach, and Scarborough Beach State Park. All are town-operated except for Scarborough Beach.

Click Here for full details on our Beaches page.

Season Passes (Parking)

Beach passes are available for purchase and are valid at all three town-operated beaches (Ferry, Pine Point, Higgins). They are $40 for residents and $200 for non-residents (now sold out for the season). Passes are free for residents 60 & over but still must be obtained in person. Passes can be purchased in the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall during regular business hours. 

Click Here for more information on beach passes, boat launch passes, parking fees for non-passholders.

Fee Collection

Fee collection for parking (for non-passholders) and boat launching takes place from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day (September). Collections take place daily, including weekends, from 7:00am to 5:30pm at all beaches at a daily rate of $20.

Dogs on Beaches

Please be aware and respectful of when dog beach rules. Changes for the season going into effect on May 15 each year.

• 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.

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.

You can help protect endangered piping plovers.
• 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).

Click Here for more information on Piping Plovers.