East Beach
- Road
- Gravel
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Entry fee: Resident daily $6 weekday / $7 weekend. East Beach is a swimming hole on Block Island Sound / Ninigret Pond barrier in Washington County, Rhode Island.
Closures and warnings
DEM and Save The Bay are running a coastal habitat restoration project on the Ninigret Barrier Beach at East Beach; check the park page for project updates before you go. As of September 30, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Entry | Walk in |
| Lifeguards | Seasonal; 9:00 AM (8:30 AM weekends/holidays) to 6:00 PM |
| Water clarity | Three-mile barrier beach between Block Island Sound and Ninigret Pond; ocean bathing on the sound side. |
Access
| Road | Gravel |
|---|---|
| Road note | Small gravel lot; sand trail beyond requires a Barrier Beach Pass and 4WD for campground access. |
| Parking | Limited East Beach Road lot, Charlestown; fills early on sunny summer days. |
| When it fills | First-come, first-served; limited parking fills early on sunny summer days. |
| Fee | Resident daily $6 weekday / $7 weekend; non-resident $12 / $14; season $30 / $60 (senior 50% off). |
| Hours | In season: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Mon-Fri; 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM weekends and holidays; gates close at sunset. |
| Managed by | Rhode Island DEM (East Beach / Ninigret Conservation Area) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | Composting toilets and a half dozen changing rooms; least developed RI state beach. |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
| Fires | Not allowed |
| Glass | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is East Beach open?
DEM and Save The Bay are running a coastal habitat restoration project on the Ninigret Barrier Beach at East Beach; check the park page for project updates before you go. As of September 30, 2026. Hours: In season: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Mon-Fri; 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM weekends and holidays; gates close at sunset.
Can you swim at East Beach?
Yes, swimming is allowed at East Beach. Lifeguards: Seasonal; 9:00 AM (8:30 AM weekends/holidays) to 6:00 PM.
How do you get to East Beach?
The road in is gravel. Small gravel lot; sand trail beyond requires a Barrier Beach Pass and 4WD for campground access. Parking: Limited East Beach Road lot, Charlestown; fills early on sunny summer days. First-come, first-served; limited parking fills early on sunny summer days.
Is there a fee at East Beach?
The fee is Resident daily $6 weekday / $7 weekend; non-resident $12 / $14; season $30 / $60 (senior 50% off).
What facilities are at East Beach?
Restrooms. Composting toilets and a half dozen changing rooms; least developed RI state beach.
What are the rules at East Beach?
Dogs are not allowed, camping is allowed, fires are not allowed, and glass containers are not allowed.
Nearby
Public land
East Beach is inside East Beach State Beach .
Just outside: Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge (1 mi) .
Sources
3
- https://riparks.ri.gov/beaches/east-beach (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager, waterbodyName, access.parking / parkingPattern / roadNote / amenities, access.roadSurface, access.hours, rules.dogs / rules.glass, rules.fires, rules.camping, hazardNote, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / lifeguardSeason / waterClarityNote / entryType)
- https://riparks.ri.gov/beaches (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://riparks.ri.gov/beaches/beach-parking-faqs (accessed September 30, 2026; backs rules.dogs)