Parking at Massachusetts State Parks

Massachusetts state parks are free to enter and enjoy, but you may have to pay for parking.
Want to know where and when parking fees are charged. Are you looking for information about DCR parking passes? Do you want to appeal a DCR ticket? Find out about all of this and more in this guide.
For questions about DCR parking passes, call 617-626-1420.
For questions about DCR parking tickets, call 617-626-1419.

Table of Contents

Where and When do I have to pay a parking fee?

Most DCR facilities charge a daily parking fee. Some add a surcharge to benefit a trust for future projects.

Resident and non resident status is determined by the vehicle license plate

DCR Parking Fee Collection Schedule by Park

Ashland State Park, Ashland
Fee charged 10AM-5:30PM daily, May 25- Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Beartown State Forest, Monterey
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25- Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Borderland State Park, Easton
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, Year-Round
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfield
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Castle Island, South Boston (Bus Parking Only)
Fee charged Dawn to Dusk Year-Round
Buses $35 (Other vehicle parking is free)

Chicopee State Park, Chicopee
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Clarksburg State Forest, Clarksburg
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25- Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

CM Gardner State Park, Huntington
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Cochituate State Park, Natick
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

DAR State Forest, Goshen
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Demarest Lloyd State Park, Dartmouth
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-June 17… 8AM-5:30PM daily, June 18-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $12, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $40

Douglas State Forest, Douglas
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $9, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Dunn State Park, Gardner
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, April 1-November 30
MA Resident Vehicle - $3, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $3 (30-minute free parking for ice-cream stand patrons)

Halibut Point State Park, Rockport
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Hampton Ponds State Park, Westfield
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Harold Parker State Forest, North Andover
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
Jenkins Rd and Pavilion Lots: MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20
Berry Pond at Harold Parker: MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Westport
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $14, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $40

Lake Dennison Recreation Area, Winchendon
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Lake Quinsigamond State Park (Regatta Point), Worcester
Fee charged 7AM-5:30PM daily, Year-round
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Leominster State Forest, Leominster
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, Year-round
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Mt. Sugarloaf State Reservation, South Deerfield
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Mt. Tom State Reservation, Holyoke
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Myles Standish State Forest (Fearing Pond), Carver
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-June 17… 8AM-5:30PM daily, June 18-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Nahant Beach State Reservation, Nahant
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $10, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $40

Nantasket Beach State Reservation, Hull
Fee charged 8AM-4PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $15, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $40

Natural Bridge State Park, North Adams
*Currently not charging a fee due to construction. Park is open; parking is free.

Nickerson State Park (Cape Cod Rail Trail Access), Brewster
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
Day Use Area: MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30
Cape Cod Rail Trail Access Point: MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Otter River State Forest, Templeton
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Pittsfield State Forest, Pittsfield
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Purgatory Chasm State Park, Sutton
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 11-Oct. 26
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Robinson State Park, Agawam
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Rutland State Park, Rutland
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $14, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $40

Scusset Beach State Reservation, Sagamore
Fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $14, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $40

Skinner State Park, Hadley
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

South Cape Beach State Park, Mashpee
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, June 18-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $12, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $40

Tolland State Forest, Otis
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Princeton
Fee charged 8AM-6PM daily, May 25-Oct. 26
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord
Fee charged 7AM-Closing daily, Year-round (Closing time changes with the seasons/daylight hours)
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Watson Pond State Reservation, Taunton
Fee charged 10AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14
MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30

Wells State Park, Sturbridge
Fee charged 9AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Sep. 2
MA Resident Vehicle - $5, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $20

Additional Resources   for Where and When do I have to pay a parking fee?

Mobile and Online Payment for Parking at DCR Facilities Statewide

Daily and Annual Parking Passes for the above DCR facilities (unless otherwise noted) can be purchased on the YODEL app (for mobile devices) and via the YODELpass website.

The YODEL app offers a fast and convenient payment option for purchasing DCR Parking Passes.

Download the YODEL app from the App Store or Google Play Store, or visit https://massdcrparks.yodelpass.com/ to purchase your Daily Parking Pass.

Parking in MA State Parks - YODEL FAQ

Yodel App- Downloading and Using the App

Annual parking passes

The pass is good for 1 vehicle for 1 calendar year, January 1st through December 31st

At a cost of $60 for MA residents, the DCR Annual Parking Pass may be a more economical option than purchasing a Daily Parking Pass for each visit.

Your driver's license and vehicle registration must show Massachusetts residency to be eligible for an Annual Parking Pass.

Annual Parking Passes are available for purchase through YODEL.

We no longer offer an Annual Parking Pass hangtag. All parking passes purchased via the Mass DCR YODEL Pass website will be sent out by Email. Passes purchased online through YODEL can be accessed digitally by linking to the YODEL App.

Alternatively, the 2023 Annual Parking Pass can now be purchased directly via the YODEL mobile app.

To purchase a 2023 Annual Parking Pass via the YODEL app:

  1. Click on this link to download the app (if you don’t have the app already).
  2. Open the app and select any MA DCR property.
  3. Select “2023 MA Resident Annual Parking Pass” from the “Type of Pass” dropdown menu.
  4. Enter vehicle details.
  5. Complete the transaction.

Note: The Annual Parking Pass is not valid for parking at Quabbin Reservoir Boat Launch Areas, the North Point hourly rate lot in Cambridge, or any on-street DCR location that charges an hourly rate.

Key Actions   for Annual parking passes

Get a Senior Park Pass

Massachusetts residents age 62 or over are eligible for a Senior Parking Pass. Senior Passes are valid for life and grant access to most DCR parks that charge a parking fee.

If you are eligible for a Senior Parking Pass, you can order it by mail or online.
To purchase a Senior Parking Pass by mail, send a request to:

Department of Conservation and Recreation
State Transportation Building  
10 Park Plaza  
Suite 6620
Boston, MA 02116  
Attn: Senior Parking Passes

Include:

  1. One of the following:
  • A copy of your Massachusetts driver’s license showing Massachusetts residency and age 62+.

OR

  • Government-Issued ID (other than a MA driver’s license) showing age 62+… AND… Proof of Massachusetts Residency (i.e. vehicle registration or utility bill).
  1. A check or money order for $10 made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  2. A contact phone number or email in case we need to reach you.

It may take up to 4-7 weeks to receive your Senior Pass.

Additionally, Senior Parking Passes are available for purchase online at the YODELpass website..

Key Actions   for Get a Senior Park Pass

Borrow an Annual Parking Pass

Some libraries and recreation centers allow you to borrow a Parking Pass free of charge. Check your local library or recreation center for more information.

Waivers

Daily parking fees are waived for vehicles with a:

  • Disability license plate or placard
  • Purple Heart Recipient license plate
  • Disabled veteran license plate

How to pay or appeal a DCR parking ticket

If you don't pay or appeal your ticket within 21 days, you will have to pay an additional fine

You can pay your ticket online, by phone, by mail or in person.

Appeals can be made online or by mail. All appeals will be responded to within 30 days.

Key Actions   for How to pay or appeal a DCR parking ticket

Bus parking fees

Parking is available at some state parks and beaches for groups traveling by bus with 16 or more passengers.

Before you go, check parking availability and make reservations.

The bus parking fee at most DCR facilities range from $35 to $50 per day. Most of the state parks and beaches in the Boston Region do not have bus parking fees.   

Youth Group Bus Passes are available for groups of children under 18 years old. These passes are available for single or 10-day visits.

Additional Resources   for Bus parking fees

How to request a refund

Proof of payment is required for requesting and processing a refund.

DCR Parking Refund Request

Image credits:  Matt Naughton

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