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.
- This page, Parking at Massachusetts State Parks, is offered by
- Department of Conservation & Recreation
Parking at Massachusetts State Parks
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
Year-round collection
Borderland State Park, Easton
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
Castle Island Bus Parking, South Boston
$35 MA resident, $35 Non-MA resident
(Annual Parking Pass not valid at this location)
Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
North Point, Cambridge
$1.25 per hour
(Annual Parking Pass not valid at this location)
Regatta Point at Quinsigamond SP, Worcester
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Walden Pond State Park, Concord
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Collection begins May 13, 2023 unless otherwise noted
Ashland State Park, Ashland
(**To be announced) $8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Beartown State Forest, Monterey
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Bradley Palmer State Park Main Lot, Topsfield
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
Chicopee State Park, Chicopee
(**Starts 5/27) $8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Clarksburg State Park, Clarksburg
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
C.M. Gardner State Park, Huntington
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
Cochituate State Park, Natick
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
D.A.R. State Forest, Goshen
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Demarest Lloyd State Park, Dartmouth
$12 MA resident, $40 Non-MA resident2
Douglas State Forest, Douglas
$9 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Dunn State Park, Gardner
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle
(**Starts 4/1) $3 MA resident, $3 Non-MA resident
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
Hampton Ponds State Park, Westfield
(**Starts 5/27) $8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Harold Parker State Forest: Pavilion & Jenkins Lots, North Andover
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
Berry Pond at Harold Parker State Forest, North Andover
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Westport
$13 MA resident, $40 Non-MA resident
Lake Dennison Recreation Area, Winchendon
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Leominster State Forest, Leominster
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Mt. Sugarloaf State Reservation, South Deerfield
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident (collection season ends when road closes for winter)
Mt. Tom State Reservation, Holyoke
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
Myles Standish State Forest (Fearing Pond), Carver
(**Starts 5/27) $8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Nahant Beach State Reservation, Nahant
$10 MA resident, $40 Non-MA resident
Nantasket Beach State Reservation, Hull
$15 MA resident, $40 Non-MA resident
Nickerson State Park (Cape Cod Rail Trail), Brewster
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
Nickerson State Park (Day-Use Area), Brewster
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
(*Day-of-visit pre-payment for Daily Parking Pass is allowed.)
Otter River State Forest, Templeton
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Pittsfield State Forest, Pittsfield
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
Pilgrim Memorial State Park
(**Starts 4/1) 2 hour parking limit; 9 am – 7 pm $1.25 an hour
Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, Sutton
(**Starts 5/20) $5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
Robinson State Park, Agawam
(**Starts 5/27) $8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Rutland State Park, Rutland
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
(*Day-of-visit pre-payment for Daily Parking Pass is allowed.)
Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury
$14 MA resident, $40 Non-MA resident
Scusset Beach State Reservation, Sagamore
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Skinner State Park, Hadley
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
South Cape Beach, Mashpee
(**Starts 6/20) $12 MA resident, $40 Non-MA resident
Tolland State Forest, Otis
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Wachusett Mt. State Reservation, Princeton
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident (collection season ends when road closes for winter)
Watson Pond State Park, Taunton
$8 MA resident, $30 Non-MA resident
Wells State Park, Sturbridge
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident
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.
Annual parking passes
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:
- Click on this link to download the app (if you don’t have the app already).
- Open the app and select any MA DCR property.
- Select “2023 MA Resident Annual Parking Pass” from the “Type of Pass” dropdown menu.
- Enter vehicle details.
- 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
251 Causeway Street
8th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Attention: Senior Passes
Include:
- 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).
- A check or money order for $10 made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- 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:
- Handicapped license plate or placard
- Purple Heart Recipient license plate
- Disabled veteran license plate
How to pay or appeal a DCR parking ticket
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.