Crane Beach
Visitor Guide
Four miles of Atlantic beach on the Crane Estate. Here's how to get a pass, what it costs, when it's open, and what to know before you go.
Plan your visit →What Is Crane Beach?
Crane Beach is a four miles-long Atlantic beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts, on the Crane Estate, run by The Trustees of Reservations. It's open 8 a.m. to sunset, every day, draws more than 350,000 visitors a year, and on weekends and summer holidays you need an advance pass, bought online, to get in.
In summer 2026 a nonmember car paid $40 on a weekend and $35 on a weekday; from November to March it's $10 (all rates on passes). Behind the beach are 5.5 miles of dune trails, and next door is Castle Hill, the Crane family's 59-room mansion.
Crane Beach at a Glance
Things to Do at Crane Beach
Parking & Passes
Summer passes go on sale Monday at noon for Tuesday to Thursday and Thursday at noon for Friday to Monday. Here's how the reservation works.
How to get a pass →
Castle Hill
The Cranes' 59-room 1920s mansion, the Grand Allée and the Italian Garden, a short drive up Argilla Road.
The Great House →
Swimming
Lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and cold water: about 66 to 68°F offshore at its August peak.
Water temperature →
Dune Trails
5.5 miles of moderate, sandy trails through the dunes and the North Shore's largest pitch pine forest.
Trails & map →
Choate Island
Islands, salt marsh and 200-plus bird species in the Crane Wildlife Refuge, reached by boat or guided kayak trip.
Visit the refuge →
Dogs in the Off-Season
Dogs are allowed October 1 to March 31 only, with an off-leash zone on the beach.
Dog rules →Getting to Crane Beach
By Car
310 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 01938. Argilla Road ends at the gate and lot. See theparking guide for passes and directions.
Summer Shuttle
CATA has run a summer weekend beach shuttle from the Ipswich commuter rail station; no pass needed to ride. Details on the parking page.
Beach Contact
Crane Beach line 978-356-4354, with live updates on its voicemail. Official notices are onThe Trustees' page.
A Short History of the Crane Estate
Chicago industrialist Richard T. Crane Jr. and his wife Florence bought Castle Hill in 1910 and built a summer estate that grew to 3,500 acres. After he died in 1945, the family gave most of Crane Beach and the Castle Neck dunes to The Trustees; Florence's 1949 bequest added the Great House. Today The Trustees care for 2,100 acres: the beach, Castle Hill and the Crane Wildlife Refuge. The full story is on About the Park.
The Trustees count Crane Beach among the world's most important nesting sites for the piping plover, a threatened shorebird, which is why parts of the beach are fenced and the dunes are off-limits except on posted trails.
Rules to Know at Crane Beach
- Dogs: only October 1 to March 31, in set areas. See dogs.
- No alcohol unless bought on site from a licensed vendor; no smoking, vaping or drones. See rules.
- No inflatable floats, and no kites from April 1 to September 30.
- No re-entry on a pass, and no refunds except for lightning closures of two hours or more (passes).
- Greenhead flies arrive in July. See greenhead season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a reservation for Crane Beach?
On weekends and summer holidays, yes: The Trustees require an advance pass bought online. At other times it's strongly encouraged, because drive-up cars are turned away when the beach is full. See parking.
How much does it cost to go to Crane Beach?
In summer 2026 a nonmember car paid $40 on weekends and holidays and $35 on weekdays, with lower after-4 p.m. prices. From November to March it's $10. Trustees members pay less.
Where is Crane Beach?
At the end of Argilla Road in Ipswich, Massachusetts, on the North Shore. The address is 310 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 01938.
Are dogs allowed at Crane Beach?
Only from October 1 to March 31, in set areas of the beach. No dogs or other pets from April 1 to September 30.
Is Crane Beach good for swimming?
Yes, with lifeguards 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting. The water is cold, though: nearby NOAA buoys average about 66°F in July and 67 to 68°F in August.
Who owns Crane Beach?
The Trustees of Reservations, which received it from the Crane family starting in the 1940s.