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

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

 

2024 Collection
*Start dates to be determined unless otherwise noted

Ashland State Park, Ashland
$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
$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
$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
$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 
$5 MA resident, $20 Non-MA resident

Robinson State Park, Agawam
$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
$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.

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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