Plum Island & Sandy Point

Plum Island is the barrier island directly across the Merrimack River from Salisbury Beach, reached by road through Newburyport rather than across the water. Its southern tip is Sandy Point State Reservation, a 77-acre DCR beach open sunrise to sunset with no dogs allowed. Next to it is the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where wildlife comes first.

Salisbury Beach vs Plum Island

From the south end of Salisbury Beach you can see Plum Island across the river mouth, with the Army Corps' south jetty running out from Plum Island Point. By car it's a separate trip: Plum Island is reached from Newburyport, not from Salisbury. Choose by what you want:

• Salisbury Beach: 3.8 miles of DCR beach, a 484-site campground, boat ramps, and the town's beach center with concerts and fireworks.
• Sandy Point: a small, quieter DCR beach at the far end of the refuge road, with restrooms and a beach wheelchair.
• Parker River refuge: marsh and dune trails, birding, surf fishing and beach combing, run for wildlife first.

Sandy Point State Reservation

DCR describes Sandy Point as a 77-acre coastal beach at the southern tip of Plum Island, good for swimming and sunbathing. It is open sunrise to sunset, has parking and restrooms, and offers a beach wheelchair. Dogs and alcohol are not allowed. DCR's Salisbury Beach office answers for Sandy Point too: (978) 462-4481. You reach it by driving the length of the wildlife refuge's road, so refuge closures also close the way in.

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service runs the refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife. It lists surf fishing, wildlife watching and photography, interpretive programs, beach combing, non-motorized boating, hiking, biking and seasonal hunting. The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset every day; its visitor center at 6 Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport opens Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., when volunteers are available. The refuge posts temporary closures and seasonal beach closures for nesting birds on its website, so check before you drive out.

Which Is Better for Dogs?

Neither, in summer. DCR bans dogs from Salisbury Beach from April 1 to September 15 and from Sandy Point entirely. See dog rules.