horseneck state beach

This is a big beautiful beach with lots of facilities and parking. It is very scenic and accessible by highways and rural roads. The whole surrounding town and countryside are also beautiful. There are lifeguard stands spaced within sight of each other, so public safety is a concern that is covered. It is also a good place to run. So, swim, run, walk, but just get there! Two rabbit ears up!!(\ (\( -.-)o_(")(")

Late September you will be one of "the few" humans...enjoy your walk...oh, you might notice some bird migration activity. THAT was a bonus all 3 days for us.

We go to Horseneck to walk the beach, more so before and after beach season when there are fewer people. Unfortunately there are dog walkers who unleash their dogs and it is very uncomfortable for those of us who prefer not to be sniffed, barked at or jumped on! Nonetheless Horseneck is beautiful in any season.

We decided to take advantage of the lovely Fall New England Weather and go Trailer Camping over at Horseneck Beach State Reservation (right on the tip of Westport, MA). We made a Reservation via the www.ReserveAmerica.com Website for the Massachusetts Department of Conservaton and Recreation. Unfortunately, the Gate Attendant gave away our Reserved Campsite (but thankfully he suggested another Trailer Site that was better). We were surprised by the number of RV's and Trailers using Generators, since they are suppose to be Dry Camping! Yes, the weather was unseasonable warm (but nothing intolerable) and you could go outside, and just open your Trailer windows, and enjoy the beautiful ocean breezes. Thankfully everyone turned off their Generators at the 10:00 P.M. Quiet Curfew and the Park was very quiet. My biggest complaint was that the Park doesn't have any trees, so you don't get any shade, and to me a Camping Trip must include Trees. The best attraction was the opportunity to walk on the beautiful, but New England Rocky, abutting beach. We also took a short drive, followed by a short hike, to go check out the WWII Watch Towers (over looking the Atlantic Ocean). If only they could get the Tent Campers to use Portable Gas Grills and not Charcoal Briquettes (to cook with). The smell of the Charcoal Briquettes and the Butane Fluid used to light them, is a bit obnoxious. I haven't seen this type of Tent Camping since I was a child.

This is generally my go to beach. The water is warm (in season), easy to get to, inexpensive, and well kept. The beach is in the southernmost section of the town of Westport, MA, and is on both Buzzard's Bay and Block Island Sound. It is a state park, and can get crowded on summer weekends. It costs 7 bucks to park for those with MA plates, more for out of state plates. The beach is mostly sandy, though parts are rocky, usually has great waves and excessive seaweed can be an issue. Though it can get crowded, if you head about 1/4 mi (1/2 km) away from the parking lot it gets quiet, though I recommend you head west along the beach as east of the parking lots, it gets very rocky. However, the easternmost section near Gooseberry island is also sandy, but visitors must walk close to a mile through a rather rocky stretch of beach and some very protective terns which often divebomb passers-by, even though the nesting areas a re roped off during breeding season.The beach is a decent place to view wildlife, away from crowded sections of the beach including such critters as: swallows, gulls, plovers, sandpipers, egrets, cormorants, mummichogs, crustacean and others including rather rare species such as piping plovers, golden plovers and tiger beetles. Some seashells can be found at the beach, but not in huge quantities - check among the weeds at the high tide mark for best results. Near the eastern section of the beach is Gooseberry Island, which is connected to the mainland, there is parking there and there are few trails on the island and people can go fishing there. There is also a campground located on the eastern section of the beach.On a good day, the Elizabeth Islands can be viewed from the main section of beach, though you can get a better view of them from Gooseberry Island

Having camped here every year for the past ten years this years Horseneck stay was a huge disappointment.We love being by the ocean and the Westport area offers much to see and do. The campground however was a problem. Our son had his long board stolen off the site (& as a side note a friend of ours had things stolen from their site in July). Bathrooms are in need of rehab, are less than ideal and have graffiti etched into the bathroom shower and toilet stalls. Supervision of unruly campers is non existent, alcoholic beverages are prohibited in name only (20 somethings camping next to us had a party that lasted till almost 4:00am and I had to call the local police department...after they decided to get in someones car and drive around the campsite at 3:30am). Portable generators can be heard at almost any time of the day and a good part of the night, some of which are very loud.We have camped in other states (most notable Vermont state campgrounds) that are intolerant of poor behavoir, have spotless bathrooms and are well managed. It might behoove DCR to reexamine their policies to make camping a better experience for families.

Horseneck Beach is a super accessible beach on the southern most area of MA. The beach is very nice, the parking fee is decent ($8 on 8/30/14) and the bath houses have sufficient toilet and shower offerings.Beware the rocks upon entering the water. There are a lot of rocks on the beach which are easily navigable. In the water there are many depressions in which exposed rocks lurk to cause some entry/exit ouch. Best recommendation: wear swim shoes I guess or step lightly.

We went to horseneck for a change from the north shore and for a quick ride from boston. The beach is nice, but rocky. Nice walk from each end. Not great amenities, but it wasn't the worst I've experienced. Only 70 minute drive!

Horseneck State Beach in Westpoint, MA is family friendly with reasonable parking fees. Bathroom, changing rooms, and outside showers to wash away the sand prior to going home after a day at the beach. The only complaint is the rocky shoreline - It is very difficult to enter the water without beach shoes (which we didn't have available at the time of our visit).

Really nice beach. Water warms up. in august and fun waves! Busy beach but worth it! Lunch from trucks was tasty. Nice to have changing rooms

I visited Horseneck Beach on a Thursday in July. The surrounding town of Westport is lovely, with well-kept homes and manicured yards that suggest a certain wealth. From Route 195, it is an 11 mile drive along Route 88, which I recall was mostly a single lane road. Traffic was reasonable for a weekday but I imagine it can get backed up easily during the weekend. Likewise, it was smooth to get through the admission gate ($8 fee for MA residents) and find parking. There is a traditional New England looking pavilion with restrooms. I was surprised that there were only about 7 stalls in the ladies room. The line has to be ridiculous on weekends. The walk from the parking lot to the beach was maybe 50-75 yards. There was an asphalt sidewalk and then maybe 30 yards of beach to the water. I can 't imagine doing that lugging a cooler and a day's worth of beach gear. (I was only there for a brief visit and had just a small bag).I was disappointed with the sand and surf. There were so many rocks and broken sea shells once the sand started that I tiptoed while walking barefoot,, and almost put my flip flops back on. There were thick clumps of seaweed near the water's edge as well. The water had a brown tint to it, and there were plenty of rocks and seaweed in the 1-2" surf. There were plenty of folks hanging out, but I got a very low energy vibe. I didn't hear any music, there were only a handful of people in the water, and I only noticed one camper-style food truck for concessions. It just seemed like this beach had the absolute bare minimum for facilities but nothing above and beyond. I certainly felt no compelling need to return.

It is a nice beach and clean . Its good for teens not for little kids water is cold big waves. I left the beach went up the road to Gooseberry Island small beach Free parking a lots to do fishing great for dogs and kids. Had great time small waves clean water great view.

Great beach, beautiful town, lower parking fee, less traffic, nice amenities...what more could you want. and bonus is the great waves and refreshing temperature of the water.

At $35, the season pass is a great deal (even at $45 for out of staters). Horseneck Beach is a great walking beach. It does get busy as it gets closer to noon on a weekend, but if you go right (looking at the water), you can almost have the beach to yourself. Going left can be a few people, but it is usually a bit more rocky.

Spent the day at this beach. Very clean and easy to access. Good bath facilities, didn't see food service around. $15 for parking (non-resident)