Forget Winter, Beach Season is Coming! Buy Your 2024 RI State Beach Season Parking Pass Online Today

Published on Tuesday, January 02, 2024

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that 2024 state beach season parking passes and gift certificates are available for the 2024 beach season. Individuals may purchase resident, non-resident, or senior season beach passes online. For a step-by-step guide on purchasing your state beach parking pass online, click here.

“For many Rhode Islanders and visitors alike, the cold days of winter involve looking forward to the upcoming beach season at the Ocean State’s spectacular state beaches,” said Governor Dan McKee. “The more beachgoers who buy their parking passes ahead of time, the faster we'll all be able get on our beautiful beaches during the busy summer ahead.”

"It might seem counterintuitive to already be planning for this summer's hazy, hot, and humid beach days, but now is the perfect time to buy your 2024 state beach season parking pass for some of the best beaches anywhere," said DEM Director Terry Gray. "Beach parking passes make a great gift for loved ones, friends, and co-workers any time of year, and allow for quicker entry into beach lots during the busy summer season.”

Beach season passes and gift certificates may be purchased at the current state beach season parking rates for residents, non-residents, and seniors. Resident passes are $30, non-resident passes are $60, resident senior passes are $15, and non-resident senior passes are $30. Please visit www.beachparkingri.com to purchase your state beach parking season pass. No-cost disability beach parking passes are available for those who are eligible. Please contact RI State Parks Headquarters at 401-667-6200 for questions on how to obtain this pass and to make an appointment. A discounted senior citizen state beach season parking pass is available to individuals who are 65 or older. An eligible senior must be present in the vehicle and may be required to present identification as proof of age. If a senior is not present in the vehicle, the car will be required to pay the day-use parking fee. Season passes are non-refundable. Please make sure you purchase the correct pass based on your residency and/or age.

When redeeming a gift certificate to purchase a resident or senior pass, the recipient must provide proof of residency and/or senior status to complete the purchase. The gift certificate cannot be redeemed for cash value. Customers will be notified about approval of their season pass within seven to 10 business days. If a gift certificate is misplaced, please contact rhodeislandbeaches@lazparking.com as soon as possible.

To help reduce the amount of time beachgoers spend at the entry booths during the upcoming 2024 beach season, DEM is urging visitors purchase their beach season passes well in advance of their plans to go to the beach. Once purchased, season passes do not go into immediate effect. It takes up to 24 hours during the summer months for a buyer’s residency status and age to be verified to charge the correct fee and for the pass to be validated.

Season passes allow entry into parking lots at all eight of Rhode Island's state beaches: Charlestown Breachway, East Beach in Charlestown, East Matunuck in South Kingstown, Misquamicut in Westerly, Roger Wheeler, Scarborough North and South, and Salty Brine in Narragansett. However, it does not guarantee admission on high-capacity days or provide preference over other passes. Entry is on a first-come, first served basis at all locations. Resident and non-resident status are based solely upon the state in that the vehicle is registered. If you purchase a resident pass, your vehicle must be registered in Rhode Island. The only exception to this regulation is military personnel who are stationed in Rhode Island and provide proof or permanent duty papers. All others are required to purchase a non-resident pass. If the pass does not match the state registration status of the vehicle, the pass will be voided, and the occupants will be required to pay the day-use parking fee. Passes are non-transferable. A parking pass is tied to the specific vehicle. Please note that if you are purchasing a pass for a second vehicle, you will need to use a different email address. Only one email address can be used per vehicle.

Season passes no longer require a physical pass to be placed on vehicle windshields as passes are now electronically connected to an individual’s license plate. DEM’s parking vendor, LAZ Parking, uses license plate recognition (LPR) technology at the express lanes whereby a scan is taken of the rear license plates of prepaid customers confirming that the customer has paid to allow for quick entry. Prepaid customers may use the express lanes at beaches for speedier access. Express lanes are available at all state beaches except for East Beach, Charlestown Breachway, and Salty Brine, which are one-lane facilities.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.