Early AM Beach Access

Submitted by Summer422Sun t3_11lczne in RhodeIsland

Hi Neighbors!

I’m dreaming ahead to summertime but keep getting hung up on one matter:

If you are driving to say, Narragansett, and want access to the beach before the parking lot opens, what do you do? Is there anywhere to leave one’s car for a few hours close to a nice-ish beach?

As an early riser I would love to be out there around 6am but the lot doesn’t open til something like 8am (!!!)

I’ll never financially recover from taking Uber back & forth all summer but I’m committed to maximum beach time this year

Helpful advice appreciated

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Comments

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nlc1250 t1_jbbr9nn wrote

I’d imagine if you went early to Gansett town beach you wouldn’t have much trouble finding free parking available on the street. Lots of parking along the sea wall and a few streets right next to the beach. I live there and I don’t have much trouble finding a spot past five pm, so I think it should be similar at around 8 am. The sea wall parking definitely couldn’t be all filled, except on maybe the busiest of days in July

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Throwaway1231200001 t1_jbbrpi7 wrote

Basically street park. If you don't mind walking a bit and chancing the occasional ticket, there's some good areas around Roger Wheeler, especially if you are showing up at 6 am.

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Proper_Boss523 t1_jbc7m9v wrote

Street parking over by the beach in front of George's of Galilee too. You'll have to walk a bit tho. I also like to go early, park for free, and beat the traffic.

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alohaHappycampers t1_jbch01u wrote

here is the primo answer

buy yourself a motorcycle

there will always be a space to park the bike right up in the front row, at all hours of the day

without fail

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degggendorf t1_jbcs9aq wrote

Alternatively, buy yourself a tow truck and make your own luck

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alohaHappycampers t1_jbcwoou wrote

but with my suggestion your the conquering hero, but with your suggestion your the big fat swetty Bluto guy

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degggendorf t1_jbcyf7w wrote

Good point, I didn't consider that aspect. So then my idea is 100% perfect.

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Totally-Legitimate t1_jbc5rvq wrote

As a life long Rhode Islander who no longer lives near the beach... getting access to the ocean really stresses me out. It's prohibitively expensive - so I'm following this thread!

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Mattias2000 t1_jbe6g8g wrote

The seasonal parking pass is actually really affordable. It's like $60 for non-residents and gets you free parking at several of the state beaches (not ganset tho).

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[deleted] t1_jbc5qia wrote

You can park along the sea wall if you get there early. The other (better) spots are closely guarded secrets.

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Distinct-Ad5751 t1_jbcbx1s wrote

If you’re looking for early am beach time, try Westerly. There are some good parking spots to be had if you’re up early.

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dfts6104 t1_jbcfsg8 wrote

2 hour limit and they are very prompt with their $150 tickets if that’s an issue though

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ChampionshipLate3916 t1_jbe6sur wrote

Talk to me about where you oark- I scoped it out the other day but it’s winter so

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Distinct-Ad5751 t1_jbe9uu6 wrote

Manatuck Ave in the off season, but I don’t recommend it AT ALL after Memorial Day.

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TheBabs1727 t1_jbcyrvl wrote

If your willing to come early, like before 8am I believe that’s when you’ll have the most luck parking on the sea wall near the coast guard house restaurant. Call Narragansett parks and Rec, ask what time they plan on opening the lots this summer, and when they will begin charging. Plan on finding street parking and walking on to the beach before that time to make sure it’s free.

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Hellsgatekeeper479 t1_jbcp63u wrote

Nappatree beach if you go early has street parking in my opinion it’s better then Narraganset

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NoRepresentative5593 t1_jbdz2zh wrote

So much better.

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overthehillhat t1_jbgk9jh wrote

Don't tell anyone

This was abstact humor

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[deleted] t1_jbkkvz9 wrote

[deleted]

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overthehillhat t1_jbknxkf wrote

Long B4 Reddit - -

or the internet or even computers - -

Watch Hill ran out of parking spots early in the day - -

Then the drive-by tourists would hopelessly circle looking for a one in a thousand spot -

It self regulates for Watch Hill

always has

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CoRnHoLeFlOwEr t1_jbe67su wrote

Camp Cronin is my go to. I've never seen the lot blocked off because it's technically a fishing area. I've watched the sunrise there, gone at night etc.

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Easywind42 t1_jbelpby wrote

I go down to the beach in the middle of the night and bury myself under the sand

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GrapeRello t1_jbcbbs7 wrote

If you’re going early look up green hill beach or Matunuck beach in South Kingstown. Both have limited public parking with free access. Matunuck would require a little more walking.

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tilario t1_jbdhyr5 wrote

narragansett pier (where the shops are)

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Loveroffinerthings t1_jbe45zf wrote

They have security guards during the summer and your car can get towed.

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tilario t1_jbeehba wrote

at 6am?

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Loveroffinerthings t1_jbefcxn wrote

I know the guys start early, but there is no overnight parking there, so if they show up, no shops are open, but there are cars, they know what’s up. The shops in there struggle enough, they don’t need people taking their parking spaces during the only time of year they make money.

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tilario t1_jbekzmq wrote

fair enough. my sense was that OP is looking for a spot to park until the parking lots open. can you park along the wall in the summer?

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Loveroffinerthings t1_jbepg79 wrote

You can park along the wall, and there are about 20 or so spots along Narragansett Ave right across from the beach. There is a no parking sign about 500’ of the road but the rest is usually taken by the early riser crowd by 7-7:30. I only know because I see them while I head to work 😂

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