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Beaches

Minot and North Scituate Beaches

19 Glades Rd, Scituate, MA 02066, USA

Town of Scituate: (781) 545-8700

https://www.scituatema.gov/beach-commission/pages/town-of-scituate-beaches

Owned By: Town of Scituate

Minot and North Scituate Beaches are sandy spots in Scituate with some large rocky outcroppings. Visitors can enjoy distant views of Minot Ledge Light and Massachusetts Bay. A concrete walkway, with guardrails, extends between Glades Road and the beach for about 0.2 miles, with two concrete staircases.

Also of interest nearby is Gordon Park, a small grassy property with a paved trail and 5 benches. It is located at the corner of Bailey’s Causeway and Glades Road.

View a replica of Minot Ledge Light at Government Island in Cohasset, where there are also some memorials and historic markers.

FISHING ADVISORY: It’s important to know that some of our fisheries are contaminated with mercury, PFAS and/or other concerning substances. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health maintains an online database with up-to-date advisories regarding fish consumption, sorted by location. We recommend you consult this valuable resource when planning a fishing excursion.

Features

Each year, Scituate sells a limited number of non-resident beach stickers, for Humarock, and for “all access” (which includes Minot). For more information, call (781) 545-8718, or visit this site.

Minot Beach is named for Minot’s Ledge, which is located in the ocean, about a mile offshore. The rocky ledge was named for George Minot, a prominent Bostonian in the mid-1700s, after one of his ships was wrecked there.

After 40 vessels wrecked at Minot’s Ledge, plans began to construct lighthouse there. The first was built between 1847 and 1850, but it succumbed to a major storm in April 1851.

Work began in 1855 on a second, more durable, lighthouse, with a 40-foot, solid Quincy granite base, plus massive iron pins holding it in place on the ledge. At the time, it was the most expensive lighthouse built in the United States (final cost: $300,000). It was lit for the first time on November 15, 1860. In 1894, the locally renowned 1-4-3 (I LOVE YOU, referring to the  number of letters in each word) flashing light cycle commenced. The lighthouse began automated 1947.

This land is within the region of the Massachusett (or Massachuseuk). To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett, and the Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag, both share information on their websites. 

Trail Description

No trails, but you can walk along the beach for quite a distance.

Habitats and Wildlife

Two sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean in North Scituate.

  • A photograph of a paved parking area beside a marsh.
  • A photograph of a beach with a large rocky outcropping.
  • A photograph of a boulder carved with historic info, with a walkway and back in the background.
  • A photograph of an ocean beach on a sunny day.
  • A photograph of a concrete walkway with a guard rail, along a beach.
  • A photograph of a concrete staircase leading from a walkway to a beach.
  • A photograph of a beach entrance with white concrete walls and a mural.
  • A photograph of a mural and some large rocks alongside the ocean.
  • A photograph of a small paved parking area beside a beach.
  • A photograph of a row of benches alongside a concrete walkway beside a beach.
  • A photograph of an ocean beach with a cluster of rocks to one side.
  • A photograph of an area of rocks and vegetation bordering an ocean beach.
  • A photograph of a sandy walkway to an ocean beach, with a building to one side.
  • A photograph of a tide pool in a rocky outcropping on a beach.
  • A photograph of a grassy park with a bench and a paved trail.
  • A photograph of a lighthouse with roaring surf.
19 Glades Rd, Scituate, MA 02066, USA

Historic Site: No

Park: No

Beach: Yes

Boat Launch: No

Lifeguards: Yes

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Parking: Scituate Beach Sticker required Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. 4 parking spots at The Glades, 26 parking spots at the lot on Bailey's Causeway East, and 75 parking spots at the lot on Bailey's Causeway West. No fee for off-season parking. Limited on-street parking (no sticker required).

Cost: Free for pedestrians.

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Facilities:

Porta potties, in season. Concrete walkway with benches. Trash and pet waste receptacles. Historic marker.

Dogs: Yes, in the off season. From June 15 to September 15, dogs are not permitted on any town beach between the hours of 10am and 6pm.

Boat Ramp: No

ADA Access: Handicapped parking at intersection of Glades and Gannett with beach access immediately adjacent.

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Massachusetts Bay / Atlantic Ocean

Other Things to Do at This Site

Fishing
Nature Photography