Dead Horse Beach
Salem, MA
Dead Horse Beach is a sandy, rock and shell strewn beach next to Salem Willows Park on Fort Avenue in Salem. It faces the Beverly Harbor side of the channel. Free parking is directly across the street, and Salem Willows Park has the restrooms and arcade nearby.
Free parking and a quieter feel than the Willows are pluses, but the tide flats and no facilities limit it.
How we score beachesVisit around high tide, roughly two hours either side. At low tide a mud flat opens up and makes walking back a slog.
Free parking is available directly across the street.
There are no restrooms or other facilities at the beach itself, but Salem Willows Park is nearby and the walk from the street is short.
Summer gives the warmest water, but the tide sets the schedule year round. Early mornings in September are quiet and lovely.
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