Gray Beach
Gloucester, MA
Gray Beach is what most people in Magnolia simply call Magnolia Beach, a small sand and cobble beach off Shore Road on the Gloucester and Manchester line. It is part of the Coolidge Reservation area, and the water sits well out at low tide. Non-residents get in on foot by a trail.
A private feeling little cove with a nice trail in, but the tide and the resident parking limit make it tricky for visitors.
How we score beachesNon-residents reach the beach by the walking trail through the Coolidge Reservation, since the streets and the small lot are resident parking only. The water is about 200 feet out at low tide, so time your visit near high tide.
The small lot on Shore Road has about 12 unpaved spaces and requires a Gloucester parking permit. Surrounding streets are resident parking only.
The public route is a walking trail through Coolidge Reservation, ending in sand and cobble, so it is not suitable for wheelchairs.
High tide gives the best swim here, and low tide leaves a long walk across the flats. Summer weekdays are the quietest.
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