Ogunquit Beach
Ogunquit, ME
Ogunquit Beach runs three miles along southern Maine's coast, backed by the Marginal Way, a paved footpath along the rocky shoreline that connects the beach to Perkins Cove. The sand itself splits into three named sections, Main Beach, Footbridge Beach, and North Beach, each with its own lot.
The Marginal Way genuinely sets this beach apart from anywhere else in Maine, though the seasonal dog ban and summer parking fees are worth planning around.
How we score beachesWalk the Marginal Way at sunrise before the shops in Perkins Cove open. It's free, it's a mile and a quarter of ocean views, and it's nearly empty that early.
Public lots serve all three beach sections, Main Beach, Footbridge Beach, and North Beach, with a parking fee in summer.
The beach itself is flat sand. The Marginal Way footpath connecting it to Perkins Cove is paved but has some uneven, rocky sections.
Dogs are banned from the Marginal Way April 1 through September 30, with a $100 fine for violations. Leashed dogs are welcome October through March.
Water rarely climbs past the mid 60s even in August, typical of the Maine coast. Fall brings the Marginal Way's best walking weather and a fraction of the summer crowd.
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