2026 PARKING REFERENCE • CHECK CURRENT TOWN RULES
See where to park, what it costs, and what families should know before heading to the beach.
Costs come from each town's posted 2026 information. Confirm current rates on posted signs when you arrive.
| Beach | 2026 cost | When it applies and how to pay |
|---|---|---|
| Higgins Beach (Scarborough) | $20 per vehicle per day in the town lot; Bayview Ave meters $5/hour | Meters run May 1 to Sept 15, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Higgins Beach parking guide |
| Pine Point Beach (Scarborough) | $20 per vehicle per day | Town lot at Hurd Park, 63 King St |
| Old Orchard Beach | Varies by lot (private and town lots) | See the Old Orchard Beach section below |
| Mother's Beach (Kennebunk) | Non-resident permit: $30/day, $100/week or $200/season | Card-only kiosks along Beach Avenue, or Kennebunk Town Hall |
| Goose Rocks Beach (Kennebunkport) | Non-resident permit: $40/day, $200/week or $325/season | Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily permits at card-only kiosks at the General Store and at Proctor and King's Highway |
| Wells Beach | $5/hour at metered lots | Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pay at meters or in the ParkMobile app |
| Ogunquit Main Beach | $9/hour or $50/day | Paid parking April 17 to Oct 31, lot hours 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pay at meters or in the Passport Parking or ParkMobile apps. Ogunquit Beach parking guide |
| Short Sands Beach (York) | $4/hour | April 15 to Oct 31, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., at the Ellis Park kiosks |
Use Higgins Beach Public Parking at 41 Ocean Ave, then follow Ocean Ave and Bayview Ave to the signed public access and ADA ramp. A small number of metered Bayview spaces can work for shorter stops.
Use Hurd Park municipal lot, 63 King St, entered from Avenue 5. A dedicated pedestrian route leads directly to Pine Point beach access and the ADA MobiMat.
George’s Parking, 14 Milliken St, is a private paid lot close to the Pier. Walk Milliken St to Old Orchard St and continue toward the ocean. The town’s Milliken Street lot is another nearby option.
Park in marked permit spaces along Beach Avenue beside Mother’s Beach. 2026 non-resident permits are $30/day, $100/week or $200/season; a Mobi-Mat/ADA route connects parking to the beach.
There is no single large public lot. Park only in posted spaces on King’s Highway, Dyke Road or New Biddeford Road. 2026 non-resident permits are $40/day, $200/week or $325/season; daily permits are sold at card-only kiosks at the Goose Rocks General Store and at Proctor and King’s Highway. Use the nearest signed beach access.
For central Wells Beach, use the Mile Road Lot or free Casino Square at the end of Mile Road. For the north end, use the Eastern Shore Lot at the end of Atlantic Avenue. Metered beach lots are $5/hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day.
Main Beach has a 410-space lot directly at the beach entrance. 2026 pricing is $9/hour or $50/day; Lower Lot on River Road is the nearby alternative.
Ellis Park / Short Sands parking is directly beside the beach, with more metered spaces on Beach St, Railroad Ave and Ocean Ave. 2026 metered parking is $4/hour.
THE VACATION DECISION
A walkable rental can be worth more than it first appears. Naps, bathrooms, lunch and forgotten gear can turn one beach day into several trips back.
Ogunquit, Short Sands and central Old Orchard Beach can reduce car use because food and activities are close to the beach.
Look beyond the daily rate. Lot capacity, walking distance and arrival time can matter just as much as price.