Salisbury Beach State Reservation facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Salisbury Beach State Reservation
Salisbury Beach State Reservation Location in Massachusetts
Location	Essex, Massachusetts, United States
Area	355 acres (144 ha)
Elevation	10 ft (3.0 m)
Established	1931
Operator	Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Website	Salisbury Beach State Reservation

Salisbury Beach State Reservation is a super popular place to visit in Salisbury, Massachusetts. It's a special park right on the Atlantic Ocean! The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation takes care of it. Lots of people love coming here, with over a million visitors each year. It's one of the busiest state parks in all of Massachusetts!

A Look Back in Time at Salisbury Beach

Did you know that during the American Civil War, a fort called the Fort at Salisbury Point was built right here? Over time, the ocean waves washed it away because of beach erosion. The land for this park was bought in 1931. In the years that followed, groups like the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps helped make the park even better.

During World War II, the area was used for military purposes and had a gun battery. In 1969, the park officially became part of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. They keep making improvements, like building a new jetty in 2015 to help protect the coast.

Amazing Animals at Salisbury Beach

Salisbury Beach is home to some cool wildlife! You might spot harbor seals hanging out on Badgers Rocks in the Merrimack River, especially in the fall and winter.

Many different kinds of birds also visit the park. Keep an eye out for black ducks, green-winged teal, and great blue herons. You might also see sandpipers, like pectoral, solitary, and least sandpipers. White-winged and surf scoters are often seen flying low over the water or floating in groups on the waves offshore.

Fun Things to Do at Salisbury Beach

Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers tons of fun activities for everyone!

Explore the Beaches

• The park has a long beach, about 3.8 kilometers (2.4 miles) long, right on the Atlantic Ocean.
• The main beaches and restrooms are easy for everyone to use, even if they need a wheelchair.
• There are also smaller beaches along the Merrimack River, but these are not for swimming.

Camping Adventures

• The park has a huge campground with 484 sites!
• Some campsites are designed to be easy for everyone to use.
• You can also find hookups for RVs and a place to empty your RV's tanks.

Boating Fun

• If you love boating, there are two boat ramps on the Merrimack River.
• You can launch both motorized and non-motorized boats from here.

More Park Activities

• The park also has showers, perfect for rinsing off after a day at the beach.
• You can enjoy a picnic, play at the playground, or use the pavilion.
• Fishing is a popular activity, and there are even educational programs to learn more about the park.
• Some areas allow restricted hunting.
• There's a special area for groups to use during the day.

Park Fees

• In 2015, the daily entrance fee for people from Massachusetts was $14.
• Visitors from other states paid $16 to enter the park.