Sand Hills Beach

Sand Hills, Scituate, MA 02066, USA

Town of Scituate: (781) 545-8700

https://www.scituatema.gov/beach-commission/pages/town-of-scituate-beaches

Owned By: Town of Scituate

• Directions

Scituate’s Sand Hills Beach is a small sandy neighborhood beach that grows narrow at high tide. Access from Oceanside Drive. Convenience store within walking distance.

Features

Each year, Scituate sells a limited number of non-resident beach stickers, for Humarock, and for “all access.” For more information, call (781) 545-8718, or visit the town website.

Nearby to Sand Hills Beach is Old Scituate Light, a historic lighthouse on Cedar Point. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Scituate Light. Constructed in 1810-1811 at the entrance of Scituate Harbor, it was the 11th lighthouse to be built in the United States. It was removed from service in 1850 when Minots Ledge Light was lit, and then put back into service in 1852 after the first Minots Ledge Light was destroyed by a storm. Despite its new Fresnel lens (1855), it was removed from service again in 1860, after the second Minots Ledge Light was lit. Afterward, it fell into disrepair.

The Town of Scituate acquired Old Scituate Light in 1917, and added a new replica lantern in 1930, but again the lighthouse fell into disrepair. The Scituate Historical Society restored in 1962, and in the 1990s, it was relit. Now, the Scituate Historical Society offers occasional tours. The keeper’s house is a private residence.

This land is within the region of the Massachusett (or Massachuseuk). To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett, and the Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag, both share information on their websites. 

Trail Description

No trails, but you can walk on the beach at most tides. (It can be tricky at high tide).

Habitats and Wildlife

Located on the Atlantic Ocean, overlooking Massachusetts Bay.