Running on a beach is one of life’s great pleasures. For runners, there’s nothing like the feeling of firm sand underfoot, the splash of water kicking back, and that open, free feeling of a seemingly unlimited horizon. We’ve put together this admittedly subjective guide to the best beaches for running on Boston’s north shore that meet our criteria of fairly flat, firm sand, and at least 1 continuous mile. Beach running conditions are always situational, and are best near low tide. See the tide table.
Revere Beach 1.5 miles one-way. Boardwalk option. MAP Access: Blue Line to Revere Beach or Wonderland
Along with Swampscott-Nahant, this is the best seamless beach run within proximity to Boston and is accessible via public transport. The beach and facilities have been restored in recent years. It’s a great, flat run of about 1.5 miles. There is also a paved walkway along most of the stretch. It’s great people watching, there are famous snack joints such as Kelly’s Road Beef, and a famous sandcastle competition in summer.
Nahant-Swampscott: Kings Beach, Nahant Beach, Lynn Shore Dr. 3 miles one-way. Boardwalk option. MAP Access: Parking along the beach; Commuter Rail stop at Swampscott
This is a great beach/boardwalk run 1/2 hr. north of Boston and 20 minutes from Logan Airport. There is a wide paved boardwalk paralleling Nahant Rd. and Lynn Shore Drive, for nearly 3 miles. Nahant Beach and Kings Beach are wide and feature great firm, packed sand, perfect for running at most times. Red Rock Park juts out above Kings Beach. I love this area because of the combination of beach and boardwalk. There are a couple of beach breaks where one has to hop up on the sidewalk. There are wonderful, open views the whole way, and facilities in season. At the Nahant end, Tides Restaurant is a New England classic. At the northern end, Swampscott Center is lovely, with good restaurant and shopping options.
Crane’s Beach 2.5–3.0 miles, one-way Access: Big Parking Lot (expensive in season). Commuter Rail to Ipswich with seasonal beach shuttle.
Crane’s Beach in Ipswich is one of the most popular beaches within proximity to Boston. Watch out on a hot weekend day for crowds and expensive parking. BUT, this is one of the great New England beaches for running. So great, in fact, that there’s an annual Sand Stride 5-mile beach race in August. The running here is wonderful, particularly as the tide goes out. There are great views out to Plum Island to the north and Rockport to the southeast. It’s possible to do about 3 miles from one far end to the other, though this can vary due to tides and other conditions. During a two-week period, usually toward the end of July, Crane’s is bombarded by greenheads, a particularly nasty form of biting insect. The positive side: they don’t bother you while you’re running…just don’t stop.
Salisbury Beach 3.8 miles one-way Access: Car Needed. Ample Parking. Just north of Newburyport and south of the New Hampshire Boarder, Salisbury Beach State Reservation is one of the best beaches for running north of Boston. There are 3.8 miles of continuous beach, quite wide and flat, and fairly compact sand. There’s a boardwalk, and a 1 mile nature trail that are also pleasant for running. Along the beach, in season, there are bars, restaurants, and other amusements.
Running on a beach is one of life’s great pleasures. For runners, there’s nothing like the feeling of firm sand underfoot, the splash of water kicking back, and that open, free feeling of a seemingly unlimited horizon. We’ve put together this admittedly subjective guide to the best beaches for running on Boston’s north shore that meet our criteria of fairly flat, firm sand, and at least 1 continuous mile. Beach running conditions are always situational, and are best near low tide. See the tide table.
Revere Beach 1.5 miles one-way. Boardwalk option. MAP Access: Blue Line to Revere Beach or Wonderland
Along with Swampscott-Nahant, this is the best seamless beach run within proximity to Boston and is accessible via public transport. The beach and facilities have been restored in recent years. It’s a great, flat run of about 1.5 miles. There is also a paved walkway along most of the stretch. It’s great people watching, there are famous snack joints such as Kelly’s Road Beef, and a famous sandcastle competition in summer.
Nahant-Swampscott: Kings Beach, Nahant Beach, Lynn Shore Dr. 3 miles one-way. Boardwalk option. MAP Access: Parking along the beach; Commuter Rail stop at Swampscott
This is a great beach/boardwalk run 1/2 hr. north of Boston and 20 minutes from Logan Airport. There is a wide paved boardwalk paralleling Nahant Rd. and Lynn Shore Drive, for nearly 3 miles. Nahant Beach and Kings Beach are wide and feature great firm, packed sand, perfect for running at most times. Red Rock Park juts out above Kings Beach. I love this area because of the combination of beach and boardwalk. There are a couple of beach breaks where one has to hop up on the sidewalk. There are wonderful, open views the whole way, and facilities in season. At the Nahant end, Tides Restaurant is a New England classic. At the northern end, Swampscott Center is lovely, with good restaurant and shopping options.
Crane’s Beach 2.5–3.0 miles, one-way Access: Big Parking Lot (expensive in season). Commuter Rail to Ipswich with seasonal beach shuttle.
Crane’s Beach in Ipswich is one of the most popular beaches within proximity to Boston. Watch out on a hot weekend day for crowds and expensive parking. BUT, this is one of the great New England beaches for running. So great, in fact, that there’s an annual Sand Stride 5-mile beach race in August. The running here is wonderful, particularly as the tide goes out. There are great views out to Plum Island to the north and Rockport to the southeast. It’s possible to do about 3 miles from one far end to the other, though this can vary due to tides and other conditions. During a two-week period, usually toward the end of July, Crane’s is bombarded by greenheads, a particularly nasty form of biting insect. The positive side: they don’t bother you while you’re running…just don’t stop.
Salisbury Beach 3.8 miles one-way Access: Car Needed. Ample Parking. Just north of Newburyport and south of the New Hampshire Boarder, Salisbury Beach State Reservation is one of the best beaches for running north of Boston. There are 3.8 miles of continuous beach, quite wide and flat, and fairly compact sand. There’s a boardwalk, and a 1 mile nature trail that are also pleasant for running. Along the beach, in season, there are bars, restaurants, and other amusements.
This newly completed paved rail-trail passes for 10 miles through Everett, Malden, and Saugus, ending in Lynn. Mix of landscape: industrial, woods, and some marsh views. Plans to extend 1.5 miles to the sea at northern end.
The second largest municipal park in the United States is a hidden gem just north of Boston. Trail running for all abilities: 10 miles of wide fire roads and 20 miles of more rugged trails. Three reservoirs, Dungeon Rock, rose gardens.
We love this run for its combination of boardwalk and runnable beach, with great water and Boston skyline views. There is a wide paved sidewalk/boardwalk paralleling Nahant Rd. and Lynn Shore Drive for nearly 3 miles.
A fun running tour of the island of Nahant. Quiet roads for running with water views, some pretty homes, parks, and hills. Our full loop is 7 miles, but can be shortened, or lengthened with water views for 3 more miles to Swampscott!
One of the prettiest and most historic towns on Boston's North Shore. Wonderful running options include a loop of Marblehead Neck, waterfront roads hugging the harbor, historic streets, and off-road options on conservation land and a 4-mile rail trail.
A 'runseeing' tour of this historic coastal town, famous as a seaport and for the 1692 Witch Trials. Our 5-mile route is a modified version of the red-lined Heritage Trail, passing Salem's major sites, historic downtown, and the waterfront.
Beverly is another pleasant town on Boston's north shore, just north of Salem. We've put together a 4-mile loop, combining some lovely waterfront running, several parks, and Beverly's historic downtown.
Scenic Olmsted-designed former estate and farm on Lake Wenham in Beverly, restored and opened to the public in 2024. Enjoy 4 miles of trails on three 'carriage' loops around fields, forests, and estate grounds.
This affluent coastal town is known for the white-sanded Singing Beach. The best running is to create your own route along Beach St. and the roads off of it, leading past gorgeous homes and out to scenic vista points. Also nice running in Coolidge Reservation.
Some of the most scenic waterfront running on the North Shore centers around the small town of Magnolia, which lies between Manchester-By-The-Sea and Gloucester. Enjoy great coastal views, quiet roads, gorgeous homes.
Important center of the fishing industry and a popular summer destination. The best running is a ~2 mile stretch along the Harbor, and on Eastern Point, where the Atlantic Ave. side boasts fantastic views and homes. The hilly village is also fun to explore.
The town is known for its fishing harbor, granite quarries, boulder-strewn beaches, and the famous "Motif #1". We've mapped a 3.3 mile one-way run near the center, with waterfront homes, great views, beach, and Bearskin Neck.
Pick a section of this 10-mile, 'hidden gem' one-way run between Gloucester and Rockport. Oceanfront promenades, two beach run sections, cute coves, gorgeous homes, and spectacular views. Seasonally a bus runs between the towns.
Great coastal town with terrific running options: 4.5 miles along the water and marshes out to Plum Island; Clipper City Rail Trail; and Maudslay State Park, with miles of trails featuring 19th century gardens, rolling meadows, & towering pines.
A separate guide for this area, with wonderful running in the coastal area from Salisbury Beach to the border just south of Kittery, Maine. Plus some interior off-road trails that are great for running.
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Just north of Newburyport and south of the New Hampshire Boarder, Salisbury Beach State Reservation is one of the best beaches for running north of Boston. There are 3.8 miles of continuous beach, quite wide and flat, and fairly compact sand. There’s a boardwalk, and a 1 mile nature trail that are also pleasant for running. Along the beach, in season, there are bars, restaurants, and other amusements.
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