Spending the Day at Scusset Beach State Reservation

Sandwich is the oldest municipality on Cape Cod and, as you might expect, most of it sits on the actual Cape. There is a small sliver of the town on the mainland side of the Cape Cod Canal, just over the Sagamore Bridge, however, and this is where you'll find Scusset Beach State Reservation.

The reservation is 459 acres in size and has a little bit of everything, as you can fish, bike, hike, swim, sunbath, camp, and relax in one scenic location. If you're looking for something to do on a warm summer's day, pop over the bridge and explore this sometimes forgotten gem of the Cape Cod area. You won't regret your decision.

 

Places to Fish

You'll find some incredible saltwater fishing opportunities at a few different locations at Scusset Beach State Reservation. It's not uncommon to pull a 40-pound striped bass out of the water here, hence its popularity with anglers.

As you first enter the park, you'll see a parking lot along Scusset Beach Road. This parking lot leads to a fishing pier on the Cape Cod Canal. Once on the dock, you can throw your line in the water and test your luck.

As you get closer to the beach, there are numerous places to fish off the rocks along the canal, particularly near the park's overflow parking lot. During the summer, you're sure to see a mass of people doing just that, since the waterway has some of the best shoreline saltwater fishing in the entire country. Just make sure you follow proper fishing etiquette and keep your distance from people who are already set up.

Finally, you can climb out onto the jetty to do some fishing. It can be more difficult to catch something here if the water is rough, but you'll find it incredibly scenic with nothing but open ocean in front of you.

 

Biking and Hiking Trails

Those who bring their bikes can ride a seven-mile paved service road along the Cape Cod Canal. The path starts at Scusset Beach and goes all the way to the Buzzards Bay Recreation Area near the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge. You can walk, run, or rollerblade along this trail, as well.

There is a 1.7-mile hiking loop in the park that heads to the top of Sagamore Hill. If you plan to take this hike, park in the same lot you'd use for the fishing pier and then cross the street. Once at the top, you'll have unrivaled views of the canal's east entrance and Cape Cod Bay.

 

Swimming at the Beach

You probably know not to swim in the Cape Cod Canal because the current is incredibly strong and there are ships everywhere. So, how is it that Scusset Beach is safe for swimming when it’s right beside the canal? The answer is the jetty that separates the beach from the waterway and acts as a barrier for the current.

As a result, the beach is safe for children, as long as they stay in the shallow areas. There is a lifeguard on duty, and the park even has four sunbathing wheelchairs and two floating wheelchairs for those with mobility issues to use.

 

Tent and RV Sites

If you're looking to do some camping close to home, Scusset Beach has you covered. Here, there are 98 RV sites with full hook-ups and an additional five tent-only sites for camping. The campsites sit in the shady area, while the RV sites are out in the open.

The campground has a playground and affords easy access to both the Cape Cod Canal and the beach. Rates for the 2019 are $22 for residents of Massachusetts, plus an additional $4 for water hook-ups and $6 for electric hook-ups. There is also a $2 surcharge for the Scusset Beach Trust Fund.

 

Watching the Boats Go By

An underrated activity at Scusset Beach State Reservation is pulling up a seat and spending some time watching the ships enter the Cape Cod Canal. This area gets heavy shipping traffic and has some impressive boats roll through, creating some excitement if you're lucky enough to witness one.

For a better look at the ships, walk onto the 3,000-foot stone jetty that separates the canal from the beach. You'll find a lighthouse at the end, but there's no reason to walk the entire way out because you can usually find a great spot closer to shore to sit on a rock and watch the ships arrive.

 

Venture Just Off Cape

You’ll probably spend most of your time this summer on Cape Cod, and with good reason. A quick 15-minute drive from downtown Sandwich takes you to Scusset Beach State Reservation, however, and it's well worth checking out at least once this year, especially if you want to do some fishing, camping, swimming, biking, hiking, and ship-watching, all in the same day.