Crane Beach, Coastal beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Crane Beach is a sandy coastal stretch in Ipswich featuring wide white sand, rolling dunes, and maritime forest that borders the shoreline. The property includes marked walking trails that connect the beach to inland areas.
The land was privately owned for decades before being donated to The Trustees of Reservations in 1945. This transfer established the area as a protected natural space open to the public.
The beach draws visitors who come to experience the wide sandy expanse and explore the transition between open shore and forested areas. People use the trails to move through these different landscapes at their own pace.
Entry requires advance passes obtained through an online reservation system, so visitors should plan ahead. Hours align with sunrise and sunset, meaning available time varies depending on the season.
The beach serves as a nesting ground for piping plovers, a protected shorebird species that returns each year to breed here. Visitors often encounter these small birds during their coastal walks.
Location: Massachusetts
GPS coordinates: 42.68740,-70.76960
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
Massachusetts offers a range of locations beyond Boston and Cape Cod that receive fewer visitors. In the western part of the state, stone tower lookouts rise above forested hills, while waterfalls are located within state forests. Historic buildings from the 19th century stand in smaller communities, and gardens featuring native plant species are open to the public. The coastal region includes lighthouses on rocky points and beaches away from main travel routes. A museum houses a walk-through glass globe, geological formations show traces of past ice ages, and Victorian houses document different architectural styles. These places often require specific planning as they lie away from typical tourist routes.
Castle Hill
825 m
Sandy Point State Reservation
1.8 km
Greenwood Farm
3.9 km
Crane Wildlife Refuge
1.7 km
Choate House
3 km
Stavros Reservation
4.3 km
Isaac Goodale House
3.9 km
Hamlin Reservation
3.9 km
Cogswell's Grant
5.4 km
Ipswich Historical Society
5.6 km
House on Labor-in-Vain Road
3.2 km
George Giddings House and Barn
5.5 km
Dr. John Calef House
5.5 km
Burnham-Patch House
5.4 km
Smith House
2.8 km
Benaiah Titcomb House
4.6 km
Giddings-Burnham House
5.3 km
Thomas Low House
5.5 km
Meetinghouse Green Historic District
5.5 km
Benjamin Grant House
5.5 km
Merrifield House
5.2 km
Wade House
5.2 km
Ross Tavern
5 km
East End Historic District
5.1 km
Heard-Lakeman House
5.4 km
Ipswich Range Rear Light
371 m
Coffins Beach
5.1 km
Steep Hill Beach
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