We visited Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and Sandy Point State Reservation, both on Plum Island in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Admission to the refuge is $5. That provides access to Sandy Point, one of the finest beaches in the state, and because parking there is sparse and touchy the beach itself is not overcrowded, which is transcending. Refuge Road is paved for 3 miles, then turns to dirt and gravel for a few more miles, with parking lots along the way, some of which may not be open because of the threatened
piping plover. When the reservation lot fills it temporarily closes, and you'll have to wait for people to leave. We brought bicycles in case we had to park at the closest lot and bike in.
The baitfish were getting worked at Sandy Point by diving gulls. I saw no gamefish feeding though in the short time fishing there. Then we hiked around the wildlife refuge where we were swarmed by greenheads, and got a buttery wasabi lobster roll at the local shack.
Directly after entering the refuge on the left there is an all too popular beach with a large parking lot, and on the right a concrete kayak ramp puts you in tidal waters.
