Beach Access Rights by State

Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: April 2026

The public access doctrine applied by the state, the boundary line between public and private beach (mean high water, vegetation line, etc.), and how easements for public access are enforced.

50 States2 data columnsLast updated: May 2026

Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click again to reverse, and a third time to reset.

Access Doctrine	Public/Private Boundary	Easement Enforcement
Public trust	Mean high tide	By plat
Public trust	Mean high tide	Wide easements
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
Strong public	Mean high tide	Coastal Act
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
Public trust	Mean high water	Limited
Public trust	Mean high water	Limited
Customary use	Mean high water	Contested
Public trust	High water mark	Limited
Public trust	Vegetation line	Strong access
N/A coastal	N/A	N/A
Public trust	Ordinary high	Lake Michigan
Public trust	Ordinary high	Lake Michigan
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
Public trust	Ordinary high	Limited
Colonial	Low tide line	Narrow access
Public trust	Mean high water	Limited
Colonial	Low tide line	Narrow access
Public trust	Ordinary high	Great Lakes
Public trust	Ordinary high	Great Lakes
Public trust	Mean high water	Limited
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
Stream access	Ordinary high	Strong
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
Public trust	Mean high water	Limited
Public trust	Mean high water	Beach badges OK
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
Public trust	Mean high water	Limited
Public trust	Mean high water	Strong dry sand
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
Public trust	Ordinary high	Lake Erie
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
All dry sand	Vegetation line	Strong access
Public trust	Ordinary high	Lake Erie
Public trust	Recognized 2023	Expanded
Public trust	Mean high water	Limited
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
Open Beaches Act	Vegetation line	Strong
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
Public trust	Ordinary high	Lake Champlain
Public trust	Mean low water	Narrow
Public trust	Ordinary high	Limited dry sand
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
Public trust	Ordinary high	Great Lakes
N/A inland	N/A	N/A
N/A inland	N/A	N/A

The public trust doctrine, articulated by the US Supreme Court in Illinois Central Railroad v. Illinois (1892), governs state ownership of tidelands. Oregon's Beach Bill (1967) and Texas's Open Beaches Act (1959) are among the strongest pro-access state laws. Hawaii recognizes public access up to the vegetation line. Maine and Massachusetts follow the colonial-era rule extending private ownership to the low-water mark.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.