Parks / Cape Cod National Seashore
Cape Cod National Seashore
National Seashore · MA
The great Outer Beach described by Thoreau in the 1800s is protected within the national seashore. Forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and uplands support diverse species. Lighthouses, cultural landscapes, and wild cranberry bogs offer a glimpse of Cape Cod's past and continuing ways of life. Swimming beaches and walking and biking trails beckon today's visitors.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (2)
Lifeguards at Herring Cove Beach Weekends ONLY
Lifeguards will be present at Herring Cove Beach on weekends ONLY until August 23. Pay attention to signage and swim at your own risk on weekdays.
No Lifeguards at Race Point Beach
There are no lifeguards on duty at Race Point Beach. Swim at your own risk.
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees are only required seasonally at park beaches and are not required in most other parts of the park. Cape Cod National Seashore beach entrance fees are collected in spring, summer, and fall. All passes (including the America the Beautiful series) are only sold during the months that the fees are collected. Passes can ONLY be purchased at beach entrances and are NOT sold at park visitor centers. The six national seashore beaches where fees are collected are: Coast Guard and Nauset Light in Eastham, Marconi in Wellfleet, Head of the Meadow in Truro, and Race Point and Herring Cove in Provincetown.
Cape Cod National Seashore annual passes are available at beach entrances in spring, summer, and fall. The pass permits access to any of the six Cape Cod National Seashore beaches late-May through mid-September during that calendar year. The annual pass allows entrance for the pass holder and additional passengers in a single private non-commercial vehicle or pass holder plus three adults when entering on foot or bicycle. Passes only available at beach entrances. PASSES ARE NOT SOLD IN VISITOR CENTERS!
Upcoming Events
Highland Light
Aug 31, 2026 · 27 Highland Light Road, Truro, MA.
Old Harbor Life-Saving Station Open House
Aug 31, 2026 · Race Point Beach, Provincetown, MA
Captain Penniman House Tour
Aug 31, 2026 · Fort Hill Road, Eastham, MA
Terrace Talk
Aug 31, 2026 · 50 Nauset Road, Eastham, MA
Fort Hill Hike
Aug 31, 2026 · Fort Hill Road, Eastham, MA
Hatches Harbor Walk
Sep 1, 2026 · Hatches Harbor parking lot, right off Province Lands Road.
Dune and Bog Walk
Sep 1, 2026 · Province Lands Visitor Center, 171 Race Point Road, Provincetown, MA
Discover Nauset Marsh Walk
Sep 1, 2026 · 50 Nauset Road, Eastham, MA
Sharks and Seals: Cape Cod’s Dynamic Duo Walk (Eastham)
Sep 1, 2026 · Parking is limited at the Coast Guard Beach and can fill up quickly. Take the shuttle bus from the Coast Guard Beach Shuttle Parking lot.
Discover Nauset Marsh Walk
Sep 1, 2026 · 50 Nauset Road, Eastham, MA
Sharks and Seals: Cape Cod’s Dynamic Duo Walk (Eastham)
Sep 1, 2026 · Parking is limited at the Coast Guard Beach and can fill up quickly. If lot is full, take the shuttle bus from the Coast Guard Beach Shuttle Parking lot.
Birding 101
Sep 2, 2026 · 50 Nauset Road, Eastham, MA
Captain Penniman House Open House
Sep 2, 2026 · Fort Hill Road, Eastham, MA
Salt Pond Paddle
Sep 2, 2026 · Meeting location provided upon reservation.
Sharks and Seals: Cape Cod’s Dynamic Duo Walk (PTown)
Sep 2, 2026 · Meet at Race Point Beach, Provincetown.
Parabolic Dunes Hike
Sep 2, 2026 · High Head Road, Truro, MA
Art in the Dunes Hike
Sep 2, 2026 · Meeting location provided upon reservation.
Nauset Light Tour
Sep 2, 2026 · 120 Nauset Light Beach Road, Eastham, MA 02642
Dune and Bog Walk
Sep 3, 2026 · Province Lands Visitor Center, 171 Race Point Road, Provincetown, MA
Big View Hiking
Sep 4, 2026 · Meeting location varies weekly, information found in e-vite link.
Things to Do
Become a Cape Cod Junior Ranger
Visit Cape Cod National Seashore and become a Junior Ranger!
Bike the Nauset Bike Trail
Get ready to explore! The Nauset Bike Trail offers a variety of environments to explore along nearly 2 miles of paved trail. Explore wooded ponds and sandy beaches!
Bike the Province Lands Bike Trail
Get ready to explore! The Province Lands Bike Trail offers a variety of environments to explore along over 7 miles of paved trail. Explore rolling dunes, wooded ponds, and sandy beaches!
Grab a Bite at the Herring Cove Snack Bar
Herring Cove Snack Bar is a food and beverage service located at Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown. This is a vintage beach food concession facility that offers lunch and other beach snacks, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Head of the Meadow Bike Trail
Get ready to explore! Enjoy a calm bike ride along berry bushes and trees.
Hike the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail
Find your trail to explore at Cape Cod National Seashore! One of eleven trails in the park is the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp, a 1.2-mile loop trail in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.
Hike the Beech Forest Trail
Find your trail to explore at Cape Cod National Seashore! One of eleven trails in the park is the Beech Forest Trail, a 1-mile loop trail in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Hike the Buttonbush Trail
Find your trail to explore at Cape Cod National Seashore! One of eleven trails in the park is the Buttonbrush trail, a 0.3-mile loop trail that begins at the Salt Pond Visitor Center.
Hike the Doane Trail
Find your trail to explore at Cape Cod National Seashore! One of eleven trails in the park is the Doane Trail, a 0.6-mile loop trail that begins at Doane Rock in Eastham.
Hike the Fort Hill Trail
Find your trail to explore at Cape Cod National Seashore! One of eleven trails in the park is the Fort Hill loop, a one-mile loop trail that winds around the historic Fort Hill site.
Hike the Great Island Trail
Are you looking for a day of adventure? Look no further than Cape Cod National Seashore's longest hiking trail, Great Island! Make your own adventure to enjoy the shorter 3.9-mile loop or go for gold with the full 8.8 mile loop to Jeremy Point!
Hike the Nauset Marsh Trail
Find your trail to explore at Cape Cod National Seashore! One of eleven trails in the park is the Nauset Marsh Trail, a 1.5-mile loop trail that winds around Nauset Marsh.
Hike the Pamet Area Trails
Find your trail to explore at Cape Cod National Seashore! One of eleven trails in the park is the Pamet Area Trails, a 0.6-mile out and back trail with several spurs in Truro, Massachusetts.
Hike the Pilgrim Spring Trail
Find your trail to explore at Cape Cod National Seashore! One of eleven trails in the park is the Pilgrim Spring Trail, a 1-mile loop trail in Truro, Massachusetts.
Hike the Red Maple Swamp
Find your trail to explore at Cape Cod National Seashore! One of eleven trails in the park is the Red Maple Swamp, 0.8-mile round trip boardwalk trail.
Hike the Small's Swamp Trail
Find your trail to explore at Cape Cod National Seashore! One of eleven trails in the park is the Small's Swamp Trail, a 0.6-mile loop trail located in Truro, Massachusetts.
Hit the Links at Highland Links
One of Cape Cod’s oldest golf courses, perhaps its most scenic, Highland Links in North Truro is one of America’s golf treasures, perched high along windswept bluffs overlooking the Atlantic next to the vintage Highland Light.
Take a Break on Cape Cod's Beaches
What better way to enjoy a day on Cape Cod than to relax on the beach? Cape Cod National Seashore features 6 beaches for visitors to enjoy. So grab you beach umbrella, your sunscreen, and get ready for a day of fun in the sun!
Visit the Eastern National Park Store
Looking for a gift or souvenir to remember your visit to Cape Cod National Seashore? Look no further than the park's Eastern National Bookstore, located in the Salt Pond Visitor Center. The park has an excellent selection of books, clothing, trinkets, and other fun items to represent Cape Cod National Seashore.
Visitor Centers
- Province Lands Visitor Center
- Salt Pond Visitor Center
Source: National Park Service.