Cape Cod National Seashore
Overview
Cape Cod National Seashore comprises 43,604 acres of shoreline and upland landscape features, including a forty-mile long stretch of pristine sandy beach, dozens of clear, deep, freshwater kettle ponds, and upland scenes that depict evidence of how people have used the land. A variety of historic structures are within the boundary of the Seashore, including lighthouses, a lifesaving station, and numerous Cape Cod style houses. The Seashore offers six swimming beaches, eleven self-guiding nature trails, and a variety of picnic areas and scenic overlooks.
Activities
Boating
Please contact park services for more information.
Bicycling
Bike trails up to six miles are found in Truro and Eastham.
Auto/Motorcycle
At Cape Cod National Seashore opportunities for inspiration, reflection and renewal abound. Follow Route 6 through Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown, stopping at the scenic overlooks on the way. Allow 15 to 30 minutes at each site to take in the view or walk to a scenic overlook.
Fishing
Please contact park services for more information.
Hiking
There are twelve Self-Guiding Trails at the seashore that are open year round: in Eastham - the Fort Hill, Red Maple Swamp, Buttonbush, Nauset Marsh, and Doane trails; in Wellfleet - the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp and Great Island trails; in Truro - Pamet Area Bearberry Hill Overlook, Woods Walk at Highlands Center, Small's Swamp, and Pilgrim Spring trails; and in Provincetown - the Beech Forest Trail. Interpretive folders with information on natural and historic features are available at some trailheads. Trailside plant identification markers are referenced in the Common Trailside Plants guidebook on sale at visitor center bookstores.
Horseback Riding
Please contact park services for more information.
Hunting
In accordance with the legislation creating Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS), and federal regulations, hunting is permitted for deer, upland game, and migratory waterfowl. There is no open season on non-game species. Hunting is managed jointly by the National Park Service (NPS) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. With certain exceptions, hunting seasons and regulations are in accordance with Massachusetts State hunting regulations.
Picnicking
Picnic sites are available.
Water Sports
Cape Cod National Seashore manages a total of six beaches in the following towns: Eastham (Coast Guard and Nauset Light beaches), Wellfleet (Marconi Beach), Truro (Head of the Meadow Beach) and Provincetown (Race Point and Herring Cove beaches). All seashore beaches include the following facilities and services: showers, paved parking, rest rooms, changing rooms, drinking water, water quality testing, and lifeguards (late June through Labor Day). Two beaches, Coast Guard in Eastham and Herring Cove in Provincetown, are handicapped accessible and have wheelchairs capable of traveling over sand. Surfing and windsurfing are premitted in waters outside lifeguarded beaches
Winter Sports
Please contact park services for more information.
Seasonality/Weather
Parking lots are open 6 A.M. to midnight, daily, year-round. The Salt Pond Visitor Center is open from 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. daily, year-round, with extended hours during the summer months. The Province Lands Visitor Center is open from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. daily, early-May through late-October. Headquarters is an adminstrative facility only, open daily, except weekends and holidays, 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
The park's six swimming beaches are lifeguarded from late June through the last week of August.
Most restrooms that are not at park visitor centers, are open seasonally and are closed during winter months.
Directions
Driving
From Boston area: Take Route 3 south, to the Sagamore Bridge in Bourne. Follow Route 6 eastward to Eastham and Provincetown. From Providence, RI: Take I-95 north to, I-195. Follow Route 6 eastward as described above.
Flying
Regularly scheduled daily flights connect from Boston to Hyannis and Boston to Provincetown.
Public Transportation
BUS: The FLEX route bus line serves town on the outer Cape. Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway provides daily runs from Boston to Hyannis and the Outer Cape (Provincetown). Bonanza Bus Lines provides several scheduled runs from New York City and Providence, RI to Hyannis, MA (approximately 30 miles southwest of Eastham).
FERRY: Bay State Cruise Company and Boston Harbor Cruises offer seasonal, high-speed ferry service between Boston and Provincetown.
Phone Numbers
Primary
(508) 349-3785Links
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