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.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/caco
- Location
- Cape Cod National Seashore (41.924, -70.043)
Track your visit to Cape Cod National Seashore
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Highland Light
- Marconi Station Site
- Old Harbor Life-Saving Station
- Salt Pond Visitor Center
Hours
Cape Cod National Seashoretoday: Opens at 6:00AM
- Sat Oct 3Opens at 6:00AM
- Sun Oct 4Opens at 6:00AM
- Mon Oct 5Opens at 6:00AM
- Tue Oct 6Opens at 6:00AM
- Wed Oct 7Opens at 6:00AM
- Thu Oct 8Opens at 6:00AM
- Fri Oct 9Opens at 6:00AM
Beaches, parking areas, and trails are open year-round between 6 am and midnight.
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
2
- Province Lands Visitor Centertoday: 9:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
- Salt Pond Visitor Centertoday: 9:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
Self-guided tours
2
North District Driving Tour1–2 hours · 4 stops
Enjoy this driving tour of the highlights of the North District of Cape Cod National Seashore (Truro and Provincetown areas). Stop by the visitor center to plan your trip or follow along on this short, 1-2 hour tour!
South District Driving Tour2–3 hours · 5 stops
Enjoy this driving tour of the highlights of the South District of Cape Cod National Seashore (Eastham and Wellfleet areas). Stop by the visitor center to plan your trip or follow along on this short, 2-3 hour tour!
Entrance fees
4
- Private Vehicle — $25.00
Pass is for one private, non-commercial vehicle — passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs and vans.
- Motorcycle — $20.00
Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
- Per Person — $15.00
Pass is for one person 16 years of age or older — entering on foot or by bicycle.
- Annual Entrance - Park — $60.00
Passes are available at beach entrances during times when fees are normally collected. Entrance into the park with a pass may also require a driver's license or other form of picture identification. Valid for the current season. Permits access to any of the six Cape Cod National Seashore beaches. 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.
Nearby15 within 100 miles
- Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area37 mi
- Adams National Historical ParkNational Historical Park43 mi
- Salem Maritime National Historical ParkNational Historical Park46 mi
- New Bedford Whaling National Historical ParkNational Historical Park48 mi
- Boston National Historical Park