National Seashore

Cape Cod National Seashore

Northeast

About Cape Cod

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.

From the National Park Service.

Region: Northeast
State: Massachusetts
Designation: National Seashore
Entrance fee: $25, private vehicle

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Cape Cod.

Entrance fees

$25 Private Vehicle Pass is for one private, non-commercial vehicle — passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs and vans.
$20 Motorcycle
$15 Per Person

Passes

$60 Annual Entrance - Park

Hours

Mon: Opens at 6:00AM
Tue: Opens at 6:00AM
Wed: Opens at 6:00AM
Thu: Opens at 6:00AM
Fri: Opens at 6:00AM
Sat: Opens at 6:00AM
Sun: Opens at 6:00AM

Beaches, parking areas, and trails are open year-round between 6 am and midnight.

Weather and when to go

Cape Cod's weather is generally moderated by its proximity to the ocean. Winter is typically cold with some snow. Spring is often rainy. Summer is usually warm and humid. Fall is generally dry and clear.

Getting there

The national seashore is located in eastern Massachusetts on Cape Cod and is accessed via Route 6. The park is 20 miles east of Hyannis, MA.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 50 Nauset Road, Eastham, MA 02642
Phone: (508) 255-3421
Email: caco_information@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/caco

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Cape Cod

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Cape Cod

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Hike the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail

Hiking · about 40 min

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.
Head of the Meadow Bike Trail

Biking · about 40 min

Get ready to explore! Enjoy a calm bike ride along berry bushes and trees.
Take a Break on Cape Cod's Beaches

Saltwater Swimming · about 45 min

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 sunscr…
Hike the Pilgrim Spring Trail

Hiking · about 40 min

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 Doane Trail

Hiking · about 40 min

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.
Bike the Nauset Bike Trail

Biking · about 40 min

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

Biking · about 1.3 hours

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 b…
Visit the Eastern National Park Store

Bookstore and Park Store · about 45 min

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 C…
Grab a Bite at the Herring Cove Snack Bar

Food · about 45 min

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 b…