Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-11-01. Check linked official notices before travel.

Cape Cod National Seashore protects the Outer Cape in Massachusetts under National Park Service management. Beaches, marshes, ponds and walking trails give a choice beyond swimming. For a first visit, begin with orientation at Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham and choose one nearby walk or beach.

Outer Cape highlights

The protected coast stretches across 40 miles of sandy beach. Lighthouses and cultural landscapes add human history to the shore, while marsh and woodland walks offer alternatives to open sand.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Ocean and wildlife safety

Sharks hunt seals even in shallow water. Avoid seals, schools of fish and murky water. Stay near shore, avoid swimming alone and follow beach flags and lifeguards. Keep at least 150 feet from wildlife. Never feed animals.

Trails and pets

Pets are prohibited on most walking trails. Leashed pets are allowed on Doane and Pilgrim Springs trails and a short starting section of Great Island Trail. Bicycles are prohibited on walking trails.

Passes and special activities

Beach fee booths accept cards, not cash. Passes are sold at beach entrances during fee collection, not at visitor centers. A USD 60 park annual pass is available to US citizens and residents for the current season. Consult official fee and pass conditions before purchase. Oversand driving requires separate permits and regulations.

Location and access

Use Salt Pond Visitor Center for orientation rather than the mailing address at 99 Marconi Site Road in Wellfleet. Park headquarters is not open for public visitation. Download the NPS visitor guide and maps to select the beach or trail you intend to visit.

Nearby parks

For nearby road stops, consider Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at 291 State Highway Route 6, South Wellfleet, or Nickerson State Park at 3488 Main Street, Brewster. Wellfleet Bay offers marsh and woodland trails. Nickerson operates sunrise to sunset. These separate destinations have their own admission conditions.

Things to do

For a short woodland route, the paved Doane Trail makes a 0.6-mile loop. Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail is a 1.2-mile loop with boardwalk sections. The more demanding Great Island Trail spans 3.9–8.8 miles round trip through sandy terrain. Choose the route before leaving the visitor center.

Facilities and accessibility

Salt Pond offers films, a museum and trip-planning help. Films include open captions and assistive listening. Buttonbush Trail has a guide rope, large lettering and Braille. Match its features to your needs with staff before setting out.

Restrooms and showers are closed at Coast Guard, Nauset Light and Marconi beaches. Race Point vault toilets and showers are closed. Head of the Meadow and Herring Cove retain year-round parking-lot vault toilets. Parking-area restrooms at both visitor centers remain open year-round.

About the seashore

Coastal stories

The Salt Pond museum connects Wampanoag history, European settlement, fishing, life-saving and tourism. Those exhibits provide context for the cultural landscapes seen outside.

Shoreline habitats

The seashore supports threatened and endangered shorebirds. Give wildlife room and follow seasonal protection signs rather than approaching for a photograph.

Contact

Official Cape Cod National Seashore website. Visitor information: 508-255-3421. Check current park conditions for beach facilities, trails and service seasons.