Rate Cape Cod National Seashore
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Seashore
Operating Hours & Seasons
Cape Cod National Seashore
Beaches, parking areas, and trails are open year-round between 6:00 am and midnight.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:6:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Monday:6:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Tuesday:6:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Wednesday:6:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Thursday:6:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Friday:6:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Saturday:6:00 AM-12:00 AM
Fees & Passes
How much will it cost to visit?
Permits & Reservations
What activities require a permit or a reservation?
Pets
Can I bring my best friend? Where can my pal go?
Alerts and Current Conditions
Are there any important notices? What are conditions like? What are the tide schedules?
About
"A man may stand there and put all America behind him." Henry David Thoreau
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.
Directions
The national seashore is located in eastern Massachusetts and is accessed via Rt. 6. The park is 20 miles east of Hyannis, MA.
Visitor Centers
Salt Pond Visitor Center
The visitor center is open year-round with staff to help with trip planning; a well-stocked book and gift store; a museum focused on the Outer Cape’s rich human stories; films; ranger programs; and views of the Nauset Marsh and Atlantic Ocean. Province Lands Visitor Center
Located at the tip of Cape Cod, this visitor center is perched atop a high dune with stunning views of the outer beach, Atlantic, and Provincetown. It’s open spring through fall. The center includes a book and gift store, exhibits, and regular showings of park films.
Weather
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.
Own or work here?
Nearby Businesses
