Though you may not be aware of it, Cape Cod National Seashore is the most popular national park in New England. More than 4 million people visit the beach there each year. The entire protected 40-mile east coast of Massachusetts' Outer Cape, from Chatham north to Provincetown, is a beach—not just any beach, but even one beach. In order to create the boundaries of the 43,607-acre national park around existing town centres and private landholdings, agreements and concessions were necessary. The park was formed in 1961. By making that effort, the Atlantic shore of the Cape was preserved as a setting that provides everyone with both excitement and comfort.

You probably have a sense of this famous location even if you've never gone to the Cape Cod National Seashore. Literary giants like Henry David Thorough and artists like Rupert Holmes, whose song "Escape (The Pia Colada Song)" is probably now stuck in your brain, were both inspired by the dunes of the Cape. But to properly appreciate this location, you must dip your bare feet into the foamy water and feel the warm, golden sand beneath your toes. Before you make your escape plans, consider the following.

What to do
Walks along the sand, tanning, swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, fishing, overlanding (permission required), campfires, and picnics are all popular activities. The six beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore are where you can engage in all of your favourite beach-related activities. Prior to weighing your options, keep in mind: All beachgoers must exercise caution, pay attention to posted warnings, and be knowledgeable about shark safety before entering the water due to a rapidly expanding great white shark population in the waters off the Outer Cape.

The most popular place to swim at the Cape Cod National Seashore in the summer is Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, which is frequently ranked among the best beaches in the nation by experts like Dr. Beach. It was given that name in honour of the former Nauset Coast Guard Station, which still occupies a bluff. You may either park at Little Creek and take the shuttle bus to the beach, or you can bike from the Salt Pond Visitor Center.
At the very extremity of the peninsula in Provincetown, Race Point Beach is likewise extremely well-liked. The Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, Race Point Light, and miles of soft sand are just a few of the beautiful features this beach is famous for. You may even make reservations to stay the night at Race Point Light. Reserve a spot on one of Art's Dune Tours and enjoy this wind-swept landscape's magnificence with a knowledgeable and engaging guide.
In Wellfleet, there is a stretch of sand called Marconi Beach that stretches from the sea to a towering 40-foot sand cliff. It bears the name of Guglielmo Marconi, a telegraph pioneer who in 1903 from a location nearby sent the first transatlantic wireless connection. You'll get a stunning view of Cape Cod Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Outer Cape's curve from the observation deck.
Lighthouse enthusiasts flock to Eastham's Nauset Light Beach. The Three Sisters Lighthouses, which were relocated inland from their dangerous original location to safeguard them from coastal erosion, are also present here in addition to the Nauset Lighthouse. A sheer glacial scarp shelters the vast, mile-long beach.
Due to its kinder surf and amenities like a snack bar, Herring Cove Beach on Provincetown's protected Bay side is a popular option for families. The beach faces west, so the sunsets are magnificent. The beach is only a few steps away from parking. Be advised that you are more likely to run into nudists as you proceed south (left) and reach the traditionally gay area. Although there isn't a legal nudist beach here, the practise is usually accepted. Reviews indicate that some beachgoers partake in illicit sexual behaviour.
The least frequented beach in the Cape Cod National Seashore is Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro, but it's nevertheless a hidden gem with silky sand reminiscent of Florida and a famous shipwreck. What is left of the Frances, which sank nearby in December 1872, can still be seen during low tide.
Visitors who want to explore the marvels of this seashore park with a professional can choose from a variety of ranger-led programmes. Other leisure pursuits besides the water that you can engage in include horseback riding, biking, and hiking. The two tourist centres along the seaside serve as a hub for a wealth of educational activities.

Cape Cod National Seashore: The Complete Guidehttps://t.co/aO6u3b7q0o pic.twitter.com/tsaEqLbfFy

— TripSavvy (@TripSavvy) July 15, 2022

Best Trails & Hikes
Ready to go beyond a simple beach walk? Choose from 11 year-round open paths to explore parts of the park that casual day visitors frequently skip. Three of the top hikes are listed below:

The Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham serves as the beginning point for the 1.3-mile Nauset Marsh Trail, which offers an optional 1.5-mile spur that leads to Coast Guard Beach. You'll wind through meadows, forests, and marshes as you go along Salt Pond.
On this easy, 1.2-mile loop trip that includes a bridge over a marsh and some steep stairs to climb, explore a lovely forest of stunted oak and pine trees. In South Wellfleet, the trailhead is located at 195 Marconi Station Road.
Great Island Trail: A 4.7-mile, somewhat difficult hiking loop connects the steep rises of Great Island and Great Beach Hill close to Wellfleet via a system of sandy trails. Walking on soft sand and being aware of advancing tides, which may obstruct your way, provide difficulties here. At the intersection of Griffin Island and Chequessett Neck Road, there is parking.

Places to Camp
At the Cape Cod National Seashore, there is just one permitted camping method: overnight parking of up to 100 Self-Contained-Vehicles (SCVs) in the ORV Corridor. SCV camping is available for a maximum of 21 days between July 1 and Labor Day and is first-come, first-served and requires both an ORV permit and an overnight permission permit.

Looking for a more conventional camping adventure? There are more than 400 tent, camper, and RV sites at Nickerson State Park in Brewster, Massachusetts, which is close by. It's one of the top campgrounds around Cape Cod. On the Outer Cape, there are also a number of exclusive campgrounds, such as Maurice's Campground in Wellfleet, which provides cottage rentals in addition to trailer and tent camping spots, as well as the delectable convenience of fresh lobsters for sale at Maurice's Market.

Hotels in the Area
Start your search for local accommodations with the Nauset Beach Inn, which has ocean views, the inexpensive Truro Hostel (seasonal), and vacation rentals. You'll be close to the beach and happy knowing that your vacation spending helps to protect the park.

You'll have your job cut out for you choosing from a variety of accommodations in this area, including everything from family hotels to upscale B&Bs, as there are more than 30 inns in Provincetown alone. You may quickly check rates and availability at a variety of properties using the lodging directory provided by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. Don't forget about Airbnb and VRBO, which increase the variety of private rentals available on the Outer Cape.

Getting There
The Outer Cape is mostly a driving destination, while Peter Pan Bus Lines and Bay State Cruise Company both offer transit to Provincetown. From Boston, the Provincetown Fast Ferry operates from mid-May to early October. The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority's seasonal Provincetown Shuttle is available to help you navigate once you arrive in Provincetown near the tip of the Cape. It costs the exact fee to ride. Two visitor centres run by the Cape Cod National Seashore serve as great starting points for exploring the park. The Province Lands Visitor Center (171 Race Point Road, Provincetown, MA) is open from May through October, but its outdoor decks are open year-round for photographers and other visitors who want to see the dunes and P'town landmarks from this vantage point. The Salt Pond Visitor Center (50 Nauset Road, Eastham, MA) is open all year.

Accessibility
Coast Guard Beach and Herring Cove Beach are the two beaches in the Cape Cod National Seashore that are the easiest to get to. Parking areas here are at beach level, so there is no stumbling over sand or ascending stairs. It is possible to rent beach wheelchairs, and wheelchair access to the beach is often provided during the summer by the placement of a Mobi-mat. There are wheelchair-accessible showers at Herring Cove Beach as well as accessible restrooms and changing facilities.

For visitors with hearing, visual, or mobility disabilities, the National Park Service provides a wide range of additional services. For instance, there are audio, Braille, and interactive text and audio versions of the park's print brochure available. The movies shown at the park's visitor centres are captioned, audio explained, and equipped with assistive listening devices. Low vision and blind visitors can enjoy this quick nature walk thanks to guide ropes and Braille signage along the Buttonbush Trail close to the Salt Pond Visitor Center. Wheelchair users can access the Salt Pond Visitor Center, the trails at Doane Rock in Eastham and the Marconi Station Site in Wellfleet, as well as several magnificent vistas. Call 508-255-3421 to discuss unique requirements.

Guidelines for Your Visit
Entrance fees are collected daily from late May through early September and on weekends through mid-September at admission booths for the six beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore. If you bike or walk to the beach, the cost is $25 per vehicle, $20 for motorcycles, or $15 for everyone aged 16 and over. Armed forces members who are on active duty and their families are admitted free with identification.
If you plan to visit the beach more than once, investing in an annual pass to Cape Cod National Seashore could save you money. You and any passengers in your car, as well as up to three more adults who arrive at the beach on foot or by bicycle, are all entitled to free entrance.
On busy days, your chances of getting beach parking are highest before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m.
When visiting the beaches off-season, from mid-September to early May, you can avoid the throng and do so for free.
Before going, download the NPS app to your phone.
Dogs are permitted in certain areas of the park, but they must always be kept on a 6-foot leash. Be aware of the regulations and warning signs prohibiting pet owners from taking their animals into horse and bicycle routes, ponds, and lifeguard-protected ocean beaches throughout the summer.
On the beaches of the National Seashore, alcohol is permitted.
Use of drones is not allowed.
A free permit is required to have a campfire on the beach, and you can request one up to three days in advance.
For treks and walks on the beach in the winter, make sure to dress warmly and use solid footwear.