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National Seashore · Massachusetts

Cape Cod National Seashore

National Seashore in Massachusetts. $25 per vehicle. 11 hikes listed.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Seashore
StateMassachusetts
Entrance fee$25 per vehicle
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkAcadia (191 mi)
Closest airportHYA (21 mi)
A curling wave breaks against the backdrop of a pink sunrise.
Visiting the beach to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean is a beautiful experience. Photo: NPS image

Cape Cod National Seashore is a national seashore run by the National Park Service in Massachusetts.

In the park service’s words

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 (public domain).

Things to do

  • Hike the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail (30 to 60 Minutes): 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 (30 to 60 Minutes): Get ready to explore! Enjoy a calm bike ride along berry bushes and trees.
  • Take a Break on Cape Cod's Beaches: 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 sunscreen, and get ready for a day of fun in the sun!
  • Hike the Pilgrim Spring Trail (30 to 60 Minutes): 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 (30 to 60 Minutes): 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 (30 to 60 Minutes): 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 (1 to 2 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 beaches!
  • Visit the Eastern National Park Store: 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 Center. The park has an excellent selection of books, clothing, trinkets, and other fun items to represent Cape Cod National Seashore.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, Opens at 6:00AM. Beaches, parking areas, and trails are open year-round between 6 am and midnight.

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.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Cape Cod Gateway Airport (HYA) Hyannis, MA No road route 21 Regional
Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) Nantucket, MA No road route 46 Regional
New Bedford Regional Airport (EWB) New Bedford, MA No road route 50 Regional
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) Boston, MA No road route 58 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Salt Pond Visitor Center: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:30PM. Salt Pond Visitor Center, located at 50 Nauset Road, Eastham, is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm daily (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day).
  • Province Lands Visitor Center: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The Province Lands Visitor Center is located at 171 Race Point Road. Open seasonally mid-May to mid-October. Closed mid-October to mid-May.

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Acadia, about 191 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Cape Cod National Seashore?

$25 per vehicle.

Where is Cape Cod National Seashore?

In Massachusetts. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Cape Cod Gateway Airport, about 21 miles away.

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