Cape Cod National Seashore


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.

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.

  • Auto and ATV
  • Auto Off-Roading
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • RV Camping
  • Fishing
  • Freshwater Fishing
  • Saltwater Fishing
  • Golfing
  • Guided Tours
  • Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
  • Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Hunting and Gathering
  • Hunting
  • Paddling
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Stand Up Paddleboarding
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Skiing
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Snowshoeing
  • Surfing
  • Swimming
  • Saltwater Swimming
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store
  • Gift Shop and Souvenirs

  • Arts
  • Painting
  • Poetry and Literature
  • Colonization and Settlement
  • Maritime
  • Lighthouses
  • Ships and Shipwrecks
  • Military
  • US Coast Guard
  • Monuments and Memorials
  • Native American Heritage
  • Science, Technology and Innovation
  • Wars and Conflicts
  • Cold War
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Tortoises and Turtles
  • Climate Change
  • Coasts, Islands and Atolls
  • Dunes
  • Estuaries and Mangroves
  • Groundwater
  • Natural Sounds
  • Night Sky
  • Oceans
  • Whales
  • Scenic Views
  • Trails
  • Wetlands
  • Marshes
  • Swamps

Sunrise Waves

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.

Sand Ripples

Low tide exposes rippled ridges of sand and water.

You will never walk the same beach twice on Cape Cod; daily low and high tides expose and then cover the sand.

Exploring the Park by Water

A red kayak floats on a pond facing a forest colored with red and orange leaves.

Exploring the park by water offers a different perspective.

Birds and Beach

A flock of birds flies along a beach with waves in the background.

The national seashore is known for its species diversity, including threatened and endangered shorebirds.

Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail

Boardwalk trail runs through a swamp surrounded by green ferns and tall trees.

This popular trail takes visitors through the rare habitat of an Atlantic White Cedar swamp.

Sunrise Over the Atlantic

A brilliant sun rises over the ocean reflecting light on the water's surface.

Cape Cod provides the opportunity to watch the sun rise out of the Atlantic Ocean and set into Cape Cod Bay.