Location:
Outer Cape Cod, Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Address:
Cape Cod National Seashore
99 Marconi Site Road
Wellfleet, MA 02667

Telephone:
(508) 349-3785

Operating Hours, Seasons:
Parking lots are open 6:00 a.m. to midnight, daily, year-round. The Salt Pond Visitor Center is open daily 9am to 4:30pm year round (except December 25). The Province Lands Visitor Center is open 9am to 4:30pm April 15 through Thanksgiving. Hours for both visitor centers are extended in warmer months. Headquarters daily, except weekends and holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., year-round.

Climate, Recommended Clothing:
The Cape's weather changes significantly with the seasons. Spring can often be cool and damp with temperatures ranging in the mid 40s. Summer usually provides warm days, ranging between 70 and 80 degrees, and cool nights. Winter on Cape Cod is milder than inland, but dampness and wind chill can make winter days bitter cold. Temperatures range between 30 and 40 degrees in mid winter, but intervals of below zero as well as milder temperatures can also occur. It is important to dress properly for the weather, regardless of season. In the warmer months, visitors need to take precautions to avoid overexposure to sun, wind, and biting insects. It is advisable to wear a hat as needed, as well as long sleeves and long pants when conditions warrant. In winter, it is important to dress in layers and keep one's head covered, to avoid exposure, and potentially, hypothermia.

Directions:
From Boston area, take Route 3 south, to the Sagamore Bridge in Bourne. Follow Route 6 eastward to Eastham and Provincetown. From Providence, RI, take I-95 north, to I-195. Follow Route 6 eastward as described above.

Transportation:
Bus: Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway provides daily runs from Boston to Hyannis and the Outer Cape (Provincetown). Bonanza Bus Lines provides several scheduled runs from New York City and Providence, RI to Hyannis, MA (approximately 30 miles southwest of Eastham.)

Airline: Regularly scheduled daily flights connect from Boston to Hyannis, and Boston to Provincetown.

Railway: Amtrak rail service extends to Providence RI and Boston MA.

Bicycles: The Rail Trail bicycle trail extends from Dennis, MA to South Wellfleet, MA (mid-point in the National Seashore). There are three additional paved bicycle trails within the park.

Automobile: State, town, and National Park Service roadways provide year-round access to and through the National Seashore. Oversand vehicle use is restricted to limited portions of the outer beach (a seasonal permit is required, and oversand vehicles must comply with specified standards and regulations).

Fee, Costs, Rates:
During the summer season (generally July through Labor Day) a $7.00 per vehicle daily fee is charged at the park's lifeguard-protected swimming beaches (walkers and bicycles are charged $1.00 per day). Also available is a $20.00 seasonal pass. Parking fees are also covered by holders of valid Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access passports.

Facilities And Opportunities:
There are six developed beaches with rest rooms, changing facilities, and cold showers. Lifeguard services are provided at these beaches in the summer season (generally July through Labor Day).

There are ten self-guided nature trails within the park, three paved bicycle trails, and four National Register Historic structures open to the public.

There are two visitors center, the Salt Pond Visitor Center off Route 6 in Eastham, and the Province Lands Visitor Center off Race Point Road in the Provincelands. Both visitor centers provide orientation movies, exhibits, a bookstore, and information services.

Interpretive ranger programs are offered on a daily basis from mid-May to Columbus Day. During summer upwards of forty different programs are offered weekly, ranging from guided hikes along the beach to historic house tours and campfire programs. Programs are also offered intermittently in the off-season.

Lodging and camping facilities:
Lodging services are available in all of the towns adjoining the Cape Cod National Seashore. Camping is provided in privately operated campgrounds within the boundaries of Cape Cod National Seashore and at nearby Nickerson State Park, located in Brewester.

Food/supplies:
Food services are available in all of the towns adjoining the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
Eastern National a non-profit association, operates sales facilities for books and thematically related items at the Salt Pond Visitor Center and the Province Lands Visitor Center.

Accessibility:
Accessible facilities and services are located throughout the park. The Salt Pond Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible. The Province Lands Visitor Center is accessible via a moderately steep ramp way. A beach sand accessible wheelchair is available during summer at Coast Guard Beach in Eastham. The Doane area provides a wheelchair accessible trail. Portions of the Red Maple swamp trail are also wheelchair accessible. Various overlooks throughout the park are suited for wheelchair access. All of the major rest rooms at the visitor centers, park headquarters, and beaches are wheelchair accessible. Services for hearing impaired and vision impaired individuals are also provided at the visitor centers.

Recommended Activities/Park/Use:
Sightseeing, trail and beach walking, swimming, historic house touring, fishing, and bicycling are all key activities that can be enjoyed in the park. Ranger-guided canoe tours are provided in the summer season for a modest fee.

Reservations/Permits:
Accommodation information can be obtained via the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Hyannis, MA 02601, (508) 362-3225. Advance reservations are recommended. Permits are required for beach campfires, and overnight fishing, and can be obtained at park visitor centers.

Basic Visitor Recommendations:
Plan on a minimum of a half day to see the main features of Cape Cod National Seashore. Ocean vistas are accessible from view points off Route 6 via side roads, beach access points, and overlooks. Two days or longer are needed to adequately explore the rich natural and cultural diversity of the area.

Adjacent Visitor Attractions:
It is suggested that visitors also contact the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Hyannis, MA, 02601, (508) 362-3225, as well as town chambers of commerce, to check on the wide variety of services and activities provided year-round on Cape Cod. Towns and associated service groups operate ocean and bayside beaches, walking trails, museums, historic houses and host a wide range of public activities and events.