Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.00Pass is for one private, non-commercial vehicle — passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs and vans.
MA
Cape Cod National Seashore
Hours
Open daily · Opens at 6:00AM
Entrance Fee
$25.00
Entrance - Private Vehicle
Trailie
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Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Cape Cod National Seashore plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Cape Cod National Seashore at a glance
- Best time
- April–May, September–October
- Trip length
- Half day–1 day
- Don't miss
- Hike the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail
- Nearby city
- Eastham, MA
Explore this park
About 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.
No current NPS alerts
The National Park Service has no active alerts listed for Cape Cod National Seashore. Conditions change quickly — check again before you go.
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 5, 2026). Official Cape Cod National Seashore page on nps.gov
Weather Information
Cape Cod's weather is generally moderated by its proximity to the ocean.
- Spring
is often rainy.
- Summer
is usually warm and humid.
- Fall
is generally dry and clear.
- Winter
is typically cold with some snow.
Entrance Fees
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Pass is for one person 16 years of age or older — entering on foot or by bicycle.
Operating Hours
Beaches, parking areas, and trails are open year-round between 6 am and midnight.
- MondayOpens at 6:00AM
- TuesdayOpens at 6:00AM
- WednesdayOpens at 6:00AM
- ThursdayOpens at 6:00AM
- FridayOpens at 6:00AM
- SaturdayOpens at 6:00AM
- SundayOpens at 6:00AM
Entrance Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$60.00Passes are available at beach entrances during times when fees are normally collected. Entrance into the park with a pass may also require a driver's license or other form of picture identification. Valid for the current season. Permits access to any of the six Cape Cod National Seashore beaches. The annual pass allows entrance for the pass holder and additional passengers in a single private non-commercial vehicle, or pass holder plus three adults when entering on foot or bicycle.
Common questions
Planning Cape Cod National Seashore
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 1 reservation type on the Permits tab, including Kayak Trip: Evening on Gull Pond, Wellfleet. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
