CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE BEACH ACTIVITIES AND FEES

Cape Cod National Seashore ,manages six ocean beaches in four towns:  Eastham (Coast guard and Nauset Light beaches), Wellfleet (Marconi Beach), Truro (Head of the Meadow Beach) and Provincetown (Race Point and Herring Cove beaches).  All national seashore beaches include the following facilities and services:  showers, paved parking, restrooms, changing rooms, drinking water, water quality testing and lifeguards (late June through Labor Day).  Two beaches, Coast Guard in Eastham and Herring Cove in Provincetown, are handicapped accessible and have wheelchairs capable of traveling over sand.

Beach Entrance Fees are charged.  Rates of the 2004 season are:

Daily Vehicle: $10.00

Daily Individual (bicycle, pedestrian): $ 3.00

Cape Cod National Seashore Pass: $30.00

National Parks Pass (accepted at any National Park area): $50.00

Golden Eagle Hologram (upgrades National Park Pass for entrance at other Department of Interior sites): $15.00

Golden Age Pass (allows entry for those age 62 or older): $10.00

Golden Access Pass (allows entry for those legally blind or permanently disabled): FREE

Fees are collected daily from late June through Labor Day at all six seashore beaches and on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to late June, and after Labor Day through Columbus Day at Herring Cove, Race Point, Nauset Light and Coast Guard beaches.

Beach Parking Lot Capacities and Trends:

Coast Guard Beach/Little Creek Shuttle, Eastham:  418 spaces, Parking area fills between 11 A.M. and 1 P.M. daily with moderate turnover.  Beach access via Little Creek shuttl4e and parking area, a half mile away.  Drop off and pick up of passengers and belongings at the beach is PROHIBITED.  Limited handicapped parking (state issued plate or placard required) at the Coast Guard Station parking area.

Nauset Light Beach, Eastham:  176 spaces.  Parking area fills by 10 A.M. daily during the summer with minimal turnover.  Drop off and pick up of passengers and belongings at the beach is PROHIBITED.

Marconi Beach, Wellfleet:  530 spaces.  Parking area rarely fills during late June and July.  Parking area will fill occasionally in August with moderate turnover.

Head of the Meadow, Truro:  365 spaces.  Parking area rarely fills.

Race Point, Provincetown:  355 spaces.  Parking area rarely fills during June and July.  When the parking area does fill, it is usually one to two hours after Herring Cove fills.  Access is also available on the Shuttle.

Herring Cove, Provincetown:  557 spaces.  Parking area fills between 10 A.M.  and noon most days throughout the summer.  Moderate turnover after 1 P.M.  Access is also available on the Shuttle.  Seasonal snack bar.

Oversand Permits

 Permits for driving on Seashore oversand routes are required and available for purchase at Race Point in Provincetown.  Bird nesting activity may force some rout closures during the spring and summer.  Call 508-487-2100 for general information.  Call 508-487-3698 for route closure information.

General Regulations

• Do not disturb natural or cultural features; all are protected by federal law.
• Glass containers, flotation devices (rafts, rubber tubes), snorkel, and masks are prohibited on any lifeguard-protected beach.
• Pets must be leashed and under control at all times.  Leashes may not exceed six feet.  Pets are not permitted in public buildings, picnic areas. On protected beaches or on designated trails.
• Public nudity is prohibited.
• No license is required for saltwater fishing.  A state license is required for freshwater fishing.
• Town licenses for shellfishing are required.  Regulations and fees vary by town.
• Surfing and windsurfing are permitted in waters outside lifeguard-protected areas.
• Permits are required for all beach fires.  They may be obtained on a first come, first served basis at Salt Pond and Province Lands visitor centers.  Do not bury coals.
• Sand collapses easily.  Climbing slopes or digging deep holes above knee level is hazardous and prohibited.