Cape Cod National Seashore

National Seashore · MA · nps.gov page

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

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.

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News

National Park Service Seeks Proposals to Lease and Rehabilitate Three Historic Cape Cod Properties 2026-08-03
The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a Request for Proposals to lease and rehabilitate three historic properties within Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS).

Photos

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.Photo: NPS photo

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.Photo: NPS photo

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.Photo: NPS photo

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.Photo: NPS

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.Photo: NPS

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.