The Cape Cod National Seashore was established in 1961, designated so by our island’s favorite presidential resident, John F. Kennedy himself. Offering 40 miles of beautiful, pristine beaches, dunes, and historic sites, visitors often declare their beach days their favorite part of their vacation. Staying in our Pretty Picky Properties beachy retreats is an equally popular experience, and this guide will tell you a little bit about both!
Cape Cod National Seashore Guide: Beaches, Trails, and Best First Stops
The best thing about choosing our Pretty Picky Properties beach properties is the realization that whichever beach you love most, whatever trails you want to explore, you will find our homes nearby, ensuring that you spend more time playing and less time commuting. We’ve listed some of our favorite hidden and not-so-hidden gems below.
Best Cape Cod National Seashore Beaches for Swimming, Sunsets, and Seals
The Cape Cod National Seashore beaches will each offer something different, and although you may not enjoy swimming as much at some as you do at others, there will always be something that draws you to each.
Coast Guard Beach in Eastham is famed for its soft, golden sand beaches, calm waters, and safety (the beach is lifeguarded), making it a great swimming beach. It’s popular with seal watchers near the Nauset Spit.
- Location: 2 Ocean View Dr, Eastham, MA 02642
- Google Maps
Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown is close to historic sites, offers stunning sunsets, and is also known for its large seal population. Its warmer waters make it a great swimming beach as well.
- Location: Google Maps
Top Hiking Trails for Dunes, Forests, and Ocean Views
As nice as our Cape Cod luxury vacation rentals are, most guests prefer to spend much of their time outside, hanging out at the beaches, exploring natural landmarks, and wandering along these top hiking trails. The dunes, forests, and ocean views experienced at each of the trails below will offer the most memorable Cape Cod National Seashore activities, even as you are enjoying the health benefits of your trek.
For panoramic ocean views and the opportunity to see a large number of dunes, Sandy Neck Beach Park in Barnstable is our top recommendation. The Sandy Neck Nature Trail is a long loop trail that takes you through the marsh and then directly along the coast.
- Length: 7.8 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 65 feet
- Trail Map
When it is the cool forests you seek, we suggest that the Bound Brook Loop in Wellfleet will bring you the most joy. Songbirds and gulls can often be heard while exploring this trail through the pitch pines and scrub oaks.
- Length: 3.2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 229 feet
- Trail Map
A hike along the John Wing Trail in Brewster will allow explorers to experience coastal pine woodlands, salt marshes, and stunning beach views.
- Length: 2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 82 feet
- Trail Map
Entrance Fees and Pass Options and Where to Buy Them
As much as we wish that you could explore all of what Cape Cod has to offer for free, it takes money to keep beaches pristine and hiking trails manicured. The Cape Cod National Seashore consists of six main beaches: Marconi, Nauset Light, Coast Guard Beach, Head of the Meadow, Race Point, and Herring Cove Beach. Seasonal fees and passes can ONLY be purchased at the beach entrances, not visitor centers.
There’s no cost during off-season (winter and late fall). Pass options include the Standard Entrance Pass ($15-$25), the Annual Entrance Pass ($60), and the America the Beautiful Pass (Free to $250).
Iconic Lookouts, Overlooks, and Photo-Worthy Stops Along the Seashore
During a week-long exploration of Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, you will find many iconic lookouts, overlooks, and spots you will want to stop and snap photos of along the way.
- One of the first “tourist attractions,” Scargo Tower in Dennis, offers panoramic views of the Cape Cod landscape and is known to be a favored Instagram-worthy spot.
- Marconi Beach & Station in Wellfleet is an overlook featuring dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Sunset photos are optimal at Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown because it is oriented to the west.
Lighthouse Access, Seasonal Conditions, and Closures to Watch For
You can’t visit Cape Cod without visiting its iconic lighthouses, and although there are approximately 14 on the island, there are only six located along the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Nauset Light in Eastham is best known for gracing bags of Cape Cod Potato Chips. It’s open select Sundays and Wednesdays, May through September. There may be long wait times during busy times, as only 10-15 people can enter the lighthouse at once.
- Location: 120 Nauset Light Beach Rd, Eastham, MA 02642
- Plan Your Visit
Three Sisters of Nauset are also in Eastham, near Nauset Light. These three decommissioned lighthouses have a storied history, having previously served their purpose in other locations on the Cape. Tours are available from May through September.
- Location: Three Sisters, Cable Rd, Eastham, MA 02642
- History of the Three Sisters
Book a Cape Cod Vacation Rental for Easy Beach Days and Trail Time
All of these Cape Cod National Seashore activities are sure to be exciting, especially when you know that you will be coming home to the quiet luxury and peaceful comfort of our Pretty Picky Properties retreats. Book your favorite Cape Cod vacation rental today and enjoy easy beach days, relaxing trail time, and all the comforts of home!