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Rte 6, Eastham, MA 2642
Phone: 508-255-3421 or 508-349-3785
Open All Year
Overview. This reserve, which stretches across 43,000 acres of beaches, ponds, and marshes, was established in 1961 by legislators in an attempt to preserve and restore Cape Cod's ecosystem and terrain. The national seashore is located along the easternmost tip of Massachusetts' peninsula and is a haven for huckleberry, hazelnut, pitch pine, beach heather and beach plum, some of the hardier cultivars being used to stabilize the shoreline. The 40 miles of pristine sandy beach are backed by a high cliff. The cape itself was formed during the Ice Age and is distinguished by kettle moraine, rolling hills, and bluffs. Some of the "kettles" are deep enough to be fed by ground water, and are populated by large- and smallmouth bass. The town of Orleans is the gateway to the national reserve, and Eastham, North Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown are just a few of the other towns situated near or on the outer edges of the site.
What to see and do. To take advantage of the seashore, you may want to visit Nauset Beach in Orleans, Coast Guard Beach outside of Eastham, or First Encounter Beach, named for the first meeting between Pilgrims and Native Americans. These areas offer bike rentals, nature trails, and areas designated for swimming. Nauset Light Beach, north of Coast Guard Beach, also features Nauset Light, a lighthouse that has become a historical landmark and is available for touring. In Eastham, the Salt Pond Visitor Center can give you a lay of the land with films and exhibits about the area's ecology. The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, managed by the National Audubon Society, is set on 700 acres and contains hiking trails that wind their way through woods and along the coastline. The town of Wellfleet is home to an oyster business, serving Cape Cod and other areas of the state, and is well-known for this delicacy. At the tip of the reserve is Provincetown, a fishing port whose population increases more than ten times in high season. Highlights of this area are Race Point Beach, Herring Cove Beach, and the Provincetown Museum. The Pilgrim Memorial is a free-standing tower offering a full view of the surrounding cape and has local memorabilia on display. In any of these towns, visitors can enjoy nature walks, guided canoe trips, and shows. The area is famous for striped bass and flounder fishing; there are several boat launch ramps and private campgrounds nearby.
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Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
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