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Cape Cod National Seashore Atlatnic White Cedar Swamp trail, Welfleet
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"A man may stand there and put all America behind him." Henry David Thoreau

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.

 

 
Race Point Light

Oversand Permits and Hunting at Cape Cod National Seashore

Click here for information about Cape Cod National Seashore's Oversand Permit Program.

Click here for information about Cape Cod National Seashore's Hunting Program.

 
 
Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore

25th Anniversary for Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore

Since 1987 this vibrant group has supported the national seashore through membership, fundraising, volunteerism, and sponsorship of research and education programs. Look for exciting programs planned for 2012, and consider joining Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

 
 

Write to

Cape Cod National Seashore
99 Marconi Site Road
Wellfleet, MA 02667

E-mail Us

Phone

Park Headquarters
(508) 771-2144

Fax

(508) 349-9052

Climate

The Cape's weather changes significantly with the seasons. Spring can often be cool and damp with temperatures ranging in the mid-40s. Summer usually provides warm days, ranging between 70 and 80 degrees, and cool nights. Winter on Cape Cod is milder than inland, but dampness and wind chill can make winter days bitter cold. Temperatures range between 30 and 40 degrees in mid-winter, but intervals of below zero as well as milder temperatures can also occur. It is important to dress properly for the weather, reagrdless of the season. In the warmer months, visitors need to take precautions to avoid overexposure to sun, wind and biting insects. It is advisable to wear a hat as needed, as well as long sleeve and long pants when conditions warrant. In winter, it is important to dress in layers and keep one's head covered, to avoid exposure, and potentially, hypothermia.

Cape Cod National Seashore scientists study a variety of climate change topics, and the park has committed to take actions to mitigate the effects of climate change by becoming a Climate Friendly Park.  Read more about the park's involvement in the national Climate Friendly Parks Program.
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Wellfleet kettle ponds

Did You Know?
There are twenty permanently flooded freshwater kettle ponds within the Cape Cod National Seashore. They range in size from 2.5 to 100 acres and from 6 to 65 feet in depth.

Last Updated: January 20, 2012 at 09:22 MST

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