Things To Do

Reductions in Ranger-Guided Programs Due to Budget Cuts
Due to the mandatory, across-the-board budget cuts, and the resulting loss of 12 seasonal interpretive rangers at Cape Cod National Seashore, ranger-guided programs are severely reduced in 2013. Reductions will begin in spring and continue through the fall.

The programs that will be offered are those that are provided by volunteers and partners, such as tours at historic buildings, occasional nature walks, and some children's programs. The programs that will be offered by park rangers are canoe trips that are self-supporting through fees. The popular Thursday evening Beach Apparatus Drill at Old Harbor Life-Saving Station and the Tuesday night programs at Salt Pond will be offered in July and August.

Thanks to a generous donation by Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore, the Province Lands Visitor Center is open from May 25 through September 2, 2013. This donation is funding the rangers who provide important interpretive, orientation, safety, and resource protection information at the center.

The six Cape Cod National Seashore beaches will be open with lifeguards, and the oversand corridor in Provincetown will also be open. These operations are funded by user fees and therefore, are not subject to budget cuts.

Storm and Construction Impacts
Winter storms destroyed access stairs at Nauset Light Beach and Marconi Beach. Both beaches are inaccessible until the stairs are repaired in late spring. For your safety, remain out of closed areas and stay back from bluffs that may be unstable. The footbridge on the Nauset Marsh Trail was also damaged and is closed. The rest of the trail is open. Ask at Salt Pond Visitor Center for hiking options.

The Nauset Bike Trail is being rehabilitated this spring. Rangers at Salt Pond Visitor Center can provide information about closures and detours.

Fire Permits for Herring Cove, Race Point, and Head of the Meadow Beaches
Until Province Lands Visitor Center opens on May 25, permits for beach fires at Herring Cove, Race Point, and Head of the Meadow beaches will be issued from the Oversand Office near Race Point Ranger Station, Provincetown. Permits may be reserved up to three days in advance (eg. reserve on Tuesday for a fire on Friday, reserve on Wednesday for a fire on Saturday, etc.) by calling 508-487-2100 x 0927, or in person starting at 9 AM. The permits must be picked up at the Oversand Office in person prior to 3:30 PM on the scheduled day of the fire. When the visitor center opens on May 25 the reserving and issuing of passes will be done from there, following the above procedures. Beginning May 25, the number to call for reservations is 508-487-1256.

Cape Cod National Seashore offers a wide-range of activities from walking beaches and trails year round, to ranger-guided programs throughout the year. Explore the navigation to the left to make your choice for what to do today and for making future plans.