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Contact: Brian Carlstrom, 508-957-0701
WELLFLEET, Mass – Cape Cod National Seashore Superintendent Brian Carlstrom has announced that several seasonal seashore operations will be starting up in late May, including weekend fee collection at some beaches and the start of weekend tram service between Little Creek and Coast Guard Beach in Eastham. “Summer 2021 will be transitional for the seashore,” said Carlstrom. “We will have fewer restrictions than in 2020, and we are moving toward pre-pandemic experiences. Protocols are changing fast at all levels, and , we recognize that national park visitors come from all over the country and the world, and we remain focused on keeping our staff, volunteers, and the public safe through wearing masks when appropriate, maintaining social distance, and observing capacity limits.”
All six national seashore beaches will have fee collection and lifeguard service this summer, and most restrooms will be open. Beginning May 29, fees will be collected on Saturdays and Sundays and on Memorial Day at Little Creek/Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, and Race Point and Herring Cove beaches in Provincetown. Weekend tram service to Coast Guard will also begin on May 29. On June 17 fees will be collected daily at all six national seashore beaches, and the tram from Little Creek to Coast Guard will operate daily. Daily lifeguard service at all six beaches will start on June 17. Beachgoers are reminded to exercise caution and to read and heed advisories posted at beaches.
Fees for 2021 are $25 daily vehicle, $20 daily motorcycle, and $15 daily pedestrian for the six national seashore beaches. A season pass to all six beaches is $60. With documentation, members of the US military, veterans, Gold Star Families, and persons with disabilities may obtain free federal passes. Other federal lands passes are available for purchase online or at beach fee booths during operating hours. Visit Fees & Passes - Cape Cod National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) for details. Fees collected at the seashore are used to enhance visitor services, including the repair of park facilities, and rehabilitation of visitor centers and historic buildings.
Due to construction delays on the new bathhouse at Nauset Light Beach in Eastham, parking will be critically reduced this summer, and only portable toilets will be available. Beachgoers are urged to choose an alternate beach. The parking lot at Nauset Light Beach will fill early every day due to limited parking. Completion is anticipated this summer.
Park rangers will operate outdoor information stations at Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham and Province Lands Visitor Center in Provincetown. The park newspaper, maps, and other park information are available. The visitor center buildings remain closed. Ranger programs will be offered each week, including short talks at the visitor centers, guided walks, and a few canoe and kayak programs beginning in July. Some outdoor evening events will begin in July. Most programs will have capacity limits and will require reservations. The America’s National Parks store at Salt Pond Visitor Center is open daily, with books, maps, puzzles, apparel, and other seashore-related items for sale.
Beach campfire permits are again available for seashore beaches on a limited basis. Fire permits may be reserved up to three days in advance beginning at 9 am. For fires at Coast Guard, Nauset Light, and Marconi beaches, reservations are made at Salt Pond Visitor Center. For fires at Head of the Meadow, Race Point, and Herring Cove beaches, reservations are made at Province Lands Visitor Center. New in 2021, permits are issued at the time of reservation, eliminating the need to return to the center on the day of the fire to pick up a permit. Group leaders will sign for permits and provide a vehicle license plate, local phone number, and local address at the time of reservation. Persons reserving in person are given priority over those reserving by phone, and demand usually exceeds the number of permits available. Visit Permits & Reservations - Cape Cod National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) for more information. All fires require a permit.
The seashore continues to follow federal and state COVID-19 protocols to protect the safety of staff and visitors. We will adapt our protocols throughout the summer and the latest information can be found on the seashore’s website.
Visit Current Park Conditions - Cape Cod National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) throughout the year for the most up-to-date information about seashore operations and follow the seashore on Facebook and Instagram @CapeCodNPS.
Last updated: May 20, 2021