News Release

Upcoming Fee Changes at Cape Cod National Seashore

Date: January 12, 2021
Contact: Brian Carlstrom, 508-957-0701

WELLFLEET, Mass – Cape Cod National Seashore Superintendent Brian Carlstrom has announced changes in the fee program at Cape Cod National Seashore for the upcoming 2021 season. The daily motorcycle entrance fee will increase from $15 to $20, and the daily bicycle or on-foot entrance fee will increase from $10 to $15. This change is in response to the National Park Service effort to standardize entrance fees across the National Park System. Fees for vehicle entry will remain the same, as will the cost of the seasonal Cape Cod National Seashore pass, which provides access to the six national seashore beaches throughout the season for $60.

“Fees collected at the seashore are used to improve our visitors’ experiences,” said Superintendent Carlstrom. “Revenue from the fee increase will be used to enhance visitor services, including repair of park facilities, and rehabilitation of visitor centers and cultural resources.”

Passes are sold only at beach fee booths during operating hours. They are no longer available at visitor centers. This allows for more accountability, streamlined fee operation, and a reduction in fee collection costs, providing additional monies for deferred maintenance projects that improve the visitor experience.

Cape Cod National Seashore charges entrance fees at six beaches: Coast Guard and Nauset Light in Eastham, Marconi in Wellfleet, Head of the Meadow in Truro, and Race Point and Herring Cove in Provincetown. Fees are typically collected on weekends from Memorial Day to mid-June, daily from mid-June to Labor Day, and on weekends in September.

There are several passes that provide access to federal lands charging an entrance fee, including the $80 Annual Interagency Pass; the $80 Lifetime Senior Pass or $20 Annual Senior Pass; and the free Access Pass. These passes are available at seashore beach fee booths during operating hours, online at store.usgs.gov/pass, or at any National Park Service area collecting entrance fees. The Military Annual Interagency Pass is available for active duty members and their dependents (Active military ID required), veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and Gold Star Families, and are free and available at seashore beach fee booths during operating hours or at any National Park Service area collecting entrance fees. Gold Star Families are next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life. Gold Star Families may obtain information, self-certify they qualify, and download a voucher by visiting https:www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and gold-star families-free-access.htm. The free 4^th Grade Every Kid Outdoors Annual Pass is available at www.everykidoutdoors.gov. Due to COVID many 4th graders missed out on using their Every Kid Outdoors Annual 4th Grade Pass during the 2019-2020 school year. Children and their families may obtain information and download a paper voucher at Free Access for 5th Graders (U.S. National Park Service).