News Release

Upcoming Fee Changes at Cape Cod National Seashore

Date: June 3, 2020
Contact: Superintendent 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 2020 season. The daily vehicle entrance will increase from $20 to $25. This change is in response to the National Park Service effort to standardize entrance fees across the National Park System. Fees for pedestrians and motorcycles will remain the same, as will be the cost of the seasonal Cape Cod National Seashore pass, which provides access to the six national seashore beaches throughout the season for $60.

“At the local level, the fee program is critical to the park,” said Superintendent Carlstrom. “Fees collected at the seashore are used to improve our visitors’ experiences. 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.”

An additional fee-related change involves the shift in pass sales from visitor centers to beach fee booths. By shifting all sales to fee booths, the fee collection operation will be streamlined, there will be increased funds accountability, and fee collection costs will be reduced, 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 late June, daily from late June to Labor Day, and on weekends in September. Due to COVID-19 impacts, this year, fees will be collected beginning in early July.

There are several passes that provide free 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 for active military or dependents is free and available at seashore beach fee booths during operating hours or at any National Park Service area collecting entrance fees. The free 4^th Grade Every Kid Outdoors Annual Pass is available at www.everykidoutdoors.gov.