Current Park Conditions

Alerts

A whale's tail arches in the middle of a deep blue ocean splashing white foam about.
A whale's tail arches in the middle of a deep blue ocean splashing white foam about.

NPS Photo

COVID-19 Information

 

Update: March 30, 2023

Barnstable County is currently LOW (green) for community transmission, based on the CDC's COVID-19 Community Levels tool, which helps communities decide on prevention steps to take. At this time, masks are not required in national seashore buildings.

Park staff routinely monitor the community levels tool. All updates will be posted here.

 

Visitor Centers

Salt Pond Visitor Center

  • Open: Staff and volunteers are on duty to answer questions, assist with orientation information, and provide maps and brochures. Films and exhibits are available. Open 9 am to 4:30 pm.
  • Open: America’s National Parks store.
  • Open: Restrooms located in the parking area

Province Lands Visitor Center

  • Closed: The visitor center has closed for the season. It will reopen May 1, 2023.
  • Closed: The park store has closed for the season. It will reopen May 1, 2023.
  • Open: Restrooms located in the parking area are open year-round.
 

Beaches

Coast Guard Beach

  • Open: Coast Guard Beach
  • Closed: Restrooms and showers are closed for the season. Restrooms will reopen in May 2023.
  • Closed: Beach entrance fee collection and annual pass sales have ended for the season. Fee booths will reopen in late-May 2023.
  • Lifeguard duty has ended for the season. There are no lifeguards on beaches. Use caution and heed advisories on beaches; be shark smart.

Coast Guard Tram from Little Creek

  • Closed: The Coast Guard Beach tram from Little Creek has ended service for the season. The tram will reopen in late-May 2023.

Nauset Light Beach

  • Open: Nauset Light Beach.
  • Closed: Restrooms and showers are closed for the season. Restrooms will reopen in May 2023.
  • Closed: Beach entrance fee collection and annual pass sales have ended for the season. Fee booths will reopen in late-May 2023.
  • Lifeguard duty has ended for the season. There are no lifeguards on beaches. Use caution and heed advisories on beaches; be shark smart.

Marconi Beach

Head of the Meadow Beach

  • Open: Head of the Meadow Beach
  • Open: Vault toilets in parking lot are open year round.
  • Closed: Showers have closed for the season. Showers will reopen May 2023.
  • Closed: Beach entrance fee collection and annual pass sales have ended for the season. Fee booths will reopen in late-May 2023.
  • Lifeguard duty has ended for the season. There are no lifeguards on beaches. Use caution and heed advisories on beaches; be shark smart.

Race Point Beach

  • Open: Race Point Beach
  • Closed: Restrooms and showers. Portable toilets are available.
  • Closed: Beach entrance fee collection and annual pass sales have ended for the season. Fee booths will reopen in late-May 2023.
  • Lifeguard duty has ended for the season. There are no lifeguards on beaches. Use caution and heed advisories on beaches; be shark smart.

Herring Cove Beach

  • Open: Herring Cove Beach
  • Open: Vault toilets in the north and south parking lots are open year round.
  • Closed: Restrooms and showers are closed for the season. Restrooms will reopen in May 2023.
  • Closed: Beach entrance fee collection and annual pass sales have ended for the season. Fee booths will reopen in late-May 2023.
  • Lifeguard duty has ended for the season. There are no lifeguards on beaches. Use caution and heed advisories on beaches; be shark smart.
 

ORV Corridor

Limited Access: As of November 15, the ORV corridor has entered Limited Access season. For information, check with the Oversand Permit Office. The application period for the 2023 season will open on April 10, 2023.

 

Walking Trails

  • Open: All eleven walking trails in the park are open for use.
  • Pets are NOT permitted on most park trails. Leashed pets are allowed on the Pilgrim Springs Trail in Truro, the Doane Trail in Eastham, and a short section at the start of the Great Island Trail in Wellfleet. Always clean up after your pet.
  • Be alert for poison ivy and ticks.
  • Bikes are not allowed on walking trails.
 

Bike Trails

  • Open: All three bike trails in the park are open for use.
  • Leashed pets are permitted on Head of the Meadow Bike Trail year-round, and on the Nauset and Province Lands bike trails from November 1 through April 30.
 

Historic Buildings

  • Variable: Check the Trip Planner and ask at visitor centers about tours and other programs at historic buildings available seasonally.
  • Highland Light (Truro) tours and bookstore will close for the season on Sunday, October 30. Highland Light will re-open in the spring.
 

Beach and Ocean Conditions

What to know before you go. Get your beach and ocean safety tips, including information about sharks.

Tides

Knowing the tides is extremely important at Cape Cod. Tides can limit your access to certain areas.

Visit the Massachusetts Marine Boat Association for detailed tide tables.

Weather

Weather is always unpredictable, so make sure to check the forecast before your head to the seashore. Always pack sunscreen, water, and layers of clothing if you plan on being outdoors.

National Weather Service Forecast for Wellfleet, MA

 

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Last updated: March 30, 2023

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

99 Marconi Site Road
Wellfleet, MA 02667

Phone:

508-255-3421
To speak to a park ranger, call 508-255-3421 for visitor information.

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