National Seashore Beaches/Parking

Spending week here in late July. Staying in Eastham - not within walking distance of beaches. We are fairly mobile ';seniors'; and interested in spending time on beaches and wondering about recommendations.

Have read in Frommer%26#39;s that you can purchase week long parking pass for $40 to park at National Seashore beaches. Likely in the 11ish to 3ish time range weather permitting. Like the sound of oceanside rather than bay beaches and realize colder. Appreciate any thoughts on this.

National Seashore Beaches/Parking

I hadn%26#39;t heard of that National Seashore beach pass until just now - and after looking into it I%26#39;m not sure it%26#39;s such a great deal. The six beaches that you%26#39;re granted entry to just aren%26#39;t my favorite beaches. I much prefer the town beaches and when I look at all the beaches an Eastham Town pass will get you into it looks like the better deal as you%26#39;ve got all sorts of bay beaches, ocean beaches and ponds (my favorite for a swim) to choose from as the mood strikes you - and all of them are close by.

eastham-ma.gov/Public_Documents/…directions

As far as that time of day being good or not - it%26#39;s hard to say. It often happens, in busy months like July, that a parking lot is full and a quick change of plan is in order.

National Seashore Beaches/Parking

If you plan to go to the ocean beaches in Eastham then the $40 pass is a great idea. It will also get you into Marconi beach in Wellfleet, Head of the Meadow beach in Truro and Herring Cove in Provincetown. Eastham does not have any town beaches on the ocean because they gave them all to the Feds when the park was created in the late 1950%26#39;s. If you only want to go to the beach after about 5:30 in the evening, then you will not need a pass for federal beaches.

You will find that the easiest access is Eastham%26#39;s Coast Guard Beach which has a ramp for handicap accessibility. All of the other ocean beaches have many, many steps...not a big problem if you don%26#39;t mind stairs but a bit difficult if you do. You can purchase your pass at the Visitor%26#39;s Center just before you get to the parking which is at Little Creek Staging Area. Once you park take the electric shuttle (they run continually from about 9 a.m-6p.m.) between the beach and the lot. The shuttle is very convenient and only take a few minutes. If you go a bit further up the coast you will see Nauset Light Beach which has just received a new set of stairs (the former set was washed away in the last big storm). Here you have steep stairs with high dunes to the west of the beach. Whichever beach you choose....go early or take the chance that you will not get in. We have never been denied parking entirely but sometimes we have to drive to Truro to Head of the Meadow beach because the Eastham beaches are so popular.

Bring sun screen, and a good book. It%26#39;s heaven!

Are parking charges year round for beaches, or are they seasonal ?

parking charges are seasonal generaly Memoral day to labor day, with some weekend in the shoulder season.

Thanks yellowbird. Think Coast Guard Beach sounds like right speed (mainly for sitting and taking in view and not primarily swimming as can see it might not be best for that) and research shows many parking fees for different beaches including city ones so will likely go pass route for week. May aim for 10 to get into parking lot near there.

The government parks site for National Seashore including various fees is http://www.nps.gov/caco/ What I am a little confused about is whether there is an additional fee to access beaches or will the parking pass provide access for 2 adults? Also wondering if passes of some kind required just to drive and visit towns between Eastham and Provincetown?

First trip to Cape Cod and since only have heard good things about beauty really looking forward to it.

Once you park your car there are no fees to enter the beach. You just park, get on the shuttle and it brings you to the beach. If you want to avoid the fee you can park free at the Salt Pond Visitors Center and then walk the bike trail to get in or bike in. It is about a 2 mile walk so if you have beach gear that won%26#39;t work for you. I think the Park Service may charge a small fee for bikers and walk-ins....or least they say they do. We have walked in many times and not been charged so I%26#39;m not sure what the walk-in policy is. I do know that they do not allow cars to drop off passengers and then leave as it tends to overload the beach. I guess that%26#39;s a good thing since the main thing about the National Seashore beaches that distinguishes them from most town beaches is the uncrowded sandy beach. Of course if you are denied access because it has reached capacity you might not appreciate it!

The Cape Cod National Seashore is unique in that it was created after development occurred. So, there is no scenic ';loop road'; like in Acadia, where the Park service charges a fee. But you do have individual towns that charge for parking at town beaches and Provincetown charges for parking in-town. Other than that, the towns on the outer cape are free.

Very helpful info, yellowbird. Thank you.