The Best Things to Do in Cape Cod National Seashore

Writing and photography by Jennifer Kain DeFoe

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Eastham, MA, where our Cape Cod hotel is located, is the gateway to Cape Cod National Seashore. It is here where the 43,000+ acres of land protected by John F. Kennedy’s landmark legislation begin. Eastham is also home to Salt Pond Visitor Center, which is open year-round. A seasonal visitor center is located in Provincetown. More on that later.

Fort Hill Area: 70 Fort Hill Road, Eastham

The Fort Hill Area is the southernmost part of “the Seashore” as it’s known locally. It’s the perfect place to explore both the history and natural beauty of Cape Cod. Park in the first lot you come to on Fort Hill Road (it will be on your left) and walk across the street to check out the Captain Penniman House. This was one of the first homes on the Cape to have running water and central heat. Recently restored, it and the adjacent barn are both stunning. From behind the house, to the left of the barn, look for a trail. This winds its way up to the hill part of the Fort Hill Area. Head straight up the hill for sweeping views of Town Cove, on your right starting up the hill, and Nauset Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean straight ahead. To walk along the water, keep your eyes peeled for a small footpath to the right. This can get a bit soggy at high tide, but the views are stellar.

From the top of Fort Hill, follow the path straight ahead that meanders down the hill. Take a left when the trail dead-ends. Watch for signs for Skiff Hill. Here you’ll find another vista as well as the massive “sharpening stone” once used by indigenous people to sharpen their knives and weapons.

Continue on in the same direction on the paved path. At its end is Hemonway Landing, a town-owned boat launch along the beach. Across the marsh you’ll be able to see the old Coast Guard station at the aptly named Coast Guard Beach.

Get back onto the paved trail and you’ll immediately see a sign for the Red Maple Swamp Trail on your right. This should be at the top of your must-do list.

Salt Pond Visitor Center: 50 Nauset Road, Eastham

Salt Pond Visitor Center has rangers who are well prepared to answer any questions about what to do in Cape Cod National Seashore, as well as restrooms both inside the center and off the parking area. Inside you will also find a small museum, good for a rainy day, and an exceptional gift shop.

Out back is where the good stuff starts. Attached to the rear of the building is a raised terrace with breathtaking views of Salt Pond. To the left, as you’re facing the pond, is the amphitheater. Head toward it and follow the signs for the Nauset Marsh Trail, one of the most beautiful and least utilized self-guided walking trails within the park, which should be another must-do. A spur off of the circular route leads to Coast Guard Beach. The full trail, including the spur, is three-plus miles.

Coast Guard Beach: 2 Ocean View Drive, Eastham

There is no parking at Coast Guard Beach. Seriously. Don’t waste time trying to talk your way into the small lot at the beach. We’ve tried. It doesn’t work. Park at Little Creek, on the left between Salt Pond and Coast Guard Beach, and take the five-minute tram ride in each direction.

Once there, take a moment to walk up behind the historic Coast Guard station. There is an overlook at the end of the parking lot with incredible views.

Coast Guard is one of Cape Cod National Seashore’s best beaches. By all means, grab some sandwiches at Sam’s Deli on your way from Endless Dunes and plan on spending the day. The beach is exquisite, and there are lifeguards on duty. A bathhouse offers cold-water outdoor showers to spray the salt off along with dressing rooms and restrooms.

Nauset Light Beach: Intersection of Cable Road & Ocean View Drive, Eastham

If Nauset Light, the onsite lighthouse for which this beach is named, looks familiar, it’s because its image graces the front of every bag of Cape Cod Potato Chips. While this beach is big on beauty, it’s not so big on parking, and there is no off-site parking available, which makes grabbing a spot tricky, especially in the peak season.

Go early, before 9:00 am, to score a spot, or in the mid- to late afternoon for the best chance of spending the day in the sand. Other options include borrowing one of our Trek bikes and pedaling there or catching either sunrise or sunset when the crowds are virtually nonexistent and the parking spots are plentiful.

Provincetown: 171 Race Point Road, Provincetown (Province Lands Visitor Center)

There’s a lot to love about Cape Cod National Seashore between Eastham and Provincetown – the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail, Marconi Beach, Highland Light – but it is in Provincetown that you’ll find another concentration of things to explore within close proximity of each other.

Province Lands Visitor Center is the seasonal sister of the larger center in Eastham. With free parking, restrooms and a gift shop, it’s a worthy stop, but many people miss the best part. Look for the exterior staircase on the right side of the building and head up to the second-story deck for epic views of the rugged dune-scape, Old Harbor Life-Saving Station and the historic Coast Guard station at Race Point Beach, which is now used by Seashore staff.

Race Point Beach has paid parking, but if you’re very early or come after 5:00 pm, it’s free. Walk up to the Coast Guard station and look for the shack at the far end of the lot. It is here that the resident foxes live. It is not unusual to have a fox approach you. They are looking for food. Please do not feed them, just watch and enjoy.

If you’ve done a day-trip to Provincetown (whale watches are the best!), plan on taking in the sunset at Herring Cove Beach. Head to the right as you enter for one of the few places you can pull up and watch the sunset from your car.

Visit Cape Cod National Seashore’s website for details and many, many more activities.