Beaches
Cape Cod National Seashore & Town Beaches
The entire Atlantic Ocean coastline of Cape Cod was preserved as a Cape Cod National Seashore Park by President John F. Kennedy in 1961.
The National Seashore Park offers several gateways to some of the most beautiful beaches in America which can be accessed for no cost or only a nominal parking fee.
Herring Cove Beach between Wood End and Race Point Lighthouses (facing Cape Cod Bay) has ample parking and a beach facility which includes toilets, showers and take away food for the complete ‘day at the beach.’
This beach has easy to access to water by handicapped people.
Close to Hatches Harbor is access to a bike/walking trail that goes through the most rugged dunes with vistas of the salt marshes and dunes. Use caution on bike trails, watch out for ticks and poison ivy, use caution when walking and do not damage beach grass.
Race Point Beach (facing Atlantic Ocean) has seasonal restrooms, showers and changing rooms and it is wheelchair accessible. The Old Harbor Life Saving Station is open daily (in season) from 2pm to 4pm.
Both beaches are favorite with beach campfires. Demand for reservations is extremely high during the summer months. There are a limited number of free permits per beach per day. For more information about permits for campfires, special events like weddings, and overland beach driving, please call or visit Province Lands Visitor Center, 508 487-1256. Also you may want to check Provincetown Art’s Dune Tours, which offers wide variety of tours to suit everyone’s needs: National Seashore Park dunes & beaches, Race Point Lighthouse, and sunset tours in addition to private charter with beach fires.
Provincetown is surrounded by water… from Town beaches you almost can see Boston… from Race Point you’re very close to Europe!
Provincetown Map – Herring Cove Beach and Race Point Lighthouse
Cape Cod National Seashore Park, Race Point Ranger Station
Beech Forest, further along Race Road back into town, has free parking and restrooms, and self-guided walks to kettle ponds and bike/walking trails deep into the woods.
For more information please visit Cape Cod National Seashore Park.
Bayside beach, Town center.
Bayside beach, Provincetown East End
Cape Cod’s waters are part of a natural and wild marine ecosystem with a rich diversity of sea life, including sharks. Seals are the major prey species for the great white shark, and as the seal population increases, the great white shark has become more numerous. There are confirmed reports of great white sharks feeding on seals close to shore. Spotter planes flying along the Outer Cape have also observed great white sharks near swimming beaches. Click here to learn about Shark Safety at Cape Cod.
You can walk to Long Point Beach on West End’s breakwater! Or, in early Spring, go all the way to Cape Cod Bay waterline to see amazing whales!
Town center, Johnson Street beach access with kayaks stand
The Province Lands Seashore Visitors Center on Race Point Road open from May through October 9am to 5pm. Parking, restrooms, a store, exhibits and decks providing a 360-degree view of the Province Lands and from here you’ll see Race Point Beach, the Atlantic Ocean, Race Point Ranger Station, the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, and the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown. The outdoor decks are open all year, weather-permitting.
Good jump-off point for walking or biking the dunes is the Park’s Visitors Center on Race Road, again with ample free parking and rest rooms.
Bayside beach, Town center.
Please note: Before taking your dog to the beach, check our page Pet Information. See Seashore Park pet regulations here for Herring Cove and Race Point beaches.
Bayside beach, Provincetown East End