Cape Cod National Seashore
Parking Fees, Passes & Free Entry

I'll cover all that and more on this page!

What Beaches are Part of Cape Cod National Seashore?

There are more than 130 public beaches on Cape Cod. But only 6 of them are Cape Cod National Seashore beaches.

These are the beaches we're talking about:

• Nauset Light Beach in Eastham
• Coast Guard Beach in Eastham
• Marconi Beach in Wellfleet
• Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro
• Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown
• Race Point Beach in Provincetown

CCNS Beaches
(Click for Live Map)

When & Where are Fees Collected?

For most of the year, parking and entry to Cape Cod National Seashore beaches is free.

In season, though, you'll have to pay or show your pass. 

Here's when fees/passes are required for the 2026 season:   

• Weekends only: May 22–June 17
• Daily: June 18–September 11
• Weekends only: September 12–20
• No pass or fee required after September 20

Coast Guard Beach in September

Passes are checked and sold, and daily fees are collected, at the beach entry booths.

Free Entry Days in 2026

Each year, the U.S. National Parks Service designates several "Fee Free Days" when entrance fees are waived at national parks all across the country.

In 2026, the Fee Free Days at Cape Cod National Seashore beaches are:

• May 25: Memorial Day
• June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
• July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
• August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
• September 17: Constitution Day

Cape Cod National Seashore Pass Options

Standard (Daily) Entry Fees

A Standard Pass (a/k/a "daily pass") is valid for parking and entry at all 6 Cape Cod National Seashore beaches during the same day.

• Private Vehicles - $25 per vehicle, includes beach entry for the driver and passengers
  
  * "Private vehicle" means a non-commercial passenger car, pickup truck, RV or van.
  
  
• Motorcycles - $20.00 per motorcycle
  
  
• Bicycles - $15.00 per person (under age 16 free)
  
  
• Pedestrians - $15.00 per person (under age 16 free)

Bicycling At Race Point

Cape Cod National Seashore Annual Pass

Do you plan to spend more than 3 days at a Cape Cod National Seashore beach this summer?

This annual pass will save you money!

• Cost: $60 
  
  
• Valid: All 6 Cape Cod National Seashore beaches
  
  
• Covers: The pass holder and passengers riding together in a single private vehicle, or the pass holder plus three adults when entering on foot or by bicycle.
  
  
• Where to Buy It: At National Seashore beach entry booths during normal operating days/hours.
  
  ** Reminder: Cape Cod National Seashore passes are not valid at town-managed beaches or state parks on the Cape!

Nauset Light Beach on an Early Summer Day

America the Beautiful Passes (National Parks & Federal Lands)

These passes are valid at more than 2,000 national parks and federal lands all across the USA - including at Cape Cod National Seashore beaches.

They cover up to four adults riding together in the pass holder's car. (Kids under 16 are always free.) 

• Annual Interagency Pass - $80
• Annual Senior Pass (age 62+) - $20
• Lifetime Senior Pass (age 62+) - $80
• Lifetime Access Pass (for US citizens and residents with permanent disability) - FREE
• US Military Annual Pass (for current US military and dependents) - FREE
• US Military Lifetime Pass (for Gold Star Family members and veterans) - FREE
• 4th Grade Pass (for US 4th graders) - FREE

These America the Beautiful passes are for US citizens and residents only.

An America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass is also available ($250), which covers the entire vehicle, or 2 motorcycles, or the passholder plus three additional adults in their party where per-person rather than per-vehicle fees are charged.

Parking Tips for Each National Seashore Beach

Cape Cod National Seashore beach parking lots are open from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Coast Guard Beach (Eastham)

In season, the lot adjacent to the old Coast Guard station is reserved for town of Eastham residents and those with a disabled permit/placard.

Everyone else must park at the nearby Little Creek Shuttle lot and take a shuttle to the beach.

Shuttles run about every 10 minutes, so there's rarely a long wait.

** Note: Drop off/pick up of passengers and belongings at Coast Guard beach is not allowed.

Nauset Light Beach (Eastham)

The parking lot at Nauset Light Beach isn't huge, and part of it is reserved for town of Eastham residents.

If you're not here by 9:30-10 a.m. on a summer day, don't count on finding a parking spot. So come early!

** Note: Drop-off/pick up of passengers along the roads leading to Nauset Light Beach is not allowed.

Marconi Beach (Wellfleet)

The Marconi lot rarely fills up. When it does fill, there's usually a reasonable rate of turnover throughout the day. 

Don't want to wait for a spot? Head up the road to Head of the Meadow.

Head of the Meadow (Truro)

In all the years I've been going to Head of the Meadow, I can't recall ever having trouble finding a parking spot.

That's probably because getting from the parking lot to the beach requires climbing on a steep dune. Some people aren't up for that. So fewer visitors = more open parking spots!

Head of the Meadow
Scenery, Peace and Quiet Worth Climbing For!

Race Point (Provincetown)

Although there's ample parking at Race Point, the lot does occasionally fill up on blistering-hot July and August days. 

Most of the time, though, spaces are available or will open up after just a short wait.

Herring Cove Beach (Provincetown)

There's a good amount of parking here - about 600 spaces across two lots. But ...

Herring Cove Beach is a very popular place to spend a sunny summer day. So it's best to arrive before 10 a.m. to have a good chance of finding an open parking space.

Related Pages:

What You Need to Know About Cape Cod Beach Parking →

Beaches With Free Parking All Summer →

Handicap Accessible Beaches with Beach Wheelchairs →

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