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Visitors Guide to
Truro MA Beaches

For equally beautiful but very different scenery - and the luxury of warmer water and less "vigorous" wave action - the Cape Cod Bay-side beaches in Truro have you covered for that.

Atlantic Ocean Beaches in Truro MA

Head of the Meadow Beach

Head of the Meadow is one of my favorite beaches on the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Although it's a popular spot for sunbathers and surfers during the summer months, to me there's always a peaceful feeling about Head of the Meadow. Perhaps that's because there's plenty of room to roam and be alone, if that's what you want to do.

When you visit Head of the Meadow, be sure to keep your eyes open for seals surfing in the waves and whales spouting farther offshore!

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Moderately busy during the summer months. Very quiet the rest of the time.
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: Lifeguard, restrooms, bathhouse on the National Seashore managed portion of the beach.
  
  
• Location: At the end of Head of the Meadow Road, off Rt. 6 in Truro, MA
  
  
• Parking: There are two parking areas for Head of the Meadow. One is for vehicles with a town of Truro sticker. The other requires a National Parks pass or a daily fee.
  

Coast Guard Beach

Not to be confused with the Coast Guard Beach farther south in Eastham, this Coast Guard Beach is in Truro - just down the road from Highland Lighthouse.

This whole area is gorgeous ... and Truro's large, golden-sand Coast Guard Beach is no exception. A nice feature of this beach is that it's less "peopled" than some other ocean beaches on the Outer Cape. Well worth a visit!

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Not crowded, due to very limited parking.
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: None, other than restroom facilities.
  
  
• Location: Rt. 6 to Highland Road to Coast Guard Road; or Rt. 6 to Head of the Meadow Road to Old Kings Highway to Coast Guard Road.
  
  
• Parking: Extremely limited. Parking sticker issued by the town of Truro is required in season.
  
  

Longnook Beach

This large, somewhat isolated, and very picturesque beach is a favorite Truro beach for swimmers, boogie-boarders and families.

It's also a somewhat unusual beach in a few ways.

As you make your way down the dune to the beach, you might notice an orange-y color in the sand. It's some sort of sediment, they say. If it turns your feet an odd color, no need to worry. It washes right off.

It's also a beach where, in the most remote part of the beach, sunbathers sometimes go au naturel. (FYI: Nude sunbathing is not allowed, and you might be fined if you're caught "sans suit".) Personally, I've never ventured to those farthest reaches at Longnook Beach in warm weather. But I thought some of you might appreciate fair warning! ;-)

Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean

• Crowd Factor: Not usually overly crowded.
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: Lifeguard, restroom facilities.
  
  
• Location: At end of Long Nook Road (off Rt. 6) in Truro, MA.
  
  
• Parking: Limited. Town-issued Truro beach parking sticker required in season.
  
  
• Note: There are no stairs to the beach here - only a steep path  down the very steep dune.
  

*UPDATE June 2024: Access to Longnook Beach is closed due to dangerous dune erosion. Sadly, the closure will likely last all summer and perhaps beyond. 

Ballston Beach

Ballston Beach is a big, wide stretch of soft sand that's a favorite of sun-worshippers, fishermen, artists and photographers. The scenery is spectacular ... and the fishing is great!

Ballston is also a nice beach for beginner surfers, since the waves aren't quite as big here as they are at some of the Cape's other Atlantic Ocean beaches.

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Rarely feels crowded, even on the busiest summer days.
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: None, except restroom facilities.
  
  
• Location: At end of South Pamet Road (off Rt. 6)
  
  
• Parking: Limited. Town-issued sticker required.
  

Cape Cod Bay Beaches in Truro

Corn Hill Beach

According to local lore, when the Pilgrims arrived on the shores of Cape Cod in 1620, they discovered fresh water and corn stored by the Kakopee Indians here at Corn Hill.

Corn Hill Beach is long and somewhat narrow, with nice views of boats going in and out of Pamet Harbor. The warm waters of Cape Cod Bay and the gentle slope from the beach into the water make this a nice beach for children.

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Moderately busy
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: Lifeguard, restroom facilities, Mobi-Mat, beach wheelchair available. An ice cream vendor truck stops by regularly during the summer months.
  
  
• Location: At end of Corn Hill Road (off Rt. 6)
  
  
• Parking: Plentiful. This is the only bay-side Truro beach where a daily parking fee can be paid at the gate.
  
  

Fisher Beach

Fisher Beach is a pretty, and normally quiet, beach on the Cape Cod Bay side of town near Pamet Harbor.

If you're on Fisher Beach when the tide is halfway out or more, you'll have a big expanse of sand for walking, beachcombing and sunbathing. When the tide is in (high), have fun swimming in the warm calm Bay waters.

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Usually uncrowded.
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: None
  
  
• Location: Rt. 6 to Old County Road to Fisher Road.
  
  
• Parking: Very limited. Town-issued Truro beach parking sticker required.

Ryder Beach

Ryder Beach is a "get away from it all" kind of beach. Normally peaceful, with plenty of room (especially at low tide), Ryder is a nice place to hang out for a quiet afternoon or take in the evening sunset.

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Usually quiet
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: None
  
  
• Location: Rt. 6 to Prince Valley Road to Old County Road to Ryder Beach Road.
  
  
• Parking: There's a decent amount of parking at Ryder Beach. Town-issued Truro beach parking sticker required.
  

Truro MA Beach Parking Fees & Passes

Parking Fees: Parking fee/pass requirements vary, depending on whether the beach is managed by the town of Truro or by the National Parks Service/Cape Cod National Seashore.

• National Seashore-Managed Beaches - parking fees/passes are required every day from late June through Labor Day, as well as on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to late June and from Labor Day to mid-September.
  
  Click here for more information about Cape Cod National Seashore fees and passes.
  
  
• Town-Managed Beaches - Town of Truro beach parking sticker is required from mid-June to Labor Day, during normal beach hours. No entrance fees are charged to those who walk or bike to town-owned Truro beaches.
  
  Click here for more information about Town of Truro beach fees and stickers.
  
  * Important Note: Town of Truro beach stickers are not valid for parking in National Seashore parking lots. And National Parks passes are not valid for parking in lots managed by the town of Truro.
  

Related Pages:

The Cape's Top Accessible Beaches

Vacationing in Truro

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