Cape Cod National Seashore - Eastham, Massachusetts

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 Lots to Enjoy at the Cape Cod National Seashore.  In August of 1961 then President John F. Kennedy designated a forty mile stretch of Massachusetts shoreline as the Cape Cod National Seashore. Containing over forty three thousand acres of sandy beaches, ponds, marshlands, and uplands as well as encompassing several lighthouses, walking paths and trails and even some cranberry bogs, the area is now a tremendously popular tourist destination. Today it is a National Park Service property, and as such, visitors are required to follow all posted regulations and requirements.

 There are several visitor centers in the area, and the most comprehensive of them is the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. Here visitors can tour the museum, view some orientation materials, enjoy the views from the observation area, and stock up on travel guides and gifts from the bookstore.

The Province Land Visitor Center is at the northernmost point of the park, near the extremely popular Provincetown area. Here another observation deck offers a full panoramic view of the famous dunes and Outer Beach. Visitors will also glimpse the Race Point Ranger Station and the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station as well as the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown.

 While millions of visitors travel to Cape Cod for ocean and beach activities, great food and the cultural experience of the area, others head to the Cape Cod National Seashore for the diversity of wildlife and landscape. Some want to explore the lighthouses of the area, and others take to their bicycles along the many paths and trails. Some of which intersect with the wonderful Cape Cod Rail Trail.

There are also some incredibly scenic tours and trips that can be accomplished with a motor vehicle or by using the self-guiding maps provided by the Park Service. A great way to find all of the recommended “outdoor” activities at the Cape Cod National Seashore is to visit the Park.

 One sight that is not often discussed or heard about is the unique “Doane Rock” in Eastham. The large eighteen foot high stone may not seem particularly unusual at first glance, but it is what is known as a “glacial erratic”, meaning it was deposited between twelve and eighteen thousand years earlier by the Laurentide Ice Sheet. It is the largest exposed boulder in the whole of Cape Cod and is named after one of Eastham’s original settlers. It is not far off the map and well worth a visit.

Cape Cod itself is a popular destination for summer vacations, especially for those looking to get out of the city. It is ideal for weddings, family reunions and other events as well. You can find excellent Cape Cod accommodations at HotelsCombined.com.

Cape Cod National Seashore
Salt Pond Visitor Center
Rt. 6
Eastham, MA 02642
Phone: 508-255-3421