{"id":"nps-caco","slug":"cape-cod-national-seashore","name":"Cape Cod National Seashore","designation":"National Seashore","category":"national-seashore-lakeshore","categoryLabel":"National Seashore and Lakeshore","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"CACO","designation":"National Seashore","sourceId":"nps-caco"}],"states":["MA"],"stateNames":["Massachusetts"],"location":{"lat":41.92381465,"lon":-70.04319832},"bbox":[-70.2514,41.5995,-69.9231,42.0868],"acres":{"value":43571,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"The great Outer Beach described by Thoreau in the 1800s is protected within the national seashore. Forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and uplands support diverse species. Lighthouses, cultural landscapes, and wild cranberry bogs offer a glimpse of Cape Cod's past and continuing ways of life. Swimming beaches and walking and biking trails beckon today's visitors.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=42.0868&b_tl_lng=-70.2514&b_br_lat=41.5995&b_br_lng=-69.9231","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Cape%20Cod%20National%20Seashore","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"cover":{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C853027-1DD8-B71B-0B7E332E35FF7626.jpg","title":"Sunrise Waves","alt":"A curling wave breaks against the backdrop of a pink sunrise.","credit":"NPS image","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm","tier":1,"source":"National Park Service"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C853027-1DD8-B71B-0B7E332E35FF7626.jpg","title":"Sunrise Waves","alt":"A curling wave breaks against the backdrop of a pink sunrise.","credit":"NPS image","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm","source":"National Park Service","cover":true},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C8531C0-1DD8-B71B-0BE3CAF8B7CFED72.jpg","title":"Sand Ripples","alt":"Low tide exposes rippled ridges of sand and water.","caption":"You will never walk the same beach twice on Cape Cod; daily low and high tides expose and then cover the sand.","credit":"NPS photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C853320-1DD8-B71B-0B079D55D788EEAD.jpg","title":"Exploring the Park by Water","alt":"A red kayak floats on a pond facing a forest colored with red and orange leaves.","caption":"Exploring the park by water offers a different perspective.","credit":"NPS photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C85349E-1DD8-B71B-0B20658295A3DE59.jpg","title":"Birds and Beach","alt":"A flock of birds flies along a beach with waves in the background.","caption":"The national seashore is known for its species diversity, including threatened and endangered shorebirds.","credit":"NPS photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/E7DA8038-AFE4-888A-1B3FC42E73D8A043.jpg","title":"Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail","alt":"Boardwalk trail runs through a swamp surrounded by green ferns and tall trees.","caption":"This popular trail takes visitors through the rare habitat of an Atlantic White Cedar swamp.","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/E7F7C4DF-C735-2DAD-A7A1595C204EB920.jpg","title":"Sunrise Over the Atlantic","alt":"A brilliant sun rises over the ocean reflecting light on the water's surface.","caption":"Cape Cod provides the opportunity to watch the sun rise out of the Atlantic Ocean and set into Cape Cod Bay.","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Auto and ATV","Auto Off-Roading","Biking","Camping","RV Camping","Fishing","Freshwater Fishing","Saltwater Fishing","Golf","Guided Tours","Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour","Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Hunting and Gathering","Hunting","Paddling","Canoeing","Kayaking","Stand Up Paddleboarding","Junior Ranger Program","Skiing","Cross-Country Skiing","Snowshoeing","Surfing","Swimming","Saltwater Swimming","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store","Gift Shop and Souvenirs"],"topics":["Arts","Painting","Poetry and Literature","Colonization and Settlement","Maritime","Lighthouses","Ships and Shipwrecks","Military","US Coast Guard","Monuments and Memorials","Native American Heritage","Science, Technology and Innovation","Wars and Conflicts","Cold War","Animals","Birds","Fish","Tortoises and Turtles","Climate Change","Coasts, Islands and Atolls","Dunes","Estuaries and Mangroves","Groundwater","Natural Sounds","Night Sky","Oceans","Whales","Scenic Views","Trails","Wetlands","Marshes","Swamps"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"25.00","description":"Pass is for one private, non-commercial vehicle — passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs and vans."},{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"20.00","description":"Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"15.00","description":"Pass is for one person 16 years of age or older — entering on foot or by bicycle."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"60.00","description":"Passes are available at beach entrances during times when fees are normally collected. Entrance into the park with a pass may also require a driver's license or other form of picture identification. \n\nValid for the current season. Permits access to any of the six Cape Cod National Seashore beaches. The annual pass allows entrance for the pass holder and additional passengers in a single private non-commercial vehicle, or pass holder plus three adults when entering on foot or bicycle."}],"hours":[{"name":"Cape Cod National Seashore","description":"Beaches, parking areas, and trails are open year-round between 6 am and midnight.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"Opens at 6:00AM","monday":"Opens at 6:00AM","thursday":"Opens at 6:00AM","sunday":"Opens at 6:00AM","tuesday":"Opens at 6:00AM","friday":"Opens at 6:00AM","saturday":"Opens at 6:00AM"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"The national seashore is located in eastern Massachusetts on Cape Cod and is accessed via Route 6. The park is 20 miles east of Hyannis, MA.","weatherInfo":"Cape Cod's weather is generally moderated by its proximity to the ocean. Winter is typically cold with some snow. Spring is often rainy. Summer is usually warm and humid. Fall is generally dry and clear.","contacts":{"phone":"508-255-3421","email":"caco_information@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Salt Pond Visitor Center","description":"Open year-round. Let us help you plan the perfect seashore day! Visit the park museum to learn about the many layers of human history here, watch our award-winning orientation film, Standing Bold, and take in the expansive view of Salt Pond, Nauset Marsh, and the Atlantic. Walking and biking trails start nearby. Ask about the Junior Ranger Program and ranger-guided activities. Want swag? The America's National Parks store operated by Eastern National is open daily.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":41.8372623997,"lon":-69.9727590999},{"name":"Province Lands Visitor Center","description":"Open seasonally mid-May to mid-October. Let us help you plan a fabulous seashore visit! Exhibits, our award-winning orientation film, Standing Bold, and dramatic views of dunes and ocean await. Walking and biking trails are nearby, and whales may be observed swimming offshore. Ask about our Junior Ranger Program and ranger-guided activities. Want swag? The America's National Parks store is open during visitor center hours. The observation decks at the visitor center is open year-round.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":42.0740345003,"lon":-70.2052577002}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"monomoy-national-wildlife-refuge","km":37},{"slug":"massasoit-national-wildlife-refuge","km":50},{"slug":"mashpee-national-wildlife-refuge","km":52},{"slug":"nantucket-national-wildlife-refuge","km":64},{"slug":"new-bedford-whaling-national-historical-park","km":80},{"slug":"boston-harbor-islands-national-recreation-area","km":85}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=caco"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.608Z","alerts":[],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/cape-cod-national-seashore/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/cape-cod-national-seashore.geojson"}