Coast Guard Beach is a stunning location on Cape Cod that offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy both the beach and the nearby Nauset Lighthouse. Although it may not be the most handicap accessible, this clean and breathtaking beach provides plenty of space for year-round enjoyment with views of the ocean and bay that never fail to impress. With access available via the Cape Cod rail trail, it's recommended to arrive by bike as parking can be limited during crowded summer days.
Such an epic beach! I've been coming here on and off for almost 60 years. As a kid, I used to ride my bike from the Salt Pond Visitor Center along the bike trail to the beach.
The beach landscape has changed quite a bit over the years (winter storms will do that), but it's still as beautiful as ever.
Small parking lot is fine during the winter but in summer you must park and take the beach shuttle in. There are bathrooms and showers to rinse off after your beach visit.
Frank Lukovits — Google review
It's a good place to swim around and pretend you're a seal. Lots of fun here floating around the waves pretending I'm a seal, trying to leave all my troubles back on shore. Trying to act like an injured seal is even more fun too.!!!
Chris Combatti — Google review
One of our favorite beaches on the Cape!
If you visit off season, parking is easy & you'll have the beach mostly to yourself.
Gorgeous views and the most amazing sunrises!
Perfect place to go for long walks, bird watch & occasionally see seals playing in the waves.
Deb S — Google review
This is one of the most spectacular and gorgeous beaches on Cape Cod. It also helps that it is a bit of a hidden gem: not very crowded, usually.
Doug Campbell — Google review
Beautiful beach on the rougher Atlantic side of the cape. When we were there the waves were pretty high so we were happy that lifeguards were on duty. Good place to watch seals.
Car lo — Google review
It's a gorgeous beach, just like all of the ones on the Cape. The proximity to Nauset Lighthouse is wonderful as it gives people two things to do at the same space so if someone needs a break from the beach, it's a nice walk to the lighthouse. The reason I think it's a four instead of five star beach is because it's not the most handicap accessible. If you're going with someone older, who has trouble walking or even with a lot of little kids, I don't think the walkway would be easy to do, especially if you're doing it in the crowded summer days.
Amy Sonder — Google review
Clean, breathtaking beach - plenty of space throughout the year, even summer. Can be accessed by Cape Cod rail trail. Parking is apparently limited, so we always come by bike. The views of the ocean and nearby bay never fail to amaze with their beauty.
MD — Google review
Calm and restful peach - not much crowd on weekdays! Definitely a must visit if you want to be away from crowds and noise!
Akshay Panwar — Google review
Great beach. Run by natl. park service. Fee covers parking and tram ride -made it easy and painless to park and get to beach. Bathrooms, showers, and lifeguards. You are part of the food chain. One to three seals always swimming by close to shore. Just have to stay close in because of the sharks. Water was refreshing. Beautiful beach. We got lucky with a perfect day.
t c — Google review
Go at your own risk. It was really frustrating because there were no digital signage indicating that access to this beach is exclusively through parking at the nearby shuttle lot; locals and tourists alike were constantly trying to enter and turn around and find the shuttle lot. It’s $25 to park and take the dirty shuttle that never gets wiped down after each use. And despite the requirement to wear a face mask, the shuttle driver never wore a face mask and not a single person on the beach wore a face mask. I mean, not even lazily with the nose exposed and not even around the neck; not a single person wore their face mask on the beach. The views are nice, and there are lifeguards on site, but know ahead of time there’s no sanitization of the shuttle and no one on the beach wore a mask.
Jamie Bichelman — Google review
Potentially the all-around best beach on the Cape, in my opinion. The cliffs keep the biting flies away— there’s something magical about this place.
Sam — Google review
Beautiful, beautiful beach.
Be a little careful at high tide, there isn’t much beach room left.
Great place to walk. Turn right and walk as far as you can - maybe 16 minutes. Great view.
Remember, unless you are handicapped, you need to park and take a trolley shuttle. But it’s not that tough.
Don’t miss it.
Alan — Google review
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Cape Cod National Seashore Salt Pond Visitor Center
The Salt Pond Visitor Center, owned by the National Park Service, is situated near the famous Salt Pond and serves as a gateway to explore Cape Cod National Seashore. The center boasts stunning views and offers exhibits and short films on the area's history, ecology and ever-changing landscape. Visitors can obtain maps of hiking and cycling trails from friendly staff at the center. Additionally, ranger-guided activities such as walks, talks, open houses at historic buildings, canoe trips are available with prior reservation.
The visitors center is huge and full of information about the salt pond area. The trails are easy and go along the pond, marshes, and forest. There are some great views of the Cape Cod Bay along the way. There is also a short, learning path for kids that also has activities for the visually impaired.
Galen Blanton — Google review
Very informative museum about the Cape, its evolution and natural history. Rangers/staff we're really friendly and helpful. I enjoyed the short documentary Standing Bold in the screening room. The artifacts in the museum itself are very interesting, especially those relating to the Wampanoag people's history. Beautiful views too. There were trails off of the parking lot but did not explore those.
Julia Slaughter — Google review
Very cool place. Many things to see including a museum. There is an auditorium where they show various films including one on how Cape Cod was originally formed. Beautiful view. Check out the photos for all that you can see and do.
Vicki Walker — Google review
Beautiful Walking Trails starting at the Visitor Center. We walked to Coast Guard Beach and back-4 miles. The walk to beach is lovely. Gorgeous natural growth and trees. And the views coming into the beach area are magnificent. The visitor center also has a must see short educational trail- the multi sensory Buttonbush trail.
Jonathan Migdol — Google review
Cape Cod was even more than I expected! The stones scattered all around the beach looked like decorations of gems. Nauset Light was beautiful. The experience was made even better with seals just off shore. So worth the drive - even with heavy traffic!
Linda Donald — Google review
Excellent visitor's center. There is a small but interesting museum, a theater with a movie about the geological history of cape cod, and other displays. Nice gift shop. Trails in the back and of course a beautiful area to explore.
Muriel Rand — Google review
Beautiful undeveloped Cape Cod Seashore. Doesn't get any better. Pristine beaches, wildlife and always the chance to spot seals, birds or whales if you are lucky. If you plan o visiting often, invest in the annual National Park Pass as it is $20.00 per visit without it. Also, there are beaches that don't take the pass like Head of the Meadow beach in Truro. For that, you have to pay no matter what. Show up before Memorial Day though and the beaches are free!
C Angell — Google review
Cape Cod National Seashore Salt Pond is another great National Park to visit. The passport cancelation stamp is to the right before you go into the gift store. Two stamps are here. Four light house stamps are at the ranger desk if you're interested in those.
A lot of cool information and displays are around, plus a museum. Take a few minutes to check that out.
William Baker — Google review
Cape Cod National Seashore offers miles of pristine sandy beaches, rolling dunes, forests, marshes, and ponds perfect for swimming, fishing, cycling, and enjoying the beautiful Massachusetts coast. The stunning natural beauty and diversity of plants and wildlife make it an ideal destination to experience and explore the outdoors.
Phillip Trost — Google review
The informational center was open, the staff were helpful and friendly. They had helpful and informative movies available. Gift shop and a museum available to go into. Many trails to walk and hike.
B Lipka — Google review
Always a must stop for our family. We love the trails over in this area and the offered ranger programs. We always stop by to grab an event calendar and make sure to check out a few. This past trip we enjoyed the critter tales story time and the shark and seal walk with a ranger at Coast guard beach. We also make sure to do the Jr ranger programs with the kids when they are of a good age (ours vary with a large gap lol)
B Battige — Google review
Top notch! A great stop.
We arrived as the doors opened, visited the museum and gift shop . We hiked the trails thru the woods and along the coast.
Patricia Becker — Google review
America certainly does great national parks. This is a good visitors center with local walks and cycle rides. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Enjoyed the walk to the picnic spot on the way to coast guard bay. Walking saved the scandalous parking and shuttle cost and as well. $25 dollars per person for a half mile journey ???? Got to make it the most expensive journey in the world!
Julian Crouch — Google review
Large visitors center with many displays and exhibits about the entire Cape Cod seashore. Several different hiking trails including one for the visually impaired with braille placards. Pictures are from along the Nauset Marsh Trail. We visited in October so the park is free. However, many things are seasonal, so check the National Parks website before coming.
Mark Smith — Google review
Nice little stop to get information about the area, watch a short demonstration, view the exhibits or walk around outside and see the beautiful lake.
There is a wooden frame set up overlooking looking the lake to get a " framed photo" op.
They have a small gift shop that has some cool items to purchase.
Linda Krobath — Google review
Really nice visitor center with friendly and helpful staff. Easy to follow maps in the center and good information about the area. Center closed early the day we stopped in so it may be worth calling them to check the hours if you're getting there late in evening. Restrooms are located near the building and were well maintained.
Jozef Watson — Google review
Typical National Park Service visitor center. Plenty of info available. Well trained, knowledgeable Park Rangers. Great hiking trail right out back. Weekly evening shows at the amphitheater. Plenty of parking. Shuttle to Coast Guard Beach. Definitely recommend.
William Lieberman — Google review
Beautiful peaceful beach away from all the crowds and chaos of the Cape. Everyone parks in a central parking lot and ride a small tram like vehicle down to the beach. It’s all run well so it isn’t inconvenient to take the tram.
When u get to the beach If you want a little more privacy all you have to do is walk north along the beach beyond everyone else. , however the lifeguards can’t see you if you go too far. There are often some rough waves out there, so you better be a strong swimmer if you wander.
The place is well run by friendly people, great waves and seals and maybe sharks swimming by.
Jo Fa — Google review
This was a half really cool, visitor center and I would highly recommend that you go! Museum is small, but packed with information and incredible artifacts. There’s also some shows and incredible views of the salt ponds behind. Extremely worthwhile! Five stars!
Fort Hill in Eastham offers beautiful scenic trails for strolling and running, with lovely natural landscapes and wildlife. The elevated view provides a glimpse of the Nauset Light lighthouse in Eastham and the backside of Nauset outer in Orleans. As part of the National Seashore park, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of marshes, dunes, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Beautiful scenic trails in Eastham, great for a stroll or spot to go running; enjoy the lovely natural landscape and wildlife, you can see the backside of the residents side of Nauset outer in Orleans & the Nauset Light lighthouse in Eastham from the same panoramic view.
Kathleen MacKenzie — Google review
My very favorite place, I could stay here forever. Butterflies, birds, salt marsh, ocean waves, what else does a girl need for pure happiness? Chocolate would be nice... but lets not get crazy...
Sheerah Fisher — Google review
Hiking Trails , Fields , and Great Views of the Ocean and Marsh, Coast Guard Station , and the Original area of The Outer Most House . Beautiful!
Wayne Curley — Google review
This elevated view lets you imagine the Cape before tourism became the major economy. As part of the National Seashore park you get a beautiful view of the marsh and the dunes with the Atlantic ocean beyond.
Linda Phillips — Google review
Visited in June. Drive to the top parking lot to see great views of the estuary. Our kids, (15 & 12) enjoyed exploring all of the trails. Many flowers were in bloom so the sights were beautiful. Nice hiking and boardwalk.
Melissa Patterson — Google review
One of my two favorite places to walk on the Cape (the other is Wing Island in Brewster). Clear trails, lots of undisturbed wildlife (hawks, smaller birds, butterflies, turtles, etc), beautiful area to take in a quiet hour or so.
Emily Fishman — Google review
Magical place that holds a special place in my heart. The views are spectacular. The only thing I can say negative about this place is choose the time of day and the time of year wisely. I've had some years that I was running for the car because of the green heads. It's definitely a spot you need to see if you're at the Cape.
Matthew B. Little — Google review
CHECK FOR TICKS! If you go even a tiny bit off of the wider trails or in marshy areas, check throughlyyyy for ticks! All sizes ticks in this area - some can be extremely small.
great board walk through marshes, wish this trail was completely handicap accessible.