The Cape Cod National Seashore encompasses about 1200 acres of the Province Lands. Most of this land is undeveloped and open. We can thank President Kennedy for having had the foresight to protect so much of the Cape land. Naturally he was not very popular at the time for doing this because many on the Cape feared this would hamper business opportunities. It was also thought of as governmental intrusion. Of course, the opposite is true since the preservation of so much of the undeveloped Cape is what continues to attract so many visitors every year. The National Seashore has protected some of the most amazing lands.
There are signs from Route 6 to the Visitor Center. There is a traffic light a little over 2 miles from the Truro/Provincetown town line. Take a right onto Race Point Road and the Visitor Center is about 1.5 miles up on the right. It sits high up atop a sand dune and has great views of the ocean and all the beaches. If the weather is clear, there is an upper deck where the views are truly awesome. The center also has rangers on duty to answer questions about the region. Check here also for sponsored activities such as videos, ranger led hikes and activities as well as maps for hiking and biking. This area should not be missed. Cape Cod National Seashore: Province Lands
There is a great ranger led hike out to one of the dune shacks where you can meet an artist in residence and learn what is like to live out there for several weeks. This hike requires reservations but if you can be part of it, I would highly recommend it. You have to be in good shape to even consider it. You can also see the dune shacks (but not visit them) by traveling to the dunes with Art's Dune Tours.
There is also a walking tour of the town itself. Again, check for times. When I last did this tour, advanced reservations were required, there was a nominal fee (at that time it was $5) and the tour began at the Pilgrim Monument.
The bike trails from the Visitor Center are something to experience. Pick up a map. Fortunately, the trails are paved and in excellent condition. They wind all through the lands. At times, you feel like you must be in the desert of the southwest because it is just so dry and hot. At other times, you might be a wooded area or near a pond or on the beach. Sometimes you will come to the top of a hill and see the ocean stretching in front of you as far as you can see. What a great way to spend part of the day, touring the wild and windswept land of dunes and dense woods, ponds and beach.
Beyond the Visitor Center, you will come to Race Point, one of the most popular and well-known beaches on the Cape. It is a wide open expanse of beach and you can walk for miles in any direction. It is pretty easy to “get away from it all” when you are on this beach. Remember there is a daily parking fee to access the beach during the summer season.
Provincetown was recently listed as one of the best beach locations in the US, and the wild and crazy sands and waters of Race Point may be one reason why. Here the Cape Cod Bay waters meet the untamed Atlantic Ocean waves to create a rolling surge called "The Race." Not always safe for small boats (just watch the swells), it is also home to the Race Point Lifesaving Museum. In the summer, there are facilities available from dressing rooms to showers to toilets. Although it is a great beach to sun and swim, the water can be quite chilly and it is a long arduous walk from the parking area to the beach. Make sure to wear sandals on hot days because the sand can be really hot. It can also be quite windy here, adding to the feeling that you are facing the ocean at the end of the world.
Comments