Cape Cod National Seashore, Protected coastal area in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States.

Cape Cod National Seashore covers 43,607 acres of ponds, woods and Atlantic beachfront across Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans and Chatham in Massachusetts. It holds nearly 40 miles of seashore, including broad sandy beaches, salt marshes and pine barrens, with Doane Rock, a glacial erratic, among its landmarks.

The seashore was formally protected in 1961 to safeguard the coastal landscape from development. Before its establishment, the area served as home to fishing communities and hosted early radio transmission experiments that shaped communication history.

This stretch of coast has long drawn artists and writers seeking solitude among the dunes and wild beaches. Visitors can still sense this creative heritage in the old structures scattered across the landscape and in how locals value the area's untamed character.

Parking is limited and varies by beach location and season, so arriving early is wise, especially during warmer months. Sturdy shoes are essential for exploring the many trails that wind through sand, marsh, and uneven ground.

The Dune Shacks of Peaked Hill Bars Historic District covers 1,950 acres of dune environment within the seashore. The shacks stand among the dunes of the Peaked Hill Bars area, and the district is listed as a historic district rather than a park facility. Visitors pass the dune landscape on foot; the structures themselves are private and not open to the public.