Cape Cod National Seashore | HERRING COVE BEACH

Herring Cove Beach at Cape Cod National Seashore

Herring Cove Beach at Cape Cod National Seashore


See the Beaches at Cape Cod web page for an interactive location map.


Herring Cove Beach at Cape Cod National Seashore is on Cape Cod Bay, making it the only National Park Service-managed beach not on the Atlantic Ocean (Race Point Beach is at the mouth of the bay). Because of this, the waves are usually smaller, making it a selling point for those with small children. Locals claim the water is a little warmer as well, but I don’t care how warm it is, it’s still damn cold (66°F the day I visited). The beach draws a large crowd and is supposedly the most popular beach within the park.

There is a fee to use Herring Cove Beach during the summer season: daily from late June through Labor day, and on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through the end of September. Prices vary depending on how you arrive. At the time of this writing, fees range from $25/day for vehicle parking to $15 for those arriving on foot or bike (16 and older). You can get an annual Cape Cod National Seashore pass for $60, or an annual National Park Pass for $80. Both are valid for access to National Park Service-managed beaches at Cape Cod. The National Park Pass will also get you into any other National Park that charges an entrance fee. Keep in mind that neither of these passes is good for entry into town-managed beaches, even those within the National Seashore boundary. For the latest prices, visit the National Park Service’s official Fees and Passes web page.

Lifeguards are on duty from late June through Labor Day weekend on a designated stretch of beach, and certain restrictions apply in this area. For example, no pets, flotation devices, glass containers, or surfing is allowed.

Lifeguards on duty at Cape Cod National Seashore's Herring Cove Beach

Lifeguards on duty at Cape Cod National Seashore’s Herring Cove Beach

There are two parking lots at Herring Cove Beach: a 208-space strip parking lot that stretches .4-mile along the beach (North Lot) and a standard parking lot at the south end of the beach with 400 spaces (South Lot). The North Lot was originally closer to the shore, but was largely destroyed by storms. In October 2018, construction began on a project to move the parking lot and Province Lands Road further inland, and the new lot opened in July 2019. Based on the typical erosion rate, the National Park Service estimates the North Lot should be safe for 20 to 50 years. The only change is that RVs can no longer park in the North Lot due to size restrictions.

North Parking Lot at Cape Cod National Seashore's Herring Cove Beach

North Parking Lot at Cape Cod National Seashore’s Herring Cove Beach

Since the North Lot runs right along the beach, it is the closest to the water. There are five access points, so no matter where you park, it’s no more than a minute’s walk to the beach. However, while there is a fancy outhouse at the North Lot—what Jed Clampett would call a portable toilet in a permanent building—modern restroom, changing room, snack bar and picnic area, and outdoor rinse-off showers are located next to the South Lot, so keep that in mind when deciding where to park. Parking spaces at the North Lot are anywhere from a tenth- to nearly a half-mile walk to the facilities at the South Lot. Furthermore, the lifeguarded beach is by the South Lot. On the positive side, the crowds on the northern end of Herring Cove Beach are only a fraction of what they are at the southern end.

Access point to Cape Cod National Seashore's Herring Cove Beach from the North Parking Lot

Access point to Cape Cod National Seashore’s Herring Cove Beach from the North Parking Lot

Handicap visitors or those with mobility issues should use the South Lot where handicap parking spaces are right next to the beach access ramps and facilities. The National Park Service also has a limited number of beach wheelchairs that are available on a first come, first served basis.

As far an amenities go, Herring Cove Beach has the most to offer of any National Park Service-managed beach at Cape Cod National Seashore. It has the only snack bar and picnic area, and even hosts concerts in July and August. All you need is your own chairs and umbrellas.

Picnic tables and other amenities at Cape Cod National Seashore's Herring Cove Beach

Picnic tables and other amenities at Cape Cod National Seashore’s Herring Cove Beach

If you read my comments on the main Beaches web page here on National Park Planner, you know that I am no fan of the beaches at Cape Cod National Seashore when it comes to the practicality of swimming. Yes, they may be beautiful, but the small rock and pebble situation creates sheer misery for those with baby-soft feet like me. Being on the bay, I figured that Herring Cove Beach wouldn’t be so bad, but this is not the case—it’s the worst of all the beaches. I suggest wearing mesh water shoes if you plan to visit unless you are used to walking on gravel.

Rock-strewn sand at Cape Cod National Seashore's Herring Cove Beach

Rock-strewn sand at Cape Cod National Seashore’s Herring Cove Beach

Extreme rocky conditions at Cape Cod National Seashore's Herring Cove Beach

Extreme rocky conditions at Cape Cod National Seashore’s Herring Cove Beach

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Last updated on February 26, 2024
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