Cape Cod National Seashore

11/06/2026

Across the National Park System, memorials, monuments and historic landscapes preserve the stories of those who served and sacrificed. From the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the newly dedicated Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, these places invite us to reflect on the people behind the history.

Beyond the memorials, historic battlefields, military forts and other sites across the country help tell the stories of generations who served. On Veterans Day, take time to visit a place of remembrance, discover a story you didn't know, and honor those who served.

Explore places that commemorate America's military history: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/veterans-day.htm

Image: Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Raptors in Flight. NPS/Brodsky

11/06/2026

11/05/2026

The histories, cultures, and living traditions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander communities are an important part of the stories told across our national parks.

Throughout the year, and during November’s Native American Heritage Month, explore the stories, places, and cultural heritage preserved and shared in national parks and communities across the country: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/native-american-heritage-month.htm

NPS Photo

11/04/2026

It’s leaf-peeping season. The trees have made an effort, so the least we can do is go outside and stare at them.

Leaf peeping is the ancient human tradition of traveling long distances to look at leaves, take photographs, and stand in the middle of roads while saying, “Oh, wow, look at that one.”

Nobody knows exactly when this became a major event, but the trees seem okay with the arrangement. So get out there and see what all the rustle is about.

NPS photos

11/04/2026

As Veterans Day approaches, take a moment to honor those who have served our country. One way to celebrate their service is by helping them discover the places and stories that make our nation's public lands special.

U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families are eligible for a free America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass, providing free access to federal recreation lands where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged.

From the quiet beauty of a mountain trail to the stories preserved at historic sites, our public lands offer opportunities to explore, reflect, learn, and connect with the places that help tell America's story.

Learn how to get your pass and start planning your next adventure: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Image: Korean War Veterans Memorial at National Mall & Memorial Parks /NPS

11/02/2026

Hello darkness, my old friend. Now you start at 5:00 pm.

With daylight saving time behind us, the sun is clocking out a littler earlier. Just as before, if you’re heading to a national park, make sure and check park hours, trail conditions, weather forecasts, and sunset times.

Fun fact: admiring fall foliage is much more enjoyable when you’re not trying to navigate a trail in the dark while wondering which tree looks familiar.

NPS photo

11/02/2026

11/02/2026

🦋 Imagine flying thousands of miles to make it home for a family reunion. Monarch butterflies do it every year.

Every fall, two journeys come together. As millions of monarch butterflies travel south on one of nature's greatest migrations, families gather to honor loved ones during Day of the Dead or Día de los Mu***os.

For many communities, the arrival of the monarchs is more than a sign of the changing season. These butterflies are seen as messengers, symbolizing the return of loved ones in spirit and serving as a beautiful reminder of the enduring connections between generations.

Traveling thousands of miles across North America, they depend on healthy habitats, including in parks, to rest, feed, and continue their journey.

What animal makes you feel connected to your family or community?

Several parks across the country host cultural Day of the Dead programming, including San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, among others.

NPS Photo taken at Amistad National Recreation Area

11/02/2026

Día de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, is a centuries-old tradition that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed. Its roots stretch back to Indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, where ancestors were remembered through ritual, art, and celebration. When the Spanish arrived in what is now Texas, these native customs merged with Catholic traditions like All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day; creating the vibrant holiday we know today.

At San Antonio Missions, you can see this cultural fusion come to life. From colorful altars adorned with marigolds and candles to music, food, and stories, the park reflects how Spanish and Indigenous traditions shaped communities along the San Antonio River.

Come explore mission descendant ofrendas/ Day of the Dead altars while they are still inside the Mission San Jose granary for a few more days!

NPS Photo/ Andrew Shirey

10/31/2026

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins* scream in the dead of night!

Happy Halloween!

*No pumpkins have been observed screaming in national parks. You may be hearing a coyote, bobcat, fox, owl, or that marmot looking for Alan…or was it Steve?

Image: Boo! Carved jack-o’-lantern with ranger hat at Hartwell Tavern at Minute Man National Historical Park

10/31/2026

Practice Leave No Trace! Please do not leave any cursed items in the park. Seriously. It's too spooky.

Always remember to remove all your trash, leftover food, and wrappers. Even biodegradable organic waste like apple cores or orange peels must be packed out rather than left behind. Including creepy doll heads with spiders on them.

Learn more about leave no trace policies in the park: https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm

NPS Photo of doll head found in the woods of Cape Cod National Seashore over the summer.

10/24/2026

October is Massachusetts Archeology Month! ⛏️

In May, National Park Service staff documented a newly exposed shipwreck on a remote stretch of beach in North Truro. The wreck is a circa 1880 – 1940 tow barge, probably used to transport coal or similar cargo.

NPS staff attached Shipwreck Tagging Archaeological Management Program (STAMP) tags to the vessel that will allow us to monitor any future movement of the wreck. The tags will also inform future archeologists that the wreck has been recorded should it become reburied and re-exposed at a later date. Cape Cod National Seashore is one of five parks piloting the STAMP program.

Learn more about the STAMP program: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/shipwreck-tagging-archaeological-management-program.htm

NPS Photos

09/30/2026

Cape Cod National Seashore has been collaborating with Antioch University New England to conduct a study of horseshoe crabs in East Harbor since 2022. Since May 2026, park scientists have tagged over 140 crabs, bringing the grand total of crabs we have tagged in East Harbor to almost 1200!

The horseshoe crabs have become a dominant feature of the recovery of East Harbor after partial tidal restoration in 2002, when the approximately 700 ft culvert connection to Cape Cod Bay was opened to once again allow tidal flow into the East Harbor system.

There are many horseshoe crabs using East Harbor for mating, nesting, and nursery areas. The crabs are traversing the very long culvert to move between East Harbor and Cape Cod Bay. This study is ongoing, and currently we do not have an estimate of the size of the horseshoe crab population using East Harbor habitats.

Learn More: https://www.nps.gov/caco/learn/nature/horseshoe-crabs.htm

NPS Photo

09/28/2026

It's not "goodbye", it's "see you later"!

Province Lands Visitor Center will close for the season on Saturday, October 3. Stop by this weekend to get your fill of ranger programs, information, sweeping dune views, and "stump the ranger" 🤔

The outdoor deck and restrooms in the parking lot are open year-round.

Thank you for an awesome 2026 season and we can't wait to see you next year!

Check out more information on operating hours and seasons: https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

NPS Photo

09/25/2026

Park staff are actively monitoring the incoming nor’easter expected this weekend. Be prepared for heavy rain, high winds, big waves, and strong rip currents. Visitors are advised to monitor weather conditions before coming to the park and throughout their visit.

Storm surges are anticipated. Nor'easters can produce deadly rip currents, even at great distances from the storm. Do not risk getting swept out to sea. Stay away from bluffs, which could collapse without warning.

Due to the storm, the park has altered the following operations:

🔺 The entire ORV Corridor will be closed until the impacts from the storm have receded. The corridor will be re-assessed after the storm has passed and will open when it is safe to do so.
🔺 Canoe and kayak programs have been canceled. Additional ranger programs may be canceled throughout the weekend. Visit the park's web calendar for the most up-to-date info.
🔺 Fire permits at beaches have been canceled for the weekend.

For the most up-to-date park status, check our Current Conditions page: https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Web calendar: https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

09/24/2026

Captain Edward Penniman was one of the most successful whaling captains in New Bedford. He made seven whaling voyages over 22 years at sea. His wife, Augusta, and their three children joined him on several voyages. Penniman built his home in 1868 on Fort Hill in Eastham, where he was born.

Rangers Brent and Herb have been presenting the Penniman House tour program together for 14 years. They are experts in the history of the Penniman family!

Learn more about the Penniman family: https://www.nps.gov/caco/learn/historyculture/penniman.htm

NPS/ M. Lewis

09/22/2026

Advice from American beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata):

~ Adjust to shifting sands.
~ Stay firmly rooted, even when feeling buried.
~ Know when to bend to strong winds.

Natural areas, like the national seashore, are powerful centers for physical, spiritual, and mental well-being. Can’t get to a national park? No worries—nature comes in big and little packages, even in your backyard or neighborhood green space.

Read more: https://www.nps.gov/articles/naturesbenefits.htm

NPS Photo

09/20/2026

I spy...a wild cranberry!

Did you know this quintessential Thanksgiving fruit grows in the North Truro and Provincetown dunes? Bogs are typically nestled in low spots close to the water table.

The First People, the Wampanoag, have known the value of this native berry for thousands of years. Known as Sasumaneash, the berries are easily stored, providing a healthful food source through the winter.

Within the national seashore, berries may be collected for personal use and consumption, limited to one gallon, per person, per day.

Anyone have a cranberry recipe to share?

NPS Photo

09/18/2026

Like waves pulling sand into the sea, summer is slowly slipping away. Yet, there's still time to enjoy a Cape Cod National Seashore adventure! Join a ranger for a stroll along a secluded trail, paddle a canoe across Salt Pond, climb a lighthouse, or explore wild cranberry bogs in the Province Lands dunes.

Learn more about programs offered in September and October: https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

NPS/Rosehill

09/15/2026

It's finally here! (No, not ). It's the Science in the Seashore Symposium!
Join us virtually or in-person on Thursday, September 17 from 9:30 am-1 pm for the fifteenth annual "Science in the Seashore Symposium".

The Science in the Seashore Symposium is a great opportunity to learn about the scientific research taking place at Cape Cod National Seashore from the experts working in the park. There will be seven engaging presentations with opportunities to ask questions. Topics include saltmarsh management and restoration, marine acoustics, whale ecology and marine archaeology.

Thank you to the Friends of Cape Cod National Seashore for sponsoring this event!

Learn more and register online for the event here: https://www.nps.gov/caco/learn/nature/science-in-the-seashore-symposium.htm

NPS Photo