A bluff-top ocean beach below the relocated Nauset Light, reached by a fairly steep gravel path down from the parking lot rather than a boardwalk. The lot is one of the first on the Outer Cape to fill on a summer morning, and the lighthouse view back up the bluff is a big part of the draw.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker $25/day/vehicle or $15/person on foot/bike (card only, NPS side is cashless); $60 CCNS season pass
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Beach open sunrise-sunset; parking lot commonly fills by 9:30-10am in summer
Accessible
Wheelchair access noted
Lifeguard
NPS lifeguards on a designated stretch, late June through Labor Day weekend
Dogs
Dogs on a 6-foot leash allowed away from the lifeguard-protected area and posted shorebird-nesting closures; not allowed on the lifeguard-protected stretch in summer (may pass through when uncongested)
Managed by
Cape Cod National Seashore
508-255-3421 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
Cost$25/day/vehicle or $15/person on foot/bike (card only, NPS side is cashless); $60 CCNS season passStickerEastham Ocean Beach resident sticker (free to taxpayers) reserves ~1/3 of the lot
NPS bluff-top lot (Ocean View Dr)
Access points along this beach
Bluff-top gravel path
steep gravel path down from the lot to the sand; not step-free
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Changing room / restroom building at the lot
Common questions
Is Nauset Light in Eastham open today?
Open, no advisory on record in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-07-16). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Dogs are allowed on a 6-foot leash, but only away from the lifeguard-protected section and any posted shorebird-nesting closures. Check National Seashore signage since closures shift seasonally.
Do I need cash for parking?
The NPS side of this lot is cashless, card only, for the $25/day or $15/person gate fee; the separate Eastham resident-sticker section is free but limited to about a third of the lot.
Is the walk down to the beach easy?
Not especially. The lot sits high on a bluff and the path down is gravel, fairly long, and somewhat steep, which rules out a beach wheelchair for most visitors; the accessible restroom is up at the lot.
Are there restrooms at Nauset Light?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What rules should I know at Nauset Light?
Areas may close seasonally for nesting piping plovers/shorebirds; dogs may not pass through posted closures.
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