A wide, west-facing bayside beach at land's end on Route 6, with gentle waves and warm shallow water. It's the only Cape Cod National Seashore beach with an on-site snack bar, which makes it the more family-friendly of Provincetown's two ocean-adjacent Seashore swims.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot Included in the $25/vehicle Seashore entrance fee
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Hours
6am-midnight, year-round
Season
Open year-round; all Seashore beaches open 6am-midnight. Entrance fees collected weekends Memorial Day-late June, daily late June-Labor Day, weekends Labor Day-mid/late Sept.
Entry fee
$25/vehicle/day; $15/person (16+) walk/bike-in; $20/day motorcycle; $60 CCNS season pass covers all 6 Seashore beaches. Credit/debit only, paid at the beach entrance (not visitor centers). checked Jul 14, 2026
Accessibility
The National Park Service describes Herring Cove as an accessible beach, with beach wheelchairs available from the lifeguards.
Lifeguard
Late June through Labor Day weekend, designated stretch only
Off duty · back Late JuneDogs
On a 6-ft leash; not allowed on the lifeguard-protected section; excluded from areas closed for piping plover/shorebird nesting (common June-July); adhere to posted signage. One of the few National Seashore beaches that stays open to…
Allowed now · ban starts JuneBirdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Cape Cod National Seashore
508-255-3421 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Paid lot
CostIncluded in the $25/vehicle Seashore entrance feeSticker$60 CCNS season pass
North Lot
North Lot
CostIncluded in the $25/vehicle Seashore entrance feeSpaces208
0.4-mile strip lot with 5 access points directly onto the beach, no more than a minute's walk to sand from anywhere in the lot. The only facility here is a portable toilet; the nearest shower, changing room, and snack bar are at the South…
South Lot
CostIncluded in the $25/vehicle Seashore entrance feeSpaces400
standard lot at the south end with modern restroom, changing room, snack bar, picnic area, and outdoor rinse showers; the lifeguarded stretch of beach is here
Access points along this beach
North Lot
strip lot with 5 access points directly onto the beach; portable toilet only
South Lot
restroom, changing room, snack bar, picnic area, showers; lifeguarded beach section
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
South Lot, next to accessible parking and beach ramps
Showers
outdoor rinse showers at the South Lot only · seasonal
Changing rooms
South Lot only; North Lot has portable toilet only · seasonal
Picnic area
picnic area at the South Lot · seasonal
Herring Cove snack bar
only Cape Cod National Seashore beach with an on-site concession stand · seasonal
Drinking water
bottle-filling station
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is Herring Cove in Provincetown open today?
Herring Cove is not monitored right now. MA DPH samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day and posts no advisories or all-clears off-season, so there is no swim status to report. Swimming off-season is at your own risk.
Is it good for young kids?
Yes - warmer, calmer bay-side water than Race Point makes it the more sheltered of Provincetown's two National Seashore beaches.
When is the best time to go?
It's a popular sunset-watching spot since it faces west across Cape Cod Bay; evening concerts run July-August. Lots fill fastest on clear summer weekend mornings and again for sunset.
Is there parking at Herring Cove, and what does it cost?
Paid lot (Included in the $25/vehicle Seashore entrance fee). North Lot
Are there restrooms at Herring Cove?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What rules should I know at Herring Cove?
Swim only within the lifeguarded area in season; watch for ticks/poison ivy on the connecting Province Lands bike trail. Bonfires require a free same-week permit from the Province Lands Visitor Center (apply up to 3 days ahead, pick up by 3:30pm day-of).
Can you swim at Herring Cove?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Herring Cove off-season: the state samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming off-season is at your own risk; check conditions posted at the beach.
Are dogs allowed at Herring Cove?
On a 6-ft leash; not allowed on the lifeguard-protected section; excluded from areas closed for piping plover/shorebird nesting (common June-July); adhere to posted signage. One of the few National Seashore beaches that stays open to leashed dogs through summer.
Is there an entry fee at Herring Cove?
Yes, $25/vehicle/day; $15/person (16+) walk/bike-in; $20/day motorcycle; $60 CCNS season pass covers all 6 Seashore beaches. Credit/debit only, paid at the beach entrance (not visitor centers).