A National Seashore hilltop with sweeping views over Nauset Marsh, the barrier spit, and the Atlantic beyond, reached by a short walk past the historic Penniman House. Two connected loop trails, one an easy boardwalk through a red maple swamp, cover the same figure-eight parcel.
What to expect
Trails
Fort Hill Trail (about 1.5 mi, with some log steps on slopes, views of Nauset Marsh and the Atlantic) and Red Maple Swamp Trail (a quarter-mile boardwalk…
Parking
Not confirmed · unconfirmed
Entry fee
Free; no fee to park or hike
Accessibility
Fort Hill Trail includes log steps on slopes and is not step-free; the Red Maple Swamp Trail's boardwalk is smoother but not confirmed ADA-compliant
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Cape Cod National Seashore
508-255-3421 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Parking not sourced yet
Check the town or agency pages before you go.
What's here
On site
Info kiosk
trailhead signage near the Penniman House
Common questions
Are there trails, how long and hard?
Two connected easy loops share a figure-eight: the roughly 1.5-mile Fort Hill Trail with a few log steps on slopes and marsh-to-ocean views, and the quarter-mile Red Maple Swamp Trail boardwalk, most colorful in autumn.
Where do I park, is it obvious?
The main 15-car lot sits right by the historic Penniman House on Fort Hill Road; if that's full, an overflow lot with about a dozen more spaces is 0.2 miles farther down the same road, both free.
Is there an entry fee at Fort Hill?
Yes, Free; no fee to park or hike
Can I bring my dog to Fort Hill?
Dogs are allowed. Leash rules and clean-up requirements usually apply, so check posted signs.
Is Fort Hill wheelchair accessible?
Fort Hill Trail includes log steps on slopes and is not step-free; the Red Maple Swamp Trail's boardwalk is smoother but not confirmed ADA-compliant
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