A roughly 1,100-acre Mass Audubon sanctuary along Cape Cod Bay with five miles of trails through salt marsh, sandplain grassland, pine woods, and a freshwater pond, plus a nature center and admission gate. One of the largest Mass Audubon properties in the state.
What to expect
Entry fee
Adults $8, seniors (65+) $5, children (2-12) $3; free for Mass Audubon members. checked Aug 4, 2026
Dogs
Dog walking is prohibited sanctuary-wide; leave pets at home (service animals welcome). This is Mass Audubon's own rule, not the town default.
Accessibility
Nature Center and the 0.5-mile Sensory Trail are universally accessible (no steep slopes or steps); powered mobility devices allowed with a day pass; the rest of the trail network is natural surface, foot travel only.
Birding
Allowed year-round
Camping
Allowed program-based, not drop-in
Managed by
Mass Audubon (Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary)
508-349-2615 · WebsiteWhat's here
On site
Restroom
Nature Center, universally accessible
Info kiosk
Nature Center functions as visitor center/kiosk with exhibits and maps.
Worth knowing
- The sanctuary includes a sandy barrier beach and tidal flats on Cape Cod Bay, reached via the Boardwalk Trail, but swimming and wading there are prohibited.
Common questions
Is Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary open today?
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is a public preserve in Wellfleet, MA. There is no live closure feed for preserves & forests; the town's site is the authority for temporary closures.
No. Dog walking is prohibited throughout the sanctuary; only service animals are welcome.
How long are the trails and are they hard?
About 5 miles total across salt marsh, woods, and grassland, ranging from an easy 0.5-mile universally accessible loop to longer natural-surface trails.
Is there an entrance fee?
Yes: $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for children 2-12; free for Mass Audubon members.
Is there an entry fee at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary?
Yes, Adults $8, seniors (65+) $5, children (2-12) $3; free for Mass Audubon members.
Can I bring my dog to Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary?
Dog walking is prohibited sanctuary-wide; leave pets at home (service animals welcome). This is Mass Audubon's own rule, not the town default.
Is Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary wheelchair accessible?
Nature Center and the 0.5-mile Sensory Trail are universally accessible (no steep slopes or steps); powered mobility devices allowed with a day pass; the rest of the trail network is natural surface, foot travel only.
What rules should I know at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary?
Collecting, swimming, wading, smoking, hunting, fishing, releasing of animals, and feeding wildlife are all prohibited sanctuary-wide. Dog walking and horseback riding prohibited.