Hikers can enjoy more than three miles of Cape Cod shoreline at Race Point Beach.
Located on the northern tip of Massachusetts’ Cape Cod National Seashore, the beach walk runs about 6.7 miles round trip. The walk includes a lighthouse, museum, dune shacks, and plenty of ocean waves sweeping at your feet.
To reach the trailhead, from U.S. Hwy. 6 in Provincetown, take Race Point Road northwest. After passing the municipal airport, park in the lot for Race Point Beach; there is a $25 parking fee but the lot is free after 4:30 pm. A public bathroom and changing rooms are on the lot’s northeast corner.
Lifesaving museum
From there, follow the walkway northeast to the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station Museum. It provides a look at life in the US Lifesaving Service, the precursor to today’s Coast Guard, and is open seasonally.
After taking in the exhibits, it’s time for the beach. Head back on the walkway but rather than turn for the bathrooms/changing rooms, go right/north to the beach.
Race Point Beach is the youngest portion of Cape Cod. It was formed by a process called longshore transport in which waves and ocean currents push sand from the south up along the peninsula. The Race Point Beach sand deposits sit where the waters of Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet. Powerful, fast-moving cross currents – locally called the “race” (and hence the beach’s name) – help shape the area’s dynamic sand bars and vast shore.
At the shoreline, go right/east and enjoy the ocean views. If kids are with you, make sure they don’t go too far into the water, as it is deep near the shore and the swift currents can quickly pull even adults under.
During spring, whales can be seen from the shoreline. Seals usually can be spotted on sand bars in the ocean. Fishermen with surfcasting rods often line the shore.
Dune shacks
Around 1 mile, look for a path heading up onto the dunes. Once you crest the dunes, stop and look for the C-Scape Dune shack. These historic shacks have no electricity or indoor plumbing and are isolated, allowing for uninterrupted solitude. Artists, writers, community members. and Native Americans through a lottery program get to stay at them; they are not open to the public.
The 1.5-story C-scape shack has three rooms, a wooden stove, and outhouse. It previously sat closer to the ocean but with the beach retreating was moved to its present location in 1978.
A little more than a half-mile beyond it are the Mission Bell Historic Dune Cottages. Dating from the 1930s, they were restored in the 1950s and used as residences for several years.
The beach continues curving around Cape Cod’s northeast side. Keep your eyes on the sand and hunt for seashells.
At 1.75 miles is a bird viewing area. You’ll be able to spot dozens of coastal, shore and deep-water bird species, including piping plovers, northern gannets, and diving sea ducks, along the beach.
You can continue walking southeast to North Truro High Head Beach; there is no definite line where one beach ends and the other begins. If you do keep walking, you’ll pass some more historic dune cottages, but we’ll save that for another hike.
Race Point Lighthouse
Turning back from the bird viewing area, retrace your steps along the shore to where you entered the beach from the bathrooms/changing rooms. Keep walking southwest. This next stretch of the beach is another great place for birdwatching.
You’ll reach the Race Point Lighthouse in about 5.1 miles. Race Point has been home to a lighthouse since 1816 when a 25-foot tall rubblestone tower was erected. By 1876, the lighthouse was falling apart and so was replaced with the current tower. The lighthouse rises 45 feet high. Every 10 seconds, the station flashes a white light that is visible for 16 nautical miles.
The lighthouse is a good spot for watching sunsets. The sun sets over the bay right behind the lighthouse. Pick a night with a full moon so you can enjoy a romantic moonlit stroll along the beach.
After taking in the lighthouse or sunset, head back to the parking lot. You can do that either be retracing your steps along the shore or by via the Race Point Lighthouse Trail across the dunes to the parking lot. They are about the same distance.
The beach can get breezy and chilly, even in August, so be sure to carry a sweatshirt or hoodie if going at the time of year.
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