dogs are welcome at nauset light beach in eastham

nauset light beach in eastham, ma

Nauset Light Beach in Eastham is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Nauset Light Beach is a very popular beach in the summertime. expect the parking lot to fill very quickly on weekends, plan on being there by 9am to ensure a parking spot. An adjacent town-owned parking lot is available to Eastham residents only.

There used to be steep stairs that bring beach goers down to a spacious beach which is less crowded than most other national seashore beaches because of the limited parking. But these stairs keep washing away in winter storms, so access points to the beach have been affected.

Dogs are allowed all summer long to both the right and left sides of the stairs beyond the lifeguard-protected beach areas, unless access is restricted by nesting shorebirds.

A dog rests in the sand at the beach in Truro.
Sandy noses and sandy paws await when you visit Nauset Light Beach in Eastham.

piping plovers at nauset light beach

Sometimes certain areas of nauset light beach will be closed to nesting piping plovers or other shorebirds, be sure to look for signs.

if your dog scares a piping plover nest it will likely be abandoned by the parent piping plovers and then they start a new brood, which will keep parts of nauset light beach closed for an even longer time. so don’t let your dogs inside areas closed for nesting piping plover s on nauset light beach or other beaches of the cape cod national seashore.

Check out the National Seashore’s dogs info page to get the latest updates on beach access for pets.

A warning sign for Great White Sharks  awaits visitors at Cape Cod National Seashore Beaches.

Sharks at Nauset Light

When you visit Nauset Light Beach you’ll see seals swimming back and forth all day long. Which means there are sharks swimming back and forth all day long.

Be safe. Don’t swim out too far. Don’t let your dog fetch tennis balls way out in the surf. For the shark safety tips, learn other ways to prevent a great white shark attack on cape cod.

Nauset Lighthouse overlooks the parking area at Nauset Light Beach.
Nauset Lighthouse overlooks the parking area at Nauset Light Beach.

nauset beach light in eastham: cape cod lighthouses

be sure to pay a quick visit to the nauset beach light lighthouse at the far end of the parking lot of nauset light beach for a closer look at this landmark cape cod lighthouse.

nauset light was built in 1877 in chatham, and was moved to eastham in 1923. in 1996 nauset light and the lighthouse keeper’s house was moved away from the eroding sand dunes to their current location.

The recognizable red-and-white brick lighthouse is known all over the world as the logo on the bags of the cape cod potato chip company.

A dog walks through a sandbar at Nauset Light Beach, where dogs are allowed all summer long.
A dog walks through a sandbar at Nauset Light Beach, where dogs are allowed all summer long.

nauset light beach dog regulations

The cape cod national seashore beaches all share the same dog regulations: Dogs are allowed beyond the lifeguard protected sections of the beach. Dogs are required to remain leashed. Tickets are given to violators, so be aware.

A dog shaking water off on the beach.

nauset light beach parking fee info

The u.s. national park service has made access to nauset light beach and the cape cod seashore beaches affordable to all visitors. one-day parking passes are available, or you can purchase a season-long pass for your vehicle.

If you are over 65 you are eligible for a lifetime national parks pass for $10 which grants access to you and all passengers in your car.

Looking to check out this beach for free? There are several free weekends at the beginning and end of the summer season. You can also visit after 4:30pm at no cost.

The money from sticker fees at nauset light beach is directed back to the national seashore beaches to provide the bathrooms, changing rooms, outdoor showers, lifeguards and park rangers that keep the park safe, clean and enjoyable for the thousands of visitors who enjoy these unspoiled cape cod beaches each year.

Rocks scattered on the shoreline can hurt your feet.
Rocks scattered on the shoreline can hurt your feet at Nauset Light.

would you like to share pictures of your dog playing at nauset light beach or other pet-friendly cape cod national seashore beaches? please email us