Cape Cod National Seashore is a National Seashore in Massachusetts. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 11 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Cape Cod
We matched 11 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Cape Cod. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Beaches (5)
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BeachBeachBeachBeachLighthouses (6)
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LighthouseSunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Cape Cod the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 57° (ENE) at the June solstice and 122° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 303° (WNW) in June to 239° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 72° in summer but only 25° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:06 AM | 7:49 AM | 3:51 PM | 4:34 PM | 242° | 9h 28m |
| February | 6:37 AM | 7:16 AM | 4:34 PM | 5:13 PM | 254° | 10h 36m |
| March | 6:53 AM | 7:30 AM | 6:10 PM | 6:47 PM | 268° | 11h 54m |
| April | 6:01 AM | 6:38 AM | 6:44 PM | 7:21 PM | 284° | 13h 20m |
| May | 5:21 AM | 6:01 AM | 7:14 PM | 7:54 PM | 297° | 14h 33m |
| June | 5:05 AM | 5:47 AM | 7:36 PM | 8:18 PM | 303° | 15h 13m |
| July | 5:19 AM | 6:00 AM | 7:34 PM | 8:15 PM | 300° | 14h 56m |
| August | 5:49 AM | 6:27 AM | 7:04 PM | 7:42 PM | 290° | 13h 53m |
| September | 6:21 AM | 6:58 AM | 6:15 PM | 6:52 PM | 275° | 12h 31m |
| October | 6:53 AM | 7:31 AM | 5:22 PM | 6:00 PM | 259° | 11h 07m |
| November | 6:31 AM | 7:12 AM | 3:39 PM | 4:21 PM | 246° | 9h 50m |
| December | 7:02 AM | 7:47 AM | 3:26 PM | 4:11 PM | 239° | 9h 09m |
Computed for the park's reference point (41.9238, -70.0432); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Cape Cod, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from March through September. June gives the longest window (about 4.3 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 19° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 5 (suburban sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| March | 4:20 AM – 5:10 AM | 0.8 | 15° |
| April | 2:12 AM – 4:12 AM | 2.0 | 19° |
| May | 12:21 AM – 3:21 AM | 3.0 | 19° |
| June | 10:30 PM – 2:50 AM | 4.3 | 19° |
| July | 10:20 PM – 1:30 AM | 3.2 | 19° |
| August | 9:29 PM – 11:29 PM | 2.0 | 18° |
| September | 8:27 PM – 9:27 PM | 1.0 | 15° |
| October | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
5 Estimated Bortle 5 — Suburban sky. The Milky Way is weak near the horizon and washed out overhead; long exposures pick up a sky glow.
Weather & best time to visit
Cape Cod's weather is generally moderated by its proximity to the ocean. Winter is typically cold with some snow. Spring is often rainy. Summer is usually warm and humid. Fall is generally dry and clear.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show September as the clearest month (about 50% average cloud cover) and January as the cloudiest (69%). August is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
| Entrance fee | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Entrance - Private Vehicle | $25.00 |
| Entrance - Motorcycle | $20.00 |
| Entrance - Per Person | $15.00 |
Fees as published by the NPS when this page was built — confirm on nps.gov before you go.
Getting there
The national seashore is located in eastern Massachusetts on Cape Cod and is accessed via Route 6. The park is 20 miles east of Hyannis, MA.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Auto and ATV
- Auto Off-Roading
- Biking
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Saltwater Fishing
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
- Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Hunting and Gathering
- Hunting
- Paddling
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Junior Ranger Program
- Skiing
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Surfing
Nearby parks
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