Longnook Beach - Town of Truro - Cape Cod National Seashore

During our October 2021 visit to Cape Cod National Seashore, we decided to explore one of the many town managed beaches in addition to several managed by the National Park Service. We chose to visit Longnook Beach in Truro. Longneck Road is located about 14 miles north of the Salt Pond Visitor Center or 10 miles from the end of US 6 in Provincetown. The beach is located at the end of Longnook Road, 1.6 miles east of US 6.

There are forty paved parking spots including one handicap-accessible spot. In addition, an emergency call box is located at the beach end of the parking lot. A portable toilet is provided during the summer season. According to the Town of Truro webpage for Longnook Beach:

 Access to Longnook beach can only be accomplished by a 50' - 70', steep, narrow path down the dune.

We found the path to be steep as noted, but not difficult. Once again, we had the beach almost all to ourselves.

View from the end of the parking lot

View south

View north

One of several seals near the beach

The steep path down to the beach

On the wide beach

Looking back at the ramp

Waves rolling in

Another view of the ramps

Wide beach beneath the dune cliff

Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)

Time to climb back up to the parking lot

One last look at the beach and ocean

The Town of Truro requires a valid beach parking permit from the third Saturday in June through Labor Day. Non-resident permits require proof of ownership of property in Truro or proof of stay in Truro. A non-resident one-week sticker is $100. Each additional week is an additional $50 with a maximum of $300 for the season. A resident season sticker is $25. There is never a lifeguard on duty at Longnook Beach.

Cape Cod National Seashore beach entrance fees are collected daily from late June through Labor Day, and on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to the middle of September at select beaches. The six national seashore beaches where fees are collected are Coast Guard and Nauset Light in Eastham, Marconi in Wellfleet, Head of the Meadow in Truro, and Race Point and Herring Cove in Provincetown.

When an entry fee is collected, a fee of $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, or $15 per person is valid for the same day at Cape Cod National Seashore. Other fee payment options include the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes including the Annual Pass ($80), Senior Pass ($80 for a lifetime), Access Pass (free with a documented disability), and Military Annual Pass (free for active-duty personnel). Also available is a Cape Cod National Seashore Annual Pass for $60.

The Cape Cod National Seashore website is https://www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm.