Entrance Fee Increase Proposal

Cape Cod National Seashore management is proposing an increase to the entrance fees. The entrance fees are currently charged daily during the summer season for the six ocean beaches managed by the National Park Service. These fees are collected at entrance stations at Herring Cove, Race Point, Head of the Meadow, Marconi, and Nauset Light beaches, and at the Little Creek Parking Area for Coast Guard Beach.

The fee program is critical to the park, as 80% of the fees collected stays in the park and goes directly into improving facilities and providing services that are important to the visitors. The remaining 20% of fees collected is put into a national account to fund priority NPS projects across the country. The new beach facilities and concession at Herring Cove Beach were constructed using these national funds. Entrance fees for Cape Cod National Seashore have not increased since 2007.

The daily vehicle fee would increase from $15 per vehicle to $20 per vehicle. The seasonal CCNS pass would increase from $45 per vehicle to $60 per vehicle. The per person daily fee would increase from $3 to $10 and the motorcycle daily fee would increase from $5 to $15. Any person under 16 years of age is exempt from paying an entrance fee (this includes international visitors). The Annual Interagency Passes, which are honored at all federally managed land units, are not affected by the proposed fee increase and will remain at $80 for the regular pass, $10 for the lifetime Senior Pass and free for the Access and Active-Duty Military passes.

The additional revenue from the fee increase would be used to enhance visitor services, including repair of park facilities, rehabilitation of visitor centers and cultural resources, and additional park programs and transportation services.

A 45-day public input period on the proposed fee increase begins today and extends to December 6, 2014. The new fees could be implemented in early 2015. However, the implementation schedule may vary based on the results of the public input process. The park will develop an implementation schedule that is supportive of local communities and interested stakeholders.

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