The best walks and hikes in Barnstable County

The Salt Pond Visitor Center is the year-round visitor center of the Cape Cod National Seashore. The center on State Highway 6 has a theater, the National Parks Store, a museum, restrooms and a spacious parking lot. https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm

The Salt Pond is a twelve-meter-deep tidal pool that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The lake was formed about 18,000 years ago when glaciers retreated and left depressions. The Salt Pond was originally a freshwater lake and became a saltwater lake that is subject to the tides. A narrow channel connects the lake to the Nauset Marsh on the Atlantic Ocean. The Salt Pond continues to change; the connecting channel to the marsh is gradually filling with sand. https://npshistory.com/publications/caco/guides-guide/salt-pond-nauset-marsh.pdf

The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster, Massachusetts, is a great local museum with hiking trails out to the beach through the salt marshes. Established in 1954, it is dedicated to fostering an understanding and appreciation of Cape Cod's natural environment. With exhibits showcasing local flora, fauna, and ecosystems, as well as educational programs such as guided nature walks and workshops, the museum offers visitors of all ages the opportunity to learn about the region's diverse ecology. If you approach the museum from the east, you ride over a bridge that offers fantastic views over the salt marsh to the ocean. You can also just make out an osprey nest on a post. In the museum there is a camera that broadcasts a live feed of the ospreys; in the summer, there are often babies!

Long Pond has served as the primary source of drinking water for the town since the late 1800s, making it a unique feature among Cape Cod ponds. The Water Division Building, situated on the southwest corner of Long Pond, stands between Long and Grew's Pond. While cycling in this area, it serves as a distinctive landmark to admire.

From this point on the far southern end of Long Pond in Goodwill Park, you get fantastic views down the entirety of this large body of freshwater. Remember, regardless of how enticing the clear blue water looks, swimming is not allowed because Long Pond is the town of Falmouth's supply of drinking water! Long Pond is one of many kettle ponds on Cape Cod. Kettle ponds on the Cape were formed about 15,000 years ago toward the end of the Ice Age as glaciers retreated from the area. As they melted, they left behind massive holes or "kettles" that subsequently filled in with freshwater.

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge offers a serene escape into coastal beauty. Explore diverse ecosystems, spot birds, and enjoy scenic views in this slice of Cape Cod paradise.

Nice beach, with easy access and a paying parking lot. Surfers frequent this beach offering passersby some extra entertainment.

Cape Cod National Seashore's Salt Pond Visitor Center serves as a gateway to the park's natural beauty. Here you can learn about the area's ecosystems, history, and recreational opportunities.