If you want to feel as though you’ve landed on another planet, head to the Cape Cod National Seashore. Here you will find the Provincetown Dunes, an otherworldly destination in Massachusetts. There’s no other place quite like this in the Bay State and it’s one you should add to your bucket list immediately. It also happens to be one of my favorite parts of the Cape.

Head to the Province Lands where you can see the Provincetown Dunes, a natural wonder in Massachusetts. It's an extraordinary sight to see in person.
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Covering an expanse of nearly 2,000 acres, the dunes in Provincetown are otherworldly, to say the least. The dunes are massive and seem to stretch out as far as the eye can see.
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While right by the coastal waters of Cape Cod, traversing through these dunes by either foot or overland vehicle, you'll feel as though you're actually in the desert.
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Dotting the landscape of this area are dune shacks as well as Race Point Lighthouse. Not only is there plenty of nature to see here but historical sites as well.
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Built in the 1800s. Race Point Lighthouse is on the National Register of Historic Place. It stands 45 feet tall and is open for tours on select Saturdays from June until October.
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There is so much resplendent beauty to take in when you visit the Provincetown Dunes.
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I've hiked through these dunes for many years now and they still make my jaw drop. However, the trails here are not for the faint of heart so if you do want to hike here, you must be in good physical shape and come prepared with plenty of water, sun protection, and the proper footwear. Hiking poles will help as well.
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If you haven't yet seen these sand dunes in MA, you should make plans to as soon as possible!
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Take a look at this video by @AdamHoyt:

As one of my favorite destinations on the Cape, I can’t speak highly enough of seeing these sand dunes in MA. Have you ever seen the Provincetown Dunes in person before? What is another otherworldly destination in Massachusetts you can think of? Let us know in the comments. To learn more about the Provincetown Dunes, visit the National Park Service website.

If you want to take a tour of the dunes in Provincetown, check out Art’s Dune Tours. It’s the best way to see the dunes and the dune shacks. If you decide to hike, keep in mind that hiking the dunes is strenuous and you should exercise caution. 

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Provincetown Dunes

Melissa M. | September 30, 2023

How do I go about visiting the Provincetown Dunes?

There are several ways to visit the Provincetown Dunes. Among them are:

  • Take an SUV tour with Art’s Dune Tours. This is the most popular tour operator in the area and you’ll be taken in an overland vehicle through the dunes where you can view the landscape and historic dune shacks dotting this awe-inspiring landscape.
  • Go for a hike along the Sand Dune Trail. Speaking from experience, this is a strenuous hike with no shade and you must bring plenty of water with you. I liken it to hiking in the desert except you’ll be hiking in sand nearly the entire length. But it’s one of the most unique hikes on the Cape. My dad runs a hiking group on the Cape and this is one of his group’s favorite hikes.
  • Go for a ranger-led hike through the Cape Cod National Seashore. Seasonal programs are available through the seashore. Check the schedule for available and upcoming dune hikes.

 

How did the Provincetown Dunes form?

The stunning landscape of the Provincetown Dunes was formed by a glacial retreat over 18,000 years ago. Sand and sediment were then deposited inland by the wind. Today we are lucky to have a natural wonder as extraordinary as this in Massachusetts.

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