Dune Shacks Trail — Attraction in Provincetown

Magical.

I love this place so much. This is where I proposed to my wife. It's one of our favorite activities to do on the cape. Here are the details.

To get to the beach - it's a hike. Nothing crazy, but about 25 minutes over soft sand, over a few somewhat steep hills, and with no protection from the sun. Bring water. Wear sunblock or sun protective gear.

I almost always go barefoot, but on a hot day, I recommend bringing sandals because the sand can get very hot. I won't be making that mistake twice. There are several different path options to take but ultimately, they all go to the same place. Just keep walking toward the ocean. I also recommend the high road.

Once you get through the hike, the beach is amazing. There are hardly any people there, sometimes none. It's one of the outermost beaches on the east coast. The water is noticeably warmer than it is further down in the cape. Go for a swim. But look out for the seals because they're all over. And, FYI, where there are seals there are sharks looking for a meal, so don't swim...

I wanted to go to Provincetown to show the kids the Rose Dorothea. Afterward, my husband wanted to take a walk on the dune shacks trail. The kids did not want to, but begrudgingly followed us onto the tiny trailhead on the side of a busy road. Only 100 feet or so into the trail the landscape changed dramatically and we found ourselves in an immense shifting sand dune as far as the eye can see. Walking up the sandy hills is hard work, and I imagine murder in the summer (bring H20!) but was a lovely way to spend a fall day and the views from the tops of the dunes are unique and idyllic. You can see ocean on either side of you, the Cape Cod Light, and the Pilgrim Monument, plus miles of sand punctuated by an oasis of scrub brush here and there. I'm so glad my husband dragged us out for a walk! He's now developed the romantic fantasy of renting one of these hike it in-hike it out, shipwreck wood constructed, no plumbing, no electricity shacks along the trail one...

Great hike and when u finally get to the water it’s so worth it. We did it in April on a beautiful day and it’s was like 60 maybe 75 degrees. We were just trying to imagine how much it felt like we were totally in a desert. In summer on a super hot day be weary who u take that maybe should be I. The hot sun hiking up and down hills of pure 6+ inches of sand. It’s kinda tough walking in deep sand up hill never mind when it’s 90+. I was thinking so many people must start the hike which is about a mile but it’s up and down and around and get 1/2 way and totally need a ambulance so. Don’t take grandma unless she’s in good shape. And bring drinks. Have fun. Highly recommend. Changes up the same old same old things we do every summer. Wife said I’m gonna kill u for bring me out here. But once we got there have was happy. Just park right i. The side of the road I will see other cars pretty much...