Trying to make sense of Eastham beach stickers and where you can park? You’re not alone. Between Town lots on the bay and ponds and the National Park Service ocean beaches, it’s easy to mix up which pass you need. This guide shows you exactly where each pass applies, what it costs, how to buy it, and how to avoid tickets. Let’s dive in.
Town vs National Seashore
Town of Eastham stickers cover Town-managed bay and pond beaches and specific parking lots. The Cape Cod National Seashore manages the ocean beaches in Eastham (Coast Guard and Nauset Light) and runs its own fees and passes. Town visitor stickers and daily passes are not valid at the Seashore entrances. Review the Town overview and beach brochure if you want a quick at-a-glance list of locations and rules.
- Town overview: Beach & Sticker Information
- Beach brochure: Bay Beaches & Ponds guide
- National Park Service fees: Cape Cod National Seashore
Where passes are required
Many Town lots are sticker only. Examples include Boat Meadow, Cole Road, Dyer Prince, Great Pond, Hemenway Landing, Herring Pond, Sunken Meadow, and Thumpertown. A Town sticker must be displayed to park at these locations. See the Town brochure for the full list of lots and rules.
Daily Town passes are only sold and accepted at four locations: Campground Beach, Cooks Brook, First Encounter Beach, and Wiley Park. If you prefer day-by-day flexibility, start with these. The Town’s daily pass and beach parking page explains where and how daily passes work.
- Daily pass rules: Beach Parking & Daily Passes
For ocean beaches in Eastham, the NPS collects fees at Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach during its fee season. NPS passes are sold at fee booths and are valid across Seashore beaches when required.
Current fees at a glance
- Town daily pass at the four eligible beaches: $30 per vehicle. Source: Town brochure.
- Town visitor stickers: 3-day $75, 1-week $120, 2-week $175, seasonal $300. Source: visitor mail-in form.
- NPS passes: typically about $25 per vehicle daily and $60 seasonal. Check the NPS page for current amounts and pass options.
Fees can change each year. Confirm details on the Town and NPS pages before you buy.
- Town brochure and prices: Bay Beaches & Ponds guide
- Visitor sticker application and prices: 2025 Visitor Mail-In Application
- NPS fee details: Cape Cod National Seashore
Season dates to verify
Town materials sometimes show different start dates for enforcement. One 2025 brochure references June 21 through Labor Day, while other pages reference July 1 transitions and June 30 expirations for sticker years. To avoid a surprise, verify the current season start and end dates with the Town Sticker Office before your first beach day.
- Contact and updates: Beach & Sticker Information
How to buy stickers
Online
Eastham typically opens an online sticker portal ahead of the season. Online purchases require the same documentation as mail-in and can take time to process, so buy early.
- Portal and updates: Beach & Sticker Information
Mail-in
Use the Town’s mail forms for visitor stickers. Include a copy of the valid vehicle registration for each vehicle, the completed application, a self-addressed stamped envelope or $1 for postage, and a check or money order payable to “Town of Eastham.” Taxpayer stickers require proof of Eastham taxpayer status; see the Town site for the correct form and instructions.
- Visitor form: 2025 Visitor Mail-In Application
In person
You can also buy at the Sticker Office, 555 Old Orchard Road. Hours change seasonally. Check the Town page for current hours and opening dates.
- Office info: Beach & Sticker Information
Documents you need
- Copy of the vehicle registration for each vehicle
- Completed application form
- Self-addressed stamped envelope or $1 for postage (if mailing)
- Check or money order payable to “Town of Eastham”
How to display stickers
Town stickers are issued per vehicle and are non transferable. Place the sticker exactly where the Town instructs and keep it clearly visible. Altering or defacing a sticker can void it and lead to a replacement fee and possible fines. The Town has warned against sticker alteration, and local reporting has covered fines for parking without a valid sticker.
- Town rules and sticker notes: Bay Beaches & Ponds guide
- Enforcement coverage: Local reporting on sticker enforcement
Hosting renters: quick checklist
- Tell guests which beaches are Town vs NPS and which lots accept daily passes.
- Share how to buy the right pass. Consider pre-purchasing visitor stickers for turnover days.
- Include the Sticker Office link and phone in your welcome notes so guests can confirm hours and rules.
- Remind guests that Town passes are not valid at ocean beaches. For Coast Guard and Nauset Light, they must pay NPS fees or buy an NPS seasonal pass.
Helpful links for guest packets:
- Visitor sticker options and prices: 2025 Visitor Mail-In Application
- NPS fees and passes: Cape Cod National Seashore
Enforcement and tickets
Parking enforcement is handled by the Town. If you receive a ticket, payment is typically due within 21 days, and appeals must follow the Town’s written process. Find payment and appeal instructions on the Town’s Parking Tickets page.
- Tickets and appeals: Parking Tickets
For the ocean beaches, NPS rangers enforce their fee rules. NPS collects fees seasonally and became fully cashless at coastal fee booths on July 1, 2025. If you rely on any resident or taxpayer parking arrangements at Seashore lots, confirm the current setup with both the Town and NPS, as local reporting has noted changes and disputes over time.
- NPS fee operations: Cape Cod National Seashore
- Background on resident parking discussions: Reporting on Nauset Light parking
Accessibility and overnight rules
Town and NPS lots honor state disabled placards and plates. In peak season, some ocean beach parking is limited, and shuttles may be used, with designated spaces for residents and disabled permit holders near the beach. Check posted signs for hours, no-overnight rules, and any tow zones at each lot. When in doubt, confirm with the Town and NPS before you go.
- Town lot rules and hours: Bay Beaches & Ponds guide
- Seashore parking overview: Cape Cod National Seashore parking basics
Pro tips for Eastham owners
- Buy early. Online or mail-in orders can take time to process.
- Keep a copy of your vehicle registration handy for applications.
- Budget for both systems if you plan to enjoy bay, pond, and ocean beaches.
- Label a simple map for guests: daily-pass beaches, sticker-only lots, and where NPS fee booths are.
- Always read lot signage on arrival to avoid tickets.
If you want a simple, accurate setup for the season, verify current dates, fees, and hours with the Town Sticker Office and check NPS fees before your first beach day. A few minutes of planning will save you and your guests time and tickets.
Have questions about owning, renting, or selling a home on the Cape or in Greater Boston? For clear guidance and a seamless plan, reach out to Jonathan Heelen.
FAQs
Are Eastham Town beach stickers valid at Coast Guard or Nauset Light?
- No. Town stickers and daily passes are not accepted at National Park Service ocean beaches; you need NPS passes during their fee season.
When do Eastham beach stickers get enforced each year?
- Dates vary by year and some 2025 materials conflict; confirm current start and end dates with the Sticker Office before you go.
What documents are required for a visitor sticker by mail?
- You need a copy of the vehicle registration for each vehicle, a completed application, a self-addressed stamped envelope or $1 for postage, and a check or money order payable to the Town of Eastham.
How do I pay or appeal an Eastham parking ticket?
- Follow the Town’s payment and appeal instructions; tickets are generally due within 21 days and appeals are submitted in writing.
Do NPS beach fee booths accept cash in Eastham?
- No. The Seashore’s coastal fee booths are cashless; bring a card for daily or seasonal passes.
