Cape Cod's Unmatched Wildlife Sanctuary Boasts Beaches, Woodlands, Serene Trails And Educational Experiences

The town of Wellfleet on Cape Cod is on a section of the peninsula known as the Outer Cape. It is flanked to the south by the town of Eastham, home to one of the best beaches in America, and to the north by Truro, a quiet hamlet that contains one of the country's best under-the-radar wine regions. Wellfleet itself is a town that has tons of beachy beauty without the crowds of more built-up towns on the Upper Cape. It's also the home of the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, a beautiful stretch of nature that boasts beaches, woodlands, scenic trails, and unmatched educational experiences.

Maintained by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the area that is now the Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary was farmland, salt marshes, and fishing coves in the 1800s. By the 20th century, the bay and marshes had reclaimed much of that farmland, and it came under the wing of the Austin Ornithological Research Station, owing to the amazing amount of migrating and native species found among the flats. Today, that spirit of conservation lives on for more generations to enjoy.

Being on the outer edge of Cape Cod, Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary is a good two-hour drive from Boston, though that depends on whether or not you get stuck in Cape Cod's notorious bridge traffic. It's far better to access the sanctuary if you're already vacationing on the Outer Cape. From more popular towns Chatham or Provincetown, the drive to the sanctuary is only half an hour. Since both only have municipal airports, though, you may need to make that trek from Boston's Logan International Airport. The plus side of being in the city is, of course, the high-end accommodations at places like the Boston Harbor Hotel or the Revere Hotel Boston Common.

Much like the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge in Chatham, the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for both migrating and native bird species. As the largest un-ditched salt marsh on the Outer Cape, and with its tidal flats, pools, and native oak and scrub pine woodlands, the sanctuary is unmatched for Cape Cod birdwatching. Year-round, you can see barn swallows, northern bobwhites, Baltimore orioles, herons, plovers, salt marsh sparrows, avocets, and so many more! 

To access the trails and beaches here you need to be a Massachusetts Audubon Society Member or pay a nominal fee. All of the trails in the sanctuary are connected, and showcase the area's vast range of landscapes. If you're looking for salt marshes and beaches, try the Bayview and Boardwalk Trails. More interested in ponds and woodlands? The Goose Pond and Silver Spring Trails are your best bet. If you want a good adventure, hike out to Try Island for its oak and hickory habitat and great views back to the sanctuary.

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is also enormously accessible for visitors with mobility challenges or disabilities. The All Person's Trail is a quarter mile of wide, smooth packers surface with no stairs or steep sections. There is also an incredibly sturdy dock that can support all types of mobility devices and provides a 360-degree view of Goose Pond.

Natural and ornithological education has long been at the core of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. This mission is on full display with the fun, unique offerings at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Aimed specifically at the wildlife of Cape Cod, there are numerous activities, events, and exhibits that visitors of all ages can partake in. If you have kids, one of the best things to do is examine the Wellfleet Bay Quest. This is a 45-minute adventure that follows along a path filled with rhyming clues that get you through the Quest while learning important things about the sanctuary's wildlife, habitat, and history.

Curious adults can take part in the Cape Cod Field Schools. These are multi-day "field experiences" taught by professional scientists and ornithologists. They offer full immersion in the subjects taught, which range from tidal studies to backwoods hikes and sea turtle hatchings. Also offered are day programs including guided bird watches, hikes, and nature schools for kids.

Also on the property is the Esther Underwood Johnson Nature Center, which houses the gift shop, numerous wildlife exhibits about Cape Cod, six fish tanks filled with local fish, and a butterfly garden in the front. So, if you have ever wanted to experience the more natural side of Cape Cod, there is no better place to do it than this. It is one of the very best experiences you can only have on Cape Cod.